I sat cross-legged in my bed, waiting for an idea. My computer sat in my lap, the screen dimming from inactivity. For the last three hours I had been trying to write, typing a few words and then erasing them just as quickly. I was growing more and more frustrated with myself, my inability to write was one of my least favorite traits. I've been told plenty of times by a multitude of people that I was amazing at writing and that I should continue doing so, but I hated every word that emerged from my fingertips, and no amount of praise would change that.
I was deciding whether to mentally or physically stab myself when my phone screen lit up, It was a text from one of my very few good friends.
Tess: Will you plz meet up with me?
Celeste: Sure, Why? Where?
Tess: We need to talk, Gee's?
Celeste: Yeah, that works, see u in 10
Tess: K thx
After shutting down my computer, I got up and pulled on a clean shirt. Smelling my under arm, I misted myself with some perfume, gagging profusely when some got into my mouth. I drank a glass of water. I checked the mirror, I looked terrible still, but at least you couldn't see that I hadn't showered or slept much in the last three days. I grabbed my keys, locked the door to my apartment, and jogged the 7 blocks to my favorite diner, Gee's Gourmet Cafe.
I pushed open the door to the cafe. The familiar smell of coffee and pastries washed over me, calming me. I sat down next to Tess in our favorite booth, the fading red leather peeling back on the corners. Tess had already ordered us drinks. She'd gotten us both lattes, little hearts piped into the top. I smiled, exhausted. She was already halfway done with hers.
I looked at her. She looked at me. I twisted my face into a ridiculous contortion, she laughed, as she always did, but I could tell she was distracted.
"Now," I almost whispered, "What was so important that I had to desert my very interesting life?" Again she chuckled but still there was no joy behind it. Leaning towards me, she whispered,
"I'm in trouble Celeste, big trouble."
