A Twist In Fate

3

Closing the lilac door to my room, I turn my attention to the kitten sleeping soundly in the sweater. I lay her gently down nestled into an extra throw blanket. Walking into my closet, I grab a large fluffy sweater. My clothes cling to my skin, still damp from the earlier expenditure into the rain. Removing them was only a slight challenge if not uncomfortable. I rinse off in the shower quickly washing myself, hop out, and throw my sweater on. Plopping onto my memory foam mattress, I relax and let my body sink into my lilac comforter. I reach for a pillow but realize it's too far and I don't have the energy to crawl up to them. Closing my eyes I dream about a warm cottage by a small stream, deers and rabbits walk carefree and unafraid of me. The cheery chirps of the birds above, small trickles of the water as it continuously flows away, and the ringtone of someone calling me– Wait, what? My eyes pop open and I find my phone on the floor next to the bed. Crap, I forgot to call Lexa. I scroll to see thousands of text messages and missed calls from her. Looking at the time, it's quarter after midnight. Guessing I had fallen asleep, I quickly dial Lexa.

"Lia? Are you okay?" Barely on the first ring, she practically answers immediately.

"Hey Lexa, sorry. A lot happened today and I must've just fallen asleep as soon as I closed my eyes for a second." A sharp pang in my chest for having my best friend worry about me all day.

"Hey, don't do that. I care about you and I just wanted to make sure everything was all good." She says soothingly. The thoughts of the, now previous days, events flash through me.

"Oh, Lex...I have so much to tell you! OMG, you will not believe any of it. Think you could come over later and hang?"

"I don't have work today, so I'm down. You sound tired, you should get some rest. We can talk about it all when you've gotten some sleep."

"Thanks, and thank you for worrying about me. I don't know what I'd ever do without you."

"Mmm...I'm sure you'd survive. I'm not some grand person or anything."

"Don't be so modest. You are an amazing person and I am so thankful for you. Always."

"Okay, okay, okay. Get some sleep. Goodnight Lia."

"Goodnight Lexa." The phone call ends and I feel warmth wash over me at the thought of seeing my best friend soon. Lexa and I met in highschool but we never really talked. She was a grade below me due to birthday cutoffs. I was the oldest in my class and she was the youngest in hers. She knew who I was based on my family, but I didn't know anything about her, or that she existed. One day after winter break in my senior year of highschool, I was wanting to finish a book I had been reading. Deciding to go to a nearby bakery to grab a snack, I make my way there to finish the book. The sky was cloudy and the chilly winds were merciless. Inside, the bakery smelled of all kinds of delectable notes. The warmth invaded my senses as I ordered a freshly baked croissant. Heading over to an empty booth near a window, I settle myself in and pull my book out to read. I lose myself into the soft tones of the background piano music and the twisting plot of my book. Two hours pass by and I've already devoured my croissant after three seconds of sitting down. Feeling a little parched I consider going for drink-

"Hi, sorry to bother but I noticed you've been here for a couple of hours and thought you might be getting thirsty." I look up to see a girl almost a whole foot taller than me, rich dark brown curls pulled into a messy bun, and bright light hazel doe eyes.

"Oh, thank you very much." A worker here at the bakery I presume, eyeing her flour covered dark brown apron.

"No probs, I also noticed you were here by yourself. Is everything okay?" She sets the mug of warm liquid before me topped with whip cream and a gentle drizzle of caramel. "Oh! This is a caramel cappuccino. I didn't know what you liked, so I just picked one of my favorites." Her smile comes across a little nervously and her eyes start to drift off.