Inside.
10:47
Dammit.
Slept in again!
What even is a routine now?
Heave myself out of bed.
The effort... not great.
Siri, add exercise the list.
Clothes? Maybe later.
Shower? ... Fine.
I blink, water running over my head.
It’s cold, it’s comforting.
Come on. Focus. New day.
11:30
Empty.
Three shelves, Two drawers, One bottle.
Ferrel.
Does this waste power?
Siri, add groceries to the list.
Close the fridge. Open the fridge. Repeat.
Leftover pasta... acceptable.
Laptop’s looking at me.
Judges my every move.
I sigh, move to the couch.
Maybe later, maybe today.
13:13
Humming.
Lights, Devices, Screens.
Silent but still there.
“Are you still watching?” It asks again.
I sway as I stand, dizzy.
Hydrate damn it, hydrate, hydrate.
Siri add... oh no, incoming call.
Mum...
I watch it ring,
Buzzing for what seems like forever.
The room turns dark.
Sorry, I can’t.
13:15
The blank screen stares back at me.
Guilt.
Shame.
My eyes scrunch shut,
No time passes.
Just another day... Rinse and repeat.
Peak through the blinds,
It’s bright. Piercing.
I become so tiny in my studio apartment.
14:00
I’m dressed?
Well dressed.
These shoes, I like them.
The door faces off against me.
Just go.
One small step for man,
One giant leap, the phone rings again.
Martin.
He’s worried.
No, he’ll worry.
I hang my jacket up.
Siri, order coffee,
Note instruction:
Leave by the door.
14:15
A knock.
Just leave it.
A knock again.
Just read the instructions!
No knock, A note.
Quiet as a mouse, I read it.
It’s nice, handwritten.
Signed Melanie.
That feeling, it’s warm.
Fluffy inside.
I panic.
Siri... shit!
Now she knows you’re here.
I breathe.
Here goes…
14:16
I reach.
Turn the handle.
She’s welcoming.
Warming.
Beyond her...
The sunlight beams in.
Touches my skin.
Maybe it’s not all bad.
“Would you mind some company?”
Her voice is soft.
I nod.
My face, feels weird.
For the first time in a while,
A smile.