Chapter 2

She was warm, really warm and couldn't understand why. Heather let her eyes drift open; she dazedly looked around her room. Her clothing was everywhere; her belongings in boxes. The floor didn't look like there was space to walk and she was fully clothed. She stretched out the length of her bed and frowned as her hand hit something. She grabbed it and brought it closer to see what it was, the phone. Groggily she searched she mind as to why her phone was in her bed and she was fully dressed. She gasped as it suddenly it all came rushing back to her. The day from hell: Justin and the red head, the break up, her couch, running, Mark, the blood drive and today's shopping trip. Heather yawned and rolled onto her stomach, and glanced up at her clock.

Damn. 9 am. Just enough time to shower, find something to wear and eat before heading out.

She slid out of bed, ungracefully tripped on the edge of a box, grabbed the closest stack of clothes, and headed to the bathroom still all in one piece. Heathers apartment was definitely small, one bathroom, a bedroom, kitchen and living room barely enough space for all her stuff. Which was the reason they'd decided, as a couple that moving into Justin's place would be for the best. His bedroom was the size of her whole apartment.

Conceited arrogant asshole.

Heather shoved him to the back of her mind, deciding to enjoy her shower instead. She placed the clothing on the counter, grabbed out a fresh towel from under the sink and started to disrobe. She glanced up into the mirror and saw nothing she liked, or anyone else would like. Not seeing why she had thought anyone would marry her in the first place. She had unruly curl brown hair; hazel eyes that where only ever seen as brown, large wide feet, and a figure that absolutely didn't resemble an hourglass.

I thought I was going to stop worrying about this. I only have to get through today and I'll be over the hump.

Heather stepped into the steamy mists of her shower and let her mind wander. The blood drive would be interesting, especially if they could get Paradise out of the car for it. Lunch would be horrible, but she made a silent promise to make it up to herself in shoes and expensive lingerie. So what if she didn't have anyone to share it with, that didn't mean she couldn't lounge around in it all by herself. She considered picking up a new pair of fuzzy slippers too as she washed her hair with deliciously fruity scented shampoo.

Mmm ... but I can only afford to spend about two hundred dollars she thought. Guess that means I only get new one pair of heels.

Heather rushed through the rest of her shower before finally turning off the water and toweling herself dry.

"What to wear? What to wear?" She said to no one in particular and started to pick through her pile of clean clothing.

From the other side of her bathroom door a profoundly masculine voice replied, "Well I was thinking that your frilly black skirt and pink blouse would be fitting for me to take you to lunch in."

Her heart stopped for a second as she registered whose voice it was. Instantly her full-blown wrath reared up. "Justin get the FUCK OUT of my APARTMENT!" She grabbed the closest thing to her and pulled it on, not caring about her clothes but the infuriating man outside her bathroom door. Heather wrenched to her bathroom door open to look out at the smug asshole leaning across her doorframe.

"I said get out!" she threatened in a hell-hath-no-fury tone mixed with a not so subtle take no prisoners glare.

"Ah my dear, but if I leave now I won't be able to take you to lunch. I really think we need to talk, darling. You didn't have to get all dressed up for me, you know. " His eyes roamed over her frame from just the other side of the door, roughish smirking at her. His voice was too smooth, his blue eyes soft and passionate undressing her out of the daisy dukes and light brown tank top she had thrown on.

"Get out." She sent him death glared and him when he didn't budge, "I don't give a shit about your lunch Justin. I walked in on you fucking another girl, or have you forgotten already? To me that spells O-V-E-R for any relationship with no exceptions, no take backs, and no 'I'm sorry.' So just get the hell out of my life and give me back my key."

Before Justin could respond there was a knock at her apartment door. His smirk faded and his expression grew dark, "We'll continue this later." He turned toward the front door and yanked it open, storming out.

Heather followed closely behind, yelling at his back as he walked away. "Fine, you cheating asshole! Don't give me back my key! I'll change the stupid locks!!" Heather huffed and slammed the door sliding down wall beside the door. Her head slipped into her hands and she resisted the urge to cry.

Why me?

The front door to Heather's apartment opened cautiously but still managed to hit her foot. It wouldn't have hurt if she had put her shoes on before confronting Justin. Instead Heather grimaced and looked up at her invaders, Sydney, Paradise, Devon, and little Sylvia. They all had a similar mixture of sadness, confusion, and anger running cross their faces; Paradise's a little more enraged then the others.

Well I guess I don't have to figure out how to break the news to them anymore.

Sylvia was the first to talk, leaning in with her big eyes. "You ok, Heather?" If Heather wasn't ready to cry before, she was now. She buried her eyes into her knees and sighed helplessly.

"I'm fine, Sylvia. Don't worry about it, ok?" Heather replied softly then glanced up at the adults crowed into the small entryway of her apartment. "That goes for all of you guys as well."

Paradise was giving Devon the "do something" look. Devon was confusedly looking away, not certain as to everything that was going on. Sydney in all her short girl glory was glancing at Heather sadly, unsure of what to do. Sylvia looked like all she wanted to do was give and receive a big hug.

Heather struggled to her feet from her spot on the floor. "If you guys will give me a minute, I'll change into something more appropriate and we can go." She turned and headed into the bathroom when Sydney grabbed her arm.

"You look great Heather. Just put on some make up and sandals and you're ready to go. You've always been able to look good in anything." Heather smiled at Sydney. The girl was always so sweet.

"Alright. I'll be out in a minute. Go ahead and make yourselves at home." Heather closed the bathroom door behind her and slumped onto it, letting out a huge exasperating sigh.

I can do this.

She grabbed the box that she had packed her bathroom essentials into and made quick work of find her makeup. With a few brush strokes she applied a coat of eyeliner and waterproof mascara, just to be safe. She shook her hair out in an attempt to dry it faster, and looked at herself in the mirror.

Hmmm ... grab some Chapstick, some shoes, and my purse and I'm good to go.

Heather opened the bathroom door just as a thunderous crash sounded through her apartment. She glanced beyond the kitchen into her living room to see her couch at a funny angle. She rushed passed Sydney who stood dumbstruck in the kitchen, over to her couch to see Devon and Sylvia sunken unnaturally into her furniture.

"I forgot to warn you about the couch, I kind of kicked the s—," Heather looked at the innocent young Sylvia, "umm I kicked it really hard last night when I was mad. Sorry. I forgot to warn you." Heather walked over to Devon and offered him a hand to pull himself out. He shook his head like any man with a bruised rear and hurt pride and declined, opting to push himself free of the couch instead. Heather decided to help Sylvia free and was surprised when the little girl wound her arms around her neck. Heather smiled at the little girls attempt to cheer her up, "Do you want your daddy to hold you, Sylvia? I need to go get my shoes on so we can go."

The little girl shook her head and instead jumped down to run off to Sydney's direction. Devon smiled at her and simple stated, "Sylvia and I aren't tagging along today. We just came by to drop Paradise off, before we head to the park." He rolled his dark gray eyes good-naturedly and said, "Her beemer is at the dealership for a checkup." Heather laughed and smiled at Devon before walking the distance into her room to hunt for a pair of shoes.

Paradise was propped up on the bed, adjusting her deep red top and fiddling with her snugly fitting jeans. She glanced up at her best friend looking hurt and simply said, "You should have said something, Heather."

Heather glanced down at her bare feet and replied, "I didn't want to have to relive it just yet. I figured the shopping would help. I never expected him to show up. I was going to tell you and Sydney at lunch." Heather looked away and instantly spotted a cute pair of heels not far from her purse. She immediately walked over to grab them.