Chapter 1

Finishing her last sentence, she harshly typed the last few letters out on her keyboard. Hurriedly saving her essay, followed by slamming the lid of her laptop down. Piper leaned back on her desk chair rubbing her sore neck and breathing a sigh of relief. Finally realising she was done with her final essay of the year. Her final year of Smith coming to an end. Finally. 3 hours. 3 hours she spent hunched over her laptop, typing away.

Picking up her phone, Piper noticed the series of messages from her best friend. Polly had repeatedly text her to ask her if she was going for celebratory drinks later. Responding with 'yes', Piper checked the time. 7:45pm Getting up from her uncomfortable place of residence for the past 3 hours, she headed towards the bathroom across the hall from her 'office'. She liked to call it her office because it's less of a mouthful than 'the place where she has to suffer for hours just to impress.'

Entering her bathroom of her relatively new apartment in New York. As soon as they graduated Smith, both she and Polly had bought apartments in New York before graduation so they could move as soon as possible. They didn't move together but they both eventually ended up there. She stripped down to get ready for a shower. Turning on the shower Piper stepped in; the warm water instantly relaxing every muscle in her body.

15 minutes later Piper exited the shower. Knowing she had to be somewhere she had to limit her time in her place of relaxation and sereneness so she could be ready on time. Heading into her bedroom she started preparing for her and Polly's night of celebration.

First she went to her vanity mirror and picked up her blush, eyeliner and mascara and started to apply her limited amount of make-up. Preferring the idea of not caking herself with products. Finishing up her final touches she moved on to her closet. Picking out black skinny jeans and a simple white, strap t-shirt.

She dried her hair and lightly curled it to add a wavy look to it as to make sure it wasn't completely straight. Deciding to wear half up and half down she moved onto perfume. Spraying some on her neck and chest she deemed herself almost ready. Picking out simple black shoes, Piper picked up her phone and a simple tan handbag to place her money, keys and phone in.

8:50pm. Heading out the door, being careful to remember to lock her door, she left her apartment. Heading out to her car she stopped and decided to walk instead not knowing how much she may drink. Knowing Polly it could end up being quite a lot.

Walking to the bar she and Polly agreed to meet at. She had 10 minutes till the time they agreed to meet. Feeling as though it was pointless to set a time. Knowing Polly would never be on time. Probably a good couple minutes late, no doubt. So she decided to take a relaxing stroll down the street. Not in much of a hurry. Taking in the sights of nature adjusting to the beginning of autumn that she could see under the limited light of the half moon and the dim street lights that occasionally adorned the sidewalk. Illuminating the stunning sights she always loved to see. Day or night.

Arriving at the chosen bar, Piper stepped inside. Reacting to the slight change of temperature of the bar to the increasingly chilly night outside. Halting at the door, Piper surveyed the atmosphere of the bar. It was simple and small, reflecting Polly's personality. She felt the warmth of the bar radiating around, creating a welcoming atmosphere. There were a few tables placed opposite the door along the back wall, the bar placed to the right of the door all the way round till it stopped just in front of the first table and a door, presumably to the stockroom or employee's room. There was only one person working the bar and a group of people sat around the back tables,, one man sat on another and a couple occupying the bar.

Heading towards the empty bar, Piper sat down and waited for Polly to arrive. Pulling out her phone she checked the time. 9:20pm. Polly was late; shocker. No message either. Hearing a cough, Piper looked up from her phone. Meeting the gaze of the bartender.

"Can I get you anything?" The man had a smooth but deep voice.

"Uhh…just a beer please." Piper responded with a light smile. The bartender turned his back as he went to get her beer. Looking back towards the door, Piper sighed as she anticipated Polly to walk through any moment. Knowing she could be another hour yet.

"Here you go." Turning to the voice, Piper thanked the bartender and lightly held her beer bottle as she lifted it to her lips to take a sip. Hearing the door chime, piper turned to look. Polly. Watching as she approached, Piper offered a light smile in a silent greeting which was returned by Polly.

"Sorry I'm slightly late," 30 minutes Piper's thoughts interrupted her listening. "Got held up with this drunken idiot in the street outside my apartment."

"That's alright," Piper, only slightly, lied. It wasn't that big of a deal. She got a few minutes to herself out of her apartment. Hearing Polly ask the bartender for a drink, Piper turned towards her drink and took another sip.

"How did your final essay go?" She heard Polly ask.

"Good I think. I finally finished it." Piper breathed a sigh of relief. "I am officially finished with Smith. Just have to hope it's a good enough application essay to get me a good enough job."

"I'm sure it will be great Pipes," Polly responded with a light punch to her shoulder. They moved towards one of the empty tables to allow them slightly more privacy.

"We are officially Smith graduates." Piper happily mentioned.

"Yep, we are officially adults. Living in the real world." Polly responds with a light chuckle at the ironic situation that they now have to think about their, no longer future after Smith.

Of course both had an idea of a future plan, however neither had realised that they were done with education. No more Smith. No more essays. Just life Jobs, work, money, bills. Oh how grateful they were to have moved onto the adulthood stage of life.

Piper was very much excited to go onto this new stage of life. Not knowing what the future held. Looking forward to the events that were destined to follow after this night of celebration between her and her best friend.

Drinking the night away, talking about anything and everything. Laughing together about whatever they found the slightest bit amusing. Knowing she was going to regret this in the morning, Piper made herself not think about that for now and just focus on the continuous flow of alcohol and her conversation with her best friend. Not knowing there were a pair of fascinated green eyes watching her from the back table.