Lylli: Once we had started dating, he would take me to all these cool places I had never heard of before. He also knew exactly what to say to make me melt like butter.

Alice: Uh huh. And you never suspected anything? You never saw the signs that you might be in trouble?

Lylli: Suspect him of what, exactly? What are you talking about? He treated me like a princess!

Alice: Okay, then. Keep telling me how you remember it.

Lylli: *sigh* Okay. So anyways, we dated for about four months.

Lylli: I don’t remember what happened to me. Why won’t you just tell me?

Alice: It’s more beneficial for you to try and re-trace your steps. You can remember more than you think and it will help you when you go back. Trust me.

Lylli: Um…It was just another day like any other. I remember sitting by my favourite fountain. It was the one near the cafe I went to every evening.

Alice: And…?

Lylli: And then I saw him. He was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

Dear Diary,

I’ve been making a living a few different ways. I’ve been applying my skills I’ve learned from blogging to manage a social media site. I’m just a clickbait writer right now, so I’ve also been selling paintings in marketplaces. I’ll even hold a bake sale once in a while, but my baking skills aren’t that great yet. During the weekends, when I’m really short on cash, I help out at my cousin Quince’s cafe.

Yes, Quince Smith owns his own cafe! I’m so proud of him! I never thought he had the work ethic or business knowledge to run his own place. I’m glad he proved me wrong because it’s very inspiring. It gives me hope that one day I might be able to open up my own bar. I really want to create a cozy community place that features local art all over the walls.

Dear Diary,

Zayda and I have been living together in a small apartment for the last six months. The apartment is in the Culpepper Apartments building within the Spice Market. It isn’t as luxurious as the Arts Quarter where I used to live with my dad, but it has a balcony that is perfect for BBQs and painting. I loved the Medina Studios Apartments, but it really needed a balcony so I could paint in the fresh air.

Our apartment in the Spice Market has another bonus too! Yuki and Clementine live right next door! They visit just about every day and it’s great to have so many friends close by. I love it!

Dear Diary,

I finally have time to write another update to get all caught up!

My family is still healthy and happy. Grandma and Grandpa are as lovey-dovey as ever. Things didn’t work out so well between my parents though. They ended up getting a divorce shortly after I graduated high school.

Mom is still single, but she’s starting to date again. She waited a long time to date since the divorce because she wanted to focus on her career. Now that her position at work is right where she wants it, she’s ready to start focusing on other areas of her life. 

As for Dad, he has someone new in his life named Lola Azura.Yep, that’s right, she is Eloise Azura’s mom! Lola and Dad are engaged and the wedding is coming up soon. Eloise and I are thrilled because we have really liked being step-sisters so far.

Dear Diary,

Wow, it has been way too long. I was still a teenager the last time I wrote here! A lot has happened since then and it’s going to take a few diary entries to get caught up!

First and foremost, I just celebrated my 23rd birthday. I’m slowly starting to feel less like a kid and more like a real adult. I finished my art degree about a year ago and I’ve been working a few different jobs to make ends meet. 

I’ll have to write more about that later because it’s time to go out with my friends for the night! Alejandra and Zayda are taking me out for drinks and then we’re meeting up with the rest of the crew for karaoke!