I blinked awake, my eyelids heavy with sleep, but the warmth of the sun spilling through my open window coaxed me into the day. The light danced across my pink flower wallpaper, casting playful shadows that reminded me of the petals fluttering in the breeze outside. I stretched, feeling the soft cotton sheets against my skin, and took a moment to breathe in the familiar scent of my room—a mix of lavender from the sachet my father tucked under my pillow and the faintest hint of the warm pancakes he always baked on weekends.

As I sat up, my gaze drifted to the walls adorned with posters of Elvis Presley. His smirk seemed to promise a world of excitement, a world that felt just out of reach but tantalizingly close. I grinned, feeling a rush of energy that only the King could inspire. I could almost hear the crackling notes of "Jailhouse Rock" playing in my head, making me want to leap out of bed to put on my slippers.

The white silk curtains fluttered gently, whispering secrets to me as they swayed in the soft morning breeze. I loved how they caught the light, making the room glow like something out of a dream. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet hitting the cool wooden floor, and I stood up, stretching again, this time reaching for the ceiling as if to grasp the day ahead.

Through the window, I could hear the lively sounds of Dallas waking up. The cheerful chatter of neighbors greeting each other, the distant laughter of children playing outside, their voices rising and falling like a joyful chorus. It was a bright sunny day, the kind that made everything feel possible.

I padded over to the window, pushing the curtain aside to take in the view. The street was alive with the sights and sounds of morning—mothers calling for their children, the rhythmic clatter of a bicycle riding past, and the distant hum of a car engine. The world felt vibrant and full of life, and I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me.

Today was going to be special, I could feel it in my bones. Maybe I'd meet up with my friend at the diner for a milkshake, or perhaps we'd head to the park to soak up the sun and gossip about the latest happenings in our little corner of the world. I could already picture the laughter, the shared stories, and the dreams we would weave together under the vast Texas sky.

With a determined nod, I turned away from the window, ready to embrace whatever the day had in store. I quickly changed into my favorite sundress—bright yellow with white polka dots that twirled around me like a burst of sunshine. I brushed my hair, letting it fall in loose waves around my shoulders, and added a touch of lipstick, a pop of pink.

As I made my way out my bedroom, the smell of cinnamon wafted through the air, pulling me toward the kitchen like a magnet. My father stood by the stove, flipping pancakes, his robe dusted with flour. He turned to me, her face lighting up with a smile that warmed my heart.

"Good morning, sweetheart! You're just in time for breakfast," he said, his voice as sweet as the syrup sitting on the table.

"Morning, Dad." I replied, my excitement bubbling over. "Morning, Sushi." I said as I starched my cat's head as she jumped on the chair next to me.

The smell of pancakes filled the kitchen, mingling with the rich aroma of coffee as I sat at the table, my fork poised over the golden stack before me. My dad was flipping pancakes with the deftness of a seasoned pro, the sizzling sound mixing with the soft chatter of the radio playing in the background. I couldn't help but smile at the sight; he always made mornings feel special, and today was no different.

"Y/n, do you have any plans today?" he asked, sliding a perfectly cooked pancake onto my plate. The syrup bottle sat nearby, and I could already taste the sweetness on my tongue.

"Yeah, I'm going to Happy Days Cafe with Bri for milkshakes," I replied, pouring syrup generously over my pancakes, watching it pool in the little crevices. The thought of the cafe made my heart flutter; it was our favorite spot, a little slice of joy in our bustling lives.

My dad nodded in response, taking a bite of his own pancake. "Is Daren going to be there too?" he asked, his tone casual but with an undertone of curiosity.

At the mention of Daren, I felt my stomach twist slightly. I picked at my food, suddenly feeling less hungry. "Uh, no. We're not really talking right now," I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I avoided his gaze.

He sighed, the sound heavy with understanding. "Another fight, huh?"

I nodded, taking a bite of my pancake, the sweetness of the syrup clashing with the bitterness of the moment. It was hard to explain the mess of emotions swirling inside me, but I knew my dad could read me like a book.

"Y/n," he said, putting down his silverware and looking at me with a serious expression, "it will get better. Just give it time. He'll come around."

I scoffed, not quite ready to believe him. "You think so?" I asked, looking up to meet his eyes.

"Absolutely," he replied, his voice steady and reassuring. "You just need to be patient."

He reached out and placed his hand gently on my cheek, the warmth of his touch grounding me. "You're a beautiful girl, Y/n. Any guy would be extremely lucky to have my daughter in there life."

A smile crept onto my face, and I glanced back down at my food, feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. "Thanks, Dad," I murmured, my heart swelling at his words.

"And remember," he added, his tone lightening, "you can pull any boy because you look like your truly." He made a silly face, scrunching up his nose and puffing out his cheeks, trying to mimic me. "You look just like your old man!"

I couldn't help but burst into laughter, playfully throwing my napkin at him. "That's disgusting, Dad!"

We both laughed, the tension from earlier dissipating like morning mist. I loved these moments with him—simple yet profound, filled with laughter and love. As we continued our breakfast, we shared stories about our week, the little things that made us smile, and the dreams we held for the future.

"Do you remember the time we went to the fair?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "You were so scared of the Ferris wheel, but you insisted on going anyway."

I chuckled at the memory. "I thought I was going to fall off the top!"

He laughed heartily, and I felt a warmth spread through me, a reminder that no matter how complicated life got, these moments were what truly mattered.

As we finished our breakfast, I felt lighter, the worries of my teenage heart soothed by his unwavering support. I knew that no matter what happened with Daren, I had my dad in my corner, cheering me on and reminding me of my worth. And for now, that was more than enough.

We shared breakfast together, the clinking of forks and the laughter filling the room. My father's stories about my childhood and the adventures he had in Dallas made me feel connected to a history that was both mine and his. I listened intently, soaking in every word, imagining a time when the world was different yet somehow the same.

After breakfast, I slipped on my shoes, ready to step into the sun-soaked world outside. The door creaked open, and I stepped out onto the porch, breathing in the fresh air. The sun kissed my skin, and I felt an undeniable thrill as I made my way down the path, ready to embrace the day and all the adventures that awaited me in this vibrant city I called home.

With each step, I felt lighter, the worries of yesterday fading away. Today was a new beginning, and I was determined to make it unforgettable. Dallas was alive, and so was I.

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The bell above the door jingled cheerfully as Bri and I stepped into Happy Days Cafe, the familiar scent of fried food and sweet pastries enveloping us like a warm hug. We slid into a booth by the window, the sun streaming in and casting a golden glow over the checkered tablecloth. I could already feel the excitement bubbling inside me, especially as I thought about the milkshakes we were about to order.

"Hey there, girls! What can I get for you today?" the friendly waitress, Betty, asked as she approached our table, her smile bright and welcoming.

"I'll have a strawberry milkshake, please!" I said, my mouth watering at the thought of the creamy, sweet treat.

"And I'll take a chocolate milkshake," Bri chimed in, her purple purse sliding off her shoulder and landing on the counter with a soft thud.

"Okay, girls, coming right up!" Betty replied, jotting down our orders before gliding away, her apron swaying as she moved.

I turned to Bri, my excitement spilling over. "I can't believe we have one more year until we graduate high school. It feels like just yesterday we were freshmen, scared and lost. Soon, we'll be in the real world!"

Bri laughed, her eyes sparkling. "I know! It's insane how fast time flies. One minute we're worrying about homework, and the next, we'll be packing our bags for New York!"

I grinned at the thought. "Exactly! I can't wait to move to New York and work as a writer. Just imagine all the stories I could tell!"

As we chatted, the bell above the door jingled again, and I turned to see Daren walk in with a group of his friends. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a mix of emotions wash over me. He looked effortlessly cool, his golden locks catching the light and his blue eyes scanning the diner. I could see girls glancing his way, their eyes wide with admiration.

Bri nudged me gently. "How's you and Daren been?" she asked, her voice low.

I sighed, turning back to her. "You mean how he completely doesn't get that I'm not ready for anything serious? He gets totally overwhelmed by me he says." I replied, mimicking his overwhelmed expression with a dramatic flair, air-conditioning it with my fingers for emphasis.

Bri rolled her eyes, a knowing smile on her face. "Why don't you just leave him, then? You deserve someone who understands you."

Before I could respond, Betty returned with our shakes, placing them in front of us with a flourish. "Enjoy, girls" she said, her eyes twinkling.

"Thank you, Betty!" Bri and I chimed in unison, our voices bright with gratitude.

I took a sip of my strawberry milkshake, the sweet flavor bursting on my tongue, and sighed contentedly. "This is exactly what I needed," I said, feeling the tension of the morning slip away.

Bri took a sip of her chocolate milkshake, her eyes lighting up. "Oh wow, this is heavenly. But seriously, Y/n, about Daren..."

I leaned back in the booth, swirling my straw in the milkshake, contemplating my next words. "I just don't know if I'm ready for all that drama right now. I mean, we're about to graduate, and I have so many plans. I don't want to get distracted."

"Fair enough," Bri said, her expression softening. "But don't let him hold you back. You're too talented and ambitious for that."

I nodded, appreciating her concern. "You're right. I just need to figure out what I want and stick to it."

As we continued to sip our shakes and chat about our dreams, the noise of the diner faded into the background. I felt a sense of comfort in this moment, a reminder that no matter what happened with Daren or any of the chaos of high school, I had Bri by my side.

"Let's make a pact," Bri said suddenly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "No matter what happens next year, we'll always support each other. We'll be each other's biggest fans."

I grinned, feeling a rush of warmth. "Deal! Best friends forever, right?"

"Forever," she echoed, raising her milkshake for a toast.

As our glasses clinked together, I felt a renewed sense of hope. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we would face them together, one milkshake at a time.

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WORDS WRITTEN: 2127