I made it into the familiar open-concept brownstone with a reoccurring black, white, and grey color scheme. Black stairs sit at the front door to the right along with an open arched doorway to the left that transitions into a monochromatic living room. Past the open doorway and staircase is a long hall leading back to the modern yet homey kitchen that is also open to the dining room area. The quaint house flows perfectly with no walls separating the living room, dining room, and kitchen area while also keeping a minimalist theme.

"Vi Vi is that you?" Jade's deep voice calls out, which is easily contrasted against Jaci's soft mellow tone.

I already assumed Jade and Jaci would be home since they each grew up in New York, well, Jade grew up in our neighborhood, Soho while Jaci grew up in Midtown. Whenever the holiday season comes around they luckily get to stay in town and just make a quick trip over to their parent's houses for any holiday dinners.

I set my suitcase on the steps as I begin walking down the hall toward the kitchen, "Yes,"

"Vina you're home!" Jaci greets me with a smile as she sits on the white marble counter next to Jade's teal kitchen aid mixer that's brutally mixing some kind of dough.

I smile at the two girls as I take in the scene in front of me, Jaci has a glass bowl in her hands filled with some kind of red frosting, while Jade—who's practically covered in flour—is focused on mixing the dough in the blue kitchen aid mixer. The silver gas oven is preheated while a black baking pan lined with brown parchment paper sits over it.

I raise a brow, "What's... what's going on in here?" I chuckle slightly as I walk over to the kitchen island lined with grey cabinets while a white marble counter sits over it. The grey cabinets of the island easily contrast against the black cabinets that are lining the two adjacent walls.

"Oh y'know just J bug trying to cook,"

"Jacinda cut it out,"

I let out a laugh, "Damn she brought out the full name," I pointed out as Jade stopped the kitchen aid mixer from mixing the soft cream-colored dough.

"Which she does a little too often," Jaci narrows her dark eyes at the raven-haired woman who is now forming the dough into small balls and transferring them to the pan on the oven sitting behind her.

Jade shrugs, "Because you make me,"

"I don't make you do anything," Jaci emphasizes as she hops down from the counter and sets the glass bowl of red icing on the white counter by the stove.

I grab a small piece of the dough from the silver bowl, "So what are we making?" I plop the small piece of raw dough into my mouth, "Oh sugar cookies?" I mumble under my breath as I chew the familiar-tasting dough.

"With the Thanksgiving season over—it's now time for the Christmas festivities!" Jade announces as if she's a host on a radio talk show.

Jaci snickers, "We haven't even made it to December first yet,"

"Your point is?" Jade fires back.

Jaci's dark eyes dart to me, "My point is..." she trailed off, "Well, it's actually not that, it's about Vina,"

My brows shoot up as Jade turns around to face me, and I could've sworn Jade and Jaci could've been fraternal twins in another life. Their similar tall height combined with their lean bodies—the only difference is Jaci's platinum blonde hair and dark eyes, and Jade's dark black hair and sea green eyes.

"Oh... yeah we heard about Sebastian," Jade murmurs hesitantly.

Already? They heard already? I was hoping to put this conversation off for as long as possible, but it seems like that's not going to happen. How did they even find out? It's been what? A day maybe? A day of ignoring Sebastian's constant texts begging to talk or even for a text back, which sadly for him, he's not going to get. I'm honestly surprised my parents haven't called or texted—I mean they have to know if Jade and Jaci know.

I tilt my head, "How do you guys already know?

Jaci purses her lips, "Sebastian called here to talk to you," she informed me, "He thought you would've been home already but you weren't,"

"Where were you?" Jade asks before turning around and sliding the tray of cookies into the hot oven.

I shrug, "Well Sebastian lashed out at me and things got kind of physical—"

"Physical? Oh my god, Vi Vi are you okay?" Jade asks with wide eyes while Jaci's lips remain parted.

Well, not really.

I bit the inside of my cheek before forcing a nod, "Yeah, luckily his friend Cayden took me home since even she thought he was insane for that, but since it all happened so late at night, we ended up staying in a hotel," I inform them as the not so innocent night spent with Cayden flashes through my head. From the shower to the massage, even to the next morning where our conversation managed to take an inappropriate turn.

Jade softly smiles, "Oh is she the childhood friend he's mentioned before?" she recalled earning a brief nod from me, "Well, that was nice of her,"

You have no idea.

"Yeah, hopefully when Sebastian comes back you guys can talk it out," Jaci points out softly, which causes Jade to lightly hit her shoulder.

"You really are a blonde," Jade mumbled under her breath, "I doubt she wants to get back with someone who got physical with her Jac,"

My brows raise at Jade's statement, I figured she'd side with Sebastian too.

"But it's never happened before, I don't know I'd say talk to him—you won't find another guy like him Vina," Jaci explains.

I don't want to find another guy in general.

"Okay I see Jac's point, I'd talk to him, but if you can't get past it then we'll understand since we're your friends," Jade added, "Right Jac?" she addresses the girl with a raised brow.

Jaci nods, "Right... I was just saying—since I only want what's best for you,"

If she truly knew that Sebastian didn't make me happy, then she probably wouldn't be saying this, or maybe she would. I truly don't know because I haven't been in this predicament before.

"Anyways, who wants to decorate Christmas cookies?" Jade asks as her tone grows light with excitement.

Jaci and I both smile before walking over to the timer displayed on the shiny silver microwave that's close to going off.

"We're here for you Vi Vi," Jade nudges me slightly.

Jaci nods, "Just know that we both love you and support any decision you decide to make,"

Tears practically grow in my eyes at their comforting confessions, I didn't expect them to react this way. I mean they both adored Sebastian and me—and it felt like it was always the four of us out on the town together. Then again, I never took the risk of ending things with him, so I never would've known how they felt, but a part of me was scared that they wouldn't choose me. That they wouldn't want to be my friend anymore. It's sad, but it's the reality I live in—I mean even my parents would probably side with him and tell me to suck it up. It's nice to feel like my friends have my back, and it honestly helps reassure me that our friendship wasn't relying on Sebastian and I's relationship.

After decorating Christmas cookies and eating as many as we could before we all grew full. I headed up to my room to get unpacked. My room had white walls with a large bed sitting in the middle of two large black-outlined windows with long gray curtains drawn in front of them. Glossy white bedside tables sit on either side of my bed that's sat over a large black furry rug that spans over most of the light grey wood floors. A tv hangs on the wall adjacent to my bed while a desk sits in front of another large window with the same curtains drawn to the left side of my bed. Notebooks and a jar of pens and pencils are neatly gathered on my white glossy desk along with my closed Mac book while a black computer chair sits neatly in front of it. Two french embroidered black doors lead to my small walk-in closet and a quaint bathroom covered in white tile with a singular square sink and a black and white tiled standing shower.

I inhale the sweet jasmine scent that manages to calm me upon entering my bedroom. I begin unpacking as I separate my dirty clothes from my clean ones, and then later unpacking all of my bath items and toiletries to put back in their rightful spot in my attached bathroom. I freeze slightly when I notice Cayden's black sweatshirt mixed with all of my things scattered on the floor. My hands twitch with the urge to scoop the warm familiar sweatshirt in my arms as my heart grows heavy in my chest with emptiness. Knowing the sweatshirt would smell like her I grab it and set it to the side with my laid-out pajamas for the night.

Once I finish unpacking completely, I take a long warm shower drenching my hair in my jasmine shampoo and conditioner before scrubbing my body with my vanilla-scented soap. Relaxation flows throughout my warm body as the steam of the bathroom wraps around me like a gentle hug. I brush my wet brown hair out before dropping the black fluffy towel from my dry body and gliding cocoa butter lotion all over my smooth skin. I grow excited when I grab Cayden's sweatshirt and slide it on, her familiar scent swirls around me and instantly calms my racing heart.

I sigh in contentment before pulling on my black sherpa pajama shorts and white Nike socks. I straighten the bathroom back up to its original state and flip the light switch off before practically jumping into my large cozy bed topped with a grey comforter and a heavy white furry throw blanket. I lay my heavy head on the white pillowcase as my tired eyes flutter close with thoughts of Cayden dancing in my head. I nuzzle myself deeper into her black oversized sweatshirt as I easily begin to drift off into a deep sleep.