Chapter 1 - The Invitation
The sun sat high in the sky making the streets look like they were glowing. But the sun had started to dip just enough to cast shadows between the buildings. It was a hot and lazy afternoon in Brooklyn, New York - The city of charm, they say. But rather Beans and her friends would describe it as the city of chaos, beautiful chaos.
Bean’s apartment building stood tall—a little worn out but simple and full of life. Beans is lying on her bed scrolling through TikTok for the past 3 hours calling it a painter’s block. But even she knows that she has no motivation to do anything.
From her fifth-floor window she could hear the various sounds of the city below: someone blasting music, the honking of horns somewhere far into the city, a baby crying. The air smelled rich and warm. She could smell a fresh blend of roasted coffee beans with a hint of sweetness.
The smell was amazing and made Beans want to treat herself. “I could really go for some coffee right about now,” she said. As she tries to get herself up for a coffee, her phone starts dinging. It was her friend group. *Ting* She opened the chat and saw Naina’s message.
Naina: Go check your emails NOW!!!
Naina who’s usually busy all day attending her classes in PhD psychology gets excited all of a sudden in the middle of a class while checking her emails. Believe me, she’s not the type of girl to look at her phone during her class.
She was the type of student who took notes, sat in the front and never checked to look at her phone once during class. But today was different. She quietly checked her email under the desk, her eyes turned wide. “Whoa,” she gasped.
Jazz: Why should I check though?
Jazz was in a rush rummaging through the clothes in the room to get ready for her next shoot. Her floor looked like a dressing room after a fashion week meltdown. Yes, she’s a full-time model and a part-time fashion designer—which meant her life was really chaotic but also fun. As she checks her phone for the picture that refers to how she needs to style her clothes, she looks over the friends group. Her screen lit with a notification and out of habit she tapped on the group chat.
She was confused about what Naina’s text meant but started gasping in shock and excitement as she looked at the screenshot sent by Naina. “What the–are you serious,” she squealed. She immediately stopped what she was doing and started texting in the group. (Naina sends a insta story screenshot)
Jazz: OMG GREECE!!! We are so going please, also I’m starting packing rn.
Anzy: Are you talking about the mail from Izzy?
Anzy, who was getting ready to clock out from her IT firm, checks her emails for the day one last time. It had been a long day of attending meetings and fixing bugs. So, as usual she did a quick scan of her inbox before shutting down. That’s when one email caught her eye—Subject: You’re Invited!!
Anzy clicked it thinking it was another one of those boring company events, but her eyes lit up as she saw who it was from. An email from Izzy. A college classmate and friend. As she was about to tell her friends, she noticed that a chat had already started. Figures, she thought, smiling. She eagerly gets out of the office as soon as she can and starts texting with the group.
Naina: YESSSS!!! It’s Izzy’s wedding!
Anzy: I am so excited for this. Also are we going??
Jazz: Are you kidding me?? We definitely are.
Beans: Uhmm.. it sounds nice.
Naina: Let’s plan a vacation with the wedding.
Anzy: I am so ready for a vacation pleaseee.. Let’s go!!
Jazz: Yess bitches! We are doing this.
Beans: Hey Jazz, are you getting your plus one for the wedding?
Jazz: Nah dumped him yesterday.
Naina: Not surprised lol
Anzy: she’ll find a new one at the wedding don’t worry lmao
Jazz: A man a day, keeps my stress away (a wink emoji)
*Everyone cracks up in the group*
Beans: So, the wedding is in 3 weeks. Is everyone free at that time?
Anzy: I can take leave for a week
Naina: I’ll be done with my exams by then so not an issue for me too
Jazz: I’m free too
Beans: As you guys know that I’m in my “painters block”, I need this vacation so bad
Jazz: It’s a done deal then, We are OFFICIALLY going.
The four friends started looking forward to the wedding and the vacation they are going to have.
The tickets were booked, the outfits were decided, the dedication to skincare has started. Everyone was doing their jobs but with a little bit more motivation than ever. Texts flew back and forth throughout the days.
Each evening, they shared the small preparations they did. Naina researching local cafes, Jazz picking out the best accessories, Anzy packing tech necessities and Beans putting together playlists to set the mood.
The friends have craved this vacation a lot since many years. But now, the time has come. The time to take a break, the time to relax, the time to enjoy, the time to laugh out loud and perhaps the time to find love. As departure day grew closer, the anticipation grew more as well.
Will this be the vacation they actually planned for?
