Chapter 1
The piercing ring of my phone jolted me awake in the dead of night. For a moment, I was disoriented, tangled in a fog of interrupted sleep. The room was dark, the only light emanating from the glow of my phone screen on the nightstand. Unknown number. I hesitated, heart racing as thoughts raced through my mind. Who could it be? An emergency? A wrong number?
The ringing persisted, demanding attention. I sighed, rubbed my eyes, and picked it up just as it was about to stop.
“Hello?” My voice was hoarse, a mix of sleep and irritation.
“Hey! It’s me!” The voice on the other end was bright, familiar, and instantly recognizable.
“Dahlia?” I asked, sitting upright.
“Yes! It’s been forever, hasn’t it?” she said, her voice carrying the same cheerfulness I remembered from years ago.
It had been five years since we last spoke. Five long years since we’d drifted apart after college, each swallowed by the currents of our own lives. Yet, hearing her voice now felt like no time had passed.
“Wow, Dahlia. This is unexpected,” I said, a mix of surprise and happiness creeping into my tone. “What’s going on? And why are you calling so late?”
“Oh, sorry about that!” she said quickly. “It’s not late where I am. Time zones, you know? I’m in Europe these days. I just couldn’t wait to share the news.”
“News?”
“I’m getting married!”
The words hit me like a sudden gust of wind, leaving me momentarily speechless. “Married? Are you serious? That’s amazing!”
“I know, right? I’m so excited!” she gushed. “And guess what? I’m inviting everyone from our college group. It’ll be a little reunion. I’ve already reached out to a few people. You have to come!”
“I…” The flood of emotions—joy, nostalgia, a twinge of melancholy—left me struggling to find the right words. “Of course, I’ll be there. Wow, Dahlia, this is… incredible. Congratulations!”
“Thank you! It’s going to be in a few months, so there’s plenty of time to plan. I’ll send you the details soon,” she said.
The conversation flowed effortlessly after that, as if the years of silence between us had dissolved. We talked about her fiancé, her life in Europe, and even reminisced about the wild, carefree days of college. Her laughter was contagious, and for a brief moment, I felt like I was back in those familiar, sunlit corridors where we’d shared countless memories.
Finally, she said, “Okay, I should let you get back to sleep. Sorry again for waking you up!”
“It’s fine, really. I’m glad you called,” I replied sincerely.
“Me too. Take care, and don’t forget—you have to come. Bye!”
“Bye, Dahlia.”
The call ended, leaving the room once again in silence. I set the phone down and leaned back against the headboard, staring into the darkness. A slow smile spread across my face as memories of Dahlia flooded my mind. She had been more than a friend during college—she’d been my anchor, my confidante, the one person I could always count on. Whether it was late-night study sessions, heart-to-heart talks, or pulling me out of my shell during social events, Dahlia had been there.
I felt a swell of gratitude. She had done so much for me, more than I had ever truly acknowledged. And now, she was getting married. I couldn’t be happier for her.
But then, her words echoed in my mind: I’m inviting everyone from our college group.
Everyone.
A cold realization crept over me. If everyone was invited, that meant… Jenny might be coming too.
The smile faded from my lips as the thought took root. My chest tightened, and an old, familiar bitterness surfaced, unbidden and unwanted. Jenny.
I cursed under my breath.
