Stitches

0.2

I stepped out of the hospital, it's the next day, the crisp evening air hitting me like a wave, waking me up just a little after almost 24 hours on my feet. I pause by the entrance my fingers slightly fumbling to type with the cold air, I tap in Mia's address on my phone and pull the directions up on the maps. The walk is 25 minutes, I sigh and plug in my headphones, trying to drown out the hectic shift. My feet move on their own pushing me to get to Mia's place, crash, and start figuring out what came next.

I wander down the familiar streets, the city feeling oddly quiet in the early evening hours. My footsteps echoed as I walk past closed-up cafés and shadowy storefronts, the glow of neon lights casting long reflections on the pavement. I pull my thoughts back to Mia, my one constant in my life though every up and down, we've known eachother since school - us two being the most unlikely pairing who somehow found a way to fit together.

Back then, I was just the shy girl with her nose buried in books, studying every waking day for medical school, always worrying about the future or what came next, and Mia? She was always the carefree one, pushing me into new experiences I'd never have the balls to try on my own. Like the time we skipped school, flagged a bus down and rode it all the way to the beach, just to feel the salt on our skin, the sand under our feet, even though it rained the entire time it made me feel so alive. The beach became my haven after that day, always, at my lowest points I'd ride that same bus to the beach and sit, watching the waves crash against the shore, letting the spray from the sea revitalise me. During Mia's phase of wanting to be a rockstars girlfriend but before they get big, we'd sneak out into the city to go to underground music clubs, we'd dance by the stage all night, the speakers almost blowing our eardrums, Mia would be there making eyes at the older guys on stage, almost always being pulled backstage. Me being pulled along through dark corridors into small dressing rooms with bright florescent lighting, huge mirrors that forced us to look and our underaged faces with our makeup caked on. I smile at the memories, remembering just how crazy we looked as I continued along the route.

I was so grateful when she offered me a play to stay after my life fell apart. Moving in with Mia was a lifeline- and one I needed more than I cared to admit. My ex had left more than just a hole in my heart; leaving with bills I couldn't afford to pay on a first year nurses salary, and stuck with an apartment that suddenly felt empty and suffocating. I called Mia on that night, voice trembling, explaining how I can't make the rent and I need to get out, she didn't hesitate once. Just told me to come to her place, and they'd figure it out together, like always.

Mia's building came into view, the old red brick façade standing out against the modern high-rises around it. It had a certain charm, with ivy creeping up the side and old-fashioned wrought iron balconies that probably weren't up to code anymore. I slipped my phone back into my pocket, feeling a bit lighter knowing I was almost there.

The entrance door creaked as I pushed it open, I was met with a dimly lit hallway, the kind that always seemed a little too dark, even with the flickering fluorescent lights overhead. The elevator had been out of order for as long as I could remember, so I took a deep breath and started up the stairs, promising my feet it'll be all over soon.

Five flights, I reminded myself, counting them off as I went up. My legs burning with each step, exhaustion dragging at my every movement. But there was a comfort in the familiarity of it—I'd climbed these stairs so many times before, visiting Mia when I needed to escape from whatever chaos life had thrown my way. I smiled at the thought of how she'd always have something ridiculous waiting for her—a new playlist she'd made, a story about some absurd work drama, or just an open bottle of wine and a night of watching terrible reality TV.

As I reached the top floor, I leaned against the railing, catching my breath for a moment. The hallway stretched out before me, dim and shadowed. It wasn't the nicest building in the city, but it had character. Just like Mia.

I continued down the hallway passing the two neighbours doors before finding Mia's door at the end of the corridor. I gave it a soft knock, and smelt Mia's familiar smell of sandalwood and weed escaping from the door. The apartment door is thin and I can hear her squeal and her footsteps rushing to open the door. I laugh as she flies the door open, and I'm met with her bouncy auburn hair and glowing smile.

"Piper!!" She squeals pulling me into a bone crushing hug. I keep laughing and smile gladly to be back in her arms, giving her a big squeeze

"Mia you gotta smoke out of the window I can't go into work smelling like weed" I say talking into my laugh, walking into her place.

"Oh hush seems like someone could do with a relaxation, you work way too hard" She says drawing out the way and plopping herself on the sofa, picking up the blunt and carefully putting it out so she can smoke the rest later.

"Soo any crazy patients today" she says with a smile

"Just the usual," I replied, rolling my eyes as I set my bag down. "You know, a mix of grumpy old men and bloodied thugs."

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Thugs? I like it, tell me more"

I sank into the chair, pulling my hair out of it's tight ponytail. "Just same old same old, men getting into fights needing stitches"

She spreads herself out on the sofa, lounging in her mix-matched pjs.

"So how are you?" She asks her eyes flickering between mine, assessing the cautiousness of the situation

"Is it over over?" She continues.

Me and Theo had been on and off for just over 3 years, since meeting our senior year and doing college together. A mix of frustration and sadness tightens in my chest. He was my first—first boyfriend, first love, first everything. At the beginning, it felt like he brought the sense of stability I craved. Theo was sensible, always had a plan, and knew exactly what he wanted out of life, right down to the brand of toothpaste he'd kept in the bathroom. He kept me on the right track to become a nurse, stay motivated and to always work hard. We moved into a place together when I started my residency, he already had a finance position in the city, my hospital was there so it just made sense. The cracks started to show first with his snobbiness, turning his nose up at little things I liked - my favourite take out place which arrived cold one day so I was banned from ordering from there again, the hole-in-the-wall cafes I loved, even disapproving at me hanging out with Mia at times. His anger came next, when a deal didn't go his way he'd lash out, be gone for days, leaving me alone waiting for him to cool off, him coming back and me unable to question where he'd been in fear of starting another argument. The apartment was modern, too modern, it was cold and soulless, it never felt like home - more like a fragile balance that could tip over at any moment.

I snap back to Mia's questioning face

"Yeah, yeah it's over over" I reply, smiling weakly looking down to pick at my nails.

Mia stairs at me for a moment "Well I for one am glad" she states, I snap my head back up in question

"Listen he was whatever, you know my opinion on him so I won't share again" she elaborates, it's true I knew Mia was never a fan of Theo.

"But now you have this whole new life! There's so much out there, so many men out there to explore! You can have fun again, we can have fun again" She explains, Mia's always had a love for life and adventure.

"True" I say joining in on her excitement with a small laugh. Pushing the get real part of working day long shifts every week eliminating my time to have fun.

"Have you eaten?" She asks caringly

"Ughh a sandwich a few hours ago, I'm starving" I say leaning further into the chair flopping my hair over the back. Really not being in the mood to cook Mia reads my mind

"Fancy about Chinese? There's that place down the street"

I nodded, grateful for the suggestion. "Sure, that sounds good"

Mia rolls over on the couch to grab her phone from the coffee table and dialed in the order.

"Ugh uber will take 50 mins"

I groaned, the idea of waiting that long makes my tummy grumble

"I'll just go and collect it, will be quicker that way"I reply, peeling myself up off the chair to get ready to go back out.