Chapter One

MORNINGS, MESS, & YUMMY CAFE BOY

Weeks Back…

The shrill sound of my alarm cut through my sleep like a blade at exactly 5 a.m. I slapped it silently, and peeled my roommate’s heavy arm off my waist. Untangling myself felt like wrestling an octopus. I slipped out of bed and into the bathroom with my phone in hand,

If Adele wasn’t singing “Someone Like You” at sunrise, the day hadn’t officially started.

Dropping my phone on the cabinet, I hit play and started my morning ritual—brushing my teeth and standing under a hot shower that thawed my tired bones. Wrapped in my robe, I reached for my hair dryer beside the wall mirror, only to see the bathroom socket blinking its brokenness at me.

“Really? Another expense? Fantastic," I glared at it, pointing like it was a misbehaving child. “You’re lucky I have an alternative.”

Then I realized I was literally threatening a wall socket. I rolled my eyes at myself. “Okay, I need coffee. Immediately. I’m scolding appliances now.” 

With a sigh, I carried my phone and dryer back into the room only to find my roommate still dead asleep on my bed, sprawled out like a crime scene chalk drawing. One arm dangling off the bed, fingers grazing the floor and the bedspread in a tangled mess between her legs. A fat drool patch claimed territory on my pillow.

Typical Berth. To think that Adele blasting hadn’t done one thing to wake her.

I sat on the bed and plugged in the dryer, and got to work on my hair. Roaring noise filled the room, and the cold droplets from my wet strands splattered her face. She grumbled something about noise and music before turning her head and dramatically facing the wall. She proceeded to shove a pillow over her head.

"Finally, Sleeping Beauty rises," I said over the dryer, half amused, half annoyed. She mumbled something into the pillow—probably an insult, but I couldn’t make out a thing.

“You’re going to be late for school if you stay there another second,” I warned. She ignored me.

"Alright, that’s it." I switched off the dryer and yanked the entire bedspread off her. Pillow included.

Her reaction was instant; arms and legs flailing like someone tossed her into cold water. She shot upright and glared at me murderously.

"Don’t look at me like that," I scoffed, picking up the dryer again. "You slept before I did, and yet here I am."

She got up, dragged her feet like a zombie, and trudged toward the bathroom. “I hate you,” she grumbled before shutting the door.

“And yet,” I called out, “you still sneak out of your bed every night to cuddle me on mine.”

A second later, her muffled voice floated out, “I really hate you!” I chuckled, not bothering to give a comeback response.

I unplugged the dryer and kept it ready for her since hers spoiled yesterday. I turned to the closet, and my eyes landed on the red dress my dad gifted me last birthday. My chest tightened. I really miss him. I took it out and laid it on my bed. After putting on matching red lace underwear and slipping into the dress, I applied a bit of makeup, though I had no idea why effort suddenly mattered today, grabbed my sandals, and ran a brush through my hair. I was done.

“See you later, Berth,” I called as I headed for the door.

But of course, the bathroom door swung open. She burst out naked and dripping water on the floor, the shower still running behind her like it paid the water bill itself.

“Are you seriously leaving without me, Didi? Why wake me up then?” she demanded, hands on her hips, pout full force.

“Berth, I love you, but I’m not going to be late for you." I pointed toward the hallway. " I need to grab breakfast at the café before heading to school. Today’s Thursday—Amy Condos? The girl I tutor? If I miss breakfast, I'll probably starve till evening.”

“It’s only 6:15,” she whined, doing some ridiculous slippery dance across the wet floor. “Are you trying to win an award?”

…Leave it to Berth to choose that moment to play clown…

I opened the door and held it so it wouldn't smack back closed. “Maybe,” I tossed back casually.

“Oh please,” she scoffed, shooting me a knowing look before walking back to the bathroom to dry off. The shower finally stopped. “Maybe you just want to see yummy café boy,” she called out from inside the bathroom.

I rolled my eyes and stepped back inside, sinking onto her bed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I lied. “And Steve is not yummy.”

“Who said anything about Steve?” She reappeared with a wicked grin plastered on her face.

I groaned. Loudly. She laughed even louder. She loved pressing my buttons. She also knew this topic carved a frown onto my face every single time.

I took out my phone and quickly texted Amy to remind her about our tutoring session. If I didn’t, my day would be chaos. She’d definitely cancel because of something like “my dog needed emotional support.”

“I’m not going there because of him,” I muttered as I put my phone away. “My coffee is way more important.”

“Mm-hmm,” Berth responded with obvious disbelief while she continued dressing. “And I bet you don’t look like you want to stab every girl who flirts with him.” She paused, eyes narrowing as if searching for the right insult. “It’s like watching a starving cat glare at another cat eating his neighbour’s fish.”

“It’s too early for this,” I muttered. “Steve is just a friend. Nothing more.”

“But you’re not cool with that, are you?”

“Completely cool.” I grabbed my bag and stood. “Anyway, I’m off. I’ll get something for you just in case you appear before noon.” I retorted with sarcasm.

I blew her a kiss and headed for the door. “Also, Berth,” I added, pointing at the mini-lake on the floor, “clean that up before you break your pretty neck.”

She snorted, throwing me an I-know-you’re-running-away-from-this-conversation look. “Bossy. And wait...is that makeup on your face?”

I slammed the door before I had to answer.