My eyes wander and I see my best friends dressed in coral bridesmaids dresses, they're rushing about the room. I couldn't walk, it felt like cement surrounded my feet permanently attaching me to the ground. I tried to speak but there was no sound, I felt powerless. Suddenly I catch a glimpse of my clothes to find I am dressed in a big, puffy, black gown. That's when I see him. It's Andrew dressed in white coming towards me.
"You're ready?" he questions but I'm still mute. "I can't wait!" he exclaims as I look on not knowing what we're doing.
At that moment, a man dressed in a black suit and tie walks in and presents us with a stack of papers about 2 feet tall. It was an immense number of sheets. My best friends in their bridesmaids dresses stood beside me.
"Mr. and Mrs. Brown, you must sign and date each paper and then you will be officially divorced." the lawyer informed us. Andrew was happy, signing away, while I was screaming out internally. I couldn't make a noise, I couldn't move, but I had to stop this.

Beep, beep, beep. I open my eyes and my surroundings are blurry. I notice that I had been crying in my sleep over the nightmare I was having. It was an overwhelming feeling to not be able to move or speak in order to voice what I wanted. I was so helpless and I didn't like it one bit. The good thing about this was that it was just a nightmare. In reality, Andrew and I are done so we will never have to face the agony of signing divorce papers. That thought brought sudden relief to my heart.

I look at my phone and see it's 8:05 in the morning. I still felt rather tired but I had to get up to make it on time for my 8:30 am class. I make my way to the bathroom where I brush my teeth and bring my brown hair into a high ponytail. A lot of girls like to get all made up for class, but not I. A ponytail or bun are regulars for me. I add a little mascara to my lashes just so I wouldn't look as tired as I felt. I grab a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt to wear before heading into the kitchen to grab an orange juice and one of those small individual boxes of cereal. I look to my phone again, it's 8:22. I grab my coat and book bag on the way out and munch on my cereal as I walk through leafless trees on my way to class.

This has become a routine for me this semester. Always running late because I don't feel like getting up. It seems motivation has been lacking ever since I broke up with Andrew. These same paths I'm walking alone on now, I have walked hand in hand with him. He was a great boyfriend, always attentive, always romantic, and best of all, always loyal. Whoever ends up with him as a husband will be one lucky girl.

Classes for the day went by pretty slowly as usual. All I was looking forward to was finishing for today and heading back to my apartment. I hate living alone but I didn't really have a reason for a roommate. My parents pay completely for my apartment close to campus and my Camaro. My dad is a meteorologist for ABC news and has invested in plenty of stocks. He practically doesn't need to keep working as he can live comfortably off of the interest from the stocks. However, he chooses to keep doing it because he loves his job. My mom, on the other hand, has always been a homemaker. Which is what brought the most issues during the divorce. Since she had been a homemaker for the entire marriage, she is entitled to spousal support. My dad felt she was asking for too much money and she was annoyed that he wouldn't budge.

I can see both sides here. For one, my mom knows nothing other than being a homemaker. You can't just throw her out into today's job market where knowing how to sow is no longer considered a valued trait. On the other hand, why would my mother need so much money? She's staying in the family home which is already paid off and has no real expenses aside from bills. Which makes me think she wants the money to fuel her spending habit. At this point, it's not fair to my dad.

My thoughts get interrupted by a ding coming from my phone. I check the screen to see it's a message from Leah.

Leah: Whatcha doing?

Leah is a friend I made during the university's orientation for freshmen. We hit it off instantly and went through the workshops together. It felt nice to know someone from the start when I entered college.

Zoe: Sulking in my daily misery. You?

I was only half kidding, really.

Leah: Well, get out of that misery because my uncle Tom is doing the grand opening of his sports bar today!

Leah's uncle Tom isn't much older than us. He's 32 but has always had an ambitious nature. When I met him a few years back, he told me he was opening up a bar. Back then it was only a dream of his as he didn't really have investors or the cash. Now, he's finally opening up his bar and I'm very proud of him. Perseverance really pays off.

Zoe: That's right. I totally forgot.
Leah: See you there at 8?
Zoe: See you.

I didn't feel much like going out, but I knew this was a pretty big deal to Tom and Leah's family. Even though they were both U.S born, their parents are migrants from Ireland. From what I know, there is still plenty of family back in Ireland but Leah never talks about them because she's never met them.

I've been lounging around ever since I got home and let out a loud groan when I pick up my phone and see it's 6. I need to get ready so I bring myself to leave my couch and take a quick shower. As I do my hair and makeup, I start to see my look come together nicely. I begin to feel excited for the grand opening. Which says a lot because I rarely go anywhere and dress up.

It was about 10 minutes past 8 when I finally arrived inside the bar. I didn't mean to be late but the bar is in downtown and it is a nightmare to find parking at this hour. I parked a bit far and walking in these heels wasn't easy. I scan the crowded bar looking for Leah. Surely she has a table and I couldn't wait to sit.

"Zoe!" I hear my name being called and spot Leah at the far left corner. I wave and start making my way over when Tom stops me.
"Zoe!" he greets me by placing a hand on my arm and leaning in for a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for coming, babe." He calls basically everyone either babe or darling, I never think twice about it.
"You're welcome. You know I wouldn't miss it." I give him a kind smile. I can only imagine his excitement tonight. His dream coming true at last.
"Hey, drinks are free for family and friends so take advantage." he winks at me before he is approached by someone and gives my arm one last squeeze before walking away.

I head towards Leah and I see a few other people sitting at the table. They all look at me with wondering eyes.

"Leah, this is Andrea, Savannah, Jackson, and Gary." she says pointing at each person as she says their name. "Guys, this is Zoe." I smile and wave before taking an empty seat between Leah and Andrea.
"Do you want a beer?" Leah asks as she gets up and I agree.

The bar was pretty crowded and of course the football games were on the flat screens placed all over. There was pool tables and they were all filled with guys either playing or watching the others play. The other people at my table were in conversation with each other which is understandable since they don't know me.

As I'm scanning the room, I feel a pair of eyes on me. I dart mine to where the sensation is coming from and see a blonde guy at a few tables away. He's looking at me but quickly looks down when he notices I saw him. I turn back to the people at my table as I sense Leah sitting back next to me.

"Cheers!" she says holding up her mug of beer and we all follow. Even though I can't see him, I feel his eyes on me for some reason. I peek his way and surely he is looking my way again. I bite my lip at my discovery suddenly feeling self conscious.

Notes

Well that's enough taste for today. I wonder what will happen with this blonde guy...

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