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Chapter 4: The Brief

The vibration of my phone woke me up. It stopped abruptly. It must've been a text. I rustled a bit, my hand slapping around frantically, but all I felt was my comforter. I was finally forced to lift my head off the pillow prematurely. I was instantly blinded by the sun, hadn't realized it was morning.

I heard it go off but it wasn't in sight. I continued to look around still dazed. I clearly heard it go off but I couldn't find it. I forced my eyes to open from a squint. The sun was shining through the blinds. I must've passed out. I looked in all the obvious spots for my phone. I sounded like it was close by, but I didn't see anything.

I sat up, just to ensure I wasn't overlooking it. Still no luck. I fished through my pockets, and pulled it out. The screen was lit and the pop up message was there. I had seven unviewed texts and one on screen.

Hype was the first one to text me. His was just an update, he told me he'd keep me posted if anything came up.

Called no answer

Squad linking @ 4 2mrw

I checked to see when he sent it. I received it at 9:16 last night. But what time was it now? My nerves calmed down a little after I saw it was only 12:45. I still had about three hours to get ready.

I tapped on the input box and replied.

Usual?

His message disappeared after I pressed send, and was instantly replaced with the next. Don text me too.

1600 meeting at the usual

I didn't bother responding. The only time Don texted us was for updates and times. Unless he asked you a question there was no need to respond. And I figured the rest of the texts were about the same. But I skimmed through, just to double-check. I was right, with one exception.

Hype sent me a second text,

U trynna ride?

I thought it over, it was about fifteen til. It wouldn't take long to get there. With traffic, we could be downtown in about twenty minutes or so. I figured it wouldn't hurt. So I figured sure, why not?

Yea, come thru in about 1hr

I slid to the edge of the bed until my feet made contact with the carpet. I stood up and spread my arms wide. I felt my body reaching its limits as my eyes closed. I felt my jaw exerting as I covered my mouth to yawn. A moment passed and my body relaxed. Once I finished stretching I went on to the bathroom.

                                                                                     ΔΔΔ

Roughly fifteen minutes went by; I finished brushing my teeth and showering. Before I got out, I reached for my towel to dry my hair. I turned the water off so I could wrap it around my waist without it getting even wetter then stepped out.

I walked over to my nightstand and looked at the time on my phone. It was 1:15. I took my time getting dressed. I decided on some black straight cuts, a button down and a sleeveless hoodie. I rarely put much thought into what I was wearing. I was more focused on the agenda (yea it was all about the numbers, but we were talking different digits today).

I grabbed my phone and charger and went to the living room. Wondering how much longer before Hype came through I checked the time. I still had about thirty minutes before I was expecting him. I plugged my phone up after turning my volume up to the max. I was about to sit down when my stomach growled. I tried to think back to when I last ate.