The sun bleeding through the curtains is too loud.

My head throbs, and my mouth tastes like bad decisions and tequila. My lashes feel crusty. I blink slowly, smudging last night’s mascara across my cheek as I rub my eyes. There’s the faint smell of weed on my clothes, and Yannie on my bed. Sweat clinging to my skin, my body aches sadly with the remnants of last night, and not from being folded like a sexy pretzel. I pout, the empty silence tells me I’m the only one here. I think

Zaniyah was supposed to crash with Michael.
But he didn’t answer—or maybe she just didn’t feel like dealing with his mess.
She texted me around 4 a.m. “Going to your place. Love you.”
No emoji. She must’ve been tired, tired. Thanks to her, Yannie had to drop me home, at least they spent the night, so I did get some love, just not the type I was hoping for.

I roll over, arm outstretched. No phone.

Right. Social media purge. I gave it up like a bad habit.
But now… that itch returns. Plus, what kind of friend and partner would I be if I didn’t follow up with my peoples, right?... right

My eyes land on my dresser. Zaniyah’s purse sits on top, right where she must’ve tossed it before knocking out. How on earth does your drunken ass remember to police me? I roll my eyes, pulling myself away from my mattress's comfort. I hesitate—just for a second—before I tiptoe over and dig quietly until my fingers wrap around the weight of my phone.

It hums in my palm like it missed me.

Just a peek.

Unlock.
And straight to Flickstagram.

My peoples can wait.

The app opens like a trapdoor. Notifications flood in—blurry party photos, tagged posts, people commenting “Rora’s back 🔥,” a DM from someone I definitely shouldn’t be talking to, and a video of me high and dancing on a speaker twelve hours ago going semi-viral. Lovely

 I scroll past it all.

Then I see her. 

Posted forty minutes ago.

Carys.

I pause. My stomach tightens the way it always does when her name enters the room—even in pixels. Screw the new algorithm, what happened to the days when you only saw posts from the people you followed?

I tap it.

The photo is a drawing. Pencil, soft, shaded with a kind of care that feels… intimate. It captures her with this far-off look in her eyes, like she’s thinking of something that makes her sad, but she won’t say what. Her jawline is softer in the sketch. Her hair was tucked behind her ear, the way she used to like it. Her lips parted slightly like she’s on the edge of saying something and never does.

My breath catches. I know that look. I’ve seen it before—when it was just for me.

The caption reads:
“She caught a piece of me I didn’t know I’d left behind.”

I stare. Re-read.

My chest sinks.

“She.”
I’m familiar with that style. That tone. That name in the tags:
@selahthedon.

I zoom in, studying every detail of the sketch of Carys. The art is good. Real good.
But what makes my stomach twist isn’t the technique.

It’s that someone else saw her like that.
Still. Quiet. Beautiful.
Someone else noticed her sadness and turned it into something delicate.

I used to draw her like that, too.

Before she stopped looking at me long enough to let me.

Selah? Really Carys

I roll my eyes. Of course, it’s Selah.

We all went to high school together. Selah used to hang out by the art wing, sketchbook in hand, that dreamy stoner energy like she was floating through life without ever touching the ground. I remember exactly how Carys used to look at her.

I used to pretend not to notice.

Carys never said it out loud, but everyone knew she had a thing for Selah. Even back then. Even while we were still… well, while I was still secretly in love with her.

And now Selah’s drawing her like that? Like she knows her sadness. Like she’s been invited to sit with it.

I zoom in, again, just to torture myself.
I feel the jealousy bloom sharp and stupid behind my ribs.

I lock my phone fast and set it down face-first on the nightstand. The sound of it hitting the wood feels too final.

The quiet feels heavier than before.

My feet carry me on autopilot to my desk. I open my sketchbook and flip through the pages until I find her, Carys, half-finished. Shaded but not defined. Stuck in limbo like the version of her I still dream about. A penciled ghost of a girl I used to know.

My fingers hover over the page, but I don’t draw. I just stare.

At what I never finished.
          What I never said.

My phone dings, bringing a quick close to the quiet that was slowly suffocating me moments before. “Esmesselda” displayed at the top of my screen. I chuckle at the contact name I gave her.

“Hey, Roro just wanted to check in after last night. Ci and I got… a little wild. I hope I didn’t cross any boundaries with you or mess up our vibe. You good with all that?”

“Hey! Thanks for checking. Honestly, it was unexpected, but you handled it well. I’m good, really.”

“Good to hear. I don’t want to be that kind of drama in your life. You deserve peace.”

Her all-too-kind words sting more than they would on a normal day. Whatever that is. “You may indeed be a little messy, but you’re far from drama. If anything, you’re a welcomed distraction right now.”

“I’ll take that. Just so you know, Ci and I? It might be a thing… or not. No pressure, no promises, but maybe more rounds.😏🍆”

I laugh to myself, “The mystery continues. I’m here for whatever it turns into.”

“And hey, if Ci tries to steal me again, you call dibs, yeah?”

 “Deal.” I close our thread and switch to the gc that has been dinging away in the background.

Z❤️ “Soooooo... last night was interesting. Ci? You still breathing?”

CiCi❤️ “Barely, I’m still doing something close enough to be considered standing.”

Z❤️ “YOU SLUTTTT. I demand details.”

CiCi❤️ “Let’s just say there was... a strap involved. And I was an eager little playground.”

“A strap you say  👀🍵😳, do go on. And Zaniyah, you’re awake and couldn’t even come greet me. Rude”

Z❤️ “My apologies, I was in need of some morning tea before I started making us some breakfast, had to check in on our lil ‘eager’  beaver”

CiCi❤️ “Eager was a bit of an understatement. I was fucking on fire. And not just from the drinks. Mostly because we had zero chill from the couch to the kitchen and finally the bedroom 😈”

I laugh at her message before hearting it. “At least one of us got their pretzel treatment 🙄”

Z❤️ “Hey I didn’t get any EITHER. At least you’re getting breakfast”

“Fair point. I’d like some waffles, please. Chocolate maybe, with strawberries ”

CiCi❤️ “Wait wait wait — you’re at Rora’s?”

Z❤️ “Yeah,🙄🙄🙄 Michael’s dumbass never answered the phone. I was outside his place for like 20 minutes before I gave up and crashed here”

CiCi❤️ “Whattt, no fair. I want free breakfast too. I’m on my way … I may or may not have to stop at my house first.”

Z❤️ “Ohhhh, you’re still there. Is this the start of something neww?”

 “felt sooo right with her inside of you. OOH-OHHH ”

CiCi❤️ “If you two don’t shut y’all asses up” she replied still HAHA reacting at our messages

“Well Ese did tell me that the two of you would be seeing more of each other.. So are you two dating or what”

CiCi❤️ “Define ‘dating’,  because I’m pretty sure “fuck buddies who also cuddle” is the vibe.”

Z❤️ “Or as I call it — “probably gonna catch feelings but nah let’s not talk about it.””

“Exactly, this might get messy. Are you sure you’re ready for whatever love triangle you might end up in?”

CiCi❤️ “Hmmmm, I’d love a threesome”

Z❤️ “Well, shit. I’m here for the drama. 🍿”

“Shall the odds be ever in your favor”

CiCi❤️  “Thank you, your liege. Your grace knows no bounds. Should I pack a bag? What’s the vibe for today?”

Z❤️ “Sleepover?”

“SLEEPOVERRRRR”

YESSSSSS. Another girls' night full of fun and laughter, the timing couldn’t be any better. I stick my head out my room door letting Z know I left her some clothes on the bed before hopping in the shower. 

I scroll through viewtube trying to find a nice, cutesy vlog to watch while we eat our breakfast. 

“You got any champagne, Ro? I’m in the mood for mimosas.” 

“No, but I’ll order some. You sure you want to drink again? I’m surprised none of us has a hangover.”

“Yes, I’m sure. I was the Designated Protector, remember, I was drinking water between every round. Now, I’m in the house. It’s the weekend and I’m cheffin’ it up for you bitches. I deserve a mimosa, several actually.”

“Now… You know how we rotate the DP role, right, and technically this is our next outing, right… That means I’m the DP, but since we’re in the house, I can drink to my heart’s content.”

“UH-UH That’s not how it works. Don’t do Anycia like that.”

The door swings open. “Don’t do Anycia like what??” She walks in, playfully looking us up and down

“Ro is trying to swindle her way out of DP duty by labeling this as an outing.” 

“You can’t have an OUTing INside,” she throws her bag at me

I fall dramatically on the floor “Y tu brute” 

“Matter fact” is all I hear Anycia say before seeing her throw her shoes off and tackle me. Soon after the fake blows begin 

“Oh, so you wanna talk about motherss?” I flip her over before standing up and softly acting out an aerial wrestling technique 

Ci taps the ground 3 times. I stand up, flexing my muscles, “YEAHHHH. Undefeated champion” 

“It won’t stay that way if you don't order that champagne before I finish this food,” I look over to see Z side eyeing me

“Yes, ma’am. Even though you snitched on me,” I say matter of factly, returning her side eye

Anycia plops down on the couch, “So what’s for breakfast?” picking up the remote and switching to a streaming app

“I made the Belgian waffles, chocolate and plain, with strawberries and bananas on the side. Cream-filled French toast, bacon, vegan chipotle sausages, eggs over easy, and scrambled. Some fruit: pineapples, green apples, grapes, blueberries, and pomegranates.  We also got some smoothies if you don’t want a mimosa or just to balance out the liquor. I’m still contemplating frying this chicken, we can make those chicken and waffles sammiches.”

“And to think you ain't get no dick last night when I just KNOW you were in Michael's house cooking up a storm that week” Ci shakes her head, practically drooling

“LIKEEEE? I’m saying, though. The least you can do is pin me to the mattress.”

“I don’t know about no mattress pinning, but I can set this order to priority. You’re worth the extra 1.50,” I smile at her 

“I’m worth millions babe, but for now, I’ll accept your raggedy 1.50.”

“Raggedy???” My mouth drops. “Well, I never.”

“Never spent more than 1.50?? That’s a damn shame.”

“You know what, Z. I feel like we should be fighting, what we should be doing is tag teaming Ci because she got dealt with.”

“You’re actually right, Ro. Imma burn one of everything just for you, CiCi.” Z smiles devilishly before blowing her a kiss 

She squints her eyes at me, mouthing “Sleep with one eye open.”

“So chicken? No chicken?” 

 Ci and I look at each other and share a nod “Chicken” 

“So,” I sit next to Ci, laying my legs in her lap, “Are we like coworker in laws now or what?” I tease 

“If it means free services for me, then yes. Yes, we are.”

“Yeah… free… Of courseee. Now, DETAILS, you only gave us a trailer via the group chat. We are unsoiled and practically born again virgins, please, sir… can I have some more?” I do my best puppy dog eyes before throwing in the blinking + pout combo

“Waiiittt, save that convo for when we’re sitting down, full of food and drunk on adult orange juice”

“The lady of the kitchen has spoken. Details delayed until further notice.”

“Your terms have been accepted,” I say, touching the tips of my fingers spread out fingers together, channeling my best godfather impression

I hold up a controller in front of her. “Wanna play while we wait?”

“Are you a sore loser?” She grabs the controller, grinning.

“I wouldn’t know. I’d have to lose first.” I smirk.

“Game on, Roro.”

I pull up Blob Brawlers, the ridiculous ragdoll-fighting game we always end up screaming over.

As always 10 minutes into gameplay and we’re yelling like sailors.

“I thought you didn’t lose hun”

“You cheated! You were still fighting when I went to grab the champagne and snacks.”

“You got us snacks too? A brave sacrifice that granted me a moment of opportunity. I regret nothing” 

“I hope you choke on your food.”

“Wow so not only am I getting burnt food, you want me to die too? That’s crazy”

“You’ll be missed. I’ll make sure Ese doesn’t bring a date to the funeral”

I laugh as her mouth drops, but something about the look in her eye is a little off. A little familiar. I shake it off, maybe I’m just projecting.

“Food is readyyy ladies. Help me with these platters” 

I jump up excited to eat, no stranger to Zaniyah’s cooking prowess. As we set the platters down on my coffee table I see Anycia sneak off to the bathroom out the corner of my eye. 

“So you gon cheat and not help?” I yell after her, slowly shaking my head in disapproval