What she left Behind | ONGOING

PROLOGUE

─────  Chloe  ─────

I can't help the smile on my lips when I see my best friend, Savannah, in front of the grand mirror, staring at herself wearing the possible wedding dress she would be using to walk down the aisle. She twirls around like a princess on the platform and keeps feeling the delicate silky lace to make sure she feels comfortable with it.

I look around the place, the boutique is a haven of soft pastels and gentle music. A perfect atmosphere for such a special and happy occasion. I begin remembering all those times we thought about this precise moment when we imagined either of us getting married. From choosing the dress to the venue. From the cake and its flavor to the centerpieces of the tables.

"Can you believe we're actually here?" Savannah says, and I snap back my attention to her. It seems as if she read my mind because I've thought about that since the moment we first entered through the doors.

I shake my head in disbelief, I can't believe it, honestly. "It feels almost surreal. You look gorgeous by the way. I must say, Derek doesn't deserve it."
   Savannah turns around and gives me that look she always does every time I make a comment attacking her fiancé.

"What?" I ask, playing dumb. She turns back around and readjusts the veil that gracefully cascades from the top of her head to the ground.

"You know what. Seriously, why can't you get along with him?"

"Because" I begin as I stand up from the couch and walk toward her, casually placing my hands in the back of my jean pockets. "He's an immature jerk who has never been serious for anything in his life. The worst part is that I have to see him every day since we work together."

"But isn't he proving you wrong now? I mean, he did ask to marry me."

Okay, she got me there.

"Touché."

Savannah smiles victoriously and steps down of the platform, walking toward the coffee table to grab the water bottle that was placed before by the store worker. She takes a sip and looks at me.

"Speaking of which, how's the presentation going? Are you going to finally beat Derek and make him look stupid? Your ultimate wish."

I playfully roll my eyes at her and cross my arms across my chest, "impossible to make him look bad, not only does he charm everyone with I don't know what, but he's also the boss' son, how can I compete with that?"

"You shouldn't. Just be you and you'll see people will adore you for it."
  
I've always found Savannah's optimism and lack of realism to be both adorable and annoying.

"He's always competing with me, he enjoys winning against me so much and—"

My rant is interrupted by Savannah's phone ringing.

"As much as I love hearing you complain about my fiancé, I have to take this."

I nudge her shoulder playfully causing her to laugh, and she answers the phone. I am curious as to who could be on the other side of the line because Savannah's teasing attitude becomes a serious one.

Savannah hangs up the phone and looks back at me, "they have an issue back at the venue with some decorations, so sadly I must cut our fun short and attend that" she says and proceeds to go to the dressing room. Once she changed, she grabbed her purse, and we thanked the store worker for the help, Savannah told her that we would see her the next day to continue seeing options. Although, I know the dress Savannah just tried on is a definite winner.

"Would you like me to go with you?" I offer as we get inside the car. Savannah puts on her seat belt and shakes her head.

"Don't worry about it, I can take care of it. But I'll tell you what you're going to do. I am going to take you back home and you will finish up the details for the presentation. You can't escape from it; you have to deal with it once and for all."

I can't help but groan annoyed at the idea of working on something that won't even feel appreciated enough. Besides, I hate presenting with all those eyes staring at me, makes me a nervous wreck.

When we reach our apartment complex, Savannah watches as I get out of the car. "I'll be home soon and when I do I can rehearse your presentation and make sure it looks great."

I nod thankful, but I truly feel like it won't help me at all, I am too bad at public speaking. Savannah probably notices my sudden change of expression and calls my attention, I look at her and she's smiling reassuringly.

"You got this, Chlo. I know you do," she says.

She sends a wink my way and then begins to start the car and drive away. I watch her disappear in a corner and then walk through the courtyard of the apartment complex, making my way to the building.

I remember it so well what happened next, it has been pretty hard to get it off my mind ever since it happened.

A few hours have passed by and I haven't heard from Savannah. To me, it was weird because the issue she told me about that they needed her for, could've been finished within an hour or perhaps two, max.

Then, my phone rings, and the caller ID reveals that it is Savannah calling me.

"Hey, Savs, where are you—"

"Chloe?" It is Mrs. Prescott, Savannah's mother calling. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and wondered why was she with Savannah's phone.

"Is everything alright?" I ask.

I remember clutching my phone to my chest, hearing Mrs. Prescott's broken voice on the other side of the line, calling my name, and waiting for my response. But I felt paralyzed. I couldn't believe what was happening and why it was happening. I remember falling to my knees, with widened eyes, and a tight feeling in my chest.

This isn't happening.