My brain has been absent for the past few days.

Despite the sugar, salt, fiber, and protein I've supplied it with, it simply refuses to return. It feels like it's been up all night, slogging through a mental marathon. My brain, now, is emitting a fog of contaminated thoughts.

My body feels like it has been stashed in a refrigerator, and at long last, someone has mercifully taken me out of it.

I crave someone to press my body against, to absorb their warmth, and simply rest on their chest while I still have the chance. My eyelashes feel as heavy as five-kilogram weights, initiating a tug-of-war between my eyes as they battle to stay open or give in to sleep.

Aiden left about two hours ago, after instructing me to stay home, without exchanging another word with me. Our eyes never met, no smile graced his face, and his voice sounded groggy. His clothing appeared disorganised as if it hadn't been properly ironed.

If someone had told me this would happen four years ago, I would have staked my life on it not being true. But I've come to realize that the future can't be meticulously planned. However, I could have shaped the outcome. I could have fucking changed everything!

Lifting the blue blanket with white dots, I place my wobbly feet on the ground. Everything around me feels like a constellation of stars, shifting and moving. Closing my eyes, I wait a few seconds for the spinning sensation to subside.

Using the bed as support, I muster the energy to lift myself up and reluctantly make my way to the bathroom. After stripping down to nothing, I grab my new toothbrush and toothpaste, then head into the shower.

Turning the tap on, I allow my body to slide down the wall to the cold tile floor. The tiles chill my skin, much like a ball of snow. I place the toothbrush on the floor, unconcerned about the germs, and lower my head between my legs.

The warm water cascades in a perfect rhythm, running from my scalp down my back, soothing my senses.

Why can't life be this way all the time?

Nothing but warmth, calmness, and tranquillity. I crave this feeling more than anything. In fact, I think everyone should experience this once in a blue moon. Whether you're a young adult or an older person, we all need a respite from the chaos that gnaws at us from within.

Lifting my head back up, I pick up the toothbrush and angle it to brush my teeth. In about three minutes, I brush and spit directly into the drain to prevent the toothpaste from landing on my skin. Then, I rinse both my mouth and the brush. Opening the door, I throw the toothbrush onto my clothes on the floor and sit back down.

My conscience nags at me for letting the water run as waste.

Without giving much thought to washing my hair since I've already done it this week, I get up and use Aiden's sponge, lathering it with soap and applying it to my face and body before rinsing off. Using his sponge might seem a bit odd, but it's not as if we haven't shared practically our entire lives together.

It's always been him and me, regardless of our attempts to pretend otherwise.

I dry myself with the towel I used last night, wrapping it around my body, then picking up my soiled clothes and toothbrush before heading toward the wardrobe. I select a short-sleeved shirt of Aiden's and put it on.

Walking back to the bed, I straighten the sheets and arrange the pillows in their proper positions. While I may be a girl with minimal cooking skills, my mother did teach me how to make a neat bed. In fact, cleaning is the one household chore I excel at.

I grab my phone and leave the room to find something to eat. Glancing at my messages, I notice three missed calls and seven messages from Cora, along with twenty-six missed calls and nineteen messages from Selena, not to mention thirteen voicemails from Sebastian. My lock screen is littered with these people's names.

Tapping on the messages icon, I'm confronted with last night's message from the 'unknown' sender. I'm relieved that I had the courage to tell Aiden about it after he finished his phone call. I actually considered keeping it to myself, but then I remembered that a lack of communication was what got me into this misery in the first place.

He immediately called Peter again to inform him about the message, and Peter requested that the number be sent to him. After some back and forth, they instructed me to keep them informed about everything the person sends. Aiden's exact words were, "I want you to tell me exactly what they send, how they phrase it, and what time." I thought about suggesting that I could just show him, but I decided to keep my mouth shut because I'd already caused enough trouble.

After messaging Selena, "I'm fine, everything is just peachy," I call Cora, and she answers on the fifth ring.

"You're alive?" She screams in my ear, her tone filled with alarm.

"I'm okay if that's what you meant to ask."

"No, I meant to ask if you were alive. Don't put words into my mouth."

I burst into laughter at her exaggerated tone, appreciating Cora's unique and vibrant personality, which has always set her apart from anyone I've ever met.

"Okay, madam, I'm alive," I reply with a smile.

She hums in acknowledgment, her relief and concern for me coming through in her voice.

"Honey!" A male voice calls out to Cora, but it's notably distinct from Ethan, her husband. I strain to recall whose voice it might be, but its faintness makes it difficult to identify.

My thoughts race as I wonder why my usually predictable best friend is acting so strangely.

"I have to go," she says, bringing our call to an abrupt end.

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