Season of Second Chances

7. Operation: Move On

The door swung open, and there stood Charlotte—petite, with a wavy black bob and eyes sharp enough to spot trouble a mile away. She wore a light blue pyjama suit with silver snowflakes, the kind that somehow looked effortlessly chic on her.

Charlotte was always one of those women who looked nice in anything, without effort. She didn’t need make up or to style her hair, she would look great getting up right from her bed.

“Finally! Where have you been Sam? I’ve been worried sick about you. I almost called the police, you know?”

“I am here now,” Samanta gave her a faint smile, “Just please, keep it down. I’m still hungover.”

“I cannot believe the one time you decide to drink, I miss the whole show. You never let me witness the good stuff!” Charlie pouted her naturally pink non plump lips, which made her look like a child and Sam giggled, looking at her best friend, who always knew how to lift her spirits up. “C’mon, I’ll give you the best remedy for a hangover.”

“What’s that?”

“Shandy and burger. Unless you prefer pizza?” Charlie smirked at her friend.

“No way… I can’t handle any more alcohol. Just give me some aspirin or something. I think the one I had earlier is wearing off.” Samantha looked at her friend with dread in her eyes.

“If you just have one, it’ll fix you up quickly.”

“Still a big fat no, but thank you for the offer.” Samantha shuddered, entering a modest living room. It was nothing special: green walls with a few pictures, plush sofa, arm chair and a small coffee table. The twinkling Christmas tree by the window added just enough holiday charm without being over the top. A desk with a chair stood across from it, next to a big bookshelf, holding books of course, decorations and artificial flowers. Charlotte was never a real plant kind of girl.

Charlotte’s place was just a one-bedroom apartment—small, cozy, and perfect for a single person, but welcoming enough for a few friends to crowd in. For Sam, it felt like the safest place in the world right now.

“Here you go,” Charlotte handed Sam two small pills and a glass of water, “But if you change your mind..”

“I won’t,” Sam hurried to reassure her again, “Thank you for these.”

Charlotte waited for Sam to swallow the pills, “So what happened? Did Eric finally mess up big enough for you to dump his ass?”

“He asked for an open relationship,” Sam said calmly, while Charlotte dramatically opened her mouth.

“What an asshole…” Charlotte growled, freezing mid-air with the remote, changing a music list on TV, “You are not going to let him have his way with you, are you?”

“Not a chance. I’m leaving him. Ten years is more than enough,” and Sam went into a long story of all that has happened in the past day. How her heart was broken, how she suspected him of having an affair, how she bumped into a stranger and broke down in tears in front of him, how he comforted her and invited her out, all the way leading to how he drove her here. As she explained everything to Charlotte, Sam felt the weight of it settle in her chest. Saying it aloud made it all the more real.

Hours passed, Charlotte asked every little detail and finally both girls were tired and stuffed after ordering in pizza.

“So what is the plan?” Charlotte’s demeanour was full of determination, like always.

“Well, I don’t know. I was hoping I could stay with you for a couple of weeks, until I figured it out. Is that ok?”

“Of course it’s okay. What I meant is, what is next on the agenda? How do you want to proceed?”

“Well, I really don’t feel like facing him right now, but my work laptop is home and I have nothing else to wear. Would you mind getting some of my things from there until I’m ready to get the rest of it?”

“Of course. When were you thinking? Tomorrow?” Charlotte took another chip from the pizza box, dipping it in spicy sauce before sending it into her mouth.

“Any time before Monday would be amazing.”

“Ok, I’ll do it tomorrow. I cannot believe it, you haven’t even properly broken up and yet you already found another candidate for your heart. I told you so many times, there are plenty of fish in the sea… and much more suitable for you than that stupid ex boyfriend of yours, who clearly never appreciated you enough… I wish you would listen to me before getting hurt.”

“I don’t know…” Sam sighted, hugging a sofa pillow. “Rick’s just a nice guy. I think he felt sorry for me. But that’s not really… something, is it?”

“Yeah, right,” Charlotte snorted, “Took pity on you between tucking you in. C’mon, we both know there is something more there. Plus he is single.”

“I don’t know. I am not quite ready to think of that yet. I haven’t even had ‘the talk’ with Eric yet.”

“So? He had one with you and it’s more than enough.” Charlie was fuming, “I think his position is crystal clear and so should be yours!” and she reached her laptop. “Enough is enough, it’s time for a change and your best friend knows exactly how to help you heal,” she started the laptop, giving Sam a wink. "Your love life is officially under new management."

“All I need is a long, long sleep, Charlie. And my bestie keeping me company.”

“That’s not gonna cut it. It’s the holiday season and we are both single this year. So we will be having fun.”

“Oh no, let me just sleep it off and relax until next year…”

“That is exactly what I want for you, relax and enjoy your newly single life. You’ve missed out girl and you have no idea how much.”

“I really don’t think I have… You know I’m not a social butterfly, I’m not like you.”

“You don’t need to be like me. You can be perfectly you and have tons of fun. And the first stop is online dating.”

“Don’t you dare!”

“Oh I will. You’ll be going on dates in no time and you are about to finally have fun.”

“Just shoot me.” Sam closed her face with the pillow.

"By next week, you’ll be thanking me—and swiping like your life depends on it." Charlie grinned wide, clearly happy with herself.

Sam’s phone vibrated, Eric’s name flashing across the screen. Her thumb hovered over the decline button. She could almost hear his excuses already—apologies wrapped in empty words.

“Not tonight,” she muttered, shoving the phone face-down.