"I'm here!" I exclaimed as I entered the apartment, receiving no response.
I closed the door behind me and headed to my room, where I took off the coat I was wearing and tossed my backpack who-knows-where before leaving and making my way to the kitchen.
"It seems April isn't back yet," I said to myself as I took the pitcher of juice from the fridge.
April Davison was my best friend on the entire planet, and together we shared an apartment in Seattle, near our university, the University of Washington, where I was studying Economics and Business, while April was studying Arts.
So, she probably hadn't finished her classes yet.
I finished my juice and went to watch some TV in the living room while checking my Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, until I fell asleep.
"I'm home!" April exclaimed as she entered the apartment, waking me from my short nap. "Were you asleep?"
"No, I was just watching TV with my eyes closed," I replied sarcastically while rubbing my eyes.
"Oh, you're so mean! I was just asking." She pouted, placing some shopping bags on the small table in front of me. "But I'm glad you're sleeping; you'll make up for the hours of sleep you'll lose tonight."
"What on earth are you talking about? And what are all those bags?" I asked curiously.
"Well, you see, my dear April, Jason has invited you and me to a party tonight at a new bar that's just opened in the city," she confessed. "So, I went shopping and found the perfect outfits for the occasion."
"I'm not going," I replied dryly.
"What? But I already promised Jason we'd go!" she shrieked.
"You know parties aren't really my thing," I said, getting up from the sofa and heading to the kitchen.
"Come on, don't be like that!" she exclaimed, following me. "You're always at home and rarely go out to have fun. Don't you think you should do something this Friday night?"
"No."
"Fine, I'll tell you the truth," she sighed in frustration. "Jason is bringing a friend, and it's going to be like a double date." I had suspected as much. "And if I tell him you're not coming, he'll cancel, and my chance to be with him will be ruined."
"Don't tell him, just go and say I decided not to come at the last minute," I said, taking a bite of the doughnut I had taken from the fridge.
"It's the same; he'll cancel. I know him well," she said, taking a piece of my doughnut. "And you wouldn't want your best friend to lose the love of her life, would you?"
"Another opportunity will come," I laughed.
"Carmen!" she shrieked.
"April, I'm sorry, but you know I don't really like parties, and blind dates? I hate them!"
"I know, but do it for me," she pleaded. "Who knows when I'll get another chance like this with Jason? And I've even bought your clothes."
"I don't know," I muttered.
"Please, Carmen, I promise I'll never ask you for anything like this again, and I'll do whatever you want, but please come with me to this party," she begged, almost in tears.
"Alright, I'll go," I sighed, giving in.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed, hugging me excitedly.
"But on one condition: you'll have to take care of my household chores for a whole week. No, make it two weeks. Is that alright?"
"Yes, yes, I'll do it, don't worry," she said, pulling away from me. "Now, let's get ready; we're running late!" She tugged at my arm.
"Hey!"