Dina's hand drifts weakly over her bedside table until her fingertips brush against her phone. She silences her screaming alarm and forces her eyes open. A burst of sunlight stings her retinas, and she takes a moment to adjust before pushing herself upright.
The familiar exhaustion that's sat with her for the past several months threatens to pull her back into sleep. She turns to her window, the curtains and blinds long removed so the sun could pour in freely, and rises from her bed.
A quick shower and cup of coffee later, Dina feels more prepared to take on the day. As she sits on the couch pulling on her shoes, the front door flies open.
"Good, you're still here," Nadia pants, hunched over with her hands on her knees. "Let me drive you to school."
"Are you alright?" Dina asks as she stands.
"Ran up the stairs. Wanted to catch you." Nadia straightens, her breathing slowly coming under control.
"You don't have to worry about me. I'll be alright."
"Trust me, it's about you as much as it's about me. I can't work 36 straight hours without a break."
"Nadia—"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, but I'm expected back in twenty with coffee and sandwiches, so let's save the discussion for later and go."
"Well... alright. Thank you for this."
Nadia offers a bright smile, and the two make their way to Nadia's car parked by the curb. Though Nadia makes enough now that she could replace her old, beat-up Nissan if she wanted, she'd rather work it to the bitter end so she enjoys its full lifespan before moving on.
Dina throws herself into the passenger seat and hugs her backpack in her lap. The car lurches out of its parking spot and rumbles through the near-empty streets.
After catching a few side-long glances from Nadia, Dina speaks up: "Was there something on your mind?"
"Well..." Nadia clears her throat. "Mom called."
"Oh." Dina thinks for a moment, then plasters a wide smile on her face. "How's your shift been so far?"
"Uh... fine. But—"
"You're not too stressed out, are you?"
"Not... too much."
"That's good! I'm so glad you're doing okay." Dina turns to the window as silence settles between her and Nadia. The forced smile stays on her face, her muscles well-trained in faking happiness.
Their short ride ends in the school's drop-off lane. Dina says a quick goodbye and hugs her sister over the center console, then climbs out to meet her friends at the front entrance.Her group likes to occupy the right side of the stairs, leaving the left for traffic to pass through.
As Dina approaches the assorted collection of athletes,cheerleaders, band and theater kids, stoners, and outcasts that makeup her eclectic friend group, Heather and Cammy notice her approaching and run to meet her halfway. The two greet Dina by wrapping her in a tight embrace.
"Morning Di! Hey, are you coming Friday?" Heather asks as she pulls away.
"Oh, morning, um... I plan on it," Dina says.
"Ya gonna have fun or just be a party mom again?"
Dina hums quietly and looks up a little, searching for the right words somewhere in the atmosphere. "I'm... going to make sure everyone has a good time."
"Great. Party mom, then." Heather rolls her eyes.
"Hey, someone has to drive us home," Cammy throws in, her arm still hanging off Dina's shoulder. "Plus, if she's sober, she can be a better wingwoman for you and Albie."
YOU ARE READING
Three Hearts
Romance[Lesbian + Polyamory] Sam is a loner with a bad reputation. Quin is a trans girl fighting her anxiety. Dina is a workaholic trying to get by. As their lives become more intertwined, they realize how badly they need each other. {Content Warning: This...
