Chapter 123 - Girls night out (1)

Friday morning, Sarah woke up early. Aiden was still sleeping. She made herself a coffee and watched from large living room window rainy streets of Fairfield.

Sarah was very excited. That afternoon Vivian will come to her apartment, for the first time. Then two of them will go to B1S bar for a girls' night out. At the bar they are going to meet few more students which Sarah does not know, but Vivian said they are OK, so Sarah is openminded. Who knows, maybe they end up getting along well?

Most of the day Sarah was tidying up the apartment while humming various tunes, she wanted it to look presentable when Vivian comes. Aiden was amused to see her so excited.

When Vivian arrived, Sarah bounced from joy and rushed to let her in.

"Welcome!", she exclaimed and gestured to Vivian to come in.

"Hi..." Vivian hugged Sarah when she entered.

Sarah gave her a tour of the apartment. And showed her which room she will use that night.

"You should come more often", Aiden told Vivian. "Then she will tidy up the place more often." He glanced at Sarah and winked, obviously teasing her.

Sarah pouted at him in protest. But what he said is true. She tends to keep things everywhere, and her work desk is mostly buried in piles of random things so that surface can't be seen. But that is her mess, and she always knows exactly where things are, which always amazes Aiden.

Aiden likes things tidy and keeps things away as soon as he is done with them.

Few times he tidied up her desk, and Sarah raged because she was not able to find her things anymore.

"Hehehe", Sarah giggled. "I tidy up only for first visit. Next time she comes I will not do it."

"Don't worry, I know her habits.", Vivian told Aiden. At the same time, she assured Sarah that she is OK with her mess.

"I'm not worried... I just wish that she keeps things where they belong.", Aiden squinted his eyes at Sarah.

"I do that... it's just that two of us have a different idea of where things should go.", Sarah shrugged.

Vivian watched them bickering and smiled. 'Two of them are getting along very well...'

Sarah decided to switch topic, and she turned to Vivian. "Where is Gabriel?"

Vivian's mood worsened. "He went home for the weekend."

"Oh, you can stay here if you want, we don't mind the company...", Sarah said.

"As long as you don't mind noise in the night", Aiden added cheekily.

Sarah looked at him in shock. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She wanted to scold him for saying something so outrageous, but she feared that whatever she says it can become his ammunition for counterattack.

Vivian laughed seeing Sarah's expression. "Thank you for the offer. But staying over weekend is a bit much. I plan to drink tonight and sleep over. Tomorrow, when I wake up, I will leave. How about that?"

"Sure. But if you change your mind, you can stay longer.", Sarah repeated the offer.

Vivian nodded and thanked her.

As the time approached for the girls to leave, Aiden was getting more nervous. "Make sure to look around. Be aware of any danger... You don't know what men are capable of... If someone touches you, break their arm... If you leave your drink unattended don't drink it, get another one... Text me often so I know you are OK..." He was repeating reminders to Sarah.

Sarah sighed, "At this rate, how about you dress up as a girl and come with us?"

Aiden was shocked, "Why would I dress up as a girl?"

"Because it's a girls' night out.", Sarah teased.

"There will be guys in the bar, I can just stay on the side and keep an eye on you.", he thought of a solution that will actually work.

Sarah tilted her head, "You are kidding, right?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

She shook her head vigorously. Idea of him breathing down her neck and watching her every move while beating up every guy who dares to even look at her, terrified her. "Absolutely not! Stay home... or go somewhere else, but if I see you at B1S tonight, you are in trouble."

"Can I come and pick you up?", he pleaded.

"I will come back with Viv." Sarah refused his offer.

"But what if I come and pick you up?", Aiden still gave it another attempt.

Sarah hugged him, "Just be good and stay home. I will text you often. And I will be careful. And my drink will not be left unattended... OK?"

Aiden didn't respond. He just looked at her while his expression showed that he does not like it.

Sarah hugged him tighter, "We talked about this... I said that I will go with Viv and few other girls for a night out... and I will be back in few hours. Definitely before midnight. If it's past midnight, come get me. OK?"

Aiden didn't respond. Yes, they talked. And everything sounded fine then… but now when she is about to leave, it does NOT sound fine. It sounds horrible. It sounds like so many things can go wrong. And he is reluctant to let her leave. Somehow… it really does not feel right.

"I will be careful, I promise.", Sarah kissed him.

He hugged her tightly. "Take care…", he whispered, agreeing to let her go against his will.

…

Sarah and Vivian got out of the elevator on the ground floor.

"Hi Ben", Sarah greeted the doorman.

"Hi Miss Hill", he greeted her back.

"This is Vivian, she will stay with me tonight.", Sarah introduced Vivian to Ben.

They shook hands, and Ben could not keep his curiosity in check, "You are going out?"

"Yes, girls' night out.", Sarah smiled.

"Have fun!", he wished and opened the door for them.

Two girls left the building and walked out onto rainy streets of Fairfield under a large umbrella.

"Aiden really cares about you.", Vivian said.

"And I really care about him." Sarah responded with a goofy smile on her face. "Can you believe that I already miss him?"

…

Aiden watched from the terrace two small figures under an umbrella, down on the street, walking away and felt uneasy. He took few deep breaths, 'This is normal. I need to calm down. She will be back soon. Everything will be fine. I'm overreacting…' He went back inside when two small figures turned around the corner and got out of sight.