II

Lights flickered as the dawn broke. Selena's eyes spun, trying to recognize where she was and what happened the night before. Her head was fried; cigarettes and ash staining the table where she laid. Bottles and glasses hung around, surely not all from her. She frantically ran her hands over her pockets, the empty spaces causing panic to build.

The seat sank as Selena placed her hand down, almost begging her to stay. It wasn't an option.

"Well damn Sel, I knew you got wasted, but I didn't think it was this bad" the bartender said.

"Have you seen my phone anywhere?" she slurred.

The bartender pointed to the right, showcasing a dingy hallway. The wallpaper was tearing at the seams; and a foul odor protruded from its depths. "You probably left it near the bathroom, while you were puking your guts out. Oh yeah, wash your face while you're at it please."

"Fuck off."

The hallway started to swirl as lumps of saliva slid down Selena's throat. It was tough for her to hold balance, stumbling all over the walls and floor — attempting to get to the bathroom. Her phone laid silent against the black wooden floors, the cracks on the screen being ever so visible. As Selena pulled it close, the screen gently lit up. There stood Julia and her, with caps and gowns on; smiling without a care in the world.

No notifications, besides ones with a dollar sign attached to them. Julia hadn't returned her calls, or texts. Even after so many… guess she just didn't wanna talk. The bathroom light was dull, swinging from its loose chain. However, it was just enough to show Selena's reflection in the mirror. Her yellow eyes glowed with a hint of melancholy, staring at the state she's put herself in. As the tap squeaked and water fell, there was a slight sting in Selena's wrists. Something opened that shouldn't have.

A thorough face wash definitely did the trick. The feeling of being human started to return, being back in the driver's seat of her own body. Reality finally stopped spinning, but in exchange, her mind went back to being in chains.

"Hey Claire… I don't really feel like going home. Could I stop by your place and freshen up?" Selena said.

Claire leaned against the tall counter, staring at Selena with disbelief. "Jesus girl, you need to talk to her eventually you know. You can't keep running away — it's doing more harm than good, and you know that."

Selena's lips quivered. Her chest felt heavy, like her heart's been replaced with stone. Oxygen stopped coming in; and her muscles started feeling stiff. Everything was shutting down.

"Earth to Selena? Helloooo?" Claire said, standing just inches away now. Her excessive amount of perfume was quite the assault to the nose.

"E-eh? Sorry… I just can't deal with this right now. I really want to, you know that, but-" Selena said, trying her best to hold back the tsunami tides in her eyes.

They embraced each other in a warm hug. "Shh, alright you can crash at my place for today. But promise me you'll go back to Jules tomorrow, k? Claire whispered.

"Thanks C, really. I promise I will — maybe even today. I'll try my best."

"Good, now get outta here sis."