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The golden morning light filtered through the narrow crack in the curtain, softly invading my vision. I instinctively rubbed my eyes, watching as swirling patterns and faint constellations danced behind my closed eyelids.
A sudden, heavy pressure on my chest startled me, sending a fleeting wave of panic. Then I remembered—Diamond, my cat. Glancing down, I saw her peacefully curled up, fast asleep.
I reached out beside me, patting the bed in search of my phone. After a few moments of fumbling, my hand finally brushed against it beneath the pillow. The movement startled Diamond, causing her to leap to the foot of the bed, where she settled herself and began grooming.
I pushed myself up and sat slouching. I'm sitting on the scratchy bedspread of this rundown motel, staring at the ugly brown walls and feeling my blood boil all over again.
Chloe moved into my room...MY room that dad and I spent a whole year building together, every inch perfect for me-- and mom didn't even hesitate to let her. And of course, she had to take Chloe's side, like always.
I couldn't take it anymore, so in the heat of the moment I grabbed Diamond, took my luggage and now here I am, hiding out in this stupid motel with a vending machine dinner.
I hear Diamond meow softly, her green eyes watching me from the corner of the bed. I reached over and scratched her behind the ears, trying to keep myself calm, but my mind is racing.
I don't know what my plan is, really. I just knew I had to get out of there before I said something that couldn't be taken back. But sitting here in this cramped room, with it's buzzing fluorescent lights and the faint smell of mildew, I feel the weight of it all pressing down on me.
My phone buzzes beside me, the screen lighting up with a text from Max. I hesitate before I pick it, dreading what It might say.
"Where are you?" he asks. Just two words, but they're enough to make my chest ache. I know he's worried. I haven't spoken him for days, the last time I've spoken to him was the day I left the house, not even telling him where I was going or texting him that I was safe.
"I'm okay, Max. I just need some space" I hesitate, wondering if I should say more, but I can't bring myself to explain everything to him. I press send, tossing my phone back on the bed and pull my knees up to my chest.
It was as though she could read my thoughts. Diamond approached me, her soft, fluffy white paws gently tapping against my leg as she let out a delicate meow. She then began to nuzzle against me, her affection unmistakable.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her endearing display—rolling onto her back, purring loudly in pure contentment. For a few minutes, I was entirely lost in the moment, playing with her and forgetting the world around me. But the harsh vibration of my alarm jolted me back to reality.
Glancing at my phone, the time stared back at me, unrelenting.
9:15am
Two hours until I'm supposed to meet Valentina at the coffee shop, four blocks away from where I'm currently staying, and I still haven't told her anything. I promised myself I'd explain everything to her over coffee, but the thought of saying it out loud tightens my chest.
