Nikki. I stared at the name on my contact list. Obviously, I'm a coward. I can't even call her. All I want to do is to prove to her that she was wrong and I was right. How long would that take? I put my phone down and went back to work. Even working my way through to calling Nikki was a feat I still hadn't accomplished.

My plans for the night were to sit on the couch with my earphones plugged in my ears, listening to some music and to answer some of the questions, which had been sent to us. The questions were becoming more and more as the day went by. Only three people couldn't answer millions of questions. I needed more help.

Apparently, I had run out of luck because chatting animatedly with Rita sat a very real and live Nikki. This wasn't a nightmare come true, it was a reality.

"We were waiting for you, Kayla. Please have a seat", Rita told me.

I took a seat gingerly.

"We're adults, right? We should d this in a very orderly fashion", Nikki said.

As much as everything in me wanted to scream and run outside, I managed to keep my sanity and sat in my chair as calmly as I could. Suddenly an all too familiar tune started playing. Rita took her phone, excused herself and rushed out.

"Rita told me everything", Nikki said, looking at me as if waiting for a reply.

I remained silent. She went on.

"I don't even know where to start. We've been through this already. This won't lead you anywhere. Kayla. Please, just stop this", Nikki said, reaching for my hand.

"I've come too far to stop. Why can't you just support me like Rita is doing?" I asked.

"Because what you're doing is wrong. Can't you see that?"

"I'm just taking advantage of the situation."

"By lying? Are you that desperate?"

"Yes, I am that desperate. Desperate after years of going to wedding after wedding, wondering, when it would be my turn. I just feel left out when I attend parties and it feels like I'm the only single person. Don't you remember how life was like when you were single?"

"I do. I understand you. I just don't understand why you're that desperate."

"What do you want here anyway?"

"I want my friend back. That's all I want."

"If you were such a good friend, you'd be supportive instead of being so critical about what I'm doing. I honestly don't know what you're doing here. Please leave", I said, showing Nikki the door.

She silently got up to leave. I sighed and closed the door. All I wanted to do was to sleep and forget about all this. Who knew that a short conversation could be both physically and emotionally exhausting?