dont smile

                                    

                                          
THE NEXT DAY came with a sense of bittersweet determination. I had spent the previous evening binge-watching my favorite shows, trying to distract myself from the heartache that lingered from Walker's betrayal. But now, with a new day dawning, I felt ready to tackle whatever life threw my way.
I woke up, took a deep breath, and reminded myself that I was stronger than this situation. After getting ready, I decided to treat myself to a latte at my favorite coffee shop. As I walked down the street, I spotted a few familiar faces, but it was all smiles and greetings—no Walker in sight.
Once I got my drink, I settled into a cozy corner, the aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries surrounding me. I pulled out my phone to scroll through social media, where I noticed more pictures from Walker and Lila's Palm Springs trip. They were all over each other, smiling like they had just stepped out of a romantic movie.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. It was a painful reminder of how little I mattered to him, but I shook my head, refusing to let it ruin my day. I had a plan to meet up with McKenna later for lunch, and I was determined to focus on the positive.
As I sipped my latte, my phone buzzed with a message. I glanced down to see it was a group text from McKenna.
McKenna: "Hey! You want to go to that new thrift store downtown later? I heard they have some cute stuff!"
Mason: "I'm down! Let's see if we can find some hidden gems."
I smiled at their enthusiasm and quickly replied.
Me: "Sounds good! What time?"
McKenna: "How about 2 PM? We'll make a day of it!"
After we finalized the plans, I felt a surge of excitement. I loved the thrill of finding unique pieces at thrift stores, and spending time with my friends always lifted my spirits.
Later that afternoon, I met McKenna and Mason at the thrift store. As we walked through the aisles filled with vintage clothes and eclectic knick-knacks, we laughed and joked, the tension from the past few days slowly fading away.
"Look at this!" McKenna exclaimed, holding up a funky jacket adorned with colorful patches. "This is so retro!"
"Only you would pull that off," I teased, and she shot me a playful glare.
Mason was busy searching through a rack of shirts, and I could see he was trying to find something to surprise McKenna with. "I'm just looking for something to impress my lovely date," he said with a grin.
"Nice save!" McKenna laughed, rolling her eyes. "But really, Mason, if you want to impress me, you should consider a nice haircut."
"Wow, so harsh!" he exclaimed, pretending to be offended.
As we continued to explore the store, I stumbled across a beautiful vintage dress. It was a soft lavender color with delicate lace detailing, and I felt drawn to it immediately. "Guys, look at this!" I called, holding it up for them to see.
"Oh wow, that's stunning!" McKenna said, her eyes lighting up. "You have to try it on!"
With her encouragement, I made my way to the dressing room. As I slipped on the dress, I couldn't help but admire how it flowed with each movement. It felt like a refreshing change, a reminder of who I was outside of my relationship with Walker.
When I stepped out of the dressing room, both McKenna and Mason gasped. "You look amazing!" Mason exclaimed, and I could see the excitement in McKenna's eyes. "That dress is totally you!"
I twirled around, feeling a rush of confidence. "You think so?"
"Definitely! You should get it," McKenna insisted.
After a few more minutes of browsing and playful banter, I made my purchase and we left the thrift store, bags in hand and smiles on our faces.
"Let's grab some ice cream to celebrate our finds!" I suggested, feeling the weight of the past few days lifting.
"Now you're speaking my language!" Mason agreed, and we made our way to a nearby ice cream shop.
As we sat outside, enjoying our cones, the sun began to set, painting the sky in beautiful shades of pink and orange. I couldn't help but feel grateful for the day I had spent with my friends.
"Thanks for today, you guys. I really needed this," I said, looking at both of them.
"Anytime," McKenna replied, nudging my shoulder. "You're strong, Adi. Don't let anyone bring you down."
Just then, my phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen, and my heart sank. It was a message from Walker.
Walker: "Can we talk? I messed up, and I want to explain everything."
I felt my stomach twist as I read the words. I didn't want to engage with him, especially not after seeing him with Lila. But part of me was still curious about what he had to say.
"Everything okay?" Mason asked, noticing my expression.
"Yeah, just Walker trying to reach out again," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual.
"Don't reply if you don't want to," he advised, his brow furrowing in concern.
"I know, I just—" I hesitated, unsure of how to articulate my thoughts. "I feel like I need closure, but I don't want to fall into the same trap."
McKenna gave me a reassuring look. "You're stronger than that, Adi. You can handle whatever he throws at you."
Taking a deep breath, I realized that I had a choice. I could either let Walker pull me back in or I could stand my ground and prioritize my own happiness.
"I think I'm going to ignore it for now," I said finally, a wave of relief washing over me. "I'm done being his backup plan."
As we finished our ice cream, I felt a sense of determination growing within me. No matter what happened next, I was ready to embrace my own path—one where I didn't need Walker to define my happiness. With my friends by my side, I knew I could take on anything that came my way.