Dancing Away with the Player | Book #3

Sleepovers are for Kids

I jumped out of my sleep from the sound of my front door pounding. I wiped the drool off my chin and pushed my sheets off my body. I lazily walked out of my room and headed for the door. Without looking through the peep hole, I swung the door open to be greeted by Emma and Sophie. My eyes first rested on their well put together outfit then moved to their faces. They grimaced are my outfit; I was wearing a baggy stained T-shirt and grey sweatpants. As for my hair it was a mess.

"Stel, you look like death," was the first thing Emma said as she stepped inside.

Sophie leaned in then sniffed me. "And smell like it too."

I rolled my eyes at them then collapsed on my couch. "I've just been staying in."

"Don't you have any performances or classes to teach?" Emma asked.

I curled up in my blanket. "I took the week off, so I'm free to do absolutely anything."

"Yet you choose to spend it at home," Sophie remarked as she took a seat on the couch.

"So, what are you guys doing over here and late at night? Please don't tell me we're going to a party," I pleaded them.

"We're going to have a sleepover!" Emma squealed.

I cringed at the idea, wanting to be alone. "Em, don't you know that sleepovers are for kids?"

She huffed then beamed. "Well luckily I'm a kid at heart."

"Plus, we can catch up in person instead of on FaceTime or iMessage," Sophie added.

"You guys aren't going to let me say no, right?"

They shook their heads and I groaned. I was hoping that this week, I could lay low and drown in sorrow from seeing James and being betrayed by the people who I thought were family. I wanted to watch sappy and cliche romantic movies and eat my problems away. Except now I had to have a sleepover with Emma and Sophie.

"Where's all of your food?" Emma asked.

"I ate it all," I mumbled.

Emma shook her head in disappointment. "I'm going to go get food. You'll thank me."

Emma grabbed her car keys then left my apartment, leaving Sophie and I alone. I sat up, making more room for her to rest her legs on the couch. Sophie curled up on the couch and we stared at each other, both looking over at our changes since we haven't seen each other in a while. Sophie looked the exact same; her long black hair was still at her back and she still wore the same jewelry from the first time I met her at Zen's party.

"So, how have you been? You did amazing in Dancing with the Stars."

I smiled. "Thanks. I've mostly been busy. I've been travelling a lot more often and now I've got nine upcoming performances to do for these business owners."

Sophie stared at me with big eyes. "You've got a lot on your plate."

I nodded my head. "I really do. How has your new job been going?"

After Sophie graduated from her school, Fashion Institute of Technology, she had trouble finding a job. Emma, Austin, and I tried helping her out, but she wanted to do it alone. So, three months ago she got a job at a fashion store called Altress. Her job title was a fashion designer and production associate. She gladly accepted the job since she got to work closely with founder of the company and learn some new tips about fashion.

"It's been stressful. Lately, I have to schedule model bookings, help source fabric, make sure the 10-12 day delivery for our customers is going well, and keep our showroom well equipped," she answered.

"It might be stressful now, but it'll be worth it in the end. If your boss sees how well you're working, it'll pay off. So just keep working hard," I advised.

She kindly smiled at me. "Thanks, Stella."

"How's Austin? I haven't seen him much," I asked her.

She shrugged her shoulders. "He's been alright. He loves his job and has been working a lot lately. With me working at Altress everyday and him being at BNY Mellon as an investment strategist, we hardly see each other."

I slightly frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that, maybe you guys can have a little date night."

"That's a great idea! I'm definitely going to do that. Thanks," she thanked me.

"You're welcome," I said back.

My head turned towards the door. The door opened up, revealing Emma with a handful of groceries. She set them up on the table and called us to come to her. I eyed the groceries and nodded in approval at the fact that she knew what to exactly buy me to restock my fridge. I also noticed that Emma bought us In and Out burgers and fries, which made me happy inside.

"How did you get in?" I asked her as I sat down at the kitchen counter.

She held up my keys. "I stole your keys. I think I should have a key to your apartment, that way I can visit whenever."

"Or not," I told her, taking my keys away from her.

"So, how was your trip to Los Angeles?" Emma asked.

"Did you happen to see any celebrities?" Sophie questioned.

I sighed. "I ran into James."

Both of them stared at me, eyes wide and jaw dropped in surprise. In a split second they both rushed over to me, forgetting all about the take out food that we were suppose to be eating right now. Sophie took a seat beside me while Emma leaned on the counter. Their eyes were both focused on me, waiting for me to tell them what had happened.

"We need the details," Emma ordered me.

I shot her a look at her order but continued on speaking. "He was at the business event I had attended. I bumped into him on my way out of the bathroom."

"Well..." Emma urged.

"He didn't remember me at all because he lost his memory due to a car accident," I explained with my head casted down.

Sophie and Emma wrapped their arms around me and leaned their head's on my shoulders, giving me comfort. It felt nice that my best friends were here for me. I thought that having a night all to myself would be the best thing for me, but I was glad we were having a sleepover. I missed them a lot. We hardly got to see one another due to each other our busy working schedules, so it was great we could be with each other.

"Gosh, I had no idea he got into a car accident," Sophie said, her voice full of shock.

"Me either and I can't believe Shannon and Milton didn't tell you right away when it happened. Are you okay?" She wondered.

I shook my head no. "No, I'm not okay. He doesn't remember anything about going to Juilliard which means he doesn't remember what happened between us or even the memories we've made together."

"I'm so sorry that this happened. You know what you have to do, right?" Emma quizzed me.

"What?" I asked.

"Make him remember you," Sophie answered instead.

"Duh," Emma added.

"How can I even do that? He's in California and I'm in New York. Plus, I can't face him after he rejected me," I said, wincing at the word rejection.

"You have to try, you never know what can happen. Maybe try to get him to remember you through your memories," Emma suggested.

"Yes! You should take a trip to Juilliard together. That's where you guys first met each other," Sophie agreed.

I smiled at them. "You guys are the best."

Emma laughed then soon Sophie joined in with her. "Oh, we know."