New Life, New Sin | EDITING

One - Lucky Coincidence

"Here bitch!" The loud drunk person screaming was me. I handed my best friend a shot of Tequila as we sat on my purple couch.

Nicki eagerly took it and raised her shot glass into the air.

"To you, Sin, for making a hard choice, but it was the right one to make. To your happiness and to your independence!" Remnants of liquor threatened to spill out as our glasses clinked. The enjoyment in my best friend's voice was palpable .

At least one of us was happy about my newly single status. I gulped down the burning shot as if it was the cure to a broken heart. Only this time I didn't bother to grab a lime. I wanted it to sting so I could feel anything else besides the pain I felt.

The right choice? It sure didn't feel like it was. But she was right. I knew I'd made the best decision for both me and Jace, my ex boyfriend, but it still didn't feel easy. My tears, even as I tried to fight them, came relentlessly.

Immediately after the shot, she pulled me into a locking embrace on the couch in my living room, where we decided to spend our Sunday night. Nicki had other plans, a date actually, but she cancelled even though I begged her not to. We were on the phone and some thirty minutes later, there she was at my front door with Tequila and snacks.

She held me as I spoke. "Why does it still hurt if it was mutual?" I turned to her with uncertainty. " I know that I made the right choice but it seriously feels like I betrayed everyone else around us. I just wish this was all a dream, like it always used to be." I paused my sulking as the truth slowly became unveiled.

I continued. "Before we broke up, all I could think about was how our families and friends were going to react, and I hated that I would hurt them. I h-hated it." My sobbing rushed out like a busted pipe that just kept coming. "All those holidays? We were so in love and happy. For a while at least. Our families, they loved us together. I love them. Our friends are my friends. It's just going to be so different from now on." I dropped my face in my hands, feeling absolutely miserable.

"Oh honey." She squeezed me harder, trying her best to console me. Her voice was soft and reassuring, only making me weep uncontrollably until my shoulders shook violently. "I know you're going through a tough time right now, and not everyone may understand or agree with both of your decisions to break up, but they will respect it. Especially if they love you."

"This is so hard, Nicki. Will I even get a second chance at love? I mean, look at me." I sounded pathetic. I wasn't ugly or anything. My beauty was just either very subtle or very obvious and my personality? Well, it speaks for itself though .

She scoffed in disgust, bewildered by my outlandish doubt. She cupped my chin and with a serious expression said, "Are you kidding me, Sin? I am looking at you and even more beautiful than that, I know you. So yes! Of course love will find you again. But remember, you are a free woman now! You can do whatever and whoever you want, sis!"

I laughed knowing all too well my personality had definitely rubbed off on her. But, she made a point.  No sooner did I pull her into a hug and clench her with all the gratitude I had.  After some time, we finally disentangled ourselves. "I love you, Nicki. Thank you for everything you said, and most importantly, for being here for me. I don't think I could have handled being alone tonight."

She smiled, her radiant teeth gleaming even after a long day. "You know I'm here babes, and you're welcome because I could be getting some dick right now." Although she was joking, I slapped her lightly on her arm.

It was then that I noticed her attire. Her blond hair was bunched up in a towel, unusual to her usual smooth locks. She was wearing some Hello Kitty pajamas with matching slippers to match. Even in sleep gear, Nicki looked like she could walk up and down the runway, especially with her high cheekbones and long legs. Her skin was youthful and creamy, as if she could be the cover girl for Neutrogena.