Just One Voice

•Freezing•

~20~

"Brooklynn, wake up."

My brain is slowly beginning to register the words as a pillow forcefully slams against my face.

Instinctively, I bring my hands up to my now throbbing cheek, and subconsciously brace for another unexpected blow.

"You've slept through your alarm six times now, and if I hear it again I'll freaking throw your phone out the window." Rylie says, towering over my bedside.

My eyelids shoot open with this sentence. I sit up, completely panic-stricken, "Why didn't you wake me up the first time?" I frantically ask, throwing the warm blankets from around my legs and barely taking note of how dangerously fast my heart is beating.

Today is too important of a day to sleep in.

"Sheesh, calm down. I figured not dying of sleep deprivation beats doing your hair on the priority list."

"Not today it doesn't. What time is it?" I stand, a surge of coolness from the floor shocking my bare feet and quickly climbing through my nerves, causing me to instantly shiver.

"It's only a little past seven-thirty, so you're fine. I just texted Acalia too, she's bringing breakfast up here since it's so nasty outside."

That explains why the room is still flooded with so much darkness at this hour. Rylie raises our dysfunctional blinds, showing me visual evidence to her claim about the weather. Contrary to every other Cali day I have experienced so far, this one carries the weight of heavy clouds, and countless droplets of rain fall freely from the depressing gray sky.

Outside looks cold, and indeed, nasty.

"Bless Acee's soul." I say, reaching for an oversized sweatshirt of mine on the floor.

I pause mid-action, remembering that I have not only one, but two performances today and that I have to look presentable. Grudgingly, I decide to dress in a nice sweater instead, yawning as I slip my head through the cozy article of clothing. I had woken up so suddenly, my sleepy state had lagged to fall over me in full effect until just now.

Rylie sluggishly returns to her own morning routine. I feel bad for keeping her up late last night with all of my last minute projects, but I didn't have much of a choice. It's a miracle I got everything done. I'm not particularly confident in any of the songs, but everyone will have to suffice with what was produced by three this morning—including my exhausted self.

I finish off my outfit by putting on a pair of jeans and tying up my combat boots. I'm in front of the mirror, foggy from Rylie's shower a few minutes prior, finger-combing through my tangled curls when someone knocks on our door.

"It's literally freezing out there." Acalia whines as soon as Rylie lets her into the dorm room.

"I don't care. You've got the food right?" Rylie questions.

"I almost turned into a soggy human popsicle getting it but yeah, I have breakfast."

I switch off the light and emerge from the bathroom, "Well, you two are definitely not New-Yorkers."

My friends crowd around the paper bag (Californians are apparently afraid of plastic) containing our meal. They continue to dish out the edible substances, quickly filling our tiny room with a pleasant aroma.

Unwrapping her burrito, Acalia argues my point, "But it's only fifty degrees. I feel like I need to go impulsively buy a parka."

I laugh, shaking my head, "I stand by my statement."