Happiness Doesn't Wait

Abi

I wake up with a strong headache.

"Ughhh." I touch my head as a headache shoots up and I wince. I think I partied too hard last night.

I look around me as I familiarize myself to everything. Lonely in bed. Still have my dress on and my high heels thrown to the side. I wouldn't be surprised if there's any lipstick all over my cheeks.

The loud knock on my door brings me to wince."Abi? Abi, are you alright?"

I groan loudly at my twin sister's voice. "Shut up, nerd, and go away." I can hear my sister sigh with disappointment, as she usually does.

I roll my eyes at this and pull the sheets over my head again. Now the light seems to make my sharp headaches worse. Once I slowly find myself finally getting in some sleep, I awake with a jump by the loud sound of my door opening. I groan angrily and pull the sheets even more.

I don't have to look up to know that my sister has her hands on her hips and staring down at me. "Abi. Get up."

"Your voice makes me nausea," I mumble.

"And the smell of alcohol on your clothes makes me nausea." She gently uncovers my sheets and I squint at the mirror image of myself. She's the smart and better side of me. And...you could say I'm the screw up.

Yet, her soft smile always seems to make my day. I return her smile and sigh. "Fine. You win."

"Like always," she says playfully. She fixes her glasses on her nose and starts towards my door. "I'll make you some coffee while you get ready."

I drag myself out of bed and take a warm shower. I close my eyes and let the water hit my body to relax my tensed muscles. They always seem so tense. From the moment my mother decided to quit on us. I have my muscles on edge; ready to turn the page. Live the moment. Never regret. I can't just wait and wait like my sister did with her studies. Some people are just not meant to have a happiness that stays. My mother taught me this when she left: nothing ever waits. People will always demand and then leave. I guess that's why I love my job. That's why I'm so good at it.

So I turn the page from whatever happened last night as I step out of the shower. I fix up my brunette hair and put on my usual share of makeup. I had to beg my sister to put on at least mascara. Now she looks much more professional like she tries to be.

I step out feeling a bit more refreshed, but the smell of food just sends a rush of nausea. Amy sees me walk in the kitchen in our small apartment and quickly puts her food to one side. She grabs a large mug of coffee and hands it to me. The warmth immediately envelops my body.

"Now." Amy stands on the other side of the counter with a raised eyebrow as I sit on a small stool across from her. I copy her gesture and sip my coffee. I know what's coming next.

"Where the hell were you last night?!" We may look identical, but we are complete different worlds. She tries to be angry, but she will never let her gentleness fade away. While I, on the other hand, can let my anger flare up too quick.

"What do you mean?!" I say sternly. "I was doing something you never do. Having fun."

Amy lets her mouth fall open in offense. "I do have fun!"

I scoff and say, "Well, sis...we certainly have different definitions of fun."

"If fun means to end up dead next day then I prefer to go along with my usual routine." Amy sips her coffee with annoyance at me and I chuckle at her reaction.

"Dude. It's not even that bad. It's just a small hangover and that's all. See? I'm all better now!"

"Ethanol kills brain cells."