She had brown eyes. The same color as most people's, but there was something notably different about hers. Something mesmerizing about them. She'd heard the words ‘electric', ‘fiery', and even ‘cat-like', but she herself chose to believe it was determination. Her persistence and tenacity that reflected off the brown of her eyes, reminding people of the forest's bear. Showing off fierceness and strength no matter what came her way.

The strange thing about it though was that I never saw it for myself. No matter how many times I looked in the mirror or how on point my make-up game was, I never saw that fierceness I felt. Even now, as I was staring at my reflection in the taxi window, describing all the things I believed about myself, I couldn't see it. Instead, I saw vulnerability. Weakness. Sadness.

I was supposed to be happy. It was my birthday, after all. 23 years old. I just came from a surprise party my friends threw for me where I saw family, co-workers, new faces, old faces and even a few forgotten faces. Although I did find myself looking for one face in particular, when I didn't see him, I forced myself to move on and have a good time anyway. I danced, ate, drank, laughed and made memories. I showed that I didn't need him to be happy...and yet, the sadness in my eyes was more prominent than ever. I had to look away.

I turned to my left to see two girls who looked seconds away from a fight. The one sitting next to the opposite car door was a high yellow color with thick, curly hair that resembled black clouds. Her eyes were brown too, but the playfulness that lied within made them appear brighter than they actually were. She was laughing in an unbecoming manner and talking with her hands so much one might think she was using sign language. She seemed to be provoking the other girl and getting enjoyment out of it. Sadly, this girl was my best friend.

The girl in the middle, facing her, was a darker, richer shade of brown to be envious of and her hair was straight with a side bang. Her eyes were brown as well, but they were hidden behind hazel contacts and irritation. She was clenching her fists and yelling, obviously not in the same playful mood as the girl provoking her. She could be compared to a snake, rattling its tail threateningly and revealing its fangs. Sadly, she was my best friend too.

Francesca Littlejohn and Nichelle Greene. I swear, you couldn't take these two anywhere without them being at each other's throat. Their past lives must've been mortal enemies or something, because it was borderline ridiculous. Their personalities clashed so hard it was a wonder they called each other friends to begin with. Heck, it was a wonder I called them friends. It's not like they were much better individually; if the other wasn't around to pester, they had no problem turning their antics to me. The only difference was that I had no patience for it.

However, even as annoying as they could be, they were still an integral part of my life. I'd known them since we were children in elementary school, and I couldn't imagine sharing an apartment with any other two people. They were the only non-related people I trusted with my life.

"You keep pushing my buttons, Chess, and I'm going to wipe that smile off your face!"

With a grin, Francesca reached over to a button on Nichelle's coat and pushed it. "Like that?"

"You little-" Immediately, her hands were gripping Francesca's collar and she was shaking her violently.

"Still smiling!"

A few screams and a light commotion later, I'd reached my limit. Trust them with my life? Yeah, that is if they weren't too busy being my cause of death.

"Enough already," I finally said, putting a hand on my head. "It's after one in the morning and you two are acting like unruly white children. Can you get it together? You're giving me a headache."

Francesca stopped bustling around and looked over at me apologetically. "I'm sorry, Jacqui."

Nichelle released her collar, but continued to glare at her. "Feel free to take it out on her."

I shook my head and turned back to the window, looking out of it rather than at myself this time. Francesca leaned over Nichelle, much to her obvious chagrin, and tapped my arm. She waited until I turned to her before she spoke. "You don't seem happy anymore. What's wrong?"

"You mean aside from you two?"

"Is it Japheth? You're not upset about him still, are you?"

Nichelle responded before I could, sarcasm dripping off her tongue like venom. "No, she's upset because Ice-T and Coco's newborn baby has more followers on twitter than she probably will in her lifetime."

"Well that's no reason to be upset. Don't worry about it, Jacqui. When you have a baby, I bet it'll be way cuter than theirs."

"You see? You see why I was trying to hurt her?"

I put my hand on my head again. The last thing I wanted to talk about was Japheth, even though he was the main thing on my mind. But at the same time, I really didn't want to listen to these two to go back at it which was inevitable if we didn't talk about something else. I sighed internally as I made my choice. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about Jay."

Francesca looked concerned. "It's alright."

"No, it's really not," Nichelle interjected suddenly, rolling her eyes. "There is no good reason for you to still be moping around over him-there wasn't a good reason for you to be doing so in the first place. He was a good-for-nothing arrogant jerk who used his looks to get whatever he wanted. He cheated on you several times and is probably with another female we speak. You couldn't be further from his mind."

"Why don't you just set me on fire, Nichelle? Seriously. You can really watch me hurt that way."

"I said that to say you have no business thinking about him. Especially on your birthday! It was six months ago. He's moved on, and it's about time for you to do the same."

Francesca maintained her concerned look. "For once, I'm going to have to agree with Shelly."

"I told you to stop calling me that." Nichelle pushed her. "And get off me."

"Wait a minute...you two can't find common ground on something as simple as the color of a dress, but can somehow find it concerning my romantic life?"

Francesca gave a half shrug as she sat back up. "Well she was right about Japheth; he wasn't a good boyfriend to you. You forgave him every time you found him with another girl and he repaid you with more cheating."

"And let's not forget the ultimate slap in the face: he had the nerve to dump you. Not the other way around like it should've been."

"Right. I'm not trying to be mean, but I do think it's time for you to move on. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. Literally and figuratively."

A frustrated sound escaped my mouth. "Move on, move on, move on. That's what you guys keep saying. But if I could've done that, don't you think I would've been did it? You think I want Jay on my mind twenty out of twenty-four hours in the day? It's not easy." I looked away for fear that they would see vulnerability in my eyes rather than fierceness. "I know he wasn't perfect, but he was mine. We had history...and we had a future."

They remained silent and when I glanced back up, I caught them sharing an uncertain look. Maybe I had one too many drinks. Maybe I didn't have enough. Regardless, all I wanted to do at that moment was crawl underneath my covers and melt away into a deep sleep. I didn't want to talk about Japheth anymore. I didn't want to think about him moving on. I didn't want to see that sadness in my eyes anymore. I was done with this conversation and I was even more done with this day.

"You know what? I'd rather you two argue." With a wave of my hand, I dismissed any further discussion.

.

.

I wasted no time getting out of my dress and putting pajamas on in its stead. I was so ready to end this day, it was wonder I didn't just fall asleep in the taxi. Actually it wasn't a wonder. Knowing those two buffoons, they would've tried to carry me in, but got tired halfway through the job and left me in the middle of the kitchen floor. There was also a potential of a drawn on mustache and beard being on my face, curtesy of Francesca. I know these things from experience. So no, it wasn't a wonder.

I was at my dresser, tying my hair up when Nichelle walked in. She had a bad habit of doing that and not knocking. I waited for her to say what she wanted, but instead of speaking, she just handed me a picture. I watched her as she leaned against the dresser, and then looked at the picture.

It was of some model-looking white man with light brown hair and even lighter brown eyes. He was shirtless, revealing a long torso of abs, and muscular arms. He was wearing nothing but black swimming trunks, and a small towel hung from around his neck. Though he wasn't smiling, there was a devilish look in his eyes as if he knew something the cameraman didn't. After a minute, I looked back at Nichelle with a questioning expression. "Okay?"

She just stared at me. "Well what do you think?"

"I think I'm wondering why you handed this to me."

"What if I told you that you could go out with him?"

Did she really come in here to waste my time? I shot her a look. "I'd say whoop-dee-doo and go to bed."

"Seriously."

"What part of that did not sound serious to you?"

She rolled her eyes and pointed to the picture. "Look at him. What would you say if he asked you out on a date for a week straight?"

"I'd say no thank you and then go to bed."

Now she was beginning to look irritated. "Why?"

"Because one, I'm not ready to date again and two, I want to go to bed."

She sighed impatiently. "Well what about just hanging out?"

"If I wanted to hang out, I'd grab you or Chess, and you see I barely do that as it is."

I handed the picture back to her which she reluctantly took while muttering something under her breath. I didn't know what her problem was, but she needed to take it to her own room. I was about to go to sleep to stop thinking about Japheth and my feelings-the last thing I wanted to talk about was a date. I'd just made my way over to my bed when Francesca appeared in my doorway.

"Here I am!"

Nichelle grimaced. "Must you be so loud and unnecessary?"

"Must you be so...quiet and necessary?"

"Okay." I held up my hand, putting a stop to this before it even had the chance to get started. "This little gathering in my room was nice for all of the ten seconds it lasted, but as you can see, I'm ready to go to bed now. So thank you again for the party, and I'll see you two tomorrow."

Like she didn't hear a word I said, Francesca looked at the picture in Nichelle's hand and stamped her foot. "Oh no! Shelly, I asked you not to tell her without me."

Nichelle just shook her head. "You can tell her again tomorrow."

"Let's try this again. Don't let the door hit you two on your way out."

Once again, they both ignored me.

"No, I wanted to tell her with you." Francesca pouted and turned to me. "Well did you like it at least?"

"Like what? What is it that you're talking about that won't let you leave my room?"

"The gift."

"What gift?"

"Chess, just wait-" Nichelle started, but Francesca kept talking.

"Ryan. The male escort we hired for you."

“Listen, I don’t know why you two are bugging all of a sudden, but I’m really tired and I don’t have the energy to play this game.” I sat on the side of my bed, reaching into the first drawer of my nightstand to pull out my eye mask. “If you want to joke around, try again tomorrow and you may get a laugh out of me then. Probably not, but it’s more likely than getting me to laugh now. So please, excuse yourselves and let me go to sleep in peace.”

Nichelle started to leave, but Francesca blocked her way. “But we’re not kidding around. We really did buy you an escort. Didn’t you see the picture? Tell her, Shelly.”

“Chess, do me a favor. Shut up and move.” Nichelle started pushing her.

I put the eye mask over my head. “Make sure to hit the lights on your way out.”

“But we’re serious! His name is Ryan and he’ll be here tomorrow. He’s going to take you on a date for—”

Nichelle shoved her harder suddenly and hissed. “Why can’t you take a hint?”

I ignored everything they said until it clicked to me that Nichelle wasn’t denying her, but rather trying to quiet her. And Francesca didn’t appear to be trying to irritate her or me like the other times; she looked like she was legitimately trying to explain it. For a few seconds, the thought of her being honest came to mind. My heart rate sped up. No, no, no.

No.

“Nichelle, wait.” She’d almost had the struggling Francesca out the door at this point, but stopped. “Chess is lying. I mean, you two didn’t do that. That guy isn’t going to be here tomorrow…right?”

“I’m not lying!”

Nichelle remained silent.

“Nichelle.”

She turned to me finally with a straight face and crossed her arms. “He will.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, I felt my heart stop. I couldn’t process or speak for a moment. Francesca said something else, but I couldn’t hear her. The guy in that photo...would be here tomorrow? He was a…male escort? They bought me a male escort…

“Listen Jacq—”

Within seconds, the confusion and disbelief was replaced with rage. Blood boiling rage. I jumped up. “You guys hired a hooker for me?!”

Francesca nodded enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to my anger and relieved I finally believed them. “A male hooker, yeah, basically.”

Nichelle slapped her arm. “No, not a male hooker. Just a date. We just bought a date for you, that’s all.”

“A date. From a male escort service. You bought me a male escort. You bought me a male hooker!”

“No, we didn’t; that’s not legal. We didn’t buy you a prostitute, Jacq. We would never do that.”

“Then what exactly did you pay him to do?”

“Spend time with you, drive you to work, take you to lunch, have some fun—just a date.”

“Right,” Francesca agreed and continued, “and if you wanted to sleep with him…”

Glaring, Nichelle hit her again.

“Ouch!” She whined and rubbed her arm. “I was just letting her know her options.”

“I could just—” I started mimicking strangling their necks and then punching the life out of their face. The more I thought about it, the more I wished I really was doing it. I couldn’t believe them. “You guys have done some crazy things in the past, but this—this takes the cake.”

“I don’t get it. Why are you mad? Is it because he’s not your type?” Francesca asked me, a now concerned expression on her face. “I knew we should’ve got Enzo; he looks just like William Levy.”

“Why am I mad? Why am I mad? I don’t know. Maybe because my two supposed best friends completely ignored me when I repeatedly said that I didn’t want to date or see anyone right now. And they didn’t find some guy through a mutual friend or anything like that, no, they went and paid for a prostitute!” I let out a frustrated sound and then plopped back on my bed, covering my face with my hands.

It was silent for a moment before Nichelle walked over and sat beside me. “Jacq. For one moment, just see things from our perspective. You’re single and you haven’t been out on a date in six months. You haven’t been your same old self in six months. Don’t get the wrong idea. We didn’t do this because we thought you needed a man. We did this because we wanted you to have a little fun and forget about Japheth. Ever since you two broke up, you haven’t been the same Jacqueline we know. And we know it’s been hard for you, but like we said in the taxi, it’s time to move on. You deserve to have a fun time with a handsome guy who will treat you nice.”

I was still mad, but as I let her words sink in, I felt the anger dissolving away. Was I really not my same old self? I mean, I know I’d been short with them lately and that I didn’t hang out as much, but that was because they were trying my patience more often. But then again, everything was more irritating to me, not just them.

I sighed. Maybe I was overreacting. I know they didn’t mean any harm; obviously they had good intentions behind their reasoning. That didn’t change the fact that I wasn’t ready to see anyone—especially a prostitute—but I suppose it could’ve been worse. “Yeah, okay, I guess.”

“And for the hundredth time, he’s not a prostitute. This is just a little fun and you’re not obligated to do anything you don’t want to. If you want him to read you a book the entire time, then that’s what he’ll do…but we certainly hope you’ll use him for more than just reading. He wasn’t cheap, after all.”

“If you don’t kiss him at least once, you’ll wasting our money and a perfectly good pair of lips,” Francesca said, walking closer.

I removed my hands from my face just in time for them to see me roll my eyes. “Whatever. I still think this is illegal somehow, and I know I’m going to regret saying this, but thanks, I guess.”

Francesca leaned in and hugged me tighter than necessary. “Aww, you’re welcome, Jacqui! We just want you to be happy!”

With a faint smile, Nichelle put the picture on my lap. “Tell the truth. We chose good, didn’t we?”

When Francesca released me, she grinned as though waiting for my answer too. I looked down at the picture again. He wasn’t the first guy I’d choose in a lineup, but that didn’t detract from his attractiveness. He was very handsome; I’d go so far as to say he could give Japheth a run for his money in a good looking competition…and maybe even beat him in the body portion of the contest. This guy wouldn’t make me all of sudden forget Japheth, but he might help me to draw a blank from time to time. I couldn’t help but to smile. “Japheth who?”

They started laughing and then, for no apparent reason, broke into dance. First, as if she all of a sudden started hearing music in her head, Francesca started doing the shmoney and it progressed into some made up dance where she was flailing her arms. Nichelle watched her for a moment, but then stood up and joined in, also flailing her arms and making up dance moves as she went. There was a time when I would’ve joined them, but for now I just watched, partially entertained by their nonsense and partially reaffirming my thought that I couldn’t take them anywhere.

When they finally stopped, Francesca turned back to me. “It was between Ryan and this guy named Enzo—he looks just like William Levy!”

Nichelle shook her head and gave me a look that said ‘no he didn’t’.

“But Nichelle said we should choose Ryan because he offered a special deal.”

“What deal?”

“Buy one week and get a week free. Isn’t that awesome?”

I was surprised that I wasn’t seeing the carpet, because I swear my eyes could’ve popped out of my head. “Two weeks?!”

As soon as I turned to Nichelle, she whipped her phone out of her pocket and pressed it against her ear. “Oh, hey Danny. No, I’m not busy. Talk right now, yeah, definitely.” She quickly told us goodnight and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Francesca.

“That’s weird. I didn’t hear her phone ring, did you?” she asked.

“You guys expect me to see this guy for two whole weeks?!”

“Wasn’t it a great deal? I mean I still thought Enzo would’ve been the better choice but…” She must’ve saw the fire in my eyes that I knew was there, because she quickly trailed off and changed her tone. Looking away, she pulled out her phone as well. “Oh, look at that. I’m getting a call too. I have to take this; it’s very important. So I’ll see you tomorrow.” She stood up and pressed the phone against her ear as she hurriedly walked out. “Hello? Oh, hey...Obama. Talk now? Sure.”

.

.

I adjusted my orange dress nervously. The last time I’d been out with someone other than Japheth was at the very least three years ago. It almost felt foreign to me. Do I have to laugh at everything he says? Do I talk about myself or ask about him more? Do I use a soup spoon when we go out to eat to show that I’m cultured? I felt silly as all these questions came to mind. I wasn’t a pubescent teenager…and this wasn’t a date! As far as I could be concerned, this was just two people hanging out as friends. Nothing had to happen between us and to be honest, nothing probably would’ve anyway. I missed Japheth too much for that. We were together for three years and it was hard to imagine being with someone else. Especially not a hooker; even without my feelings for Japheth, I was too good for that.

“Hey, I’m Ryan.”

I jumped at the sound of a deep voice and snapped my head behind me. I was less than amused to find a snickering Nichelle standing in my doorway. God, sometimes she was worse than Francesca.

“Really?”

“Sorry. I couldn’t resist.”

“I'm sure.”

She walked over and stood next to me in front of the mirror on my closet door. Then she started checking herself out, doing simple poses. “What are you doing in here anyway? Ryan will be here soon.”

“Just making sure this dress isn’t too short.”

“It’s already below your knees. What do you want? To look like a nun?”

“I just don’t want to give off the wrong impression. I would be wearing pants and a T-shirt if you hadn’t told me we were going out today.”

“Hence why I had to tell you.” She rolled her eyes as she ran a few fingers through her hair. “Look, I already said you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Just go have fun and see what happens. Who knows, you might even wish you wore something shorter.”

I gave her a look. “I doubt it; I’m not fast like some people.”

She cut her eyes at me briefly. “I’ll let that slide this time. Just get out there already or I’ll send him straight in here with candles and a Marvin Gaye CD.”

Knowing she wasn’t afraid to do what she said, I mumbled something profane under my breath and reluctantly walked out. I went to the living area where a cross legged Francesca was sitting on the couch and snaking on chips while watching television. She was so into what she was watching that she didn’t speak, not even after I sat down. I expected to see Scandal or Empire on the screen—something legitimately interesting enough to hold someone’s attention. But this was Francesca attention I was dealing with.

“Tell me I didn’t just see the words Finding Bigfoot flash across the screen just now.”

She held her index finger up to me for a long moment until it went to commercial break. Then she turned to me with curious eyes. “They almost caught him.”

Before I had the chance to question her sanity, the doorbell rang. Francesca volunteered immediately, shoving a few more Doritos in her mouth before jumping up. “I got it!”

“Can you say it a bit louder, Chess? I don’t think they heard you in Australia,” Nichelle hissed, leaning on the back of the couch.

Francesca didn’t hear the comment as she was already out the room on her way to the door, much to my relief; knowing her, she would’ve attempted to prove Nichelle wrong. I stood up and waited, denying any nervousness that tried to rear its ugly head. I was cool, calm, collected and in control. I heard a few words exchanged before Francesca walked back in by herself.

“Nichelle, it’s for you.”

Nichelle raised her eyebrow. “What? Who is it?”

“Luke.”

She looked confused. “Luke? Luke who?”

“Luke through the peephole and find out.” She started laughing. “Get it? It was a knock knock joke without the ‘knock knock’ part.” When Nichelle only stared at her, she started continued, “It’s really Ryan.”

Before either of us could respond to her foolishness, in walked the man himself with a slim fit tan suit on and navy tie. I couldn’t lie, he wore it well. In this case, instead of the clothes making the man, the man truly made the clothes. He looked a bit different from the picture though, making me think I didn’t get a good enough look at him. He was taller than I expected, at the very least 6’0, and his frame was smaller than I thought. His hair was styled slightly different, this time neatly combed upward instead of the messily. He also looked a bit older, but I attributed that to the thicker facial hair around his cheeks and chin. He looked more real—more devilish.

“Jacqueline Maxwell? I’m Ryan Schroeder.” His voice was mellow and easy on the ears.

When he started over, I stuck my hand out so that he wouldn’t get the chance to go in for a hug. “Hello.”

He stopped in front of me and took my hand. Instead of shaking it though, he kissed it. “It’s nice to meet you.”

I took my hand back quickly. “Likewise.”

I didn’t even notice he had one hand behind his back until he moved it forward, revealing a red rose. “A single rose, a single lady. Where do their comparisons end? They are both beautiful forms of life, on whose existence I depend. This flower produces oxygen and so I need it to breathe. Your beauty reminds me that there are still good things in this world and so I need you for my sanity. And I can’t forget about the symbolism. Red roses usually symbolize love. And you represent a goddess, on whose presence I’m undeserving of. I am only a man who probably sounds cliché, but I just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday.” He handed me the rose then. “Happy Birthday, Jacqui.”

I was taken by surprise at his sudden burst into poetry, but I recovered quickly. Francesca and Nichelle on the other hand were staring in awe. I swear, they could’ve been the posterchildren for the phrase ‘The thirst is real’. I mean, it was good, but I’d heard good poetry before. He probably copied it off the internet anyway.

“My birthday was yesterday, but thank you anyway.”

He nodded. “That’s what they said, but I figured an event as special as your birth deserved a celebration longer than one day.”

He was a smooth one. “…right.”

“With that being said, I wanted to take you out to eat. We have reservations at Harvest in about twenty minutes.”

“The morning?” Harvest was my favorite restaurant and I hadn’t been in almost a year, but who made reservations at a fancy restaurant in the morning? When Nichelle said we were going out to eat, I assumed it would be in a few hours, not when he first arrived at noon.

“Afternoon, technically.” He smiled. “And yeah, I thought we’d eat first and get to know each other better before we got to the rest of the day’s events.”

I frowned. Rest of the day’s events? Just how many events did he have planned? Or should I say how many events did Francesca and Nichelle plan for us? I know they had a hand in this. Out of all the restaurants to choose from, he just happened to choose my favorite one? Yeah right. They’re orchestrating this a little more closely than they made it seem. They probably told him my whole life story.

Wait a minute. Just what else did they tell him about me? My heart rate sped up as I thought about the worst possible scenario. No. They wouldn’t have told him about…

I shook my head at the thought and forced myself to get back on track. “And um, what would those events be?”

“Well if I told you, there’d be no surprise.”

“I’m not one for surprises.”

“Really?” He sounded genuine. “I would’ve never guessed, especially since you surprised me with that stunning dress you’re wearing.”

“You have a comeback for everything, don’t you?”

“What can I say? Words are my specialty…well, one of my specialties.”

And here comes the inner hooker. I rolled my eyes. Being annoyingly corny must’ve been one of his other specialties. It was right on the tip of my tongue too, but Francesca came over at that moment and gave me a light shove. “What are you waiting for? He said the reservation was in twenty minutes, and it’s going to take you fifteen alone to get there. Get out of here.”

I looked at her smiling face. “I’m already starting to regret this.”

“You won’t be saying that by the end of the day.”

“No, I’m pretty sure I will.”

She giggled and then shoved me again, but this time much harder and more forceful. Leaning over and trying not to lose my balance, I stumbled forward straight into Ryan’s stomach. Involuntarily I reached for something to hold onto before I fell completely. Unfortunately, that something was his pants. The front of his pants, to be more specific. If he didn’t have a belt on, they surely would’ve came down.

He didn’t even have the time to help stabilize me before I let go and pushed away. The only reason I didn’t tell Francesca off in that moment like I wanted to was because I was too busy standing back up properly and trying to maintain my composure.

“Are you alright?” Ryan asked, taking a step forward.

“Fine, fine,” I said quickly, backing away and smoothing my dress back out. “Let’s just go and get this over with.”

“Someone's being a little fast, don't you think Jacqui?” Though she only chuckled, Nichelle's eyes said she was laughing hysterically on the inside. “Try to control yourself. You’ve got all day.”

I flipped her off and then moved my hand in Francesca's direction, but that only seemed to encourage their laughter. With clenched teeth, I brushed past Ryan toward the door.