Page 13 of Upgraded Friendship

I let out a sigh of relief, grateful to not be alone. “It’s okay, Tanya. Just glad you’re back,” I reply, relief washing over me like a tidal wave.

“Hey where’s Andrea?” she asks, looking around the partygoers.

“Oh, she’s at the bar with her friend Sarah and another guy, but I don’t know who he is,” I reply pointing in her direction.

“Oh okay…oh! That is Alex. I’m going over there to say ‘hi,’ do you want something else to drink?.” she asks, about to walk off again.

“No, I’m good. Mine is still full.” I reply, indicating to my glass.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

Still feeling out of place, I try to casually finish my drink. Andrea finally looks comfortable talking with her old friends. I don’t want to interject myself into their reunion as I did not attend school with any of them.

Looking around, I catch sight of Jeremy and his fiancée making their rounds. I look back toward the bar, but Andrea is no longer with her friends. My heart skips a beat at the sight of her standing there alone, a tense expression marring her previously serene features. Without a second thought, I make my way through the crowd toward her, a sense of protectiveness swelling within me as I approach.

Chapter five

Andrea

The morning sun streams through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my bedroom. I stretch and yawn, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Today is Jeremy’s engagement party, and I can already feel the nerves fluttering in my stomach.

Just as I’m contemplating the daunting task of choosing an outfit for the evening, there’s a knock on my door. I glance at the clock and realize it’s far too early for anyone else to be up at this hour. Curious, I make my way to the door and swing it open to reveal Tanya standing on the other side, a mischievous grin on her face.

“Good morning, sunshine!” she exclaims, her voice filled with infectious enthusiasm.

I can’t help but laugh at her exuberance, despite the early hour. “Tanya, what are you doing here so early?” I ask, stepping aside to let her into the apartment.

Tanya breezes past me, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “I couldn’t wait any longer! We’ve got a big day ahead of us, and I wanted to make sure we had plenty of time to get ready,” she explains, her tone chipper.

I smile, grateful for her unwavering enthusiasm. “Well, you’re just in time. I was just about to start thinking of what to wear,” I admit, gesturing towards my closet.

Tanya claps her hands together excitedly. “Perfect! Let’s dive in and find you the perfect outfit,” she declares, making a beeline for my wardrobe.

We sift through all of clothes, and soon we’re buried under a mountain of fabric, laughing and joking as we try on various combinations of dresses and accessories. Tanya pulls out a sequined dress, holding it up for inspection with a grin.

“What do you think? Too flashy?” she asks, her eyebrows raised expectantly.

I shake my head, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Nah, I think it’s perfect. Let’s give it a try,” I reply, reaching for the dress and disappearing into the bathroom to change.

Emerging a few minutes later, I do a little twirl in front of the mirror, admiring the way the dress shimmers in the morning light. Tanya claps her hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling with approval.

“You look amazing, Andrea!” she exclaims, her voice filled with genuine excitement.

I can’t help but blush at her compliment, grateful for her unwavering support. “Thanks, Tanya. You’re the best,” I reply, a warm feeling spreading through my chest.

With the outfit sorted, we turn our attention to breakfast—deciding on waffles. We set to work in the kitchen, mixing batter and flipping waffles with practiced ease. As the scent of freshly cooked waffles fills the air, we hum along to the music playing softly in the background, lost in the simple joy of cooking together.

“So, how are you feeling about tonight?” Tanya asks, breaking the comfortable silence that has settled between us.

I pause, considering her question carefully. “Honestly? I’m nervous. But having you here with me makes it a little less scary,” I admit, offering her a grateful smile.

Tanya returns my smile with a reassuring nod. “You’ve got nothing to worry about, Andrea. The three of us will stick together and get through the party,” she assures me, her voice filled with determination.

Her words offer me a sense of comfort, and I find myself feeling a little lighter as we finish up our breakfast. After we clean up the kitchen, Tanya decides to run off and finish up some errands and get ready herself.

I settle down at my desk, intent on distracting myself with some coding work. The familiar rhythm of typing and working on the app helps calm my nerves, allowing me to focus on something other than the engagement party.

Just as I’m getting into the flow of my work, my phone rings; interrupting my concentration. I glance at the caller ID and see that it’s Tanya. With a sigh, I pick up the phone and answer, already knowing what she’s going to say.

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