The next few days I did nothing but stayed in my pajamas and concentrated on finishing my paintings. I called work and told them I had the flu. They told me to take the rest of the week off, which was something I didn’t have a problem with. I was afraid I couldn’t afford it, but I needed to get my paintings finished and off to the art gallery. I wouldn’t have been good company to anyone anyways.

I made my third pot of coffee of the day and checked my phone to see if I had any messages. Matt had not made any attempt to contact me since he left. How does a person just forget about someone after being with them for four years? A fire stirred in my blood just thinking about it. The way I saw things I had two choices; I could sit in my tiny apartment and let my life die out, or I could suck up what happened and go out into the world and live. I opted to go out and live. I was not ready to die yet; I had too many things I wanted to do.

I frantically cleaned my apartment, which was long overdue, and I was ashamed that I let it get that way. I took a garbage bag and started tossing everything out that reminded me of Matt. I was determined to rid this apartment of any sign of him. By the time I was finished, my little home was practically bare. The shelves in the bookcase that housed pictures of me and Matt now sat empty reminding me of the emptiness I felt in my heart.

I finally showered and stood in front of the bathroom mirror. I took my hand and wiped the steam that formed over it. I looked at myself for the first time in days. My ice blue eyes, which Matt used to tell me, reminded him of the sea, looked tired with bags that formed underneath them. I ran a brush through my long blonde hair, and then fingered mousse through it, so it dried wavy. I put on some makeup to try to hide the fact that I’ve been depressed and locked in my apartment for a week. I stepped into my favorite jeans and was surprised they were loose in places they never were before. My 5’7” body appeared to have shrunk a bit since the breakup. I tore through my closet for my favorite pink shirt. Once I was ready, I took in a deep breath and called a cab. It was time to step out into the world and start my life again.

Garett pulled his yellow cab up to the curb of my apartment as I walked out the door. Seeing me struggle with the three paintings I was carrying, he got out of the cab to help me.

“Hey Emily, let me help you there.”

“Hi Garett, thanks,” I smiled at him.

Garett was my favorite cab driver, and I’ve known him since I moved to New York. When I call a cab, I always ask for Garett, sometimes he‘s available and sometimes he’s not. He stood about 5’10 with a muscular build. He always wore his black hair in a ponytail, and his brown eyes always sparkled when I’d ask him about his kids. He was a family man and one of the nicest people I have ever met. His cab was the one that first picked me and Matt up when we arrived in New York. I sat in front of the cab with him so my paintings could sit comfortably in the back.

“How’s Mr. Matt doing, Emily?”

“Matt moved out over a week ago Garett,” I sighed. The expression on his face was sympathetic.

“I’m so sorry Emily, are you ok?” I looked over at him, and a light smile came over my lips.

“I’m doing ok. I was a mess last week, but now I’m adjusting.” Was I really? Or was I just a good actress.

He pulled up to the art gallery and helped me take the paintings out of the cab. I paid him the fare and thanked him for his help.

“If you need anything, call me Emily and I mean that,” he pointed at me as he got into the cab and slowly pulled away.

Penny saw me from the window of the gallery and came outside to help me bring in the paintings. She called the owner, Lenny, and told him that I arrived. He came down from his office and kissed me on both cheeks.

“Ah, let me see what you have done here Emily,” he said as he took the paintings one by one and laid them up against the wall.

I was contracted to submit three painting to his gallery as a trial. One of the paintings was a romanticism of a man and woman dancing under the moonlight surrounded by clouds. The second painting was of a garden with a fountain surrounded by beautiful flowers. The last painting was of a child sitting in a field of flowers in a white dress as three angels look down upon her from the sky. All three paintings spoke something about me.

“Wow Emily, these are gorgeous. I’m sure I won’t have any problem selling these,” Lenny smiled.

I felt a little embarrassed because this was the first time I was going to be showing my work to the world. He led me over to a small wall that was sitting bare.

“This is where your paintings will be displayed. I will call as soon as one or all of them sell.” I thanked him and as soon as he walked away, Penny started jumping up and down clapping her hands.

“Let’s go out and celebrate tonight,” she squealed.

Going out was the last thing on my mind. I was not ready to do the single girl, out at night thing, but Penny was persistent, and I knew I didn’t stand a chance against her. So, I hesitantly agreed.

I left the gallery and started walking down the street. I fumbled through my large purse to find my ringing cell phone. I grabbed it and looked at the familiar number that found its way to my phone a little too much lately. I hit ignore and decided to walk the six blocks home. It was not long before the new voicemail alert lit up my phone. By the time I made it home, I was exhausted. I threw my keys and purse on the table next to the door and listened to the message that so annoyingly remained on my screen.

“Hi Emily, this is Dr. Caleb calling. I noticed you have cancelled the last two appointments since our last visit. I want to make sure you are still coming to see me. It is vital that we talk about this. I can help you Emily. Please call my office to set up an appointment a soon as possible.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head as I hit the delete button.

I walked to the bedroom and decided to lay down for a while as the six block walk home took its toll on me. I had only been sleeping about an hour when I awoke to the sound of my ringing phone.

“Hello,” I sleepily answered.

“Were you sleeping?” Penny asked rather loudly.

“I was just taking a little nap,” I yawned.

“Get up; I’m on my way over to your place to get ready for the club.”

I heavily sighed, “Club? You said we’d go celebrate; I thought maybe that meant dinner, not clubbing.” I didn’t feel like going to a noisy crowded club tonight.

“Emily, snap out of it, you have been a hum drum since douchebag Kyle left. Reclaim your life, have fun like you used to; you are the most fun person I know.”

“I don’t know Peyton; I’m not feeling the club scene tonight.”

“You’ll feel it once you get there and who knows maybe you will meet your Prince Charming tonight.”

Did she say Prince Charming? I don’t want a Prince Charming. I don’t want anything to do with men period. It was important to Peyton that we celebrate, so I agreed to go.

“Ok Peyton, I guess I’ll go, but I do not want to be out late, I’m tired.”

“Yay,” she shrieked. “Oh, my friend Caleb is picking us up at your place, bye.”

“Wait, who is…”click… I silently chuckled and hopped in the shower. Peyton’s exuberance attracted a lot of different people. I believe that’s why we connected with each other so quickly.

As soon as I got out of the shower, Peyton walked through the door and threw a bag from Forever 21 at me.

“What’s this?” I asked as I peeked inside the bag.

She looked at me and smiled as she flitted to the bathroom, “Just a little pick me up I bought for you to wear tonight.”

Peyton was generous like that; we always bought each other things we thought the other would like. I opened the bag and took out the most spectacular silver, glittery knit tank top.

“Peyton, I love it,” I smiled.

“I knew you would. I thought you could wear it with your black leggings and black boots,” she mumbled as she brushed her teeth.

I went to the bedroom and put on the top. The length was long enough to cover my ass, which made it perfect for leggings. I walked to the bathroom where Peyton was doing her hair. She looked at me through the mirror and whistled, “Look at you miss thing; every guy at the club is going to want to tap that hot ass,” she smiled as she lightly smacked it.

I rolled my eyes. Peyton is one of those people who does not have a filter; she says what’s on her mind, at that moment and never gives it a second thought. Her mouth spits before her brain thinks.

I smiled as I hugged her, “Thank you; it’s perfect.”

“Awe, it’s nice to see you smile again Elle,” she continued straightening her hair.

I asked Peyton about Caleb, and she said he was a friend of a friend, and they went out a couple of times. I found it odd since this is the first time I’m hearing his name. She said she started seeing him right when Kyle left me. She didn’t think it was appropriate to talk about her dating life so soon. To be honest, I was touched by her thoughtfulness not to mention it, but at the same time I was pissed she didn’t.

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time before going out. I decided to throw some soft curls into my blonde hair that I already straightened and rubbed off some of the eye shadow Peyton painted on me. I was starting to feel glad I decided to go tonight; I needed some fun.

Caleb came to the door and whistled at the both of us as Peyton opened it. He gently kissed her on the cheek and walked over to me holding out his hand.

“I’m Caleb, nice to meet you.”

I shook his hand and told him the same. His grip was firm, and from what I could tell so was his body. He wore his short brown hair messy but in an attractive way and his black eyes were piercing. I could see why Peyton was attracted to him. The three of us slid into the cab that was waiting for us outside. Peyton had her arm around Caleb’s as they nuzzled each other. Suddenly, I felt like a third wheel.

“So, what club are we going to?” I asked. Caleb broke his gaze from Peyton and looked over at me.

“I thought we’d go to Club S.”

I frowned trying to think of how I knew that club, and then it hit me, my friend from the soup kitchen, Frankie is a bouncer there. I gasped.

“Isn’t that a sex club?”

Peyton looked at me and smiled, “Elle it’s a normal club; it just so happens that some people go there to find others to have sex with.” She said it so casually as if it was no big deal. I rolled my eyes and sighed.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the S stand for sex, as in Club Sex?” Peyton and Caleb both smiled at me. “Great, now I’ll have to be on the defense all night.”

“Live a little Elle,” she laughed.

I crossed my arms and looked out the window as they started making out. I was not about to live a little by having a one night stand with some random guy; that wasn’t me. I only had sex with one guy in my life, and that was Kyle.

The cab dropped us off in front of the club, and I was astounded by the line of people who wrapped around the building for at least 2 blocks. I smiled, for I knew there was no way we were getting in tonight, which was OK with me. I preferred to go out for a quiet dinner.

Jason slumped his shoulders, “Fuck, look at that line; we should have gotten here earlier.”

As the crowds of people in line were patiently waiting to be let in, and I was wishing to get the hell out of there, I heard someone yelling my name. My eyes grew wide as I cautiously turned my head.

“Emily, is that you? Hey Emily, over here.”

I looked over in the direction where the voice was coming from, and it was Berth waving his hand and motioning for me to come over. The three of us walked to the entrance and stood in front of the large, burly man named Berth Leister. His 6’4” wrestler body was enough to intimidate anyone. I could see why the club hired him as a bouncer. He put his arms around me and gave me a squeeze.

“Good to see you Emily; you guys clubbing here tonight?”

I pulled from his embrace, “We were going to, but wow, look at that line, I don’t think tonight’s going to be a possibility.”

“Nonsense, you three go in.”

I gave him a dirty look as he lifted the rope for us. Jason and Penny were ecstatic and beaming from ear to ear. Berth lightly grabbed my arm as I walked past him, “If you do not feel comfortable in there or you need me, come out here and let me know.” I smiled at his generosity and nodded.

We walked through the small hallway that led into the main entrance of the club. I’ve been to many clubs, and this is by far is the most crowded I’ve ever seen. I looked around at the tables that filled the place. A massive bar sat off to the side with fluorescent lights that hung down from the ceiling. The oversized dance floor housed large projection screens and displayed a full color laser show. The walls were suede with soft lights that glowed off them. The music was blaring as the floor was thumping beneath my feet forcing my body to move with the beat.

Penny pulled me and Jason to the dance floor where we danced for what seemed like hours. I needed a drink, so I left them to dance as I made my way to the bar. I took the only bar stool that was available at the end and ordered a Cosmopolitan. I was sipping on my drink when I noticed a man and woman arguing at a table not too far from where I was sitting. She had her shaking finger pointed at him and then proceeded to poke him in the chest several times. I couldn’t help but shake my head and laugh. I kept looking over at them to see if they would kiss and makeup, but noticed he was yelling now. His finger was pointing at her, and his face looked angered. The tall beautiful woman slapped him across the face, turned on her heels and scurried off. I stared at him and took notice at the look on his face which showed no emotion whatsoever. He just sat there and stared straight ahead.

I kept looking over in his direction because he was one of the best eye candies I’ve ever seen. His light brown, almost blonde hair was shorter on the sides as his longer top had waves to it. I could not help but stare at his prominent square jaw and chiseled cheek bones. I could not tell the color of his eyes because he was too far away, and the lighting was inadequate, but I could tell just by looking, anyone could easily get lost in them.

“Yum Emily, I see someone has stolen your attention,” Penny smiled as she looked over at him. Oh god I did not need her knowing I was checking this guy out because she would be the first one to run over, tell him, and try to set us up.

“He only has my attention because he was just bitch slapped by some woman.” She let out a loud laugh, and that was my cue to change the subject. She dragged me out to the dance floor where I danced and endlessly fought off horny guys as I kept getting shuffled in the crowd.

It started to get extremely hot in the club, and I needed some fresh air. I told Penny I’d be back as I headed towards the door. As I stepped outside, I saw Berth escorting Mr. Eye Candy out of the club.

“Ok Mr. Frost, you have had way too much to drink tonight, and it’s time for you to go home.” He was stumbling from side to side and mumbling something.

“Berth, what’s going on?” I casually asked.

“Hey Emily, this gentleman has had too much to drink, and he started causing a scene when the bartender refused to serve him.”

“What are you going to do with him?”

“I just escort them out, what they do after that is not my concern.”

I looked at him and cocked my head, “He can barely stand, how do you expect him to get home?” My head was telling me to stop immediately because it knew what I was about to do, but my heart was telling me to help him. “I’ll make sure he gets home safe,” I said to Frankie.

“Emily, that is not a good idea, you don’t know whom you’re dealing with here.”

I put my hand up, “I know what I’m doing, and he needs help.”

Berth shook his head, “You have a good heart Emily, but sometimes I think you’re crazy; please be careful.”

I grabbed my cell phone from my purse and called a cab. Mr. Eye Candy was sitting on the cement against the wall. I took notice at his expensive black tailored suit and the white shirt that was partially unbuttoned, showing off his muscular chest. His 6 feet stature was lean, but seriously muscular. Like his hair and face, his body appeared to be perfect. I walked over to him and grabbed his arm to help him up.

“Come on, let’s get you home.”

He looked over at me with his drunken green eyes, “Do I know you?” he slurred.

I patted him on the back and walked him to the curb just as the cab pulled up. Before I pushed him in, I took his wallet out of his back pocket. He stumbled into the seat, and I climbed in next to him. I opened his wallet, took out his driver’s license and handed it to the driver, “Drop him off here.” He handed his license back to me, and I took it upon myself to read his name.

I patted him on the arm, “Nice to meet you Jack Frost.”

He looked at me and put his head on my shoulder. I let a small smile escape my lips.