Melanie

"As long as it takes"

I read Marcus's text again and again, those five words sending a shiver down my spine, a mixture of emotions swirling within me. Uncertainty grips me, and I feel like I can't talk to anyone about it. I know what they'll say—advice to leave Daniel for Marcus. But it's not that simple.

My heart aches as I think about Daniel, the responsibility I feel over him. I'm his first serious relationship, and he's done so much work on himself, going to therapy just to be with me. He doesn't deserve this. It's not right.

"Earth to Melanie!" Evie's voice breaks through my thoughts. I look at her, realizing I've been lost in my own world.

I look at Evie, snapping out of my reverie. "Sorry," I mumble.

"Hand me the hammer, will you?" Evie asks, a playful glint in her eyes.

I mumble a half-hearted "yeah, right" and hand her the hammer. Evie starts hammering a nail into the wall, and I watch her, my mind still occupied by the message on my phone.

She hands me the hammer back, and I pass her the painting we chose for my bedroom today. She looks at it with pride. "This is going to look amazing on your wall, Mel."

I manage a weak smile. "I sure hope my measurements are right. I don't want the headboard covering half the painting."

Evie makes a face at me as she slowly descends from the ladder. "Mel, you know my measurements are always precise. Speaking of which, I have to take some for the curtains."

I side-hug Evie, grateful for her presence. "What would I do without you?"

Evie shrugs, a playful glint in her eyes. "It's a damn mystery."

We giggle and move to the living room, where more wall decor awaits. As we hang paintings and photos, Evie glances at me, sensing something is off.

"What's got you so preoccupied?" she asks, her voice gentle.

"You know what," I mumble, avoiding eye contact.

Evie places a hand on my shoulder, her expression filled with concern. "Mel, you can't keep everything bottled up. If something's bothering you, talk to me. Talk to someone."

I sigh, torn between the urge to confide in Evie and the fear of what she will say about what happened last night. "It's just... things are so messed up right now, and I don't know what to do."

Evie leans against the wall, her eyes studying mine. "Is it Marcus?" she asks gently.

I simply nod. The room is filled with the soft clinks of frames being hung on the walls as we continue our decorating task.

"You never told me what happened yesterday," she says, glancing at me with a curious expression.

Taking a deep breath, I realize I can't keep it bottled up any longer. "We talked," I begin, "and I got to say everything I wanted. How he should have told me about his sisters, and it was really shitty the way they ambushed me on Saturday."

Evie nods in understanding. "So far, so good. What happened next?"

I lower my voice to a whisper, almost afraid of my own admission. "I kissed him."

Evie doesn't catch it the first time. "What did you say?" she asks, her attention fully on me.

"I kissed him," I repeat, this time more clearly. Evie's eyes widen, her mouth forming the letter 'o.' Here it comes. I brace myself for the inevitable advice to leave Daniel.

"What happened next?" she asks, surprising me with her composed response.

"I left as fast as I could," I admit, my words tinged with regret.

Evie's eyes search mine, and she finally asks the question I've been dreading. "How do you feel about all this?"

"I don't know," I admit, uncertainty coloring my words.

Evie's reaction surprises me. Instead of the judgment I expected, she wraps her arms around me in a comforting hug. It catches me off guard, but her warmth and understanding make me feel a bit lighter.

"I won't tell you how it was wrong to kiss Marcus while you're still with Daniel," Evie says gently, pulling back to look me in the eyes. Her hands rest on my shoulders, and there's a sincerity in her gaze.

"But," Evie continues, her tone serious, "I will tell you that you need to think and figure out how you feel about all this. This situation isn't fair to anyone."

nod, a smile forming on my lips. "I will."

Evie squeezes my shoulder. "Good."

She drops her hands from my shoulders and looks around. "Let's finish hanging the rest of the stuff we got today, measure for curtains, and then we can leave. What do you think?"

"Okay," I agree, grateful that Evie didn't immediately push me to make a decision.

The afternoon stretches on, filled with laughter and the clinks of hammers against walls as Evie and I transform my apartment into a cozy haven. We share stories, occasionally pausing to admire our handiwork. As we finish the last touches, Evie steps back to admire the paintings and decorations on the walls.

Evie grins at me. "Looks like your place is coming together, Mel. Ready to reveal it to the world?"

I chuckle, feeling a surge of gratitude for Evie's help. "Absolutely. I couldn't have done it without you."

After we finish, we exchange a heartfelt hug, and Evie gathers her tools. "You know where to find me if you need anything, okay?"

"Thanks, Evie. You're a lifesaver," I reply, smiling as she heads out the door.

As I lock up behind her, excitement bubbles within me. My apartment is slowly taking shape, thanks to Evie's expertise. The thought of soon moving in feels surreal. Furniture deliveries are on the horizon, and the anticipation is palpable.

I decide to make a detour before heading home and find myself on the familiar path to Daniel's apartment. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the city. I can't help but marvel at the serendipity of the day — my sanctuary is taking form, and I'm eager to share the news with Daniel.

Arriving at his doorstep, I knock with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

The door swings open, and Daniel's expression doesn't match my enthusiasm. He eyes me with a mix of surprise and mild annoyance. "Hey," he greets, not quite masking his lack of enthusiasm. "What are you doing here?"

I offer a bright smile, trying to diffuse the tension. "I thought I'd swing by and see you. How was your day?"

He narrows his eyes slightly. "Where were you?"

I shift uncomfortably, not expecting the interrogation. "With Evie," I answer, trying to keep my tone light. "We were at my new apartment, hanging some paintings. It's really coming together. You should come check it out sometime."

He scoffs, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "Yeah, maybe."

Undeterred, I press on. "Can I come in?"

He hesitates, then reluctantly steps aside, allowing me to enter. "This shouldn't become a habit, you know? Dropping in unannounced."

I sigh, feeling a mix of frustration and uncertainty. "Okay," I concede, but the unease lingers. Deep down, I understand his perspective, but something about it doesn't sit right with me. I should respect his feelings, yet the idea of needing permission to visit my own boyfriend feels off.

Shaking off these thoughts, I try to change the atmosphere. "Are you hungry?" I ask, attempting to bridge the awkward gap that has formed between us.

Daniel nods. "Yeah, I could eat."

"How about we order something?" I suggest, hoping to shift the focus away from the tension. "What are you in the mood for?"

Daniel hesitates for a moment before replying, "I'll order for myself only."

My eyebrows knit together in confusion. "What? Why?"

His gaze shifts to me, a critical expression on his face. "You've gained a couple of pounds. Maybe it's time to lose them."

His words sting, and anger simmers beneath the surface, but I keep it in check. "Okay," I say, trying to maintain composure.

As Daniel proceeds to place the order, he hands me five crackers and a small plate containing five crackers and a tiny piece of cheese. I quietly munch on the meager offering, my appetite left unsatisfied. I decide it's time to go.

"Hmm, I'll see you later, okay?" I manage a forced smile, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

Daniel nods absentmindedly, his focus elsewhere. I give him a hug, feeling a strange mix of disappointment and hurt, and then I slip out of his apartment.

In my car, I contemplate where to go. I need something to lift my spirits, something that feels indulgent. I find myself driving to the nearest burger place. Walking in, I decide to treat myself to a honey-mustard burger with a side of onion rings. I'm not fat. I never was. The weight-related comment from Daniel stings, and I can't help but assert to myself that I don't need to lose two pounds. If anything, I could use a bit of gain.

Sitting alone with my burger, I savor each bite, feeling a sense of liberation. In this moment, I reclaim a piece of myself, rejecting the unwarranted criticism and embracing the pleasure of a simple indulgence. It's not about the burger; it's about asserting my autonomy and deciding what I want for myself.