Page 3 of Stealing Home

“Sending it now. Thank you bestie. Love you tons!”

“Adding it to my calendar. Love you too babes, see you soon!” Dani says before hanging up.

I can’t express how thankful I’m for crossing paths with Dani six years ago. We became instant best friends through our mutual love and support for a small online boutique called,The Infinity Boutique By KAIT.

We’ve only met in person a handful of times, but we Facetime at least once a week and text almost daily.

Dani and I also share our height. We’re both 5’3. But we differ where she has shoulder length chocolate brown hair, while mine is raven stark black and halfway down my back. Dani is lean as she loves to work out and I’m okay with my curves in all the right places. She has just the slightest tan year-round that makes her bright blue eyes pop. She is a year younger than me and she’s my soul sister. With a crazy personality and a ridiculous heart of gold, she always calls me out on my bullshit and it’s why I haven’t gotten rid of her yet. Not that she would let me if I tried.

I don’t have any family since losing both my parents within the last six years and they were both only children. Dani really is the only friend that I have. I used to spend time with a few coworkers, but now that our work interactions have decreased, they only reach out to me when they require a reference for a job interview.

I guess I really am a lone wolf here in Colorado.

After the curveball life has thrown me these last four months, being in the same state as my best friend will be a game changer for my morale.

Next on the to-do list is being prepared. Going straight to my closet to start packing, I gather clothing options so Dani can help me choose what to wear and hang them in my garment bag.What’s a best friend if they don’t help you pick out an interview outfit?

Thankfully, if anything is forgotten, she will probably have it or know where we can go grab it quickly by staying with her.Staring at my closet, I add a few more items….better to have too many options than not enough.

Finishing packing for the night, I feel extremely giddy and hopeful that my life is about to change drastically for the better in three short days. My current situation has made me realize I want more out of my life. My parents always told me I deserve the world, and it’s time to start believing them, even if it’s on unsteady feet.

I’m amazing, unstoppable, and inevitable. I’m ready to be onto bigger and better things.

Here’s to living life on a prayer.

The last threedays have passed in the blink of an eye. The butterflies floating in my stomach almost have me nauseous as my Uber driver pulls up to drop me off at Denver International.

Lucky for me, I planned ahead and arrived a few hours early. Getting my luggage checked and going through TSA only took me a little over an hour. It’s early in the morning and being able to grab a cup of coffee is heaven as I wait for my boarding call.

As soon as I finish my cup, they summon my group to board. Getting settled in my seat, my eyelids feel heavy.

I love coffee but it doesn’t always do its job.

Sleep was lacking last night because of the excitement and nerves that started running through my thoughts. I must be more tired than I thought because I fall asleep and only wake up when the pilot announces overhead, “Welcome to New York.”.

Exiting the plane, I switch my phone off of airplane mode. Once the signal hits, I see I have a few missed calls and texts from Dani. As I go to call her back, my phone vibrates.

“Hi, Hello, Bonjour, Hola Bestie, I just got off the plane. Do you have a chill button?” I ask, not hiding my laughter.

“Hell no, I don’t. You’re here in my state! Hurry! I’m at the baggage claim, waiting for your ass.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m on my way. See you in a moment, loca.” I hope she can hear my eyes rolling as I hang up.

I’m beyond excited to see my best friend. So much so that I almost start running to meet her but think better of it, deciding to be an adult and just walk briskly.

Following the signs to get to baggage claim and a short escalator ride later, spotting Dani is easy. She’s standing in front of the screen that shows departures and arrivals. Seeing her poster board sign, all I can do is laugh as people passing by are looking at her strangely, like she is not of this world. I get off the escalator and walk over to her.

“Really? Welcome home bitch, now you can never leave.” I say, reading her sign out loud. “You even used the star for the i? You are nuts, but it’s why I love you!” We laugh and wrap each other in a tight hug with tears in my eyes. No one in my life has done something so silly yet, so meaningful.

“I’m just excited that you are actually here! Let’s grab your bag and get moving.” Dani interlocks her arm with mine. “You had a long flight. Are you hungry?”

“Starved and ready to get comfy to start prepping for my interview tomorrow. You’re helping me pick out my interview outfit, by the way.” I inform her.

I spot my luggage on the carousel as it starts to go around and grab it. Walking out of the airport and over to where Dani’s car is in the parking lot. We make haste to get in and head to her place.

“How was the flight?”

“Fine, I guess? I fell asleep.” I look over at her and smile. She really does know me better than I do. “I didn’t sleep all that much last night, either.”

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