Chapter 5: Everly

"Goodness, how come you look worse every passing day? Did you get any sleep last night?" Ava asked.

"What do you think?" I mumbled, staring at a dog across the street. I really wish I were born as a dog, a cat, or any other animal for that matter—anything really but a human.

"If I knew it'd affect you this much, I wouldn't have asked you to go in the first place." Ava said, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and pulling me closer. "And I know you feel guilty about putting down a person who wasn't who you believed him to be, but it isn't completely your fault either. You introduced yourself loud and clear. He could've corrected you, but he didn't. He practically asked for everything to happen, my sweet Everly."

I let out a frustrated cry and slumped on Ava. Although whatever Ava said made perfect sense, I still couldn't get rid of this nagging feeling in my chest. Like something was about to happen—something big and potentially bad. My instincts told me that, and one thing I learned while being passed around foster homes for more than half my life was to go with your instincts. But this time I had no clue what to do with these stupid instincts.

It'd already been three days since everything happened, and even though the guilt wasn't constant, my mind kept wandering to that day. But today it hit extra hard because I dreamed of him last night. In my dream, he barged into my room, looking red carpet-ready, with a team of people, and informed me he'd be suing me for a sum bigger than my phone number. I woke up drenched in sweat, and then I couldn't go back to sleep. It was a stupid dream. A really stupid dream. But one that, when combined with the nagging feeling, hit pretty hard, keeping me on edge the entire day.

But what kept haunting and pestering me was that I still had no idea who he was. I tried describing him to Ava, but it all came out in a jumble, and in the end, it was just as useless as I was.

"Enough! That's it. I'm putting a ban on it," Ava announced. "You can't think about the incident any longer. Get over it, you angel soul." She said, physically shaking me for a solid minute.

"Okay, okay," I laughed. "You really know how to shake life into someone."

"Tell me something I don't know." She quirked her brow and gave me a smug smile. "Enough about this; what should I wear for your professor thing today? You know there's still a lot of things to do, and I want to look perfect."

Oh, I almost forgot about that. The very next day, after I had humiliated an innocent man, I got promoted to the assistant professor post at the university I worked at, which obviously made me wonder if my karma was broken, but whatever, I was elated. That day, Ava and I partied all night, and somewhere in between, James, Ava's boyfriend, also popped in. So, we all celebrated together until they got horny and called night, which was probably ten minutes after James arrived. But it was a great day all in all.

"You don't have to dress up; it's just a casual get-together that Professor Bennett arranged." I shrugged.

"So what? I have to dress up; it's a party in your honor, after all." She crossed her arms over her chest, ready for an argument, but I gave her a tired smile. Fine, I'll try to tone it down for you." She pouted, and I smiled.

**********

I was late for the party, and not just any party but the one that was being held for me in the first place. I was supposed to be there by seven, but it was already eight, and Ava was constantly blowing up my phone as if it were the end of the world. Well, maybe it was because for once she wasn't late, and now she won't stop talking about it until the end of her life. But I couldn't help it either; the cafe was unexpectedly busy today, and with one register malfunctioning, it became even more hectic, so I had to stay back to help.

When I finally reached the place, I paid the driver and rushed out, sprinting to the venue, which was a newly opened bar that garnered fame for its interiors and high-class patron list. I had raised my concerns about the venue first, but Professor Bennett rebuffed me and assured me it wasn't much and it was something she really wanted to do, so like every time, I gave in and agreed.

I walked to the entrance and showed them the pass I'd received earlier today, and they let me in. I was a little surprised when I finally saw the place. It was unlike any other bar I'd visited; the vibe was much more relaxed, except for being heavy and sweaty. It was also so much more elegant with its tainted windows and golden dim lighting, but most of all, it didn't have those bass-thumping songs that rattled my core. I recognized some of the people from the university clustering around the cocktail bar, which was illuminated by bulbs of all shapes and kinds, to get their drinks.

As I looked around, I realized there were way more people here than I expected, and just then I was yanked by my shoulder.

"What took you so long?" Ava shouted and looked me up and down. "Look, you said it was a casual party, and even I toned down a bit, but what is this?" She said, pointing to the T-shirt I was wearing. "Why aren't you wearing the blouse I gave you?"

"Oh yeah, as I was leaving, a customer bumped into me and spilled their coffee on me, and this is all I had, so, you know," I shrugged.

Ava stared at me, narrowing her eyes, then spoke, "It was their fault, wasn't it? And you let it go, right?"

I grimaced. I didn't want another lecture about not being a pushover and standing up for myself—not now, at least. "Look Ava I'm fine, and that's what matters, right? Anyway, where's James? It's been so long since I last saw him. Oh, there he is. James!" I waved my hand at him, but Ava pulled at it and took me in a bear hug.

"I'll let it go, just this once, because it's an important day for you." She whispered in my ear, and I whispered a thank-you to her.

In the meantime, James walked over to us with drinks in his hands and shook his head, looking at us. "Today I came here to congratulate you, but you're trying to steal my girlfriend. That's not fair, Everly."

"Don't touch her. She's mine, and just so you know, you're the one who came between us." Ava remarked and squeezed me even tighter, making me laugh.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

I looked up to see Professor Bennett in front of us.

"Professor Bennet, of course not," I said, pushing Ava away from me and straightening my clothes. "I'm so sorry for being late, and thank you so much for everything, really."

Oh, come on now. You deserve all this. And between you and me, I took the liberty of inviting all of the snobs to witness your success." She took a sip of her drink and winked at me.

Oh, I like her." Ava pushed me aside and extended her hand to Professor Bennet. "Ava Smith. Best friend, roommate, and almost mother to this kid here."

"I see, it's a pleasure," Professor Bennet laughed and took her hand. "Now all of you enjoy the party, and I'll see you around." She pointed at me.

"Almost mother? You're only six years older than me." I eyed Ava.

"Age doesn't matter, kiddo. You're irresponsible, and like a child, you need adult supervision all the time or you'll lose yourself in this big, scary world." She shrugged her shoulders.

I opened my mouth to deliver what could've been the best comeback in the history of comebacks, but my mouth was shut when Ava wrapped her arm around my neck.

"Enough now! Let's go and get some liquor in our systems." She said, dragging me along with her to the cocktail bar.

I only managed to gulp down a shot of vodka before going back to my usual Coke because my stomach felt queasy. But during that time, Ava and James argued twice, made up once, and, for the second time, excused themselves outside. I was pretty sure they were having one of their makeup sessions' in the car. I cringed; there was no way I was going back to our place in that car. Who knows what they did on those seats? They always did this, they just couldn't keep their hands off of each other. And what surprised me the most was that they could do it anytime, anywhere. Sometimes I worried if they were some sort of maniacs who got all antsy if they didn't do it enough. I shook my head, wondering what I was even thinking about, and focused my attention back on my drink.

"God knows how many beds she hopped in to get here." A person beside me said.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I shifted in my seat.

"I know, right? Youngsters these days would do anything to get what they want." Another added.

"Shouldn't we just tell the authorities about her?" Someone else said.

Yeah, sure, she'll sleep her way through it too." One chimed in, and the group broke into a fit of laughter.

My grip on the glass tightened, and I didn't even have to turn to see who those people were. I knew each one of them and had worked under some of them for some time while I was a student. I sighed. I really didn't want to get involved with them today. I was almost about to get up when a hand pushed me back down.

"Attention everyone, attention."

It was Professor Bennet.

"Do I have everyone's attention? Yeah, so, as everyone is aware, this party is in honor of our new assistant professor, Ms. Everly Mason. But why such a great celebration, you might ask? Well, it is because this person here showed everyone that dreams do come true and no old fucker, pardon my language, no old snob, no matter what the post, can drag you down if you believe in yourself." She winked at me. "Now cheers to Ms. Mason." She announced, and the entire bar was filled with words of encouragement and congratulations.

I sagged in relief, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ava with James, sending flying kisses in my direction. So, they finally made up. I shook my head and waved at her with a smile.

The rest of the party went without a hitch. A lot of faculty members congratulated me, and I even got to make introductions to numerous other professors from other colleges, courtesy of Professor Bennett.

"I'll excuse myself for a bit." I told Professor Bennett, who was already pulling me toward the next guest.

"You're already tired? Come on, Everly, what are you eighty?" She said, almost pouting.

I chuckled. "No, but I really need to sit down. My brain's all frazzled. I'll be no good even if I meet them, and I really don't want to mess up the first meetings."

"Fine, if that's what you want. You're free now. Go." She smiled kindly at me.

I thanked her before beelining my way to the cocktail bar. "Can I have a glass of water with extra ice?" I asked the bartender, and he nodded.

"Congratulations, Miss Mason." Someone said it from behind me.

"Thank you." I smiled and turned to face them, but my smile dropped instantly upon seeing who they were and I froze. He was in my dream last night, but now he is here. It was him. So much for a glass of water.