"So... you and Nick, huh?" Lizzy asked as we entered the market. We were at the largest wholesale clothing market, and despite the sun already blazing down on us, we were shielded by the sunglasses and sun hat Lizzy had brought along.
I'm not a fan of summer. I prefer rainy days. There's something about the sound of raindrops on the roof that's incredibly soothing to me. Plus, the air feels fresher and cooler after a good rain. I know most people love the sunshine and warmth of summer, but it just feels too oppressive to me. Give me a cozy sweater and a cup of tea on a gray, rainy day any time.
"What about me and Nick?" I asked, trying to ignore the curiosity in her eyes.
Lizzy rolled her eyes and nudged me with her elbow. "Oh, come on, don't play dumb. You two have been practically attached at the hip lately." I felt my cheeks flush and tried to ignore her question, but Lizzy wasn't letting it go.
"Seriously, though, are you guys, like, a thing now?" I sighed and gave her a small smile, knowing she wouldn't give up until I opened up.
"I don't know, Lizzy. We're just..." I shrugged, at a loss for words. Were we even a thing?
"So you mean he hasn't asked you out yet?" Lizzy pressed as we walked through the children's clothes section.
"Not yet," I answered.
"Then have you guys talked about the kiss? From what I heard from Carrie—by the way, you'll fill me in on that later—you spent the night at his place. You must have given it a name, right?" I shook my head, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.
"You've got to be kidding me. What are you guys, then? Friends with benefits?" Lizzy looked at me with a mix of concern.
"But you don't do the friends-with-benefits thing," she added before I could respond.
"I don't know if he even wants to talk about it. Maybe it was just a mistake." I grabbed a small shirt off the rack and inspected it absently.
"A mistake is when it happens once, not twice or three times. And even if it was a mistake, he should have acted differently. But based on what I've seen today, nothing has changed. You've gotten even closer."
"Do we really have to put a name on it?" I asked, feeling exasperated. Couldn't one simply like someone without labeling it?
"Like a situationship? Alright, but will you be okay with that?" Lizzy asked, picking out a dress from the rack beside me.
"Sorry, baby girl, but I'm not Carrie the All-Wise. Here's my advice." She stopped examining the clothes and turned to face me.
"A situationship is like a recipe for heartbreak and confusion. Yes, there might be chemistry between you, but without a label, it will hold you back every step of the way. You won't know where you stand or if you have the right to be upset with him or to expect his attention. My advice is to tell him what you want. It's better to lose him trying than to lose him every day by being a coward."
There are some words that are powerful enough to inspire action, and Lizzy's words were just that. They hit hard—words that leave no room for debate or hesitation. Lizzy wasn't someone who typically gave advice. On the contrary, she often had a knack for demoralizing you and then expecting you to do the opposite of what she said. So, while I was grateful for her insight, I was also surprised.
...
The drive to the children's home was silent and comfortable, as it always was with Lizzy. Unlike Carrie, who would fill the journey with stories and jokes, Lizzy and I enjoyed a peaceful silence where we didn't need to speak much to feel at ease.
As we arrived, a sense of excitement bubbled up. It had been a while since I last visited one.
"Here we go!" Lizzy and I stepped out of the car, ready to bring some joy to the children.
"And here comes our dear Carrie," I said, smiling at the entrance where Carrie approached. She was dressed in black and gray like us, though she wore pants instead of shorts. Given the scorching sun, our choice of color might not have been the best.
"Hello, my dearies! I'm so glad you made it," Carrie said, hugging us both.
"We're spreading love, aren't we?" Lizzy's earlier scowl had disappeared, replaced by a genuine smile.
"Of course. Let me introduce you to my new friends." Carrie gestured to the five men standing behind her.
"These are volunteers from the local university and the church," Carrie explained. We exchanged greetings with them.
"They're here to help with the things you bought." I nodded, recalling the bags of clothes, food, and hygiene products we had brought. It was good we had our own car, as we had more supplies than one vehicle could hold.
Stepping through the gate, we were greeted by the staff and children, all with bright smiles. It was heartwarming to see how much our presence meant to them. Though the house wasn't grand and was in less-than-perfect condition, the love and care from the staff and volunteers were evident.
"How come I haven't seen Mr. Pastor yet? I expected you to be all over him the moment we arrived. Are you hiding him from us?" Lizzy teased, nudging Carrie.
"I'm curious to see who's managed to tame the wild flower," I added with a playful wiggle of my eyebrows.
"First of all, he's not Mr. Pastor; he's the son of one. And I wish I were hiding him," Carrie sighed, her shoulders drooping.
"What do you mean?" Lizzy asked, puzzled.
"All I know is that the moment we reached our meeting point, I encountered someone who's a real nuisance," Carrie said.
"Whoa, do I sense a diva in the mix?" Lizzy teased, tapping her nose.
"Tell me about it," Carrie said, exasperated.
"Is she prettier than you?" I leaned closer, curious.
"Of course not. I'm the prettiest species around." Lizzy and I laughed at Carrie's playful sarcasm.
"Smarter than you?" Lizzy asked.
"Nope."
"Sassier than you?" I inquired. With a flick of her hair, Carrie gave us a haughty look.
"Has there ever been one?" We all burst into laughter, knowing Carrie's wit was in full swing.
Her humor and charm always made us feel at ease. I admired her confidence and poise.
Lizzy was always there to listen and offer support, while Carrie brought a sense of excitement and adventure to everything we did. Together, we made the perfect trio, each contributing our own unique qualities.
"That's her," Carrie said, her expression shifting as she pointed in a particular direction.
We followed her gaze to see a brown-skinned woman surrounded by people who seemed to be taking orders from her. She exuded confidence and authority that commanded attention.
"Well... she definitely has a memorable past and a bright future," Lizzy drawled. I couldn't help but agree.
Carrie had the poise of a model, while the woman was the very definition of a socialite.
She had a striking figure—toned arms, shapely legs, and a dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her hair was styled elegantly.
"Right?" Even Carrie agreed with a pout.
"But she must be a diva for a reason," I said, trying to comfort Carrie.
"I agree with Mandy. Her personality must be..."
"Miss model!" Before Lizzy could finish, the woman turned towards us. Her eyes sparkled with happiness as she walked over, her smile warm and welcoming.
"These must be the friends you spoke about. Birds of a feather truly flock together, seeing how beautiful you both are." This was not what we expected from a diva.
"I'm Anna, by the way. I appreciate you joining us and the gifts you brought for the kids. They're thrilled. Let me introduce you to them?" She offered, and we exchanged glances.
Something felt off. Wasn't she supposed to be haughty? How were we supposed to dislike her for Carrie?
"No need for that, Anna. I'll take care of my friends. You must be busy; we'll join you later." Carrie dismissed Anna with a tight smile. It was clear she wasn't pleased.
Anna's response was a pout, not the scowl we expected.
"That's too bad. I would have loved to bond with your friends, but as the leader, I have many responsibilities. It's not easy for Dave to trust anyone with such a task. I hope you have fun." She smiled at us before leaving.
We watched as she walked away, stopping occasionally to talk and laugh with the kids.
"How can you hate her?" Lizzy whispered to Carrie.
"She's so nice," I added.
"And that's why I hate her!" Carrie whispered-yelled in frustration.
"She's just too perfect. I can't find any fault in her, and I hate how close she is to my guy and how she always makes him laugh," Carrie complained.
"Don't be too hard on yourself. Nobody's perfect. I'm sure she has her flaws too," I said, trying to console her.
"She does? Like what?" Carrie's pitiful look made me wince internally.
"Like..." I trailed off, glancing at Lizzy for help.
Our brief time with Anna hadn't revealed any flaws, despite my best efforts. I had said it to make Carrie feel better, but now I was stuck. Lizzy would have to save the situation.
"For starters, she's so full of herself," Lizzy said.
"Huh?" Carrie and I responded in unison.
"Didn't you notice how she acted like she was the host?" Lizzy continued. "From what I know, she's just another volunteer, but when she introduced herself, she acted like she owned the place."
"Not to mention she didn't give us a chance to introduce ourselves," Lizzy added. "It's annoying when people act like they're above everyone else. And her outfit—so over-the-top and attention-seeking. We're here for charity, not a red carpet event. I don't get why anyone would want to draw that much attention to themselves."
Carrie nodded in agreement, while I blinked in shock. Lizzy was skilled at making even a flawed impression seem like a glaring fault. Now that she mentioned it, the lady's jungle green high-waisted skirt and sleeveless turtleneck did seem a bit much for a charity event. It felt like she was trying too hard to impress. Was I falling into Lizzy's manipulation?
"And haven't you made your pastor laugh?" Lizzy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I have. When he laughs, it's like a breath of fresh air. Like spring after a long winter," Carrie sighed dreamily.
"Oh my! You're whipped," Lizzy teased, causing me to chuckle.
"And I'm proud of it," Carrie sassed back, her confidence returning.
"Mmm, so Dave is his name, huh? You never told us about your crush's name! How stingy can you be?" I said, lightly punching her shoulder.
"Or maybe he's not as handsome as you claimed," Lizzy joked, making me laugh and earning a glare from Carrie.
"He is the most handsome man to exist. He's tall—" Carrie began.
"Yeah, yeah, and handsome as hell. We got the memo with your Taylor Swift lyrics. Now, what's the deal with Anna and Dave?" Lizzy cut in.
"Especially when she hinted that 'Dave' trusted her. That was clearly a statement," Lizzy rolled her eyes as we started walking.
"My sixth sense told me from the moment I saw her that she's in love with my man. She acts all innocent and angelic around him. You know how men like docile women? That's Anna. While she's one way with everyone else, she turns into a white lotus around Dave."
"Um, before you continue, Dave is not yet your man," Lizzy interjected bluntly. Her words hit hard, and Carrie's glare could have set fire to a thatched house.
"I know how to handle a docile girl and make her show her real face," Lizzy said, swallowing hard. I chuckled, knowing Lizzy was just trying to lighten the mood. But Carrie wasn't amused. She stormed off, leaving us in silence. Lizzy and I exchanged glances before chasing after her.
As the day went on, Carrie introduced us to some of the children, and we had the chance to interact with them. It was humbling to witness their resilience and optimism despite their circumstances.
Some of the children showed us their impressive artwork. We played games with them and watched as they laughed and enjoyed themselves. It was clear they needed love and attention, and we were happy to provide it. We were inspired by their strength and determination to overcome their challenges. As the day ended, we said goodbye with heavy hearts but also with gratitude for the opportunity to meet them. We promised to visit again.
"The day was fruitful. If there's one thing I appreciate about this fourteen-day challenge, it's the joy we spread today," I said as we settled in the car.
"That's what it's all about—spreading love, not just to couples," Carrie said, buckling her seatbelt. She was in the passenger seat, while Lizzy was up front and I was driving.
"Thanks for coming and for the gifts. You all contributed more than I expected," Carrie continued.
"You have to thank the hot guy next door for that," Lizzy said as I pulled out of the driveway.
"You mean Nick?" Carrie asked.
"You mean Nick?" Carrie asked. "Yeah, Nick. You know, the guy whom our baby girl is crushing on, and not to forget spending the night with—which, by the way, we'll be having a camp in the house today so that you can spill everything to me. When did you two start excluding me from the juicy details?"
"Let's have a camp then." I let her have her way so that she wouldn't start putting her acting skills on display.
"Wow! I didn't know he was not only a hottie but also this kind," Carrie said, making me smile unconsciously as I remembered receiving fifteen thousand shillings from Nick during our shopping trip. It was a pleasant surprise—I didn't think he'd remember.
"You know what? I totally approve of him!" Carrie continued. "He's not just a pretty face; he's got a heart of gold too. And he's always been there for you, even in the short time you've known him, not to mention yesterday. Right, Lizzy?"
"He had my approval the first time I saw him," Lizzy chimed in. "I would've made a move if I weren't loyal to my own lover." Her comment made Carrie throw a teddy bear at her, which sparked a laugh from me. Lizzy's dark humor was something we all enjoyed.
As we continued chatting, Carrie's phone beeped. Seeing her blush and giggle like a schoolgirl, it was clear her crush had texted.
As the sun set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, we approached our neighborhood. I glanced at Nick's house but was disappointed to see no sign of him; he wasn't home.
The moment I parked the car, Carrie bolted out and rushed toward the front door, where a delivery man stood.
"You must be Miss... Cariander," the delivery man said, frowning as he read the name. Lizzy and I laughed while Carrie blushed. A gift from her crush, no doubt.
"The one and only," Carrie replied, taking the package from the man after signing for it.
"I also have one for..." the man continued, picking another package from his motorcycle. "...Miss... Barbie?"
Lizzy squealed with excitement, grabbing the package. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with joy.
I couldn't help but smile at my friends' enthusiasm, though a twinge of jealousy gnawed at me. It was hard not to feel a little envious when you saw how thoughtful the men they liked were.
We gathered around in the living room, eager to see what was inside. Lizzy eagerly opened her box and screamed with happiness when she saw a pink hoodie with her favorite band's logo. There was also a box containing a beautiful necklace with a delicate pendant.
When it was Carrie's turn, she opened her box carefully but paused, her expression turning to a frown. We looked at her, puzzled.
"What is it?" I asked, curious.
"It's... a Bible," she said, holding up the small book. It had a soft leather cover.
We exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of the gift. Carrie wasn't particularly religious, so it seemed an unusual choice for her.
Carrie flipped through the pages and found a note tucked inside. We gathered around her to read it.
"I am grateful for the gift you brought for the kids and for being there. I would like to take you out someday."
There was a moment of silence as we processed the unexpected message. Lizzy and I looked at Carrie, who appeared dumbfounded, still in shock from what she had just read.
"Did... did he just ask me out?" Carrie asked in disbelief. Lizzy and I both nodded. What followed was a deafening scream as Carrie jumped up and down in excitement. We couldn't help but join in her joy.
"Oh, Hallelujah! Amen! God is good all the time!" she squealed, kneeling in celebration. We laughed so hard our ribs started to ache.
Our celebration was interrupted by the doorbell. "Please don't tell me you guys are expecting more gifts. Mercy here for the singletons!" I exclaimed, heading toward the door while ignoring my friends' laughter.
As I opened the door, another delivery man stood there.
"Hi! So who's this for—Miss Barbie or Miss Cariander?" I asked as my friends joined me.
"Huh?" The delivery man looked puzzled. "This package is for Miss... Kitty." I was stunned.
"Who's Kitty? We don't know any Kitty," Lizzy and Carrie said in unison.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. This package is addressed to Miss Kitty, it's already paid for, and this is the correct address," the delivery man explained.
While my friends continued to argue with the delivery guy, my mind was racing, trying to make sense of this unexpected twist.
"So you go biting everyone because your mother told you that you used—"
"Just don't bite me, kitten..."
"Bad kitty..."
No! It couldn't be right. As much as I wanted to deny it, the coincidence was too strong to ignore.
"It's me," I said, cutting through the conversation between my friends and the delivery man.
"What?" they asked in unison, clearly puzzled by my sudden announcement.
"I'm Kitty. Where do I sign?" I said, ignoring their curious glances. After signing, I was handed a large box wrapped in brown paper and tied with a thick ribbon. I could hardly wait to open it.
Carefully unwrapping the box, my friends gathered around, eager to see what was inside. As the paper fell away, a huge baby blue teddy bear was revealed. Its soft fur looked like it would be the perfect cuddle buddy. It was so large I could barely wrap my arms around it.
My friends gasped in awe as I lifted the bear from the box. There was no doubt—it was a gift from him.
"That's... a thank you for... um... being there tonight and being my teddy bear," I remembered this morning.
"Not that I have a teddy bear... I've been wanting to buy one, but... I'm too lazy to go out and get one,"
I couldn't believe he took my casual comment so seriously. How could he be this thoughtful?
First, the donation for the children's home, and now a teddy bear?
I hugged the bear tightly, feeling its warmth against my skin. My friends cooed and awed at how cute it was. I couldn't help but smile, grateful for such a thoughtful gift. As we continued admiring the bear, I noticed a small note attached to its ear. It read, "I still hope it won't be better than me." His words, though written on paper, felt like a whisper across the sea.
My friends giggled at the note and teased me playfully.
"Oh, kitty, kitty. Did you enjoy the cuddle that much?" Carrie teased. I blushed but couldn't help smiling at the memory of snuggling up to his warm embrace.
"Aww, look at that, she's blushing again!" Lizzy chimed in. I buried my face in the teddy bear, which somehow smelled like him, and laughed as my friends began tickling me.