“Is our little Ailey getting married now?” I teased and she rolled her eyes.
“Oh please, don’t be ridiculous.” She chuckled and I smiled.
Ailey had walked into my house that afternoon as I sat on my couch scrolling through my phone, looking as radiant as ever but the smile on her face showed she was definitely happy about something. After dropping the chips she brought on the table, I decided to ask if she’d just won a competition or something but her response came as a big shock to me.
“I met someone. Well, I think I might have met the one for me,” she started and I scrunched my brows before facing her fully.
“What do you mean? Is it what I’m thinking?” I asked and her smile increased. She was definitely smitten by this lucky guy. Who would have thought Ailey would just show up one of this days and claim she has finally found the one for her? I hope it’s not a prank though.
“It’s exactly what you’re thinking. I don’t know if I could refer to it as love at first sight but anyway, I had that feeling. We just clicked,” she explained and I smiled.
“So, are you guys like dating now? How did it even happen?” I asked, curious of her response. Ailey had been single for years just like me and the fact that she just met someone overnight and feels like he’s the one for her just feels overwhelming. Ailey isn’t one to love that quickly so this was certainly different.
“Well, we met yesterday in the elevator at my workplace, apparently, he was the client I would be having a lunch meeting with. Anyway, we hit it off due to the book he was reading, you know prefer soft copy more these days but this guy was reading a paperback that happened to be one of my favorites and from there, we started conversing. When we got out of the elevator, I was sad our discussion would end but you could imagine how shocked I was when he showed up in front of me. The lunch meeting ended up being a lunch date. I ended up thinking about him last night until he messaged me. We met earlier this morning for a coffee and I was finally able to confirm our chemistry and no, we’re not dating yet,” she ranted and I stared at her in surprise. It was my first time seeing Ailey talk that much while being excited.
“And what’s this guy’s name? Do you know about him that much?”
That was the only question Ailey needed. And with that, Ailey launched into a detailed description of Daniel, the lucky guy, his hobbies, his sense of humor, and everything else she could think of. I listened attentively, smiling at how happy she seemed. From her words, it seemed like he was a good guy but I wouldn’t confirm that until meeting him.
As we talked for minutes, there was a knock at the door that interrupted our discussion. She stopped talking and glanced at the door.
“Are you expecting someone?” She asked and I shook my head.
“No one I can think of.” The only visitors I always expect is Ailey and April and Ailey was currently in front of me while April was at work, our appointment isn’t until tomorrow. I saw Maggie go to the door but she returned a couple of seconds later.
“Who is it?” Ailey inquired.
“I’ve never seen her. She claims you’re her family and you’ll be surprised to see her,” Maggie responded and I shared a look with Ailey. I had no other family than Ava and she was currently in another planet. It definitely isn’t my step-mother, right? She surely wouldn’t refer herself as a family and there’s no way my cover would blow that quickly.
“I think I’ll go check who it is,” Ailey offered as she got ok her feet and then headed to the door with Maggie behind her. The next thing I heard was a piercing scream, not one that would shock me but one that sounded like Ailey was really excited. Who could it be?
I was already more than curious and Ailey had to get me more anxious when she returned with no one.
“Who is it?” I asked and she smiled.
“Take a guess.”
“You know I’m not good at guessing. Who is it?”
“Well, it’s….” She pointed to the door and soon a familiar figure popped up. It certainly isn’t who I’m thinking, right?
“Rowan,” my sister screamed as she rushed to me and I stared in shock. How did Ava get here? How did she even know this place?
“What are you doing here?” I asked when she eventually pulled out from the hug.
“Aren’t you happy to see me? Oh my gosh! Look at your leg, look at the tiny place you’re staying and you expect me not to come here,” she said while looking around the apartment.
“Can you tell me why you’re here and how did you get this place?”
She turned to me with a wide smile.
“I’m here to take care of you.”
“What do you mean ? What if school?”
She chuckled.
“You definitely don’t think you’re worthy of my care, right? Anyway, we’re on a break and I won’t be returning anytime soon. I’m here to keep you company so you won’t go crazy due to boredom. And I asked Ailey about your place yesterday and I just happened to have a smart brain to identify this place,” she replied and I stared at her in surprise before turning to Ailey who only smiled at me.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I accused and Ailey flipped her hair before taking her seat on the sofa while Ava sat beside me.
“She never told me she was coming over. I only thought she was curious,” Ailey replied as Maggie walked off with Ava’s box.
“So, what were you guys doing before my arrival?” Ava asked and Ailey quickly launched into her narrations once again.
The three of us chatted for a while longer, catching up on each other’s lives. I was happy for Ailey, but couldn’t help feeling a little envious. It had been a while since I had felt that kind of connection with anyone.
As Ailey talked, I couldn’t help but wonder when it would be my turn to find someone special.
“When will you get into another relationship? I expect you to be over Edna now, what are you still doing?” My sister questioned after we ended the discussion.
“I sense it’ll be soon,” Ailey replied as she wriggled her brows at me as if I knew what she was talking about. For now, I was content to just enjoy my life and the simple pleasure of spending time with good company.