The vibration of my cell phone against my hard wood floor was the reason I was woken from slumber. With my almond shaped eyes cracking open, I searched for the cause of the abrupt ending to my dreamless sleep.
"Em, turn it off!" Shannon's voice was muffled by my pillows, almost to the point of being inaudible.
"I'm trying to. Sorry." I swiped my finger across the screen to deactivate the devices alarm.
"Why would you set an alarm this early when you're not in work till later?" Her raspy voice was more clearer than previously, due to her now lying on her back amongst my sheets. As expected, last nights make-up was coated along the edging of my pale sheets and matching pillow.
"I'm going on my jog." I threw back the tartan blanket that had protected from the cool Nevada night breeze, and clambered to my feet. "You know I always do. Would you like some breakfast before I go?" Raising up on the balls of my feet, I produced a lengthy yawn and stretched out my sleepy limbs.
"Not just yet. I wanna go back to sleep."
"Well help yourself whenever you're ready. You know where everything is." Grabbing a black sports bra, some leggings, a grey hoodie and some underwear and socks, I made my way through to my bathroom. I gathered my hair into a small, makeshift ponytail at the nape of my neck and secured it with the thin black band that was wrapped around my wrist. I splashed my face with the cool water from the faucet just to wake myself up a little bit. "Shan, I'm off. I won't be long." I called through my bedroom door, but judging by the lack of response, I guessed she had gone back to sleep. From my living area, I retrieved from iPod from the docking station, collecting my keys and my earphones in the process. With the buds secured in my ears, blasting out Temple by Kings of Leon, I was off on my daily routine morning jog.
Forty-Five minutes later and I was panting as I drove the key into the lock of my apartment. Sweat coated my skin in a second layer as I pushed open the white wooden door that introduced me to the comfort of my own place. The buzz of the TV suggested Shannon was now awake, and seated in my living area. Using my leg to tap the door behind me shut, I saw her laying on the sofa with my tartan blanket draped over her legs. In her small hands was one of my white porcelain bowls, edged with a floral design.
"I've had some cereal, hope you don't mind." She grinned at me as she chewed down the wheat treats.
"No it's fine, you know that." My first port of call was to retrieve a chilled bottle of water from my refrigerator. The cool bottle instantly chilled the skin on my fingers and palm, and the wetness was blissful against my dry throat and mouth.
"Your cell buzzed a few times. I brought it down from your room with me, but don't worry I didn't read anything. It's on the side in here." Turning on my heel, I headed back into the living area and grabbed my phone from the sideboard. Three text messages.
'What days are you free this week, Emmy? Your dad and I were thinking of going out of town and were wondering if you and one of the girls, or maybe rhett would like to come with us. Love you darling xxxxx'
'Hi Em, was just wondering if you could come a little earlier into work? 12:30 till 7? Let me know asap.'
'How was last night, Em? When are you free this week?'
Just a text from my mom, my manager and one from my best friend, Rhett. None from Brandon. Why did I expect there to be? Last night was just a one off. A chance to get you on their side. Taking a seat on the love chair, I wrote out my replies.
'I have university Tuesday through to Friday. It's my last few weeks before graduation. I'm working after school, too. Let me see what I can do and I'll let you know. X'
