Cry Baby (Demi Lovato)

TWO

When I woke, the early sunlight was just starting to flow through the cracks in the blinds that hid the outside world. The soft sheets were tangled over my body as I hugged the puppy pillow my little sister had gifted me only a few months prior to my chest. Sleep seemed to be a foreign concept when I first moved into a new place and I knew the two hours I had already gotten would be the only I'd get today.

Deciding to slither out of the warmth of the bed, I swiftly threw on a matching Fabletic work-out set before creeping downstairs, careful not to wake up my housemates. I went about making a smoothie to consume before my morning workout quietly, only then noticing Mia out on the deck, meditating peacefully as the sun rose further above the hills.

However, she was unbearable at a reasonable time, never mind before the sun rose. So I simply ignored her, slid my AirPods into my ears and headed out into the garden where some equipment laid close to the pool. I made a habit while in treatment to get outside first thing in the morning to exercise, finding the fresh air cool and reviving as I worked out.

I couldn't have been even ten minutes into the workout, only just having finished warming up before squatting when Mia headed towards me. Her expression was irritated, probably by my own presence as she clipped my shoulder with her own, knocking me off balance.

"Do you mind?!" I spat, regaining my balance and getting back into position to lower myself again.

She didn't choose to reply, snatching a jump rope from the metal racks they laid on and distancing herself from me. What was wrong with her?!

Again, we both worked in silence. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw her heaving as she took a moment to catch her breath before looking my way. Quickly averting my eyes so I didn't have to make eye contact and hear another insulting comment or jab, I simply carried on doing push ups on the yoga mat. 

Until she caught my eyes again, for much different reasons. She whipped off the cropped shirt she had been wearing, followed by the tight leggings that adorned her legs, leaving her in nothing but her Calvin Klein underwear. I felt my already red cheeks flush, but in a different way than just too much exertion.

In one swift motion, her body lunged across the garden and dived into the cool, filtered water of the pool. Her movements were fluid under the water, although appearing disfigured from the disruption of the water, she glided to the other side of the pool. Shamelessly I watched as her tan arms stroked through the water, moving almost mechanically as she did lap after lap, her face sinking under the water after each breath.

Holy shit, look away!

Beads of sweat trickled down my face as my heart pumped furiously inside my chest. I only wish I could blame it on the exercise but I'd be lying.

"Demi! Demi! Demi! Earth to Demi!" Squinting in the morning sun, I looked to the glass doors that were situated on the patio and saw Hailey leaning over, all bed hair and squinting eyes. "You guys are up way too early! Coffee's in the pot, come grab some!" A coffee was much needed.

And a shower, a very cold shower.

-

"Have fun Abi!" The front door slammed shut, signalling her departure to spend the day with her family, leaving only the three of us scattered around the marble table. "So, what's there to do for fun around here?"

"Honestly? Not that much. We're not so far from the beach, so we could day trip there. Or go hiking? Oooo, shopping is always fun." Laughing at Hailey's enthusiasm, I look over to Mia to see her hypnotised by the little machine in her hand that was beeping away every few seconds.