Melanie

"Ready to go?" Evie calls out as she stands by my desk, her eyes filled with excitement.

"Just a second," I reply, saving my work on the computer and shutting it down. The anticipation for this weekend has been the driving force behind my productivity all day.

I stand up, grinning at Evie. "Now, I'm ready."

We walk side by side to the parking lot, chatting about the weekend ahead. We've carpooled today, ensuring a quick departure for Adam's cabin immediately after work. The prospect of a few days away from the daily grind feels like a breath of fresh air.

As we settle into my car, Evie lets out a sigh. "I really need this break too. Maybe we should've taken some extra days off."

I chuckle, pulling out of the parking lot. "As much as I'd love that, I need to get back. The furniture for my new apartment is arriving next week, and I want to move in right away."

Evie feigns disappointment. "Aw, here I was, dreaming of an extended vacation. What else do you need for your new place?"

I glance at her, a playful smile on my face. "Appliances. Groceries. Moving in my stuff."

Evie grins. "How about we go appliance shopping on Monday, start moving your stuff on Tuesday, and once the appliances arrive, we'll hit the grocery store?"

I nod, excitement bubbling within me. "Perfect. With any luck, next Friday, I'll be sleeping in my new bed, in my new apartment."

Evie claps her hands. "I can't wait! It's going to be amazing, Mel."

Evie turns on the radio, and the familiar intro of "How You Get the Girl" by Taylor Swift fills the car. Evie grins and turns up the volume, saying, "I love this song!"

"Me too!" I reply, joining her enthusiasm. As Taylor Swift's catchy lyrics kick in, we both start singing loudly, not caring about the pitch or the notes, just reveling in the freedom of the moment.

The song ends, and the radio producer's voice comes on. Evie lowers the volume, but the energy in the car doesn't diminish. I'm lost in thought, my mind replaying the lyrics that just echoed through the vehicle. Memories of Daniel and Marcus flood my mind. They both reached out, wanting to get back together, but right now, my feelings are a tangled mess.

Daniel got a second chance, but I can't shake the feeling that he wasn't entirely honest with me. It's a tricky situation, and I wonder if he truly deserves that chance. On the other hand, Marcus appears sincere.

However, jumping from one relationship to another doesn't feel right, especially after ending things with Daniel just yesterday. My phone has been off since last night to avoid Daniel's persistent calls. I didn't want to talk to him, needed space.

Evie's phone rings, and she fumbles through her bag to find it. "It's a text from Mallory," she announces, her eyes briefly scanning the message. "She's trying to reach you. Is your phone off?"

I side-eye her for a moment before responding, "Yeah, tell her my phone's dead. Ask her to call you instead."

Evie gives me a puzzled look, "I have a power bank with me. You can charge your phone."

I shake my head, "Just do it, Evie. Tell her what I said, and I'll explain later."

Evie types the message and looks back at me, confusion etched on her face. "What's going on, Mel?"

"Did Mallory respond?" I inquire, trying to divert the conversation momentarily.

"Not yet," Evie replies, her curiosity growing. "Seriously, what's happening?"

Taking a deep breath, I glance at Evie. "I broke up with Daniel yesterday," I confess, my voice steady but emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Evie doesn't respond immediately. I steal a quick glance at her and find her eyes wide, her jaw dropped in surprise.

"Say something, Evie," I urge, breaking the heavy silence that hangs between us.

Evie shakes her head, clearing her throat. She seems to struggle to find the right words, eventually settling on, "How are you? And why didn't you tell me sooner?"

I glance at her briefly, my focus returning to the road as I merge onto the highway. "I feel numb," I admit, the reality sinking in with each passing mile.

"What happened?" Evie asks, her concern evident in her voice.

I take a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Daniel didn't react well when I told him about our plans for the weekend. He said I can't go."

Evie's frustration is palpable. "Are you serious?"

I nod, the memory of Daniel's reaction replaying in my mind. "And it's not just that. Last Saturday, when I mentioned the apartment, he didn't react well either. It came up again yesterday, and I felt suffocated."

"Is it really over between you two?" Evie asks, her concern deepening.

"I don't know," I admit, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. "That's why I turned off my phone. He keeps calling, and I need some time to think clearly."

"That's true," Evie acknowledges, her voice soft. We continue driving in silence for a few minutes, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. After a while, Evie breaks the silence. "What if Marcus reaches out to you and your phone is off?"

I shake my head slightly. "I don't think he will. I asked him for time, and even if he does, it's better this way. I need space to think clearly, and that applies to Marcus too."

"You're right," Evie agrees, and another silence settles between us. I feel a sense of relief now that Evie knows about my breakup with Daniel. It's as if saying it out loud makes it more real, and surprisingly, it feels good. Huh, well, that's definitely something to think about.

Breaking the silence, Evie speaks again, "If you want to talk about either Daniel or Marcus, feel free to talk to me. I may not like Daniel, but I'll try to remain impartial."

I glance back at Evie and offer a small but genuine smile. "Thanks, Evie. I appreciate that."

The rest of the drive unfolds in a lighthearted rhythm. Evie and I purposely steer clear of discussions about Marcus or Daniel, opting instead for singing along to the radio, sharing laughter, and delving into weekend plans. We even dip into the inevitable work-related chatter, though we keep it brief.

Following Mallory's detailed instructions, we easily find Adam's lake house. As we step out of the car, the beauty of the surroundings leaves us in awe. The lake house stands majestically, and the view is nothing short of breathtaking.

Evie whistles appreciatively. "This is the best place I've ever been."

I nod in agreement, stunned by the serenity and charm of the place. Mallory always raved about its beauty, but being here surpasses any expectation I had. "If this were mine, I'd be here every weekend," Evie remarks.

I smile in agreement, "Absolutely."

We finish bringing our things from the car and set them in the spacious bedroom we've decided to share for the weekend. Downstairs in the living room, the cold seeps through, and I can't help but shiver. I glance at Evie, who seems to feel the chill too.

"I'm freezing," I admit, rubbing my arms for warmth. "Are you cold too, Evie?"

"Yeah, it's colder than I expected," Evie replies, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Let's light the fireplace," I suggest, and Evie's eyes light up with enthusiasm. We gather wood, and soon a warm crackling fire is dancing in the fireplace. We settle in front of it, the flickering flames casting a comforting glow on the room.

This is exactly what I needed – the peace, the quiet, and the company of a good friend. The crackling fire provides the perfect backdrop to our weekend getaway, offering a sanctuary for thoughts to settle and emotions to find their place. I feel a sense of tranquility settling over me, and I can't help but be grateful for this escape and the presence of Evie by my side.

As I sit in front of the crackling fire with Evie, I'm surrounded by a sense of calm that has been elusive in the chaos of recent days. The warmth from the flames mirrors the warmth spreading within me. There's so much to think about—Daniel, Marcus, the uncertainty of the future—but right now, in this tranquil moment, I choose to embrace the peace.

I don't know what will happen next, and that's okay. The weekend ahead holds the promise of relaxation, introspection, and, most importantly, the chance to reconnect with myself. I deserve this calm, this respite from the whirlwind of emotions that have engulfed me.

Perhaps, in the grand scheme of things, this weekend isn't about choosing between Daniel and Marcus.

Maybe, just maybe, it's about choosing myself.