Harmony amidst Chaos | A Jori story

After the storm

-TORI'S POV-

The soft glow of morning filters through the curtains, casting a warm haze over the room. I blink myself awake, stretching slightly before shifting onto my side. The air mattress beneath me lets out a quiet squeak with every movement. I sigh. It was comfortable enough last night, but after hours of sleep, the deflation has set in, leaving me lying awkwardly on the uneven surface.

I try shifting again, but no matter how much I adjust, I can't get comfortable again.

I grab my phone off the floor and check the time—7:30 AM. A little early to be up on a Saturday, but going back to sleep doesn't really seem like an option.

Might as well get up then.

Careful not to make too much noise, I ease myself off the mattress, pushing my blanket aside. As I stand, my gaze drifts toward my bed, where Jade is still fast asleep. Her breathing is slow and steady, her dark hair fanned out over the pillow.

She looks... peaceful like this. So different from the sharp-tongued, guarded girl she is when awake. There's no smirk, no sarcastic remark poised on her lips—just quiet, steady breaths and the slow, even rise and fall of her shoulders beneath the blanket.

A small smile tugs at my lips, a strange warmth settling in my chest. I don't really know why.

Maybe it's because she's been letting her guard down around me lately. Just the fact that she trusts me enough to do that, is... well, nice.

Yesterday was nice. At least, for me—Jade would probably argue otherwise, considering her boyfriend of two years broke up with her in front of all of our friends.

But besides that? The sitting in the coffee shop, drinking coffee together, the conversations that stretched on for hours, the way we laughed over the dumbest things, the easy way we just existed together. That was nice—more than nice, actually. And I think—I hope—she feels the same way about it.

The thought lingers as I glance at her again, searching maybe, for something, some kind of sign that yesterday meant something to her too. But her expression stays the same—calm, unreadable, lost in sleep.

I roll my shoulders, stretching slightly, but it does little to ease the stiffness in my back and neck. Sleeping on that air mattress all night definitely wasn't great for my posture. I press a hand to the small of my back, arching slightly. Yeah, I need to move.

A run should help. Get my blood pumping.

Decision made, I move as quietly as possible as I make my way to the closet. I pull out a set of gym clothes—leggings, a sports bra, and a loose tanktop—before slipping into the bathroom to change.

I pull my hair into a ponytail, securing it tightly before tucking it under a cap. A quick glance in the mirror confirms I look awake enough, even if my body hasn't fully caught up yet.

I step into my running shoes, tightening the laces, then pause, listening. The house is still, the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioning. Jade hasn't stirred when I step back into my room.

Then, I ease the door of my room open and slip out into the hallway, careful not to let it creak. With one last glance at Jade, I take a breath, close the door and head downstairs.

Figuring I might as well check what we have for breakfast before heading out, I move towards the kitchen first.

I pull open the fridge door and scan the shelves, my eyes sweeping over the contents. A half-empty carton of milk. Some questionable takeout in a flimsy container, shoved toward the back. An unopened jar of strawberry jam.