DEATH WISH - j.hale

IN THE NIGHT - 13

WHEN SARA finally woke up, she could already feel the pounding in her head. She groaned, slowly sitting up.

She opened her eyes slowly, blinking rapidly when the bright sun shone into her eyes. "Fuck," she whispered, using both hands to rub her tired eyes.

She took a moment to remember what had happened last night. She replayed the memories in her head, and immediately froze.

Frantically, she looked around her room. Where was Jasper?

Internal panic and frustration with herself filled her mind. How could she be so stupid?

She remembered everything.

She let out another groan as she pushed herself up and out of her bed, stumbling out of her room. As she looked down, she didn't recognize the clothing around her upper body. Then she remembered.

She smiled fondly as she examined Jaspers jacket. It was big on her — hanging down to her hip bones loosely. It smelt of lavender and mint, like him. Heat flooded to her cheeks when she smelt it, butterflies irrupting in her stomach as she hopped down the stairs.

For once, it was actually sunny. Rays of sunlight lit up the kitchen, glowing beautifully. If she hadn't had such a terrible hangover, she might actually enjoy the rare weather.

She made some coffee, not being able to stop herself from replaying last night's events. Laying her head on the cold countertops, she sighed. Something about him made her feel so... alive.

The coffee finished and she took a moment to sip it. It definitely made her feel a bit better, yet her head still felt like complete shit.

She glanced at the clock, seeing it was already almost noon. She had to pick up Bella at one.

She rolled her eyes at the clock, sluggishly grabbing her coffee and shuffling back up the set of stairs and into her room. She set her coffee on her nightstand, grabbing her phone and checking it.

MOM
Hey, honey.
I might have to stay
until Monday but I'm not sure yet
I'll keep you updated if anything changes. Be safe :) love you

Sara sighed lightly, quickly texting back.

SARA
Love you too.

She shut off her phone, a numb feeling growing in her chest.

Her mother had been away most of the time since that tragic event last year, always jumping into work head first to not have time to think. Anna had a habit of ignoring her emotions — a thing her daughter had picked up as well.

Sara didn't mind her mother always being gone. She hated her hovering nature and the way she would always stick her nose into Sara's business. But she missed her. Sara missed her mother.

Making her way out of her room, she went into the bathroom. She looked into the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her eyes trailed up and down her face, doing nothing but staring.

I'm okay, she told herself as she stared.

If she said it out loud, it would mean it's true. Right?

Fake it until you make it.

The biggest smile she could muster overcame her face, her eyes still empty as she looked at herself.