Chapter 31: Meet Drake

I stayed in this small room for three days, barely going out. Outside, the street grew busier day by day. Susie and Abel would go out for a few hours every day. They invited me several times, but I declined. Rather than being a third wheel, I preferred to immerse myself in reading books. Besides, Herman is so small; I was worried about the awkwardness of bumping into Norton.

At six in the morning, car horns from outside woke me from my sleep. I closed my eyes, trying to fall back asleep, but it was futile. I turned on the table lamp and picked up Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own," leaning against the headboard to read. After an hour or so, I put the book down, got out of bed, and changed into a loose, purple cotton maxi skirt. I headed to the bathroom to freshen up but found the toothpaste was empty. I made do with a quick rinse and then left the room to go to the dining area for breakfast.

At this time, only a few people were in the restaurant. I picked up a tray at the counter