It was past 10 pm, and Alice was still at Tom's apartment. They had eaten burgers and watched a movie, but she had fallen asleep during the show on the couch. Waking up some time later, she stretched and yawned a lot, glancing around, she realized her friend was no longer in the living room.
Alice - Huh?
She saw the black screen displaying the ending credits of the movie on the TV.
Alice - Tom?
Running her fingers through her hair, she pulled it back into a ponytail, grabbed the remote, and turned off the television.
Alice - Shoot, it's gotten late!
She exclaimed upon checking the time on her wristwatch. Quickly, she tidied up the couch and picked up the pillows that were on the floor.
Alice - I'd better head out, it's way too late!
Again, no response; she furrowed her brow suspiciously, glanced toward the kitchen, and then down the dark hallway leading to the bedrooms. She slung her purse over her shoulder and quietly proceeded through the rooms.
The house was so quiet that the ticking of the clock on her wrist was clearly audible. Alice simply continued, heading for the light seeping through the cracks of the last door. She stopped, gripping the doorknob and opening it slowly.
The sight before her shocked her. Her friend Tom was sitting on the wooden floor, snorting a strange white powder from an old book cover.
Alice - WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Startled, he knocked the book, which fell with a hollow thud on the wood.
Tom - ALICE?
His eyes were red and watery.
Alice - Have you lost your mind? How long have you been using this junk?
Tom - I... I... just occasionally!
Alice - It's ridiculous! You know it's harmful and addictive!
He stood up unsteadily, a bit dizzy, but braced himself against the wall to regain balance.
Alice - I'm so disappointed in you. I'm leaving!
She turned and walked out of the room.
Tom - Wait, Alice, I don't always use it!
He followed her, but Alice had already left the apartment and was descending the stairs. Tom approached and halted at the top, gripping the rail.
Tom - I only use it to relax sometimes; it's normal!
He shouted after her, but she merely raised an arm in response, continuing her descent before exiting the building. She took a jacket out of her purse and put it on, as it was quite cold at that late hour.
Alice - Idiot, he's going to ruin his life with this pointless addiction.
Muttering to herself, she crossed the street and walked along the sidewalks in the chilled melancholic night. Later on, she caught a bus, which was nearly empty; Alice sat by the window, gazing out with tearful eyes. Thoughts of Professor Brandon soon filled much of her mind and dreams.
But as always, she quickly realized theirs was an impossible love, pressed her lips together, and pulled her phone from her pocket. She opened her photo gallery and looked at pictures of her family, missing them especially when she felt alone in the world.
Alice - Miss you all!
She began typing a text message.
Alice ✉️ - Good night, mom! I love you! ❤️
After a while, Alice alighted at her stop, walking to the building where she lived. She went straight to her floor and entered her apartment; leaning against the door, she looked around and felt much better to be in her own space, her home. Everything felt better with the pleasant scent of oxygen and the green of the houseplants she had scattered around.
She smiled, took off her shoes for comfort and placed her purse on the couch, proceeding to her bedroom. She undressed and went into the bathroom for a relaxing shower.
Post-shower, she donned a white bathrobe and retrieved her laptop from her bag, entering a tiny office that barely held a desk and a comfortable chair.
Alice - Time to work!
She pulled out the chair and sat down, looking at the stacked newspapers. Alice opened one and smiled upon seeing the comic strip at the very end.
Unknown to most, Alice was an artist, drawing comic strips for the city's leading newspaper. She had created a superheroine who would save the day, leaving a positive message for her loyal readers.
"Solyne", her created character, wore no cape but wielded a mighty sword that could take her anywhere in the universe and even travel back in time.
She began to sketch the strips and write the story within the speech bubbles, working into the early morning hours to create chapters for the days ahead so she could relax and catch up on sleep in the coming days.
When she finished, it was past 4 am. Stretching her arms, she stood up with a slight backache from remaining in the same position for hours, turned off the office light, and went to her bedroom. Not bothering to change out of her bathrobe into nightwear, she lay down and fell asleep almost immediately.
...
In another distant neighborhood, Brandon sat in a chair on the porch, intently watching the sky suggest the approach of dawn. But his thoughts were elsewhere; he replayed memories of moments shared with his father in his mind. At some point, Nina entered and approached, wrapping her arms around him from behind, kissing his neck sweetly.
Nina - He's no longer in pain; he's at peace now!
Brandon remained silent but communicated through gestures, taking her hand and bringing her in front of him, positioning her to sit sideways on his lap.
Nina - Everything will be alright!
She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly, and he returned the embrace. Even in his quietness, Brandon felt Nina's support; his fiancee knew just how to calm him in a non-intrusive manner, which was incredibly reassuring.
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drugs?
2024-06-27
1