𝙁𝙄𝙉𝙀 𝙅𝙀𝙒𝙀𝙇𝙍𝙔, 𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩

𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚

Bright rays of sunshine peek through the threads of closed curtains before a window, shining directly on your closed eyes and stirring you awake. With a slight groan, you raise your head almost an inch off the bed before a sharp pain stops you immediately. Your hand instantly presses against the spot on your head as you let out a pained exclamation. The memories of the night before were hazy, but the lingering taste of tequila on your tongue told you all you needed to know.

Pulling the off-white comforter on the bed over your head, you close your eyes once more, praying you can sleep off the hair-splitting hangover you have. Before you can fall asleep entirely, you feel pressure on your leg, like someone is sitting on you, causing you to pull the comforter off your head. Expecting to see Lou or Debbie, you are ready to scold them for letting you drink so much. But as soon as your eyes focus on the figure sitting on you, they go wide as a blonde woman screams and jumps off you.

"Who are you?!" the woman gasps, her manicured nails grazing against the off-white walls as she stares at you in shock. Her pink lips parted, and her brown eyes practically bulged out of her head.

With a wince, you hold your head again to soothe the pain of the headache and the yelling. "I'm (y/n)!" you respond without thinking twice.

The blonde's wide-eyed stare doesn't waver as she leans against the wall, her hand clutching her chest like she's just seen a ghost. "Why are you in my bed?"

Your head throbs, and you try to process her words. "Your bed?" you repeat, glancing around the room for the first time. It's cozy but stylish, with a distinctively feminine touch. A few neatly folded cashmere sweaters sit on a chair in the corner, and framed photos line the nightstand. You grimace, realizing she might have a point. "Wait, I thought this was—"

Before you can finish, the door opens, and Lou stands behind it with a bottle of aspirin and a cup of steaming coffee. "Good morning, sunshine," she smirks at you.

The blonde lets out an airy gasp, gesturing to you with the same wide eyes.

"And to you, too, Tammy." Lou forces a toothy smile, walking into the room and placing the pills and the mug on the end table next to you. "Looks like we've made some friends?"

"Friends?" the blonde woman, Tammy, echoes. "Friends?" Her hands fold over her chest as she takes a deep breath. "All I see is the stranger. In my bed! Where is Debbie?" Her octave raises as she speaks. Tammy snaps her head toward the open door, yelling, "Debbie!"

"Relax, Tam—"

"Don't call me that." Tammy raises a stern finger at Lou.

Lou suppresses a laugh. "Tammy," she corrects. "(Y/n) is with us. Debbie and I brought her here last night."

"And you just put her here? In my bed? There's a guest room three doors down!" Tammy exclaims.

Lou shrugs, gently touching your shoulder with her fingertips, nonverbally reminding you of your coffee and aspirin, which you are growing more desperate for every second. With a slight groan, you lift yourself from the bed and reach for the pills and coffee. "Your room was closer," she retorts.

"Ugh!" Tammy throws her hands in the air, pacing the room like she's trying to burn off the frustration that was oozing from every fiber of her being. "Closer?! That's your excuse? You're unbelievable, Lou."

You take a large gulp of coffee and pop the small white pills in your mouth, hoping for immediate relief. You were still trying to wrap your head around what was happening. It was so loud. You place the mug of coffee on the white end table next to the bed before resting your throbbing head against the plush white pillow behind you.

Lou smirks, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "You're welcome for the company, by the way. It seems like you two are going to get along just fine."

Tammy whirls back to face her, eyes narrowing. "Don't start."

Just then, Debbie appears in the doorway, instantly drawing all the eyes in the room. "Morning, everyone," she greets, her voice casual as she sips from a ceramic mug. She glances between you and Tammy, clearly amused by the tension. "I see introductions have been made."

"Introductions?!" Tammy exclaims. "You dumped a hungover stranger in my bed without so much as a text! Who does that?"

Debbie's lips curve into a small, unbothered smile. "You were out late, Tammy. I assumed that you were staying with your husband. I thought you wouldn't mind."

"Well, I do!" Tammy huffs, but the anger in her tone is already starting to lighten. "A little warning next time, please."

Debbie nods, clearly humoring her. "Noted."

The attention in the room shifted back to you. You practically peel yourself off the comfortable bed, your feet landing on the cold hardwood floor. With a slight wince and a supportive hand on your head, you stand up, grabbing the mug and aspirin bottle from the end table. "I'm sorry for any disturbance," you meekly apologize to Tammy. "I promise it won't happen again." You give her a slight smile before walking through the bedroom door and into the house's open living room.

Tammy responds, but you can't make out what she says. The sun shone through almost all the house windows, creating a bright, unwavering hue that filled the entire space. Squinting your eyes, you put your hand over your eyebrows, trying to see where to go.

You took a few unsure steps forward before a warm hand pressed against the small of your back. "I'm right here," Lou whispers. She seemed to be the only one mindful of your sensitivity from being hungover. "You must be hungry, hm?"

You tried to shake your head no, but pain surged through your neck and head when you moved your head to the side. Clasping your eyes shut, you subconsciously lean into Lou's hand. "I will almost certainly throw up if you feed me," you retort. "The thought of food is enough to—"

"That, honey, is a chance that we're both going to have to take." Even with your eyes shut, you could still hear the smirk on Lou's face. Her other hand snakes around your waist and guides you toward the kitchen. "Pancakes or toast?" 

Your eyes open partially, shooting Lou a look. "Neither. I'm seriously about to—"

"Toast it is!"

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