There was a moment of panic when the screen shut off, not giving me much time to see what the notifications were. I cursed as I searched for a charger in a panic. Who didn't have a charger that was just out? Me apparently. In my scramble the contents of the shoebox spilled all over the floor, pictures and papers flutter in a chaotic mess around my feet.

A chuckle came from behind me, and again my head whipped towards the noise.

“Jumpy?” Adrien asked, hovering in the doorframe.

“Frustrated.” I corrected, kneeling down to collect the mess I’d created. Adrien's footsteps echoed against the wooden floor as he moved towards me. He kneeled down, though not too close, and started to help me collect the papers.

“It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” He commented, handing me a collection of documents.

“How optimistic,” I replied sarcastically. I knew he meant well, but this wasn’t the time to rip sayings off of motivational blogs.

“You used to say that all the time, you know?” He sounded far away, remembering a different place and time.

“Listen, whoever she was… she’s not me anymore, alright? I may not ever be that version of Kristal that you know.” it was a very realistic way of thinking, at least to me… but it came out a lot harsher and more bitter than I wanted it to.

“This never should have happened to you.” it was a complete tonal shift, from nostalgic to almost aggressive. “I took precautions, you were supposed to be safe.”

What was I supposed to do? I could see tears forming in his eyes… and it hurt me. My chest tightened in pain at the sight of Adrien in pain. I reached over and gently laid a hand on his shoulder.

“We’ll figure it out, alright?” it was my best attempt at comforting him, especially after being a bitch just a moment ago. “We’ve got a week until I have to try and fake being myself again… we’ll figure it out.”

Adrien almost looked amused by my attempts as he wiped the tears from his eyes. Chuckling again he adjusted so he was sitting on the floor instead of kneeling.

“You know, this should be flipped, I should be the one comforting you as you bawl in my arms.” His voice was light and joking, but he was very clearly suffering.

“Whatever,” I said with a chuckle, shaking my head and rolling my eyes. For the first time I looked down at the papers in my hands, they looked like receipts and official letters. Important documents that were… just in a box under my bed?

“Hey, do you know why these were under there?” I asked nodding towards my bed.

“Yeah, you kept anything you thought was important under your bed. Most of it is tax stuff, receipts, and shit that you can claim.”

“What about the pictures?”I asked as I shuffled through them, I recognized myself but there was a woman's face I didn’t recognize. We looked close… closer than typical friends I would say.

“Uh… your ex-girlfriend,” the hesitation in his voice worried me ever so slightly. I glanced from the pictures back to him, waiting for more of an explanation.

“You guys were on again, off again for the last few years... She was jealous, you know? Super insecure about herself, and you’d fight all the time. I don’t think I got a good nights sleep when she stayed over.” as he spoke he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away, seeming uncomfortable with the situation.

“When did we break up?” I couldn’t help but be curious, especially when the woman in the picture had no reason to be insecure. She had an almost ethereal beauty to her, and her features contrasted mine in almost every picture. She rocked hot pink hair that fell in waves well past her shoulders, While it looked like I was a flannel and sweaters type of girl she seemed to wear a lot of stylish clothes, and decked herself out in jewelry. I couldn’t see a picture where she wasn’t rocking amazingly done makeup… if anything I’d say she was out of my league.

“A weeks ago, and I don’t think you guys were going to make up. You said you were done.” I could hear the awkwardness in his voice. This was important though, right? If she was a major part of my life… she’d know me pretty well.

“I should talk to her… I mean, we should talk to her… right? Maybe… maybe she knows something.” I couldn’t lie, my reasons or wanting to meet her were selfish. Looking at these pictures I felt like something was just on the tip of my tongue like a door was finally going to open. It couldn’t hurt, right?

“... I’ll figure it out,” Adrien said with a sigh. He didn’t seem to like the idea, that much was obvious. “I know Val’s going to stop by tomorrow for werewolf 101, we can call her after that.”

After he spoke it reminded me of the dead phone.

“Do you know where I keep my charger? I found my phone but the thing died as soon as I picked it up.” I grabbed the cell from where I’d abandoned it and waved it to emphasize how dead it was.

“Yeah, it should be plugged into your alarm.” He stood up to go look at my nightstand, then his face crumpled into confusion.

“Weird…” He muttered before shrugging, “There should be a cord by your computer then.”

I got up and walked over to the computer, checking the drawers again to see if I’d missed it.

“Here it is!” I pulled the purple USB cord out and plugged it into my computer, then the other end into my phone. It was a relief that made way for the exhaustion to finally hit. I was mentally and physically drained. This whole day had been far too much or me.

“You want something to eat? I can order Chinese if you're hungry.” Adrien asked, pulling me back to the present.

“I think I’m going to sleep, to be honest,” My voice sounded tired. Adrien looked disappointed, but he didn't push.

“Alright, well… if you need anything I’m a floor away.” As he moved to leave he stopped at the door frame, hesitating again as if he wanted to say something… but again he didn’t. He left with whatever it was unspoken.

I didn’t have time to dwell on it, my eyes were starting to feel heavy and my body felt sluggish. Without changing, I plopped on to my bed and drifted off to sleep.