Sera is finishing up the sandwich, but when she climbs the steps toward her room, her stomach still growls for more. It’s crazy, she thinks, I exercise one time, and I’m ravenous. Get a grip body. She pats her abdomen for emphasis.
Once she closes the door to her room behind her, she finds herself pacing back and forth, desperate for something to do. She can’t seem to sit for too long. Her eye catches a book she’s been wanting to read. Reading hasn’t exactly fit her mood lately. In one swift motion, she grabs the novel off the shelf, jumps into bed, and opens to the first Chapter.
Less than an hour later, she tosses the finished book down and slips back downstairs for yet another snack. Coming out of the kitchen with a spoon to a tub of peanut butter, she catches sight of her mother’s Kindle lying on the coffee table in the living room, unattended. With one glance around, she slips into the recliner and downloads the next book in the series.
The large mahogany grandfather clock in the hall chimes its tune. It’s only chimed three times since she started reading. The tune echoes up through the house and reverberates through her ears. Staring at the words The End on the Kindle in her lap, she blinks in disbelief. She has finished the remaining three books in the series, in record time according to the percentage statistics on the Kindle. Her eyes flew across the pages at record speed and yet, she can still recall every line with insane precision, every plot twist connects. It seems that all her cognitive processing is moving at an incredible rate, just like her body. Whoa. Her fingers run themselves through her hair and she tries to contemplate this new phenomenon.
Finally, climbing out of the ugly recliner she makes her way back upstairs for her cell phone. It’s on the bed where she left it. Clicking a few buttons, she calls Amanda.
Barely waiting for the second ring, “Oh my Sera, I was just going to call you! I met this really hot stud yesterday, and he wants to meet me at Chaos tonight.” She breathes in. “Please, please come. Don’t let me meet a strange hottie in the big city all by myself.”
Sera’s not fully inept when it comes to dating, but even she knows that guys only meet girls at clubs for one reason. She doesn’t have the heart to break the news to her friend. That and a part of her needs an excuse to get out. “You read my mind—a night out sounds great right about now.”
“Really?” The disbelief is clear. “Okay, who are you and what did you do with my best friend?”
“I thought you’d be happy. Can’t a girl be in a good mood?”
“I am, I am! Let me go get a new dress—pick me up at ten-thirty; it’s going to take a while to get to the city. Okay, see you later.” Amanda hangs up without another peep from Sera, apparently trying to hang up before she would have the option to change her mind. With a smile, Sera places the phone down, Amanda is absolutely nuts, but she couldn’t imagine her life without her.
Glancing at the clock, she has two hours—what the hell could keep her busy until then. A nice relaxing bath should be just the ticket to get her in the mood for a girl’s night. It’s been a while since they’ve gone out. Usually, Netflix and wine are the kind of nights they have together. Sera has learned the hard way that going out with Amanda is an adventure in itself. Especially, when there’s liquor and boys involved. For some reason, deep down, Sera has a feeling tonight is going to be a good night.