𝐅𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦

1. Coffee Spills

"We are all tired but are carrying on by strength."

Sliding mugs full of dark roast coffee, and tiny cups holding cappuccinos across the counter slipped weakness through my thin arms. Lethargy stretched my undereye and stapled it over itself – a hideous sight. Dividing itself into sections, my greasy hair joined to create knots I'd need to cut out.

Intensely focused on my appearance, the aroma of cocoa beans and vanilla trailed under my nose. Vanilla's my favorite scent. To me, vanilla captures the essence of purity. It's a light scent that's both recognizable and loved.

I'd imagine if it were a person, it'd be a girl. An adorable teenage girl with long, straight, blonde and brunette hair. She'd have alluring soft hazel eyes. Anyone and potentially everyone, would be infatuated by her and her beauty. All attention would be on her. She'd certainly be popular in school and seldom have time for herself. I imagine her hobbies would be reading, painting and a form of music, specifically harp or violin. What a hopeless romantic she'd be.

Lost in thought, the clock struck seven as the golden glowing sun rose in the east. I could drive home. Drive home and attempt to push my way through the rats' nets I call hair.

Passing the final glass to a customer seated at the bar, I began examining the disaster I had made. Coffee was spilled and fine white sugar covered counters. I deeply sighed, "this is a mess." Searching for clean hand towel, there were none in sight apart from a stained rag.

It was tossed behind my shoulder onto my back and forced against the soiled bar. Mugs were handed to me and set onto counters as exhaustion truly set in. I felt the tugging under my eyes and the slowing of my speed, but I kept up. I hurried in a room with a sign that read, 'Staff Only.' Entering my combination into a filthy lock by twisting and turning the numbers, I had pulled the thin metal door wide. I untied the back of my long cerulean blue apron and pulled it over my head to hang up.

The metal door slammed shut on my way out of the disgusting locker room. I was about to close the shoppe, but I heard a small voice. "May I have a hot chocolate if you don't mind?"

"I'm sorry, we're closing," I replied in discreet shock.

"Alright," they nodded and walked outside as I picked up the keychain.

I exited the café and locked it up. Pacing to my soft brown, 1964 hooded Thunderbird I opened the left door in the front and sat down. I shut the door. I knew I couldn't drive in my condition. Crawling to the backseat, I grabbed a blanket and laid down. Fatigue drew me from consciousness and consciousness drew me faint.

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Shimmering against the tinted windows of my car, the pink and oranges hues of the sunrise awoken me. My palm rubbing my eyelids, I had caught a glimpse of pedestrians rushing along the sidewalk. And side conversations were constant therefore creating an alive atmosphere. I felt the heat of the blazing sun burning my dark skin. Tearing the blanket from my body I felt shivers run up my spine. 

I crawled to the front and sat down in the heated drivers seat. Stepping on the gas pedal with my hand on the steering wheel, I twisted the dial for the radio to fuzz. Static blared from the speakers as my hands fiddled with the black dial. Eventually, True Colors played and although I didn't like the song, nothing else seemed to be on.

I eventually pulled into the filled out school parking lot. Checking my wrist watch, I was two hours late for class. I ran inside, through the empty hallways, and into class.

"Ms. Jean," my science teacher scolded as I sat on the blue plastic, "you're late."

"I won't be next time, I promise."

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I paced out of my final lecture and saw my best friend stood by her locker. "Hey Harper," I greeted.

"You weren't here this morning, did you sleep in?"

"Yeah sorry, my alarm didn't go off," I lied.

I've known Harper for as long as I can remember but there are some things i haven't told her. "So, I was maybe thinking we could go to this small meet up I was invited to tonight?" Besides we only met because of our parents.

"Marilyn, are you listening? I asked if you would be willing to go to a sort of party with me."

Connecting with reality again, "probably not, I can't be out late. Who all is going?"

"It would be me, you, Viktor, Sasha, maybe a few others."

I grumbled while crossing my arms with my back against the locker. "I don't want to be at a party with you and the school douche all up on each other."

"Please! Just say you're staying the night."

"Maybe. I'll call you later."

"Bye!"

I'm back 🤭