MADNESS

8. Huh?

My free post-hospital week has just ended, which means I have to go back to work today.

I lazily get up from bed and walk into the bathroom to take a quick look at myself. I don't look too coarse to be honest, I expected worse. My face is just a little bit red on my left cheek and my right under-eye bag appears to be purple-ish. Nothing that I can't fix with makeup, I healed pretty well. But before starting the whole makeup process, I need to wash my face and brush my teeth. Usually, I use a lot of creams and moisturizers for my morning routine, but they're not recommended now since they can affect my skin. I wash my face, brush my teeth and my hair and now I'm ready for the magic.

Where is my foundation? I can't find it- Oh, there it is, in the shampoo bag. I must've put it there by accident.

I apply the foundation, then some concealer, a bit of mascara and now I think I'm good to go. I put my foundation back where it belongs so I don't waste my time looking for it next time.

"Are you naked in there or I can come in?" I hear Luke from behind my door.

"I am in fact naked, just wait there a second." I answer him. I put my work clothes on and open the door for him. "What's up?"

"Do you still have any of those birthday cards mom gave you last month?" He asks. I completely forgot about those.

"The big ones?"

"Yeah. I need one." He nods.

"Who for?" I raise a brow. I'm just curious.

"None of your business." He gets embarrassed and tries to hide it with a smile.

"Ha! I saw that! Do you like someone?"

I ask him, waiting for his answer, but something else catches my attention in the meantime. His phone lit up, someone's calling him. He has it on silent, no surprise though, he always does. Whoever Ashley is, she's calling him right now and this dumbass isn't even noticing.

"Stop. I don't." He finally answers.

I shrug my shoulders and walk to my drawer to get a birthday card for him. I hand it to him and he nods as a thank you.

"Tell Ashley I said hi." I smirk. I tried my luck to see if it sparks a reaction in him and just how I predicted, it does.

"How do you-"

"Check your missed calls. Now go." I close the door behind him, shushing him out of my bedroom.

But then I realize I don't have anything left to do in my room.

I take my phone, my car keys and my bag and leave for work.

The road is empty today, makes the city seem quiet and peaceful, which is rare for a city such as crowded and loud as this one, so I arrive at Vendable faster than usual.

I enter the building looking down, feeling embarrassed for getting a free week. I don't know why, it just never happened before. It's just that I still got paid, even though I wasn't at work, and maybe that's what bothers me? Got no clue.

"Look who decided to show up today!" I hear Emma exclaim. I didn't even see her standing there, I should stop looking down.

"Heyyy!" I extend my arms for a hug. She hugs me back tightly.

"I missed you." She smiles.

"I would miss me too." I joke. "Kidding, I missed you, Em." I laugh.

We talk for a few minutes. Talking to her makes me feel better no matter what, as if she's the sister I never had. Funny how I've always wanted a sister, but instead I got a brother that makes annoying me a hobby for his own amusement. Em is such a ray of sunshine, that's what comes to mind every time I see her. I compare her to that especially because of the natural blonde hair she has. I would pay a heavy amount to have my hair that shade of honey blonde that embodies a spectrum of hues reminiscent of sunlit fields. Mine is a light chocolate brunette, which I normally find oddly calming and charming, but to me, blonde hair is just ethereal.