Chapter 54
**Sara**
A cool breeze hit us as Jessica and I exited the cafe, making me shiver slightly. The fresh air was a welcome change from the stuffy interior, where my thoughts had been swirling like cream in coffee.
"Hey, would you like to come over to my place?" Jessica asked, linking her arm through mine. "We could watch a movie and gossip about boys or professors."
"Thanks, but I need to freshen up first."
Jessica pouted but nodded. "Alright, fair enough. How about you come over later?"
"Sure, I'll text you when I'm done," I promised, grateful for the chance to gather my thoughts.
"Perfect!" Jessica beamed. "See you in a bit, then."
We parted ways at the corner, Jessica heading towards her apartment while I continued on to mine. As she walked away, I couldn't help but notice the extra sway in her hips.
"Are you trying to seduce the entire street?" I called after her.
She looked over her shoulder, grinning mischievously. "Always, darling. It's called multitasking."
Shaking my head, I turned and started walking towards my own apartment. The cool air felt good on my skin, helping to clear my head a little. As I walked, I found myself thinking about Jessica's exaggerated swagger.
"Maybe I should try walking like that," I mused aloud. "It might help me channel my inner femme fatale."
I attempted to mimic Jessica's sexy strut, exaggerating the sway of my hips. After a few steps, I caught my reflection in a store window and laughed. I looked less like a seductress and more like a duck with a hip problem.
"Okay, Sara," I muttered to myself. "Let's stick to what we know. Awkward shuffling and occasional tripping it is."
I continued my walk home, chuckling at my failed attempt at sexiness. It was moments like these that reminded me why I wasn't cut out for the whole femme fatale thing. I was more of a bumbling but endearing type, and that was okay.
The familiar sight of my apartment building came into view, and I quickened my pace. The promise of a hot shower and changing clothes was suddenly very appealing.
I spotted a familiar figure fumbling with the gate as I approached my apartment building. Daniel, my neighbor and friend, struggled to balance an armful of groceries while trying to punch in the entry code.
"Need a hand there, Superman?" I called out, grinning at his predicament.
Daniel's head whipped around, relief washing over his face. "Sara! Perfect timing. I was about to perform a juggling act with these bags."
I reached over and punched in the code, holding the gate open for him. "Ta-da! No circus skills required today."
"My hero," he chuckled, stepping through.
I eyed the mountain of groceries in his arms. "Planning to feed an army?"
"Just restocking after the trip. You know how it is."
"Here, let me help," I offered, reaching for a bag.
Daniel attempted to dodge my grasp, nearly dropping an apple. "No need, I've got it under control."
"Clearly. Come on, tough guy, let me take a few before you wear your groceries."
He relented with a sigh, allowing me to take two of the lighter bags. We made our way to the elevator, Daniel hitting the button with his elbow in a move that would make a contortionist proud.
I realized I hadn't seen Daniel in a while as we stepped inside. "So, where have you been hiding? I was starting to think you'd moved out without telling me."
He laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, just took a trip with Sophia. We went to the Bahamas for a couple of weeks."
"Ooh, fancy," I teased. "How was it? Did you get to wear one of those tacky Hawaiian shirts?"
"It was amazing," Daniel grinned. "And for your information, I rocked that Hawaiian shirt. The locals were jealous."
I snorted. "I'm sure they were. So, how are the wedding plans coming along? Still set for next year?"
Daniel's face lit up. "Yeah, we're thinking spring. Sophia's got it all planned out already. I just nod and agree to whatever she says."
"Ah, so you've already mastered the art of being a good husband," I quipped.
"Haha. But seriously, it's exciting. Terrifying but exciting."
"Just remember, if you need a place to hide when the wedding planning gets too intense, my couch is always open."
Daniel laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. Though I might need more than a couch to escape Sophia's wrath."
I chuckled at Daniel's comment. "Sophia's wrath, huh? Sounds like you might need a whole witness protection program."
"Don't give me ideas," he said with a grin. The elevator dinged, signaling we'd reached his floor. "This is me. Thanks for the help, Sara."
"Anytime, neighbor. Try not to drop anything between here and your door."
Daniel stepped out, precariously balancing his grocery bags. "No promises!" he called back as the doors slid shut.
I leaned against the elevator wall, smiling to myself. It was nice to see Daniel so happy, even if the thought of marriage made my stomach do backflips. The elevator continued its ascent to my floor, and I lost myself in thought.
When the doors opened, I nearly walked into them, forgetting I needed to exit the elevator. "Smooth move, Sara," I muttered, stepping out into the hallway.
As I approached my apartment, I fumbled for my keys, cursing under my breath when I couldn't find them in my handbag. After what felt like an eternity of searching (but was only thirty seconds), I finally located them in the depths of my bag.
"Aha!" I exclaimed triumphantly, holding them up like I'd just won the lottery. "Take that, you sneaky little-"
I froze mid-sentence as I noticed my elderly neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, staring at me from her doorway. She looked utterly bewildered by my key-finding celebration.
"Oh, um, hello, Mrs. Thompson," I said, feeling my cheeks burn. "Lovely day, isn't it?"
She squinted at me suspiciously. "Are you on drugs, dear?"
I nearly choked. "What? No! I just... really like my keys?"
Mrs. Thompson shook her head slowly. "Young people these days," she muttered, retreating into her apartment.
Great. Now my neighbor thought I was some kind of key-obsessed junkie. Just another day in the life of Sara Parker, social disaster extraordinaire.
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