Juniper Raye approached a small single-story home, after walking two hours into a blazing New Orleans summer afternoon. She wiped the slick hair from her forehead with the back of her hand and shifted the duffle bag strap on her shoulder. Taking a second look at her phone, the address matched the vertical numbers mounted beside the blue door with a pinecone wreath and a bristle welcome mat underneath it.

Here we go. She rang the doorbell. There was a handful of footsteps before a blonde with big brown eyes pulled the door back.

"Kelly!" She exclaimed before they rushed into each other's arms. After traveling for almost two days, she relaxed at the sight of a familiar face.

"My God, it's so good to see you!" Kelly said urging her inside before locking the door. "Please, please have a seat."

It felt good to sit on a soft couch surrounded by cool air instead of baking on a bus. Juniper tucked a kinky strand behind her ear and looked at the ceiling fan whirling in the middle of the ceiling. "I really appreciate you taking me at the last minute."

"It's never any skin off my back! Luckily, I'm not on-call today, I wouldn't miss the opportunity. It's been how long since we were last in person?"

Juniper folded her hands. "Seven years."

Kelly fixed the tee around her soft belly and plopped down next to her. "I can't believe this is your first time visiting me since graduating."

"And being in Louisiana."

Kelly stared, her jaw dropping. "You're kidding. We’re gonna have a blast then."

She was probably right about that, Juniper thought. Besides her reasons for traveling to the east, she recognized a considerable weight lifting from her shoulders the moment the bus arrived in the city.

"So, what's going on? You rarely update any of your socials," Kelly complained with a smile and an elbow tap.

Tell the truth. "I realized I needed to get away and not do the usual staycation or weekend trip in a state over. So, I took a month off from work to eventually make a surprise visit to my sister in Florida. I knew you were on the way so I had to try and see you, if possible."

Now lie. "Plus, you'd be surprised who encouraged me to do it— my mother."

Kelly's face opened. "Really?"

Juniper nodded. Her friend's hitched brow was fair.

"Well, I'm so excited to be your host while you're here! Garrett and I can't wait to take you around to infamous restaurants and sites."

With a grin, Juniper leaned forward and looked at Kelly's ring finger. "When do I get to meet your fiancé who gave you this gorgeous ring?"

"He's working until 7 PM today. He's excited to meet one of my closest friends from college." Kelly raised her hand with an ear-to-ear smile. "I've missed you so much, I'm glad you're here."

Juniper crinkled her nose and swatted the air, but her friend wiped the tears from Juniper's cheeks. After another hug, Kelly slapped her thighs, stood, and offered her guest a drink while taking a few strides into the kitchen.

"I'll take any pop you have."

Kelly lowered her face below the cabinets and peered into the living room. Her hooking her brow, again, was fair. "For as long as I've known you, you've been 'no caffeine'."

"Well, I'm a woman of change right now." Juniper raised her chin proudly.

Kelly snickered. "Alright, missy, but just so yuh know we call 'em 'cold drinks' down here."