False Confidence

Morning, Heartache

Azriel Huang

I never imagined being cheated on would hurt this much.

I also never anticipated being able to fall in love so quickly and so stupidly.

The morning after, all I could do for the first half of my day was stay in bed, rotting away in a hoodie that was much too big for me. Cups and bowls littered my nightstand, an unknown food stain dried on the surface of the wood. Even the air that surrounded me smelled sad, a humid despair clinging to it like a persistent cologne. I slowly shifted to my side, bringing my phone with me as the brightness of it attacked my view. I rested my eyes for a moment, the glare of my screen only worsening the pounding headache I received from the copious amount of drinking I did yesterday. I was gonna kill Astrid next time I saw her.

Rubbing at my eyes, I debated taking a nap but opted for washing my face and brushing my teeth before hand. It was noon, but I hadn't really moved from my bed since I had woken up at 10. I shivered at the thought, remembering the sharp pain that had shot through my head when I had risen from my warm sanctuary of covers.

My bare legs shivered from the brisk air of my room as I pulled back the blankets, the AC always blasting because of mom's tendency to get overheated. It was a pain for my dad and I but the cold air was nice at times. Especially when spoiled tears had left my cheeks sticky and warm. I hadn't meant to, not being much of a crier, but in the privacy of my room the attack of emotion came flooding in, leaving my throat burning from ugly sobs and my nose forever stuffed.

Finally rinsing off my face and brushing my teeth was relief, the sensation making me glad I did so instead of just going back to sleep instead. Luckily my hair wasn't greasy so I was able to slip back in my covers as quick as I liked. The warmth was bliss and I couldn't help nuzzling into it. The cool water that I had spread over my face seemed to ward off any aches or burning. The serenity ceased when a loud ring filled the room, the source of it being my phone that was nestled into the covers. I picked it up with a quiet groan.

"What?" I mumbled, the word followed by a yawn.

'Az what the hell? You left us stranded at the party and you aren't at school today?' Aniya hissed, the familiar sounds of the lunchroom buzzing in the background.

"I got sidetracked." I replied vaguely, running a free hand through my hair.

'...wait a minute, that means you were drunk driving!' She screamed in a hushed tone that sounded a like to a dying cat. I suppressed a chuckle at the comparison, hoping to the goddess above that Aniya hadn't caught the first snort of beginning laughter.

"You guys come over after school and I'll tell you what happened." I didn't wait for a response, hanging up the phone with a sigh. Even thinking about having to retell the events of last night made an ache begin in my stomach but also a burning anger that waited there in the bottom of my gut like a slumbering dragon.

I dismissed the thoughts, because I was sure I still loved him even if I was nothing more than a good fuck. Still loved him even after he lied to his friends about me just being friends with benefits. Or he lied to me about us being serious. My breath quickened only to slow as I pushed away any memory of Alex.

My head hit the pillow and sleep claimed me moments later.

|~|~|~|

"Wake up ya ass." A voice grumbled, something tough poking my side. I gritted my teeth, my eyes flitting open at the prodding. Aniya peered down at me with emerald eyes, the usually almond shapes of them narrowing into mean slits.

"Whaat.." I growled, sitting up as I rubbed at my eyes.

"We're mad at you so don't 'whaaaaat' us." Nora seethed, getting on the bed to pinch my cheek. I pouted a lip as my eyes slowly drifted close, still weary from sleep.