Cocktail Dreams

Chapter 10: Geeking

The moment my alarm went off, I was out of bed and already gitty with excitement. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been this eager to start my day, but today wasn't just any day—it was our day. Fantasia's name was practically a melody in my mind as I stretched, arms wide like I was in the opening scene of a cheesy sitcom. "Today is going to be a wonderful day," I announced to my empty room with a grin so big it was borderline ridiculous.

If anyone could see me right now, they'd swear I was on something. But I wasn't. Nope. Just drunk on the thought of her.

Fantasia.

The name alone sent a little shiver down my spine, and for a moment, I just sat there, grinning like a fool. If this were a movie, there'd be a montage of me getting ready for this day while upbeat music played in the background. And not just any montage—a Norbit-level montage, where every move I made would be punctuated by a dreamy, lovesick "Tasia."

Brushing my teeth? "Tasia."
Picking out my clothes? "Tasia."
Making my bed? You guessed it. "Tasia."

I wasted no time. First stop: the bathroom. I didn't just shower—I took an everything shower. The kind that felt like a full-body reset. I started by washing my hair, working the shampoo into a rich lather, and letting the warm water rinse it clean. Then came conditioner, which I combed through methodically, letting it sit while I moved on to exfoliating. My favorite body scrub smelled like vanilla and brown sugar, and I took my time with it, buffing my skin until it was impossibly smooth. Shaving came next, leaving no patch untouched. By the time I stepped out, my skin felt baby-soft, and I smelled good enough to eat.

Wrapping myself in a plush towel, I let the steam clear before heading back to my room. I felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready, but this was only step one.

Back at the sink, I brushed my teeth—not just the regular two-minute scrub but a thorough cleaning. I even flossed, double-checking that my smile was flawless. As much as I loved my morning coffee, I didn't want to risk showing up with coffee breath. Once I was done, I leaned closer to the mirror, inspecting my reflection.

"Alright, Raji," I said to myself, grinning. "Time to kill it."

Next was my makeup. Fantasia loved my natural look, so I went for a light, barely-there beat. I used a touch of concealer here, a little bronzer there, and some mascara to make my lashes pop. I finished it with my favorite lightly tinted lip gloss, giving my lips the right amount of shine.

It was outfit time. I rummaged through my closet, mentally piecing together different combinations before landing on the perfect one: my denim cargo pants—they were casual but stylish—paired with a fitted green crop top that hugged me just right. My green-and-white Nike Dunks completed the look, tying everything together effortlessly.

Accessories were next. I layered a few gold necklaces, each pendant catching the morning light as I fastened them around my neck. A couple of bracelets on both wrists added just enough sparkle, and I adjusted my black Apple Watch for balance. My hair, still damp from the shower, was slicked back into a low bun, neat and sleek. I stepped back from the mirror and smiled.

The finishing touch was my Kayali Vanilla Candy perfume. I spritzed it lightly at my pulse points—wrists, neck, and behind my ears—letting the sweet, warm scent linger around me. Fantasia loved how I smelled; I knew this would be no exception.

By the time I was back in the kitchen, the clock read 8:15. I grabbed a quick breakfast—just some toast and fruit—because I wanted to save my appetite for whatever we'd be eating later. As I sat at the table, I couldn't help but check my phone.

My texts with Fantasia from the night before were still fresh in my mind. She'd been a little off, her responses dry and standoffish, but things felt lighter by the end of our conversation. Still, I didn't want to take any chances.