Dark Space

Gloom

A light knocking on my door woke me up from a light slumber.

"Cristin is here." Ethe's voice travels through my door, very quiet and muffled.
I don't understand why she's here, why does she even care?

I swung my feet off my bed and walked towards my bedroom door.
I peeked out of my door, still questioning Cristin's intentions, there has to be a reason why she all of a sudden...right?

Nobody cares.

I froze. I shook it off, not wanting to hear it anymore.
I stepped out of my bedroom, closing my door quietly behind me.
"Juniper?"

I turned towards Cristin, slowly taking in the details of her face. I haven't really seen her for a while, only hearing her voice in the hospital, and being very distanced from her in general. She looks different than I remember, the tips of her light brown hair dyed a teal-green.
Cristin loves dyes and pastel colors, always wearing something colorful. Her style choices conflict with her dark personality, but who am I to judge.

She walked towards me and hugged me in silence. Cristin doesn't talk very much, but she always has good advice.
I don't exactly remember why I distanced myself from her, she can be a good friend when she wants to.

Cristin pulled away, patting me on the shoulder.
"Ethe told me to bring some food so...I brought some of my moms homemade tamales...the ones you used to like."
She set down a plate covered in tin foil.
Ethe popped up. "Those will be good with the rice and beans I made."
I just nodded, not wanting to really speak all that much.
Ethe started unwrapping the tin foil of the tamales and giving out the servings on plates.

Poison?

Ugh.

I picked up one of the plates and sat down on my living room couch since my kitchen isn't big enough for a table.
Ethe and Cristin followed my lead and sat down next to me.
Nobody speaks while we eat, making the meal sad and gloomy.

Ding Dong

I look up at the front door, wondering who would be ringing the doorbell.
I get up and open the door to nothing.
"Juniper, what're you doing?" Cristin gets up and looks outside.

"...I heard the doorbell ring..."

Cristin rolls her eyes and closes the door.
"It was probably one of the neighbor's doors, I didn't hear anything. You live in an apartment, it's completely plausible."

I sighed and sat back down.
I know I heard something.

Ethe collected all of the plates and washed them, not saying a word while doing so.
Cristin tried to start conversation, but failed.
Ethe walked back into the living room, and sat down next to me.

"How about a movie?" Ethe grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
I didn't say anything, not really caring. I don't want to hang out, I just want to have time to adjust.
I stood up and walked out of the living room.
"I'm sorry guys, I don't think I'm up for a movie..."

I walked into my room and lied down on my bed.

Just get rid of them.

I gulped.

"Why would you say that...?"

I buried my face in my pillow, wishing for sleep.

Just don't think. Just don't think. Just don't think.