Page 98 of HER SISTER

"I miss you so much—I can't even breathe right now."

I laughed, "That's a lie, I know you and Ryder were getting it on this morning," I countered back.

I heard Mya let out a laugh from the other end of the line before Ryder managed to pop his head in the frame, "Do you mind bringing some bagels back with you?"

I chuckled, "Nah, I got you Ry," I assured him as I hooked my jewelry on.

Currently, I'm in New York for my semester trip—and even being in this huge city seemed to send a rush of serotonin through my body.

I had only been to the tourist areas with my family, but never anywhere else in Manhattan.

Which is why, I'm going out tonight.

Not like that of course.

I just want to sightsee, maybe even make new friends.

My therapist thinks it'll be good to make new friends outside of my friend group.

So far it had only been a couple of months since Mili and I decided to put things on hold.

It's almost April, which means spring is rolling in—allowing my winter depression to fade away.

Everything feels really good.

It feels better.

I only started therapy in February and I already feel really good.

Apparently, getting rejected by Kiara so long ago managed to trigger me subconsciously.

Which I didn't realize until I talked about it with my therapist.

It was something that had contributed to my insecurity issue.

Especially since it was the only romantic relationship I had pursued for the first time ever in my life.

My therapist had also explained that the rejection is what led to me playing the field between Mili and Cam.

I was scared to be rejected by either, so keeping my options open made me feel secure.

Already, it feels like I've had so much growth.

And while it feels like I've come far, I know I still have some more work to do.

But god, I can't wait to reunite with Mili.

To finally fill her in on my life while we sit on her comfortable sectional as she rolls herself a blunt—which I end up smoking with her.

I can't wait to experience warm mornings again filled with her soft kisses and amazing cooking.

Even after a long day, I find myself daydreaming about heading over to Mili's where we cook dinner together and listen to soft R&B.

"Earth to Ana."

I blinked a few times as I glanced away from the mirror in front of me, "Yes? Sorry," I said, suddenly zoning back into my FaceTime call with Mya.

My best friend only rolled her eyes, "I swear you never listen to me," she determined as she nestled into Ryder's side, "As I was saying—make sure you answer my texts. I want to make sure you're safe since you're going alone."

I mimicked her eye roll, "Okay Mom," I joked with her.

Mya only shook her head, "You're annoying," she determined.

I laughed, "Oh okay, so you don't miss me anymore," I joked with her.

Mya gave me a narrowed look, "Just go make new friends before I change my mind and fly out to New York myself," she said, and even if her tone was light, I seemingly knew she was serious.

"You'll always be my number one Mya bear," I reminded her as I slid my heels on.

Mya hummed happily, "I know," she didn't hesitate to say as she smiled to herself.

I rolled my eyes at her, even if I found her entirely amusing, "I'll text you," I told her as I sprayed myself with perfume.

"You better," Mya said in her sternest tone possible.

I smiled, "Love you."

"Love you too," Mya said back before the call promptly ended.

Just like that, I was opening my hotel room door, venturing off to a nearby bar in SoHo, and god did I feel so excited to try out a new vibe.

Luckily, our tour at The New York Times wasn't starting until ten in the morning, so I didn't have to worry about being up too early.

The streets of New York were busy—much busier than you'd expect at ten o'clock at night.

Or maybe that was just my own expectation.

Even still, I felt completely whole as I walked down the sidewalks, passing by random people as I ventured toward the specific bar.

Everyone seemed to be in their own world—even at the bar that I managed to sit at as I drank a fruity mixed drink.

It made me feel normal sitting alone with myself, especially since no one seemed to glance at me as if it were weird to be drinking alone.

And on top of that, the bar was such a vibe.

From the dimmed lighting to the plush chairs and marble floors—I felt entirely relaxed as I sat back in my seat sipping on my drink.

A slow smile grew on my lips when my phone began vibrating with a call from my favorite redhead.

"Arielle," I greeted her as my smile grew.

"Ana! How's New York? Mya told me you're at a bar right now?!" Arielle exclaimed, clearly excited to talk to me.

I hummed as I glanced around the quaint bar, "I am... and god is it so relaxing here," I said as I looked at the plush round booths.

I might have to go chill in one of those soon.

"Ugh, I love that for you. Hopefully, everything goes well with The New York Times tomorrow," Arielle said, and I could easily hear crunching on her end, indicating she was eating something.

I hummed, "I hope so too—but really, I'm not all that interested in writing for a newspaper. It feels too corporate for me," I admitted.

"Yeah, I get that—it'll definitely be cool to see the inside of one of the biggest newspaper firms though," Arielle said, and I couldn't help but nod.

"Oh yeah, and you know I'm going to take plenty of pictures," I joked with her as I brought my glass to my lips.

Arielle chuckled, "You better, you also have to go to the top floor and check out the view," she determined.

I couldn't help but laugh, "So true, let me add that to my list of things to do," I joked back with her.

And before Arielle could say anything else, I could hear Damon's voice in the background call out, "Ari, how long am I supposed to leave this face mask on?"

I smiled slightly, realizing that she had this man doing face masks with her.

"Is it cool if I call you in the morning? Because I have to hear how your night goes," Arielle said.

I nodded to myself, "Of course, go help your man with his face mask before he burns his face off," I joked with her.

Arielle laughed, "He'd probably manage to do more than that without me," she determined, easily earning a chuckle from me, "Love you, Ana," she said.

I smiled to myself, "Love you, Ari," I replied before the call ended.

Just like that, I was back to my thoughts and delicious drink as I sat at the shiny bartop littered with different people who seemed to be having their own side conversations with the people that they came with.

However, I seemed to be dragged from my thoughts when a hand gently tapped my shoulder, easily causing me to turn my head.

The woman seemed nice, especially when she flashed me a warm smile.

Her dark skin was practically glowing under the light and her dark hair seemed to be in long braids with some of them pulled back out of her face.

"Hopefully I'm not intruding, but you seemed like you could use company?" The woman questioned, and even by her soft voice she already seemed so nice.

I smiled slightly, "Is it that obvious?" I joked with her.

The woman's smile grew, "Girl yes," she joked back with me, easily earning a chuckle from me, "What's your name?" she questioned.

I suddenly held my hand out for her, "Ana," I introduced myself.

The woman didn't hesitate to shake my hand before pulling me into a brief hug, "I'm Cher," she said as we pulled back from the hug.

My brows raised slightly, "That's a really pretty name," I said.

Cher smiled, "Thanks girl—" she suddenly motioned behind her, "—My friends are seated over there if you're down to join us?" she offered.

Old me would've naturally been intimidated to be introduced to a new group of people.

But instead, I felt excited to meet new people—I practically welcomed the excitement with open arms.

Which yet again, felt like progress.

"Of course, I would love to," I told her with a growing smile.

Cher's smile grew, "Great, but just to warn you—they're a handful," she laughed as I grabbed my drink and stood from my chair.

I chuckled slightly, "Now I want to meet them even more," I joked with her as we navigated over to the rounded booth, feeling so happy that I managed to meet a new person and now a new group of people.