through the silence

a real friend

The next morning, I woke up to a dull pounding in my head, the kind that only a night of dancing and drinking can produce. My mouth felt like cotton, and the sunlight streaming through the curtains was far too bright for my sensitive eyes. As I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, I turned my head to see Jill lying next to me. She looked peaceful, her hair slightly tousled and a hint of a smile still on her lips, but I could tell from her expression that she was also feeling the effects of last night.

"Morning," I mumbled, my voice raspy as I stretched my arms above my head, careful not to jostle the bed too much.

"Morning," Jill replied, her voice thick with sleep. She blinked a few times, then squinted at the light coming through the window. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck."

I couldn't help but laugh softly, even though the movement sent a slight wave of discomfort through my skull. "Same here. Let me get us some water and painkillers."

I slipped out of bed, feeling a little wobbly as I walked to the kitchen. The cool tiles beneath my feet were a welcome relief as I rummaged through the cabinets, grabbing two glasses and filling them with water. After grabbing the painkillers from the top shelf, I headed back to the bedroom.

Jill was propped up against the headboard now, running her fingers through her hair as she accepted the glass of water I handed her. "Thanks," she said, taking the pills with a small grimace. "I really need this."

"Me too," I said, sinking back onto the bed next to her. We both sipped our water in silence for a moment, the early morning stillness contrasting sharply with the loud energy of the night before.

"So, last night was fun," I ventured, looking over at her with a soft smile. I was still buzzing from the memories of dancing and laughing, even if my body was now regretting it.

"Yeah, it was a blast!" Jill replied, her eyes lighting up. "I can't remember the last time I had that much fun. You can really dance!"

I chuckled, feeling the warmth of her compliment wash over me. "I just tried to keep up with you and Sydney. You two have some serious moves."

After a moment of comfortable silence, I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. "I should probably make us some breakfast. You hungry?"

"Starving," she said, her face breaking into a wide smile. "What's on the menu?"

"Well, I can make you a typical German breakfast," I said, excitement bubbling up. "Hope you're ready for it."

Jill's eyes sparkled with interest. "A German breakfast? I'm all in."

I stood up and headed to the kitchen, feeling a little steadier on my feet. I took out some ingredients and started laying everything out: boiled eggs, fresh bread, assorted cheeses, cold cuts, and a few slices of fruit. As I set the table, I could hear Jill moving around in the bedroom, her footsteps soft against the wooden floor.

When I finished setting everything out, I turned to see her wandering into the kitchen, now dressed in the t-shirt I'd given her. It was a little loose on her, but somehow it suited her. She looked comfortable and casual, and I felt a small flutter of appreciation that I quickly pushed aside.

"Wow, this looks amazing!" Jill said, her eyes widening as she took in the spread. She picked up a slice of bread and slathered it with butter and jam, taking a big bite and closing her eyes as she chewed. "You really know how to spoil a girl."

I grinned, sitting down across from her. "Only the best for my guests."

As we ate, the conversation flowed easily. We talked about the night before, laughing about our dancing antics and the ridiculous moments that had made it so fun. I was surprised at how naturally it came—sharing a meal felt like a ritual we'd done many times before.