The Melody Of Destiny

Chapter 18

Annastasia:

I'm sprawled on my bed, leaning against the wall with my thin cushion wedged between the headboard and my back. My cozy blanket is wrapped around me like a comforting hug, but it does little to soothe the storm brewing inside me. I pick at my food, wrapping a piece of bread around it dipping it into the mash and graving taking a bite closing my eyes briefly, the warmth and comfort of the food offering a fleeting escape from the chaos of my thoughts.

For a moment, everything else fades away, but just for a moment. The irritation quickly returns, radiating off me like heat from a furnace. I stare at my phone, now chilling in an ice cream tub of rice. My nail scrapes across my thumb, bitting my lip-Linda, Linda, Linda, I'd throttle you. I'd grab the bucket chuck it at your head. Watch that smug smile drenched in soapy slop, your hair sticking to your face like a wet poodle. The thought brings a twisted sense of satisfaction. Why didn't I stand up for myself? I crunch up the can of coke fighting the urge to chuck it across the crowded room. My fingers drum against the bed. Pathetic. I huff shoving my phone deeper into the tub of rice. I Let her walk all over me. Again! I grab a piece of chicken tearing at it aggressively. I want to punch my pillow, to scream into the abys, instead I just chew harder.

Ayisha jumps onto my bed: "Hey princess." She chimes in a sing song voice.

"Hey, watch it, the gravy, seriously, Ayisha, like just... like seriously..." I snap my tone sharper than intended snatching the gravy as it splashes onto my fingers.

She grins "Someone's touchy." She chirps snatching a chip popping it into her mouth.

I huff: "Sorry it's just... just you know?" I sigh resting my head back onto the wall.

Ayisha's eyes narrow as she playfully pokes my side. "No, I don't. Cause someone doesn't tell me nothing." she retorts.

"What you going on about?" I mumble.

She crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, don't play coy, Miss Cinderella. Spill it.".

I groan, feeling the annoyance rise. "Not this again..." I sigh, running a hand through my hair. Why can't people just drop it?

"Oh no you don't. Come on, spill the beans. So, you kissed His Highness?" she pries her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Ssshhh." I hiss, glancing around nervously.

"What, you worried people will hear? You're Miss Mystery—you're already viral," she gushes, leaning in closer with a wide grin.

"No, I'm not," I huff, my voice a mix of frustration and disbelief.

Ayisha tilts her head, her expression incredulous. "What, are you living under a rock?" She exclaims, but then follows my eyes to my zombified phone sitting in the tub of rice.

"Anna? What'd you do to it this time?" She exclaims poking it bemused. "You drop it in the toilet again?"

"One time. Ayisha. That happened one time." I exclaim.

"So, what it went skinny dipping?" She jokes, her grin widening.

"It was ... Nothing. Nothing happened." I grumble.

Ayisha narrows her eyes, leaning in closer. "Who do I have to fight?" she asks barely above a whisper.

"What? Nothing happened." I insist, my voice a bit too high-pitched.

"Yeah, just like nothing happened when Sam forgot your anniversary." Her eyes drift to where he's laughing with a bunch of people lounging on two beds pushed together. "What'd he do this time?"