{4}

0730 rolled around, rather quickly, and it felt like I didn’t get any sleep at all. I don’t remember what time I fell asleep. I don’t even know if I slept at all. My eyelids felt like sandpaper, and I was groggy and irritated. I forced myself out of bed, and into the bathroom, to do my normal routine. While the shower water got hot. I twisted my hair up into a tight bun on top of my head, so I didn’t have to get it wet again, I washed it last night. This shower was just to wake my ass up, to get ready for whatever adventure Katie had planned for us today. I quickly showered, and let the hot water massage my tired shoulders, into a relaxed state, to the point where, I wasn’t groggy anymore. Once I stepped out, I wrapped a towel around me, and brushed my teeth. I wiped the mirror from the fog and steam of the bathroom, and quickly applied my eyeliner and mascara. I put on lip gloss, knowing, damn well, we were going to breakfast before we headed to her apartment, and then out for the day.

I dressed in short dark denim ripped shorts, and a black v neck baby doll t-shirt. I slipped on black Nike slides and then pulled my hair down from the twist on top of my head. I dragged a brush through my hair, and then plugged in my straightener. I might as well try, right? I didn’t even know what temperature it was outside. I am sure it was humid. I mean its Florida, it’s always humid. On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t straighten my hair. I sighed and unplugged the straightener and ran the brush through my hair again, and grabbed some coconut oil, and rubbed it through my hair. I brushed my hair some more and pulled it into a ponytail, and then loosely wrapped it into a messy bun. It was too long to wear down, and it was too hot in Florida to wear it down. Messy buns will be my thing now that I live here.

I jumped when my phone blared out “Gun powder and Lead” by Miranda Lambert, letting me know Katie was calling or texting. I grabbed my phone and saw the text message. “I’m outside Bitch, get down here.” Rude. I laughed and shook my head, and grabbed my wallet, making sure I put the room key back in it, and my lip gloss, and phone. I know we both have iPhones so I know I can use her charger if need be. I turned off the lights in my hotel room, and headed out, making sure to slip the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door handle. I headed to the elevator, and regretted, coming to Florida. It is hot, and I am still indoors. Ugh.

I smiled as I saw her leaning against her truck door as I came out of the lobby. She grinned and we hugged. “I am so freaking happy you are here!” She squealed. I laughed and shrugged. “Eh, I am only happy to have my best friend with me.” She shoved me and I laughed even harder, she stepped aside, and I climbed into the passenger seat of her truck as she ran around the front and to the driver side. She shifted the truck into gear, and we left base. I had no clue where we were going, but she chatted happily, and I was just happy to at least know someone. We pulled into a parking lot of a small diner that was advertising Biscuits and Gravy on the board out front, and I perked right up. I loved biscuits and gravy, and Katie knew it. Whenever we had sleepovers at each other’s apartments when we weren’t deployed, we made it for breakfast. I jumped out of the truck, and she followed suit, and she linked her arm with mine, as we walked into, the diner. She was still in uniform, but that was ok. We were heading to her place after breakfast so she can shower and change, from having duty yesterday.

Breakfast was delicious and we did a lot of catching up. I mean, we talked all the time anyways, but from the moment we saw each other, it was like, there was so much to catch up on, in person. I seriously missed my best friend. And I know she missed me. We finished up breakfast, and headed to Starbucks, before going to her apartment. I recognized the name of the building, and then it clicked. The apartments I am supposed to be moving into, this was the same place! “Katie!” I basically shouted. “What?” she looked confused and looked around to make sure she wasn’t in the wrong lane or about to hit anyone or anything. “This is the same apartment building I am being set up with! We are going to be neighbors!” I was bouncing my seat, with excitement. She laughed and clearly was excited too.