Chapter - 01
•••
Ramie Cartet was sitting in my room like she usually did when she didn’t feel like going home immediately.
Ramie Carter was my best friend. She had been for so long that I couldn’t remember when exactly she became such a permanent part of my life. Her presence was familiar in the way sunlight through my bedroom window was familiar—constant, warm, expected. She was taller than me by a little, enough to make her naturally look more confident in crowded places. Her long wavy hair always fell perfectly over her shoulders no matter how careless she acted about it, and her brown eyes had this quiet way of noticing things before anyone else did. She had a small, cute nose that somehow softened every expression she made, even when she was annoyed. And honestly, she was beautiful. Not in the loud, obvious way people talked about beauty online, but in a way that stayed in your head long after she walked out of a room.
At the moment, she was sitting on the floor beside my bed, leaning against the side of it while scrolling lazily through her phone. One of my hoodies was draped over her shoulders even though she had brought her own jacket earlier. She always stole my clothes without asking and acted like it was completely normal.
I sat at my desk nearby, laptop open, trying to finish some unfinished work before the night disappeared completely.
The room was quiet except for the soft tapping of my keyboard and the low music playing from Ramie’s phone.
After a few minutes, she looked up at me suspiciously.
“You’ve been typing the same sentence for ten minutes.”
“I’m thinking,” I replied without looking away from the screen.
“That’s a fancy way of saying you’re distracted.”
I sighed. “Why are you watching me like a disappointed parent?”
“Because you’re boring today.”
I finally looked at her. “You came here willingly.”
“Yeah, and now I regret it.”
I laughed quietly, shaking my head.
Ramie smiled slightly at the sound, then went back to her phone again.
For a while, neither of us spoke. The silence between us was comfortable, something that never needed fixing. Most people got awkward when rooms became quiet, but with Ramie, it never felt strange. She could sit beside me for hours doing absolutely nothing, and somehow it still felt like company.
A few moments later, she suddenly sat up straighter.
“So,” she said casually, “the party?.”
I immediately groaned. “No.”
She looked offended. “I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“You were about to mention Rosalie’s party.”
“That’s because Rosalie’s party is on Saturday."
I leaned back in my chair dramatically. “You people are acting like it’s some royal event.”
“It kind of is,” she replied.
“It’s literally just a party.”
Ramie locked her phone and tossed it beside her. “You don’t understand how these things work.”
“And you do?”
“Yes,” she said confidently. “Because unlike you, I actually pay attention to social situations.”
I scoffed. “You’re acting like this party decides the future of humanity.”
“It decides reputations.”
“That’s even worse.”
She laughed softly before standing up and walking toward my desk. “At least promise me you won’t wear one of your depressing outfits.”
I frowned. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”
“Everything.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “Excuse me?”
“You dress like every color personally offended you.”
“That’s not true.”
“It absolutely is true.”
I crossed my arms. “So now you’re my stylist?”
“No,” she replied smoothly. “I’m your reality check.”
Before I could answer, my phone started ringing on the desk beside me.
Ramie instantly leaned forward. “Who is it?”
I picked up the phone.
Rosalie
Of course.
Ramie grinned immediately. “Answer it.”
I sighed before picking up the call. “Yeah?”
“You’re coming alright,” Rosalie said without wasting a second.
“That’s a strong opening.”
“And yet completely necessary.”
I rubbed my forehead tiredly. “Do I even have a choice?”
“You do,” she replied calmly. “Just not one you’ll survive socially.”
I snorted quietly. “You make parties sound like war zones.”
“That’s because they are.”
Ramie was openly listening now, pretending not to while failing terribly.
I leaned back in my chair again. “Why do you care so much if I come?”
There was a brief pause on the other end.
Then Rosalie said, “Because Ramie is coming.”
My eyes shifted toward her automatically.
Ramie raised an eyebrow silently like she was waiting for my reaction.
“So?” I asked.
Rosalie laughed softly. “You don’t seem like the type to miss something she’s part of.”
I stayed quiet for a second longer than necessary.
Then I sighed. “What time?”
“Ten.”
“And if I’m late?”
“You won’t be.”
The call ended before I could answer.
I slowly lowered the phone.
Ramie was already watching me carefully.
“What did she say?”
“That apparently I’m being forced into attending this party.”
She smiled smugly. “Good.”
“You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Obviously.”
I shook my head before closing my laptop completely. “I still don’t understand why everyone cares so much.”
Ramie leaned against the desk beside me. “Because sometimes people want nights they’ll remember.”
“That sounds suspiciously emotional.”
“Don’t ruin the moment.”
I laughed again quietly.
For a second, neither of us said anything.
Then she checked the time on her phone suddenly.
“Oh, wait—I actually have to leave soon.”
I frowned slightly. “Now?”
“My mum’s in the city,” she explained. “I promised I’d pick her up from the station.”
“Oh. Right.”
She grabbed her bag from the bed before slipping my hoodie off her shoulders and tossing it back at me.
I caught it automatically.
“You’re returning it?” I asked suspiciously.
“Don’t get used to it.”
I smirked faintly.
She moved toward the front door while I followed behind her.
Outside, the evening air was cooler than before. The streetlights had already started glowing softly across the road, and the neighborhood felt calmer than usual.
At the gate, Ramie turned toward me.
“Text me later,” I said instead.
“I will.”
Then she pointed at me dramatically. “And don’t overthink about the party.”
I scoffed immediately. “I don’t overthink.”
“That might be the biggest lie you’ve ever told.”
“Wow. Supportive friendship.”
“You’re welcome.”
I laughed under my breath while she turned and started walking away.
I stood there for a moment longer, watching until she disappeared around the corner.
And somehow, the second she left, the entire house felt quieter.
Not empty.
Just settled in a strange way.
I went back inside slowly, closing the front door behind me.
~
Later, I took a bath.
The water was warm, steady, almost too calming after the day. I stood there for a while longer than I needed to, letting everything slow down in my head.
I shut the water off and stepped out.
After drying off, I changed into something comfortable—loose clothes, soft fabric, nothing formal. Just something that didn’t feel like the day anymore.
My phone buzzed once.
Ramie: Reached home. Had dinner. Going to sleep.
I stared at the message for a second, then replied:
“Okay. Sleep well.”
That was it.
No more conversations. No more plans.
Just the night settling in.
I lay down on my bed, hands behind my head, staring at the ceiling. Thinking about the party on Saturday night and it was Thrusday today.
But tonight, everything was quiet enough to pretend it wasn’t already pulling me toward it.
And eventually, sleep came.
°°°
Thankyou so much for reading❤️
Please continue!!
