Chapter One

Weeks back…

The shrill sound of my alarm clock woke me up at 5a.m. Silencing it, I untangled myself from the heavy weight of my roommate's arms on me, climbed off the bed and exited to the bathroom with my phone. Placing my phone on the bathroom cabinet, I put to play my favourite song by Adele; someone like you, and performed my morning ritual of brushing my teeth and taking a hot relaxing shower. Done, I tied a robe and commenced to drying my hair only to discover the wall socket we normally used beside the bathroom mirror was faulty. 

"That's another expense. You are lucky I have an alternative." I pointed a warning finger to the socket. As if realising what I was doing I laughed dryly, shaking my head, "I'm talking to a spoilt wall socket. Perfect. I need my coffee."

Sighing, I unplugged the dryer and left the bathroom with it and my phone. I was shocked to see my roommate still sleeping when I entered the room. She was still on my bed, now in a scattered heap_ one hand hanging off the edge of the bed with fingers barely brushing the floor, the other hand tucked underneath her stomach which was surprisingly still on the bed, her legs tangled in a heap of bedspread, drool patch evident on the pillow case from slightly parted lips. I half expected the music playing and me singing to wake her but she didn't even move a muscle. 

I plugged the hairdryer to the wall socket close to my bed, sat on my bed and started drying my hair. The noise from the hairdryer and water drops on her face from my wet hair woke her up. She mumbled something about the music and noise before she tossed her head in the other direction, away from me. 

"Finally you decided to join us." I said with a hint of sarcasm.

I knew the noise from the dryer was pissing her off but it's my hair on the line. Groaning loudly, she covered her face with a pillow to shut the noise out. "You are going to be late for school if you spend another second on that bed, you know." she mumbled something under the pillow and ignored me.

"That's it. Get up from there." I turned off the hair dryer, turned to her and dragged the covers from her. Pillow included. She thrashed her legs and arms violentlyy then sprang up, giving me a murderous look. "Don't give me that look missy." I dumped my hand's content on the chair and returned to drying my hair. "You slept before I did yet here I am." 

She stood up sluggishly and walked to the bathroom. "I hate you." she tossed behind her before closing the bathroom door. 

"So you've said a million times but you still leave your bed every night to come cuddle me on my bed." 

I unplugged the dryer, and placed it on my bedside table since Berth's got spoilt yesterday so she was sure going to need it. Searching through the closet, my eyes caught the red dress my dad bought for me for my last birthday on a hanger and I just missed him. I took out the dress and tossed it on the bed, wore a red lacy panty and matching bra then put on the dress. Applying a touch of make up I didn't know why I bothered with today, I wore my sandals, ran a brush through my hair, and I was ready to go. 

"See you later Berth." I took my bag and was about leaving when Berth rushed out of the bathroom naked and dripping wet. The shower still running. 

"Are you planning to leave without me Didi? Why did you wake me then?" she stood hands akimbo, pouting. 

"Berth I love you but I can't go late for you. I need to get to the cafe down the street and grab breakfast before heading to school. If I wait for you, I might as well just skip breakfast which I can't. You do remember Amy, Amy Condos right?" At her nod I continued, "I have to tutor her. Its Thursday, remember? As it is, I might probably not make it to lunch."

"But it's still 6:15 Didi. Are you trying to win an award or something?" she started doing a crazy dance slide with the water dropping on the floor from her body. 

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

I opened the door and held the handle to prevent the it from shutting in my face, "Maybe." I replied to her question.

"Well I know for sure that's not the only reason young lady." She stated as she left for the bathroom to dry off. I heard the shower go off. "I know you just want to meet yummy cafe boy." She called from the bathroom.

Rolling my eyes, I retreated from going out, shut the door and went to sit on Berth's bed. "I don't know what you are talking about and Steve's not yummy." 

"Who said anything about Steve?" I groaned loudly. She was trying to push that button and really she was so close. She laughed out loud, obviously enjoying herself. She knew this discussion triggers the frowning lines to spread across my face. "Okay. Yeah, its about Steve. Stop being so cranky."

I pulled out my phone from my bag and sent a text message to Amy, reminding her of our appointment. It was necessary I did that or else, messed up would be an understatement to describe my day. She would definitely come up with an excuse as silly as she had to walk her dog. 

"I'm not going there because of him. My coffee is way more important." I said seconds later when I was done messaging Amy. 

"Yeah right. Like you don't want to just gobble him up anytime you see him." She said re-entering the room now wearing a white thong and matching bra with her hair wrapped in a towel. "I see the look on your face when those girls flirt with him. It's like… " She paused as if looking for the right words to say as she rummaged through the closet for something to wear. 

"It's too early in the morning to argue with you. Steve is just a friend. Nothing more." I said not giving her the room to think of something to say. 

"But you are not cool with that, are you?" 

"Of course I'm cool with it. You know what, I'm off. I'll get something for you in case you show up early." I blew a kiss at her as I made for the door but turned back again, "Berth, please clean that up before you trip and break your pretty neck." I pointed at the water on the floor. 

She snorted tossing me an I-know-you-are-just-running-away look, "Bossy. Wait, is that makeup on your face?" I heard her say before I closed the door.