january fourth | neymar jr

prologue

Morgan 

Unknown Date

  Instead of waking up normally, I was jolted awake by a nightmare of my mother. I had been having those more recently. Beside me, Brian was still asleep. The room was very warm and humid, and I realized I had been sweating. It made me feel nauseous. Yawning, I looked at the digital clock on my bedside table. The time displayed 9:21 AM. Was I seeing that right? Instead of waking Brian up, like usual, I got out of bed and I went to the bathroom, partially to get fresh air, partially to get a quick shower for my shoot at 10:30. I thought I had set an alarm for 7:15? I wanted to stop by my dad's house before heading over, I was going to help him set up for the celebration later this afternoon.

  Instead of the bathroom being a breath of fresh air, the humidity was worse. My pajamas were light and silky, so I couldn't understand why it was so hot. I felt the fabric sticking on my skin from sweat. Yuck. I started breathing heavily, and before I knew it, I was throwing up in the toilet, trying to hold my long brunette hair back to prevent it from getting dirtier. The next thing I did was stand up to start the shower, I got some cold water running. 

  Just then, Brian came into the bathroom. I looked from the shower to my right, where he stood in the door frame angrily. His hair was a mess, and he looked tired. He approached me, walking with visible discomfort. I felt weak.

  Before I could understand what was happening, he came over to me, stopping when he got close. "Why didn't you wake me up?" I had another nightmare, but I wasn't going to tell him that. "I felt hot," I shrugged. "It's 9:25. I really have to hurry for my shoot, I really was hoping to stop by my dad's before," I said, a little out of breath.

  Brian squinted his eyes and spoke. "Okay then, I'll get ready too," he walked out. "Wait!" He walked back in. "Yes, darling?" he said once he got back to the doorframe. "Maybe don't go into my dad's with me," I said hesitantly. I knew he wouldn't like that I said that, but with all that's been going on. "Why not?" He looked at me angrily. 

  "It's my mom's birthday, you know Christian likes to start things and I," I paused to catch my breath. "I just want it to be a normal day, please," I pleaded. Brian gave me a quick look, and without another word, he exited the bathroom.

   Happy birthday, mom.

 The thing is, I didn't actually have a shoot that day. And I knew I didn't from the moment I woke up.