MEMORIES

THE NEXT DAY

SOPHIE

I woke with a jolt, disoriented and groggy, the remnants of sleep clinging to me. My eyes fluttered open, and I immediately noticed the cool air against my bare skin. My heart raced as I took in the sight of my naked body tangled in the sheets, a sense of confusion washing over me.

"Shit." I groaned inwardly.

Panic set in as I tried to piece together what had happened. My mind was a foggy blur, flashes of the previous night slipping away like sand through my fingers. I knew I must have been in a hotel room, but how I ended up here or who I was with remained a mystery. The disorientation was overwhelming, but I couldn't afford to linger on it.

"It's 7;09am!" I yelled as I realized I had barely enough time to get to my art class at the academy. I scrambled out of bed, the sheets falling away as I hurriedly searched for my clothes.

As I pulled on my jacket, I glanced around the unfamiliar room one last time, feeling a mix of shame and unease. I needed to get out, to get back to some semblance of normalcy. With one final, anxious look at the room, I hurried out, my steps quick and purposeful.

As I stepped out of the hotel and into the chilly morning air, the bright sunlight made me squint. I hailed a taxi and slid into the backseat, quickly unlocking my phone. The screen flooded with messages and missed calls from Elizabeth my roommate and our schoolmates. I dialed Elizabeth's number, and she answered on the first ring.

"Sophie, what's wrong with you? Why didn't you pick up?" Elizabeth's voice was tight with worry and frustration.

I winced, feeling a twinge of guilt. "I'm sorry, Liz. I got drunk at the after-party and...and ended up with someone." The words tasted bitter on my lips.

The taxi driver's eyes flicked towards me in the rearview mirror, his gaze lingering a little too long. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks.

Elizabeth's tone shifted, her voice now sparkling with excitement. "You got laid? By who? I knew giving you my VIP invitation card would be the right call!"

I rolled my eyes, feeling a pang of regret. "It's not something to celebrate, Liz. I don't even remember who it was." My voice dropped to a whisper. "And I feel awful. I cheated on Ryan, even though he cheated on me first."

The taxi driver's eyes snapped back to the road, but I could sense his curiosity.

"We'll talk when I get home," I said, ending the call.

****

As I walked inside the room. Elizabeth lounged on the couch, sipping coffee in her underwear, her signature relaxed attire. A mischievous grin spread across her face. "Hey, whore!" she teased, clearly amused by my disheveled state. The living room showed signs of a gathering the night before, with scattered cups and snacks.

I collapsed beside her, feeling drained and guilty. "Good morning, Liz," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Elizabeth's expression turned concerned. "What's wrong, girl?"

I hesitated, my voice barely audible. "I cheated on Ryan."

Elizabeth's brow furrowed, and she set her coffee down. "Girl, he cheated first, remember? Don't beat yourself up over it. Spill the tea – what happened?"

"I wasn't joking when I said I can't remember who I was with last night," I admitted, my frown deepening.

Elizabeth's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way! You can't remember?" She set her coffee down, her attention fully on me.

I shook my head, taking a sip of her coffee. "I don't even have a hangover, but my mind's a complete blank. Maybe it's for the best."

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the room, followed by the appearance of a well-built guy, dripping wet from the shower, with a towel tied around his waist. His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine as he greeted Elizabeth with a casual "Hey, mama."

As I stared at his hips. Memories, hazy and fragmented, began to resurface.

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