Waking up alone is not a new feeling, especially if you are an early riser. Even if you slept with someone the night before, it was not surprising if they left earlier to avoid meeting you. But somehow, I was astonished when I woke and found the space next to me empty. Peter didn't seem to be that kind of guy who leaves, rather he was the type to wake you up and fix time for the next meeting.

I wore my slippers and grabbed the bathrobe kept on the table. When I found no one in the bathroom, I moved out of the room. I peeked in the other rooms, which were either trashed and empty or filled with sleeping couples. 

I sighed, deciding not to bother with the guy. He will come when he wants to. I went back to the washroom and washed my face. I looked up and screamed. My eyes were red. Not the kind of red you get when you cry a lot, my irises were red. It looked like I was wearing contacts. I splashed water into my eyes, rubbed them, even tried to put eye drops. But the colour just won't leave. 

I will meet an eye doctor later, I decided. I slipped into the bathtub, trying to relax my rigid muscles. 

---

I sat in my car and waited, maybe Peter would appear out of nowhere. Maybe he had left the house in the morning to get grocery. I was wearing sunglasses, to hide the colour of my eyes. An unfortunate account with another person had taught me that questions would arise about my eyes. 

As I drove out of the parking, I checked my phone for any messages. Of course, there wouldn't be any, no one I knew would be awake at 8 in the morning. But when I did see a message, my eyes widened. I kept my phone in my purse, and focussed back on the road. The road was empty, except for a few taxis, which were also rare. 

I parked my car and stepped out of it to the calm of my house. It was usually really bustling and noisy, but this early, it was dead silent. I took out my phone and checked the message.

Unknown: Hope you enjoyed the party. It was nice to know you. Love, Peter.

Oh, so at least the guy is alive. I quickly typed back a generic response, and walked to my room. I kept my purse in the giant 13 on my wall and fell on my bed, my phone falling beside me. My blanket was lying neatly folded at one end of the bed, my pillows at another. If anyone saw my room, they would think I am gothic or something. 

It was painted ceiling to floor in dark colours. The ceilings had glow-in-the-dark stars. The wall were mostly empty, except for a few photos and of course, the giant number 13.  Even my cat, Lucifer, was black. 

So imagine my surprise when a bright white light blinded me. I looked at the source and found the silhouette of a man there. The man stepped out and I shouted.

***