*Part 1, 2, 3 in profile, pinned.*
She woke in the blazing midday sun, nestled amongst the pine needles next to her clothes. Her phone buzzed angerly in the pile. She reached for it, groggy and delirious. “Hello…” she said hoarsely. “You know we don’t make you pay rent on break or expect much. But just taking off for 2 days without a word is ridiculous Katie!” her mother was practically screaming on the phone. “I like Megan and I don’t care if you guys want to catch up over break, just let us know so we don’t get worried. Now when are you coming home? You have work tomorrow, remember?” Katie was trying to process everything, shocked when her mother had said 2 days. Katie stammered an apology and promised she’d be back after work, her and Megan were going to spend another day together and she’d go to work from her house. She hung and sighed, falling back on the soft grass. She scrolled through her phone, finding a dozen texts from Megan: “Hey, ur mom is pissed! Told her u r here…” … “where r u? I didn’t think we had to cover anymore.” … “Katie, seriously…I mean it’s no big deal if you’re out for a guy, just let me know so I can get the story straight.” “This better be a damn good story girl…” they continued just like that. Katie looked at her clothes. She certainly couldn’t go home in her PJs. She looked at her phone. She hit send and called Megan. It took her several minutes to get her best friend to shut up, telling her that she needed some clothes. She gave Megan directions and waited.