In my life, I've always excelled at everything I put my mind to—except for mathematics. No matter how hard I tried, those elusive concepts and formulas remained a mystery. My mantra? Focus on what I'm good at.
That philosophy led to the masterpiece before me: a towering cake. Hours of perfecting the recipe, selecting the finest ingredients, and decorating with meticulous precision had brought me here. The sight alone made my mouth water with anticipation.
The room was filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked chocolate cake, its velvety texture adorned with a glossy ganache topping. Delicate piping and shimmering sprinkles added an elegant finish to my creation.
Baking was a passion I inherited from my father—a maestro in the kitchen, surpassing even my mother's culinary skills.
With steady hands, I reached for the cake, my heart racing with excitement. I imagined the explosion of flavors in my mouth, the symphony of sweetness and decadence heightened by the vibrant colors and intricate decorations.
Carefully, I sliced into the cake with a spoon, marveling at its moist texture and the delightful aroma that filled the air. Just as I brought the first bite to my lips, ready to indulge in its heaven-like taste...
Boom!
The kitchen exploded, jolting me awake as the remnants of the cupcake faded away.
"Oh no! Please don't let it be a dream!"
As if on cue, the booming sound repeated, confirming my worst fears. Disappointed, I groaned and kicked the bed in frustration like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Come on, wake up! Open the door!" an agitated voice demanded from the other side, making me curse under my breath.
"Quit it!" I grumbled, burying my face deeper into the soft fabric, grateful for the silence that followed.
But my hopes of returning to sleep were dashed as the knocking resumed, growing louder and more insistent. Whoever was disturbing my peaceful slumber seemed determined to ruin my day.
As if that wasn't enough, the next thing I knew, the door was kicked open. Literally.
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if she's a member of some ninja society.
"Can't a girl sleep peacefully in her own house?" I groaned, my irritation deepening. There was nothing I despised more than someone disrupting my sleep.
"How can you even call this sleeping? Have you checked the time? It's already noon!" Her voice dripped with exasperation from above.
I couldn't see her face, but I could imagine her stance—hands on her hips, just like my mother when she scolded me.
"Today is my day off from everything, Carrie. From school, work, and even you!" I shot back defiantly, my voice tinged with rebellion.
Sleeping in was a pleasure I cherished, as much as I cherished my morning cupcakes. Why did she have to ruin everything I enjoyed?
"Haven't you heard that oversleeping invites bad luck into your life?" she quipped, and I snorted dismissively.
That sounded like old superstition, a tactic parents used to scare children into waking up early.
"I'm amazed at how you manage to be so sluggish in the morning. Here you are, still in bed, while Lizzy..." She paused, exhaling heavily. "Lizzy's been lounging on the couch in her pajamas since morning, glued to her series."
I had to bite my lip to stifle a laugh at her frustration.
Carrie's boundless energy stood in stark contrast to my own laid-back demeanor. While she embraced each day with enthusiasm, I cherished the tranquil embrace of sleep, finding solace in every moment of rest and relaxation.
Lizzy, on the other hand, was an entirely different story—a true cinephile. She could binge-watch movies for days on end, fueled by her passion for theater and performing arts.
We were all students at the same university: Carrie excelled in fashion and design, I was immersed in filmmaking and related fields at the prestigious Great University of Art, and Lizzy pursued her love for the dramatic arts.
Carrie's exasperated sigh snapped me out of my reverie.
"Come on, wake up! I have some news for you. It's been killing me to keep it under wraps for so long."
Wait, news? For us?
That was enough to grab my attention, and I perked up from the comfort of my blanket. What shocked me even more was Carrie keeping this news to herself for so long. She was known for her boundless enthusiasm and her inability to keep secrets, let alone resist gossip.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I managed to peek out from under the covers, catching sight of my stunning best friend.
Her model-like height was accentuated in my eyes, making her look like a proud peacock in her ragged, faded blue jeans and a gray floral crop top.
As always, she looked absolutely stunning. I've always believed that black is beautiful, and Carrie's melanin was her blessing. Her deep, rich dark skin seemed to glow naturally, highlighting her features and giving her an undeniable confidence. Carrie had a magnetic aura that drew people to her effortlessly.
"Four in one?" I heard Lizzy's excited voice, unable to resist juicy gossip as usual. We all had a weakness for it.
PS: "Four in one" is our code name for gossip.
"What happened to you watching The Originals and pretending not to see or hear me when I arrived?" Carrie sarcastically quipped as Lizzy approached my bed.
True to Carrie's words, Lizzy was still in her pink PJ's. Her hair was tousled, yet she managed to radiate beauty. Lizzy exuded a natural charm, akin to a sleeping beauty.
She had the allure of an A-list actress, with her honey-brown eyes, flawless complexion, and perfectly tousled hair.
"Oh, Nicklaus, that traitor just murdered Elijah's girlfriend, stabbed him in the chest, and then joined their auntie in the massacre. Too much heartbreak to bear right now," Lizzy explained dramatically, mimicking an English accent as she collapsed on the bed—no, on top of me—earning a groan from me.
"Spill the juicy details already. Are you not feeling queasy from holding it in for so long?" Lizzy taunted Carrie earning a glare, and I chuckled at the banter.
Unfazed, Lizzy made herself comfortable by leaning on my leg.
Ouch!
Carrie's eyes sparkled like a thousand stars, indicating she had an intriguing story to share. Leaning in eagerly, her excitement was palpable.
"You won't believe what's happening at school!" she exclaimed. "There's this Valentine's craze going on, and it's all over the school portal."
"I thought it was something more exciting," I muttered with a sigh, losing interest already. Valentine's Day was never my thing.
"No, wait! It's called the Fourteen Days of Valentine!" Carrie interrupted, her enthusiasm undeterred.
I groaned, cutting her off before she could delve deeper into the Valentine's talk. "Why are they starting so early? It's still two weeks away," I complained, feeling annoyed.
"That's the point! It's a fourteen-day celebration leading up to Valentine's Day," Carrie explained, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"We won't we still have school, then during those fourteen days?" I asked hopefully.
Carrie's excitement waned a bit. "Well, no," she admitted reluctantly.
Lizzy, intrigued despite my disinterest, chimed in, "What exactly does it involve?"
"Each day leading up to Valentine's Day has a different theme and activity for everyone to participate in. It's supposed to make the holiday more inclusive and fun, no matter your relationship status," Carrie explained, glancing at me knowingly.
I tried to suppress a grimace. Being the example for the "single" category wasn't exactly flattering.
Do not get me wrong; I've had my fair share of relationships, okay? In fact, I've dated plenty of guys. But no matter how many I dated, none of them ever lasted beyond Valentine's Day. Or more accurately, we never celebrated Valentine's Day.
And it's not like I'm unattractive or anything. For my self-esteem's sake, I consider myself the most beautiful girl in the entire universe—and honestly, others would agree. Getting a man isn't hard for me, but keeping one? That's a different story.
Simply put, I detest the idea of entertaining any spoiled brat who thinks he can get away with anything just because he's dating a woman.
"What's next?" Lizzy's eyes lit up with interest as she leaned closer, eager to hear more about the upcoming festivities.
I couldn't help but make a gagging noise, earning dirty looks from my two best friends. One day of it was bad enough; why did I have to endure another 14 days? Where did I go wrong?
"Next, you'll be required to journal each day's events in this special journal they created, down to the smallest detail. Lucky for you sleepyheads, I got one for each of us." Carrie handed us each a blue and pink journal adorned with the words "14 DAYS OF VALENTINE" in large letters.
"You're welcome, of course," Carrie said, fluttering her eyelashes playfully.
Reluctantly, my hand emerged from under the blanket to take hold of the diary.
As much as I despised the whole affair, I couldn't deny the allure of the beautifully designed journal. Its cover was decorated with delicate hearts and intricate designs that made it impossible to resist.
"This is insane," I muttered under my breath, though my friends heard.
"Yeah, insanely awesome!" Lizzy giggled, admiring her pink diary. It was cute and girly, clearly a hit among the students who created it.
I noticed Carrie pulling hers from her designer handbag—it glittered silver, fitting her penchant for all things that sparkle.
"No, seriously, who came up with this? It's just Valentine's Day, a one-day holiday, and people still have to go to work and school," I argued, sinking deeper into my seat with my blanket snug around me. Despite it being summer, my room remained cool.
Carrie settled into a chair and said, "Oh honey, don't be so quick to dismiss this. It's a perfect excuse to indulge in some extra romance, treats, and maybe even find yourself a man."
"I'm not the only single person here. You dumped your boyfriend a week ago because he didn't buy you an expensive bag," I retorted, a frown creasing my face, relieved not to be the only single member of our group.
"It wasn't that expensive," Carrie insisted.
"It was Chanel," Lizzy interjected, raising an eyebrow knowingly.
But we all knew the bag wasn't the real reason she ended things with him. It was just a convenient excuse. Poor guy.
"I have standards, darling. If someone can't keep up," Carrie gestured grandly toward herself, "then what's the point?" Her tone dripped with condescension, making it clear she had no time for anyone who couldn't meet her lofty expectations.
"And just so you know, I'm only single for today. I've already spotted my next predator," Carrie declared, a bright smile on her face.
I scowled. Her statement made no sense.
"Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? You as the predator and him as the prey?" Lizzy asked, amused.
"Duh! But I can't let him know that. If he thinks I'm chasing him, he might see me as desperate, or worse, run off. So I have to make him think he's the one doing the chasing," Carrie explained matter-of-factly.
I was dumbfounded. Was there any logic to her thinking? Carrie was like a fox—cunning and dangerous.
"Well, darling, that leaves you as the last single one standing," Lizzy said sympathetically, glancing at me.
I hated that sympathetic look. Before I could retort, she cut me off.
"But fear not! We're going to set you up on a Valentine's date!" Lizzy declared, patting my back over the duvet, though it did nothing to comfort me.
"No way. Count me out," I insisted firmly. There was no chance I was getting sucked into this madness.
"You have to participate as long as you're a student at the university," Carrie asserted, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Says who?"
"The dean," she answered almost immediately.
"You've got to be kidding me," I scoffed, not buying it for a second.
"See for yourself," Carrie insisted, pulling out her tablet from her handbag and scrolling through it before showing Lizzy and me what was on the screen.
It was an official email from the university.
"In the spirit of 'Choice Partnership,' The Great University of Kenya encourages all scholars to participate in the Fourteen Days of Valentine, taking place across campus. We urge students to embrace this opportunity as it offers chances for scholarships and bonus points toward final exams. For more details, refer to the attached flyer."
I couldn't believe my eyes. I extricated myself from the blanket, exposing my undoubtedly disheveled face from sleep.
"This is ridiculous. Who does he think he is?" I grumbled, struggling to fold the stubborn blanket. As I wrestled with the fabric, a noise drifted in from outside.
Someone was mowing the grass.
"It's not that big of a deal, Mandy," Carrie rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by what she perceived as my overreaction.
"It became a big deal when the dean tied it to our exams! He's forcing us into something we don't want to do," I retorted, my frustration mounting as I continued to wrestle with the stubborn blanket. The noise of the lawnmower outside only added to my irritation, making it difficult to concentrate on my task.
"Technically, you're the only one who doesn't want to. People on campus are excited and already making plans," Carrie reminded me calmly, leaning back on the couch.
"Well, I don't care. I don't need a date or to partake in this nonsense," I declared, hastily dropping the misbehaving blanket, grabbing the blue diary, and storming from the bedroom to the living room.
"Oh, come on, Madison, live a little," Lizzy's voice called after me.
"Tell her, Lizzy. You haven't dated anyone in ages. Honestly, it sounds like fun," Carrie chimed in, prompting me to roll my eyes.
I had sworn off dating until after graduation, focusing solely on my career. I wasn't about to change my mind now.
"Well, Carrie, you know what's truly stupid? This silly game, this ridiculous fourteen-day countdown," I flung the diary onto the couch and marched to the window, pulling back the curtains to confront the source of the racket outside. At this point, I was ready to give whoever was operating that infernal machine a piece of my mind.
"...and all of this stupid noise can all go to he..." But my words got stuck in my throat, preventing me from even forming a complete sentence.
What was behind the curtain was something that I was not expecting. The sight before me was breathtaking, as if I had stumbled upon a hidden paradise that left me in awe, momentarily forgetting my frustration with the noise. I could only breathe one word...
"Heaven!"
"Heaven?" I heard my friends ask, perplexed by the unexpected turn of events or words, but my attention was drawn to the person outside the window.
A song came to mind as I saw the scene.
"Wulalala," Lizzy drawled as she stood beside me.
"Well, hello, baby!" Carrie exclaimed in a dreamy tone.
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Well hello, loves, there goes the first chapter. What do you think of it?
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See you in the next chapter!