Chapter 5

"I will," I ran my fingers through my hair and plonked on the bed, feeling the soft mattress sink beneath me. The weight of the day's emotions pressed down on me and made even the simple act of sitting up feel like a monumental task.

"I just need time."

Clara's eyes softened with concern, but her voice remained firm.

"Well, you don't have that time," she started to pull me up gently but insistently. "Because I'm going to the club and you're coming with me."

I felt a surge of resistance well up inside me.

"No," I said definitely and started to pull away, my body tensing. "I'm not going anywhere."

The thought of facing a crowd, of pretending to be okay when my world had just shattered, seemed impossible.

"Please, Ana," Clara pleaded desperately. "I can't watch you go away like this. You're my best friend, and seeing you like this... it breaks my heart."

I sighed. "Just let me have this night. It's been four years!"

Clara shook her head, "Doesn't matter. Four years or four decades, cheat