"Nalani Beth, why are you just now calling?"

I glanced at the clock. "It's only eleven, Mama."

She huffed on the other end. I could feel her death glare like she was right in front of me.

"Is everything okay?" I prompted, slowly sitting up. My head throbbed, every muscle in my body aching.

"You haven't called in two weeks. You said you'd let me know how it went."

I rubbed my forehead. "What?"

"The interview! What is going on with you, young lady?"

"Nothing," I yawned. "Tired."

"You're hungover," she ground out, and before I could say a word, she said, "Don't even try to deny it, missy."

"I'm an adult," was my only defense.

"We'll talk about that later. How did the interview go?"

"I didn't get it. They wanted someone with more 'presence'." I popped an aspirin, draining more than half the water Major left.

"That's bullshit, and code for 'bigger boobs'."

"Mom!"

"Did you at least apply somewhere else?"

"Everywhere else wants the degree now, not a month from now when I graduate."

She sighed, her disappointment seeping through the phone.

"But there is one that I might try."

"Go on," she drawled, and I knew it was paired with narrowed eyes.

"It's for Fuller Events—they do a lot of high-end weddings. It's super competitive, though—"

"So, no problem for you?"

"Mama, it's not that simple."

"Lani, you want it, right?"

"Well, yeah—"

"Then go for it!" she cheered, the sudden noise shooting straight to my pounding head. "The worst they can say is no."

Rubbing my forehead, I rolled my eyes. "That was only encouraging before the first rejection."

"From failure, you learn," she said in a Yoda voice, clearly proud of herself.

"I need to get ready for work," I grumbled. "I'll call you tonight, okay?"

"Okay, sweetheart. Have a good day hungover!" she teased, hanging up instantly.

When the call disconnected, the unread messages popped on screen. I reread only one, my heart picking up with every word. Broken memories of the pathetic drunk I was last night started popping up.

Sighing, I set my phone aside and decided to start the day, albeit a little late.

The hangover didn't truly hit until I stood up and nearly fell flat on my face. This wouldn't have been a big deal if Melody's shift was night. Intentionally, Ronnie didn't mention hers was mid until it was too late to switch.

After a hot shower, I barely felt better. The ice picks in my brain were persistent and no amount of aspirin or water seemed to help. My limbs had just enough capability to keep me upright, but not much beyond that. I knocked into several walls on the way to the stairs.

But I figured out quickly that I got off easy.

Brook was slumped over a trash can in the living room, Rye asleep facedown on the floor beside her. He was still in his uniform, caked with dried alcohol and vomit.

I tiptoed across the hall into the kitchen, gliding across the creaky hardwood floors. Both were heavy sleepers, but waking either one up in their conditions would spell trouble. Last time someone accidentally woke Brook up the next morning, we had to replace the standing lamp.

While I was brewing coffee, Major came through the front door, drenched in sweat with a towel around his neck.

"Hey, sleepy," he whispered, kicking off his shoes.

I waved meekly.

"You feeling okay?"

"Kinda."

"You look better than them." He gestured to the pair in the living room. "Saw them on my way out and . . . yikes."

"I hope so. She outdrank me by, like, ten shots."

"I wonder where she puts it all," Major said, looking over at her. She was fully hunched over the trash can now, practically laying in it.

I started to comment where, but Brook stirring again made the insult die on my tongue.

Major moved behind me, grabbing a mug from the cabinet. "Baby steps," he said in my ear, then set it under the coffee machine.

I glared up at him. "There's steps and there's being an ass."

"The latter wouldn't be the worst thing once in a while." He tapped a button on the machine, holding his breath before whispering, "I overheard her the other day, talking on the phone."

I traced the rim of the mug in my hands. "And?"

"She doesn't think very highly of you."

"Of course she does," I scoffed, shaking my head. "I'm her best friend."

"I'd fix your definition of friend then." He started to walk away, mug in hand, but he paused in the archway. "If I were you, I'd use girls' night to my advantage next time."

When he disappeared up the stairs, I watched Brook stir in her sleep.

He couldn't be right, not after everything that happened. I wanted to believe she still cared as much as she did the night she saved me. I wanted to believe that, in her own way, she still loved me.

Memories of the night before began surfacing, how she always changed with alcohol. If Major was telling the truth, that was who she really was.

↠

Today 11:38 AM

Lani
My prince?

Unknown
according to drunk you
i'm your prince

Lani
God I'm so sorry
I'm not a lightweight but I had way too much

What else did I say??

Unknown
nothing crazy
no confessions about being a serial killer

Lani
Good
If you knew that...
I'd have to kill you

Unknown
you shouldn't do that to your prince

Lani
You're not letting that go huh

Unknown
nope it was hilarious

Lani
I'm really sorry Clay

Unknown
stop stressing
it didn't bother me

Edit Contact
Added "Clay"

Lani
It bothers me
I'm such an idiot

Clay
nala stop
please
you're fine

Lani
Promise?

Clay
promise

Lani
I still feel stupid

Clay
you know how you can make it up to me?

Lani
What?
I'll do anything

Clay
now that i know your first name...
what's your middle?

Lani
You want to know my middle name?

Clay
yep
then all is forgiven

Lani
Fine
Beth

Clay
Nalani Beth

Lani
Yeah
I hate it but my mom
wanted us to be "matchy"

Clay
what's your moms name

Lani
Stalker
Julianne Beth

Clay
pretty

Lani
Way better than mine

Clay
i like yours

Lani
Whatever
I have to go to work hungover
I'll text you if I don't die

Clay
haha ok
bye nala

Lani
Bye Clay

↠

"You look like shit."

"Don't say that about her!"

Ronnie rubbed the side of his face, which was slowly turning red. "I should fire you."

Melody propped a hand on her hip. "You know damn well you won't. Now, apologize to her."

Ronnie reluctantly looked at me, sighing heavily. "But it's—"

Melody raised her hand again, and Ronnie practically ducked under his desk. "If you don't apologize, I swear, I will kick your ass."

Half his size and four years younger, Melody made Ronnie sweat.

Groaning, he faced me again. "Nalani, I'm sorry you look like shit."

I ducked out before witnessing a murder. As much as I loved Melody, I wanted no part of the impending lawsuit coming her way.

When I reached the front of the diner, apron tied and hair up, I realized I looked worse than I felt. The aspirin finally kicked the headache, leaving only soreness from some poor decisions involving flight attempts.

Rye had plenty of videos, sent as I was pulling into the diner parking lot. I knew he was awake, but I assumed Brook was still asleep by the lack of messages from her.

Along with the videos, there was a short text.

Today 11:55 AM

rye :)
so brook mentioned last night that you talk to dream?

The thought of Brook telling Rye about Dream made my stomach turn. I liked the bubble I'd created with Dream and the others. It was safe and completely my own. It had nothing to do with Brook and her influence; I wanted it to stay that way.

My reply was quick, a single word. I couldn't think of anything else.

"Okay, lovely, I'm out."

I glanced up from a dirty table to see Melody grinning like a maniac. "What did you do?"

"I taught Ronnie a little lesson." She waved her hand. "Don't worry about it."

I rolled my eyes, hiding my own smile. "I'll hear all about it soon."

She winked. "I hope so. That's what he gets for being rude."

Wiping my hands on my apron, I eyed her quizzically. "Why are you here anyway? I took your shift."

Melody burned bright red. "To visit!"

"Right."

She chewed on her bottom lip, eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong with—?"

With surprising strength, Melody dragged me into the girls' bathroom, confusing plenty of customers on the way. She locked the door behind us, pressing her back against the wood.

I crossed my arms over my chest, raising an eyebrow. "Are you on crack?"

"What? No." She started pacing around the small space, pinning her lip between her teeth again. "I'm . . . debating."

"Debating what, you crackhead?"

"Telling you something." Melody shot me a look like that was obvious. "It's something you can't repeat to anyone."

I tilted my head at her. "You okay, Mel?"

Melody paused in front of the sink, resting her hands on the sides. "I'm seeing someone."

My eyes widened. Melody's favorite pastime was dating around, experiencing new things and making memories.

"You're gonna be mad . . ."

I rested a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to turn and face me. "Mel, why would I be mad? I'm glad you finally—"

"It's Ronnie." The second the words escaped, she clamped her eyes shut and tilted her head down. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know I should've told you. It was stupid and—"

I wrapped my arms around her, fitting snugly against her smaller frame. By her ear, I said, "Hate to break it to you, but I'm not surprised."

She shoved me away, pouting. "You suck! This was supposed to be dramatic!"

"This isn't a soap, Melody. Plus, the tension between you two is disgusting."

Melody smacked my shoulder, making me laugh. "You're not mad?"

I shook my head. "I was waiting for it, honestly. I always thought you'd be cute together."

Relief crossed her face, lighting up her features. The bright, bubbly Melody I knew and loved was back.

"So, yeah, that's why I was here. I brought him lunch since he isn't taking a real break today." Melody blushed, staring at her feet.

I shook her shoulders excitedly. "Too cute! How long?"

Melody tapped her chin. "Almost a month. He asked me out after that disaster of a date I was telling you about."

I remembered that night clearly. She called me in a panic, saying she couldn't sit with the guy another second. Her reason: he didn't like Friends.

"Congrats," I said, hugging her again. "But please, don't be gross in front of me."

She giggled mischievously. "Just for that, I'm coming back at the end of your shift and planting a wet one on his face right in front of you."

I physically recoiled, holding a hand over my mouth. "Good thing we're in the bathroom, I'm going to be sick!"

"Drama queen."

Dreama queen.

My heart fluttered.

I lowered my hand, hesitantly turning toward Melody. "I actually have something to tell—"

A loud pounding at the door made us both jump, followed by a distressed cry from a toddler.

Melody stifled a laugh, grabbing my hand and bolting past an angry mother and child.

Ronnie was at the counter waiting for us, arms crossed. "What were you two doing?"

"Spilling secrets," I said, winking at him.

He gulped, flicking his gaze toward Melody.

She beamed at him in response, her eyes full of excitement. "She knows."

Ronnie coughed into his hand, gesturing for me to come closer. Once out of earshot of the customers and other employees around us, he said, "Please, you can't say a word. If anyone found out—"

"Your secret is safe with me," I promised, earning a tight hug from Melody.

"Thank you," he breathed, holding a hand against his head. Clearing his throat, he straightened and forced the smile from his face. "Back to work, Lani."

I saluted him, grinning as wide as Melody. "Aye, aye, Captain!"

"Wait, Lani" —Melody grabbed my arm— "what were you saying earlier?"

"It's nothing," I said, smiling as I returned to cleaning tables.

She narrowed her eyes at me, but her attention quickly diverted from me when Ronnie said her name. The amount of joy shared between them made me wonder how I didn't see it sooner.

I couldn't help but smile as I cleaned. Soon, I'd have something to tell her, too.

apparently i left the last one on a cliffhanger.

oops?

sorry not sorry