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Chapter one
Chloe
With a heavy sigh, I shut the trunk of my car and then turn my gaze up longingly at the towering apartment building that has been my home for the past two years. I brush away a stray tear from my cheek, my fingers lingering on the coolness of my skin. Absentmindedly, I grab a lock of my hair and start to chew on the end to soothe the anxiety pulsing through me.
Damn. I hadn’t seen this coming.
I’d always dreamed of being a big city girl. Of living that glamorous, metropolitan life I’d always seen on TV growing up. I’d left home naïve and full of hope.
Now, I’m returning home, jaded and broke.
Shaking my head in disappointment, I climb into the driver’s seat of my overly packed car, squeezing the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white. The engine roars to life with a reluctant grumble, echoing my mood.
As I navigate through the midday traffic, I fumble with my phone, dialing up my best friend’s number. My fingers tap nervously on the steering wheel, a subconscious rhythm of my anxiety. “Damn it,” I mutter as a car cuts me off with a loud honk. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
Thankfully, she picks up after two rings.
“Chloe! Hey, girl. Are you on your way?”
Letting out a long breath, I say, “Hey, Lauren. Yeah, I am.”
“Ah, don’t sound so sad,” Lauren replies in a sympathetic tone. “I know this isn’t what you’d planned, but it’ll all be okay. Besides, you’re coming to live with me! We’re going to have so much fun together!”
That thought does make me smile a little. She’s being so generous and not even making me pay rent since she owns her house outright. But I still feel like a failure for relying on my best friend to pick up the pieces of my broken life.
I don’t have anyone else to turn to, though. My mom died when I was a kid, and my dad died in my junior year of high school. Lauren’s family let me stay with them throughout my senior year; otherwise, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me. I already owe her so much, and now, I’m going to be more in debt to her than before. Still, she’s my best friend…if I have to owe anyone, I’m glad it’s her.
“Lauren, you have no idea how much I appreciate this,” I respond, my voice shaky. “I just…I never thought I’d be back so soon.”
The line is silent for a moment before Lauren replies with a soft, “Chloe, everyone stumbles at some point, but that doesn’t mean you failed. It’s just a detour.”
“I know Still, things were going so well…until Phil dumped me. Everything just fell apart after that.”
“Phil’s a jerk,” Lauren huffs. “But as much as I’d like to, you can’t exactly blame him for your company going under.”
“Yeah.” I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I suppose that’s true. The timing of everything just sucks.” Just days after my ex-boyfriend decided to end things because he found another girl with more “desirable assets,” the multi-media company I was working for went under after the owners mismanaged their money so badly that they were forced into bankruptcy.
“Forget about Phil and the company, Chloe. You’re a smart and talented woman. You’ll pull through this with flying colors.”
I swallow my response, holding back the tears that are threatening to spill over. How can she be so optimistic? It feels like my world has come crashing down around me, and I’m not sure how to pull myself out of the rubble.
In contrast, she sounds so confident and assured. Lauren has lived a privileged life and comes from money, so she’s never really had to worry about things like empty bank accounts or wondering how she’ll pay the electric bill. That’s not to say she’s a snob by any means. She’s grounded and kind, and she’s never been one to shove her family’s money in my face.
Still, our perspective on the world is different. For her, this is just a little setback that I’ll be able to bounce back from, no problem.
For me, I have no idea about how I’m going to pull my life back together.
Another loud honk startles me, and I nearly drop my phone. “Watch where you’re going!” I shout at the oblivious driver, my frustration boiling over.
“Everything okay?” Lauren asks, concern lacing her voice.
“Just some idiot on the road.” I grip the steering wheel tighter in a weak attempt to center myself. “Thanks, Lauren, for everything.”
“Don’t mention it,” she says cheerfully. “Just drive safe, and get here in one piece. We’ll celebrate and get drunk tonight. How’s that sound?”
“Sounds great.” Hanging up the phone, I take a moment to allow Lauren’s words to sink in. A fresh start. I glance at my reflection in the mirror, noticing the bags under my eyes and the dampness on my cheeks. I’ve been crying almost every day since everything started falling apart.
I click on the radio, hoping that some upbeat music will help to lighten my mood. The first few notes of one of my favorite upbeat pop songs come pouring from the speakers. I can’t help but laugh a little at how perfectly timed it is. It’s as if someone up there knows exactly what I need right now.
