Low Battery

Two

"...evidence suggests that Kayla Jenkins was the culprit, witnesses couldn't agree more with the verdict. She will be held to the accounts of harassment and second degree attempted murder. Thank you for tuning in tonight on Woodstock news."

I remember meeting her. She seemed mildly eccentric, but Theodore was happy with her so I tolerated them. The two got closer together, and apparently she had wanted to start a family. My buddy Theo isn't too big on large commitments like that, so he obviously objected. She persisted, he fought back her claims, she got angry, he got defensive. Then Kayla started throwing things at him. Theo dodged a bullet there. I wonder how he's doing now, since the last time we met? It was only a week and a half ago, but nonetheless I still worry.

My phone pinged and lit up.

"Are you free at 5? I want to hang out." - Cora

This was sent to a group chat featuring Cora (obviously), Theo, Kris, and I. I responded to the message.
"Yea, I'm free. Where at?"
"I got this new board game we can try at my house." Kris interjected.
"Everybody fine with that?" Cora asked. Everybody else replied over the course of a few minutes, and thank god we could all make it. I should bring that leftover spaghetti with me. I guess the first step to making it there is to get out of bed. It is 3:15 PM.

I really enjoy sleeping in, but maybe I overdid it a little bit today. My sleep schedule is getting worse and worse everyday and college isn't getting further away. The main problem I have with waking up early is how drowsy and irritated I can get, but I have found a solution over the course of high school. There's nothing better than a long shower to wake up with. What should I wear? Getting up, slowly, I made my way over to the closet posed at the corner of my bedroom. It's pretty small, but I don't need a lot of space for the clothes I usually wear. I need something casual and comfortable, yet appropriate for public wear. In other words, my outfit is what I usually wear. A hoodie and dark pants, plus tennis shoes.

Now emerging from the closet, with a fresh and stylish emo outfit on, I think I'm ready. That reminds me, what time is it? 4:00 PM. Maybe I should do some makeup, just a little to pass the time. Looking at my supplies, in the bathroom, I have some pallets, foundation, eyeliner, blush, the works. Since I'm just hanging out with friends, only a dash of bloom and eyeshadow will suffice.

It's been a while since the last time the whole group has hung out together, I can't wait! I wonder what's happened to Kris and Cora since the last time we met. Oh, it's simply deli-

A ping from my phone.

My eyes edge towards it. It's from Cora.

"Sorry, I think I'll have to cancel. Family issue."

I thought we had something happening. What a shame. I didn't want to go to her place anyway, let alone talk to the others. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. Maybe another day, another time.

There aren't any makeup wipes left in the fridge. The shower will do. The temperature of the water should be hot and scalding to wipe away the worries. I believe it is 5:45 PM. A ping from my phone, yet again, can be heard even through the loud rain of the shower. Another one. Another. More. The sounds are getting louder. They surround me. My vision feels like it is narrowing from the noise. The shower walls aren't really there. The water is no longer falling, the dings and echoes and steam and noises and water and curtains and alerts and showers and drains and soap and phones and...

Waking with a start, I surveyed the area around me. I'm still in the shower. What happened? My head hurts. Oh no, my water bill is going to skyrocket because I fell asleep in the shower of all places! My hand immediately twists the knobs until they stop and the water pressure begins to lower. The towel I picked up just beforehand helps plenty after a shower. Once my clothes have been worn, I can finally look at my phone to see what all of that noise came from.

Huh. It's blank, no notifications.