𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝟏 | 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞

song: chase atlantic - slow down

° ☆ 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐚 ☆ °

Sleep is the most peaceful thing in the world. It allows you to disconnect from the chaos outside, a sanctuary where dreams replace the harsh realities of life. But today, the chaos was brought inside, shattering my serene slumber.

The bed dips as my best friend, Lilly, jumps onto it, her giggles piercing the fragile cocoon of sleep. "Wake up!" she exclaims, yanking the covers away with a triumphant flourish. The cool morning air hits my skin, pulling me further from the comforting depths of sleep.

I groan, blinking against the soft light filtering through the white curtains. "What is going on?" I mumble, rubbing my eyes. "It's spring break. Let me sleep in."

"Nope!" she replies, bouncing on the mattress. "I've got a craving for pancakes, and you're coming with me. No arguments."

With another groan, I throw an arm over my eyes, but my friend's persistent nudging leaves me no choice. Reluctantly, I sit up, the haze of sleep slowly lifting. "Fine. Give me a few minutes."

"That's the spirit," she chirps, hopping off the bed, almost sending me tumbling down there with her.

As she leaves my bedroom, I stretch and yawn, the remnants of my peaceful dream of owning a dozen puppies fading away. I shuffle to the bathroom, its yellow tiles gleaming cheerfully in the morning light.

I survey my reflection, deciding on a fresh, simple look. A white mini dress catches my eye, its delicate fabric perfect for the warm spring day ahead. I pair it with yellow hair clips, adding a playful touch that complements my skin tone. With a quick splash of water on my face, I already feel more awake. Then, after quickly adding a touch of mascara, blush and lipstick, and scrunching my brown wavy hair, I assume I'm ready for the day.

Soon, we step into the bustling streets of Los Angeles, the city already alive with activity. The breakfast place Lilly chose is a quaint café with a charming, rustic vibe. We find a table by the window, the morning sun casting a golden glow over everything.

A waiter approaches us with the menus, but Lilly is quick at ordering exactly what we both want. The boy gives us a polite smile and leaves.

As we wait for our food, we chat about everything and nothing, the easy flow of conversation a testament to our long friendship. The pancakes arrive, streaming and delicious, and we dig in with hunger. Halfway through our meal, Lilly's phone buzzes on the wooden table. She glances at the screen, her expression shifting from joy to concern.

"It's Ruby," she says quietly, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of worry and urgency.

A sense of unease settles in my stomach. Ruby is the sweetest of us all, and seeing my friend's face, I know something is wrong. "What happened?"

She hesitates, her eyes flicking back to her phone. "It's her girlfriend. She cheated on Ruby, with a freaking college guy."

The news hit me like a punch. "Lana? But... haven't they been dating for two years now?" I ask, unable to believe what I'm hearing.

Lilly sighs, her fingers tracing the edge of her coffee cup. "Yeah, I never saw this coming. But Ruby is devastated, so it's best we go to her."

Our breakfast forgotten, we quickly pay the bill and head to Ruby's father's house. The building looks the same as always, a familiar sight, but today it feels different, sadder. When our jet-haired friend opens the door, my heart aches for her. Her face is swollen and pale, her mascara smudged from tears. She looks fragile, like a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering.