CHAPTER 17

MIA

I take my time waking up the next morning.

The sheets are warm from the sunlight beaming through the window to the left of me. I can't see it because I refuse to open my eyes just yet, but it happens every morning at Griffon's apartment. It’s one of my favorite things about her bedroom. She has a corner spot, so she gets double the windows. This also means double the sunlight, and in the past few days that I’ve been here, I know I haven't taken the time to truly appreciate it.

But today is different, and I knew it the moment I turned over and didn’t feel my body immediately tense at the drastic idea of my life completely falling apart.

On the contrary, I couldn't feel a single bone in my body, and I probably would’ve believed you if you told me Griffon's bed was actually a cloud because it felt like I was levitating.

This morning, I take my time. I let the sun beat across my skin, slowly warming my limbs as everything from last night starts to trickle back in. I don’t panic or freak out when the details come into focus. Instead, my lungs fill up with air, and I let out the deepest sigh of satisfaction.

But when I stretch my hand across the bed and feel the space next to me is cold and empty, I reluctantly crack my eyes open to try to take in my surroundings.

Instantly, I’m disappointed when I don't see a sleeping Griffon lying next to me. My gaze lowers in confusion when my eyes catch a small folded-up piece of paper sitting in her replacement.

I can already feel the anticipation growing inside me as I unfold the small white square, and my eyes start moving faster than I could read.

Don’t be pissed,

But I thought I should finally grab coffee for the girl who’s always busy making everyone else’s. I’ll be back soon, don't move.

x Griffon

I don't realize I’m smiling until I finally put the note down, and my body drops back onto the bed in disbelief. But I can't stop myself from letting my arms spread out as I begin to make snow angels.

This is actually unreal.

When my arms and legs spread out for the third time, I jump from the feeling of my phone buzzing from somewhere underneath me. I almost want to ignore it, but the thought of Griffon trying to call me crosses my mind, and of course, I’m up in seconds searching through the covers to try and find it.

I squeeze my eyes shut and wince when I hear something loud crash against the hardwood floors. Quickly, I rush over to the other side of the bed to see my phone lying screen-side down.

My breath catches as I reach down to pick it up, and I’m beyond relieved when I flip it over to see it is still in perfect condition. But when I click on the home screen to check my messages, my brows furrow in confusion when I first see an email from maintenance. When I click on the notification, I can feel all the color drain from my cheeks as the words begin to collect in my brain.

For a moment, I sit back, completely baffled. A storm brews inside of me, and I know I’m out of it when I don’t hear the front or bedroom door open.

I’m broken out of my daze when Griffon’s voice cuts through my inner chaos.

“Hey! You're up!” she beams.

When I don't immediately respond, she finally comes into view carrying what looks like two matcha lattes, but I’m too busy staring back at her, completely appalled to even care.

“Is everything okay?” Griffon asks with furrowed brows, laced with concern. All I can manage is a scoff in response. A brief moment passes.

“When were you going to tell me you already fixed my toilet?”