Chapter 3 — The Sisterhood Pact

Ayanna

The Courtyard Café buzzed with early morning energy, its mismatched wooden tables scattered like puzzle pieces across the space. Golden sunlight filtered through the string lights draped across the ceiling, dappling the walls with soft patterns. The hum of conversations, the hiss of the espresso machine, and the occasional clatter of plates created a soundtrack of quiet chaos. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the warmth of buttery pastries, wrapping around me as I stepped inside. For a moment, the inviting atmosphere softened the ache still lodged in my chest.

Through the crowd, Liz was easy to spot, stationed at our usual table by the wide window, her chunky turquoise ring catching the sunlight as she waved with dramatic enthusiasm. It was like she was signaling a lifeboat to rescue me.

“Over here, heartbreak royalty!” she crowed, her voice loud enough to draw a few curious glances from nearby tables.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the corners of my lips from twitching upward. Liz’s energy was impossible to ignore, like sunlight bursting through a crack in the blinds.

Sliding into the chair across from her, I dropped my bag onto the seat beside me. “Could we keep the coronation ceremonies to a minimum? I’m barely functioning as it is.”

Liz tilted her head, her hazel eyes sweeping over me with exaggerated scrutiny. “Well, you look semi-human, so that’s a win,” she quipped, her grin widening as she pointed at my gold hoop earrings. “And you’re wearing the hoops! Love that for you.”

My fingers instinctively brushed against one earring, the cool metal grounding me. “They’re armor. Don’t get used to it.”

Liz’s expression softened just enough to let me know she was holding back a full pep talk. “Ayanna, babe, you’re already winning just by showing up. Shawn’s a footnote. A typo, really. Like… Comic Sans bad.”

Before I could reply, Rhegan arrived, her entrance as understated and precise as always. She slid into the seat next to Liz, her black coffee in hand, and crossed her long legs with effortless grace. “Shawn’s not even a footnote,” she said flatly, setting her cup on the table. “He’s the typo you don’t notice until you’ve already submitted the final draft.”

Liz burst out laughing, nearly spilling her coffee in the process. “Oh, that’s good! Can we put that on a t-shirt?”

Despite myself, I let out a small chuckle, the tight knot in my chest loosening slightly. These were my people. They wouldn’t let me drown, even if I felt like I was treading water.

Rhegan’s sharp gaze slid to me as she leaned back in her chair. “So, what’s with the grim face? You dumped him, right? That’s a win. You’re free now.”

I shifted uncomfortably, wrapping my hands around the warm ceramic of my latte. The heat seeped into my palms, anchoring me. “Yeah, I broke up with him,” I admitted, my voice quiet. “But it’s… complicated. It’s not just him. It’s everything—memories, habits, the way I keep thinking there’s this… void now. Like I’m walking around missing a piece of myself.”

Liz reached across the table, her hand gripping mine. The cold silver of her ring felt solid, grounding. “That’s why we’re here, babe. To fill that void with something better. Think of us as your demolition crew. We’ll tear down the old junk and help you build something shiny and new.”

“Shiny walls?” Rhegan raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. “Sounds impractical.”

“It’s a metaphor,” Liz shot back, waving her free hand dramatically. “Keep up.”

Rhegan’s lips quirked into the faintest smirk. “Barely.”

The warmth of their banter seeped into the cracks I hadn’t realized were forming. I managed a small smile. “Thanks, guys. I really needed this.”

Liz perked up suddenly, her grin lighting up like a spark. “Okay, I’ve got it! What you need is a bucket list. A *single-girl* bucket list. Fun stuff, bold stuff—things that scream, ‘I’m Ayanna Heart, and I don’t need a man to complete me.’”

I groaned, already anticipating the chaos. “Liz…”

She ignored me, digging into her oversized bag and producing a notebook and pen with a flourish. “First item: Try something completely out of your comfort zone. Like… skydiving!”

“Absolutely not,” I said immediately.

“Fine, fine. Baby steps.” Tapping the pen against her chin, she grinned. “How about karaoke? You love singing in the shower.”

“That’s different. Shampoo bottles don’t have ears—or cameras to record me for blackmail material.”

Liz huffed but scribbled “karaoke” onto the page anyway. “We’ll circle back. Number two: Go on a spontaneous road trip. Preferably with me, because I’m the most fun.”

Rhegan snorted softly. “If Liz is driving, that’s not bold—it’s reckless endangerment.”

“Hey!” Liz clutched her chest in mock offense. “I’m an *excellent* driver.”

“You hit a curb last week,” Rhegan pointed out, her tone as dry as the Mojave.

“It came out of nowhere!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head at their antics. “Okay, karaoke and a road trip. What else?”

Liz’s grin turned mischievous as she jotted down the second item. “Number three: Flirt shamelessly with someone hot.”

My laughter stopped short. “Hard pass.”

“Nope, not negotiable.” Liz underlined the item twice, her grin widening. “Doesn’t have to be serious—just something to remind you how stunning and fabulous you are.”

Despite her playful tone, I caught the serious undertone in her gaze. She wanted me to believe it, even if I wasn’t there yet.

I glanced at Rhegan, silently pleading for backup. She shrugged. “She’s not wrong.”

I sighed, slumping in my chair. “Fine. But I get veto power.”

“Deal.” Liz beamed and scribbled down the third item triumphantly. “Okay, last one: Do something bold just for yourself—something that makes you feel like *you* again.”

That suggestion hit differently. It wasn’t silly or playful. It felt… real. Personal. Like she’d reached into the parts of me I was trying to avoid.

“I like that,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Liz’s grin softened into something warmer, more genuine. “Told you I’m good at this.”

“Debatable,” Rhegan muttered, though her smirk betrayed her amusement.

I stared down at the list, Liz’s messy handwriting sprawling across the page. Karaoke, road trips, flirting, boldness… It was overwhelming, ridiculous, but also strangely grounding. It felt like a road map—not to who I used to be, but to who I wanted to become.

“Okay,” I said finally, exhaling deeply. “Let’s do it.”

Liz whooped, nearly knocking over her coffee, while Rhegan nodded in approval. “About time,” Rhegan said. “Now, let’s talk logistics. Who’s driving for the road trip? Because it’s not Liz.”

“Rude!” Liz muttered, though her grin never wavered.

As they launched into a debate about routes and playlists, I leaned back in my chair, letting their energy wash over me. My fingers traced the rim of my latte, the warmth soaking into my skin as I allowed myself, for the first time in days, to relax.

These were my people. My demolition crew. My sisters.

I reached up, lightly touching one of my hoop earrings. The cool metal was steady against my fingertips, not just an accessory but a reminder. Of strength. Of resilience. Of possibility.

The ache in my chest hadn’t disappeared entirely, but for the first time, it felt like it wasn’t in control anymore. Something new was stirring—a flicker of hope, of determination.

Watch out, world. Ayanna freakin’ Heart was just getting started.