( Dedicated to IvoryAnna she's my giveaway winner for the wattpad block party, which is naming a character in the story, and she's awesome! I love talking to her on Twitter chats, also a belated bday present to her. It's a little intro but she will be essential for the story ❤❤)

Panic at the disco- New Perspective

Chapter 3:

There were more deadlines for manuscripts to be sent out this week, editing and reediting until it was all completed. Thanks to the system crash, Yay. I love my job because I love to read. The workload though was draining. I'm out of energy like a dead battery.

Friday night, I plop on my couch with a glass of red wine in my hand and a hot plate of pasta and meatballs on the table in front of the TV. I switch to OnDemand to binge-watch the 'Girls' series since I missed the last two seasons. I feel my phone vibrate next to me on the couch, looking at the caller I.D., it's my best friend Ivory. I haven't talked to her in a week, pausing the episode, I slide the answer icon to answer. "Hey, you still at work?" I ask.

"No I just got home, waiting for Martin," she responds. She's been my best friend since grade seven, she's such a sweet and fun person to be around and so understanding to talk to. One of our favorite things we used to do was check out any cute guys before the bell rang. We didn't go to university together, she went to Columbia and I went to Dartmouth for English and Biology, we stayed in touch. She got her degree in History and Arts and works at a museum as an art consultant.

Two years ago she met the love of her life Martin, an Economics university professor. I met him at least five times. He's a kind and adorable man. Brunette hair, light green eyes, muscular, the same age as me and Ivory, 27, and slightly taller than Ivory.

"How are you two, anyway? Wedding stress getting to you?" I lean back on the couch.

"Not really. Right now the floral arrangements are almost complete but I have to wait for it to be delivered on the day. I got my dream cake!" she squeals over the phone.

"Vanilla cake with Nutella frosting?" I question.

"That's it!" she responds in a high tone.

I laugh, "that's awesome! What about the bridesmaid dresses?" I take a bite of my food waiting for her answer.

"They are still being sewn to fit everyone. My dream dress is gonna be just like Cinderella's."

"Can't wait until July," I tell her with excitement. She's been in bride mode since she got engaged four months ago, wanting everything to be perfect. Her twin sister is her maid of honor and I'm one of her bridesmaids.

"So any new men in your life?" she asks with interest, I pucker my lips, I want to say yes but I don't think hazel eyes and the Lyft driver count.

I let out a heavy sigh and say, "no."

"Oh, is it because of Steven?" I roll my eyes, flaring my nostrils hearing that name again. That's the last person I want to hear, he's one of the most selfish men I fell in love with.

"Absolutely not," I spit out, "he's a bad memory and I let the bad ones burn." I loved the satisfaction of letting the pictures of me and him, his clothes that he left here set aflame all turn to ash.

"It's been four months. A three-year relationship. You say you're over him but have you really moved on?"

"I am over him, it's not easy. I was in love. and he betrayed me. He's such an asshole." I hear a knock on my door, disrupting our phone conversation.

"There are other men that will love your independence," Ivory reassures me, making me smile as I got up from the couch to answer the door.

"My mom said the same thing. I sure hope so," I respond. Looking through the peephole, I see a figure but I can't decipher who it is.

"And she's right."

"Ivory, hold on," I whisper to her.

She says "ok."

"Yes, can I help you?" I yell through the door. Squinting to figure out who they are.

"Ups!" the person yells back. Oh, my package! The brown boots I ordered online from Target.

Opening the door slowly, I leave it wide enough for space. My shoulder leans on the door to reveal the man in a brown uniform with an electronic keypad in his hand. Taking the pen and signing my name, he gives me my package while I balance my phone between my shoulder and my ear.

"Thank you," I tell him.

"You're welcome. Have a good one," he says walking away.

"You too." I start to shut the door but it gets stuck, confused I look to the ground if I dropped anything. There's a foot blocking the path. My head snaps up to see who it is. Dark eyes and white teeth smile in my vision, my mood changes from content to irritated. "What the hell are you doing here, Steven?" I frown at him.

"Are you gonna invite me in? He speaks sweetly.

"I don't let creatures of the night in my place, unless you're Damon Salvatore," I respond, giving him my most intimidating glare.

"I'm a beautiful creature. Please. I wanna talk." I give myself a huff, he's like Beetlejuice, his name has been said too many times. I'm stupid right now for letting him in but I'm prepared for anything. I move away, he enters inside.

"Hello Val?!" her voice startling me, I almost drop my phone.

I catch it quickly and bring it to my ear, "Ivory, I'll call you back," I tell her.

"Is that who I think it is?" she asks in a hushed tone.

"Yeah, if I don't call back, I'll see you on Saturday."

"Ok. Bye."

"Bye." I end the call, putting it in my pocket. He swaggers in like he still lives here, dressed in a simple black shirt and jeans, heads to the kitchen counter leaning against it on his lower back. The same place I've cleaned thoroughly with bleach after seeing what I've witnessed that day. I close my front door, walking toward him with my arms crossed over my chest.

"You look good Val," he compliments with a smile. He still manages to look great. Trying to charm his way into my life again which irritates me more. I can't tell him that out loud.

"I know that. Say what you need to say and get out."

(Her ex has arrived! Any guesses what he wants to talk about? I know I left it in a cliffhanger but more will come soon, it's just a glimpse of how she interacts with Steven. I will update this story every Friday.