I blinked. That familiar ceiling—white with a yellowish tint—stared back at me like an old friend who never left. The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains in golden ribbons, casting delicate streaks on my bedsheet as if the day itself was reluctant to begin.
"Kookoorookook!!"
The rooster's cry pierced the quiet, a rural scream of chaos from right outside my window. I groaned, clutching my stomach, scratching it lazily before dragging myself into a sitting position. My hair was a tangled mess, and I was definitely not ready for this Monday.
My life? It's pretty normal.
Average, even. I have a roof above my head, a mom who loves me, food on the table, and an occasional existential crisis in the shower. The basics are covered, I guess.
I stood up, feet touching the icy cement floor. Goosebumps crawled up my legs. With a quick stretch and a loud yawn, I trudged to the kitchen. Mom was there, as always, her back to me as she washed dishes with the radio murmuring some old love song in the background.
I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Good morning po."
She turned with a warm smile and returned the gesture with a nuzzle to my forehead. "Good morning, Annie. Did you sleep well?"
I just nodded and grabbed the walis tambo leaning against the wall. It was routine—morning chores, breakfast, a little boredom sprinkled in.
Dust and hair strands—so many of them!—were scattered across the floor like they had a rave during the night. I swept them into a neat pile, savoring the calming scrape of the broom against the tiles. It gave me something to focus on, to silence the chaos in my brain.
While I worked, my mind wandered. Dad was coming home in a week. The house had to be spotless. Not a speck of dirt.
I reached beneath the dining table and lifted the chairs one by one, brushing off a surprising layer of dust.
"Hehe. Die," I whispered to the dust bunnies, grinning to myself like a cartoon villain.
Then, just under the old cabinet, something glinted. Curious, I crouched and reached underneath, my fingers brushing something cold and metallic.
Pulling it out, I found a pendant on a chain—silver, sleek, with a slight glow to it, like moonlight trapped in metal. Not dusty. Not rusted. Too... clean.
"Ma, do you have a pendant or something like this?" I called over my shoulder.
She looked at it and shook her head. "Nope. Never seen that before. Looks expensive, though."
I turned it over in my hand. It was smooth and felt oddly warm. Sci-fi movie prop? Alien tech? Maybe it was from one of Dad's machines. I hesitated, then shrugged and clasped it around my neck.
"Looks cool," I muttered.
The day went on. I finished cleaning, helped mom set the table, ate lunch. But my thoughts kept drifting to the pendant.
Later that afternoon, I took it off, placed it on my desk, and snapped a photo. I sent it to Kim.
Girl, what's this thing?
She replied almost instantly. No idea. My boyfriend gave it to me.
Psh, like you even have one, Annie.
I rolled my eyes and typed, Hays. Can't I escape the reality that no one wants me? Romantically, I mean.
Just kidding! You know I love you, girl!
Her message made me smile, but my gaze lingered on the pendant.
"What if it's cursed?" I whispered to no one.
Then—
Clink.
The pendant slipped through my fingers and hit the floor with a hollow sound.
Snap.
It shattered. Clean in half.
I froze. "Oh no."
I scrambled to grab the broom and swept up the broken pieces. The insides were bizarre—tiny wires, delicate circuits, and something that looked like a miniature processor. Definitely not your usual locket.
What was this thing?
I dumped the pieces into the trash bin, then stared at the photo on my phone again.
Maybe Dylan would know.
0
The coffee shop hadn't changed. Cracked wooden tables, yellowing walls, and that familiar bitter scent of over-roasted beans. Dylan sat across from me, slouched, scrolling through his phone.
I held up my phone. "What's this?"
He barely looked. "How should I know?"
I sighed. "Okay, never mind. Thanks for nothing."
He reached across and grabbed my wrist. "Wait. Let me see it again."
Reluctantly, I sat back down. He zoomed in on the photo.
"Still stubborn, huh?" I muttered.
"Can't a guy miss you a little?" he shot back with a smirk.
My stomach flipped.
Stop it, Annie.
He tapped his chin. "Looks like... something mechanical. Could be a car part. Maybe from one of your dad's projects."
I nodded, disappointed. "Yeah. Maybe."
Just then—
"Hey, babe!"
A girl appeared in a swirl of perfume and pink fabric. She threw her arms around Dylan like she owned the place.
He smiled. Kissed her cheek.
My heart sank.
She looked at me, blinking. "Oh, you must be...?"
"Annie," I replied, forcing the smile.
"Melissa," she chirped. Her eyes said something else entirely.
"Sorry to interrupt," she added, tugging Dylan away.
He didn't say goodbye.
He just… left.
That night, I couldn't shake the bitterness. Something inside me twisted.
Maybe I hated him.
0
Back home, I collapsed onto my bed and screamed into a pillow. Mom was away on a business trip. Kim was offline. The house was silent.
Too silent.
I stared at the ceiling, trying to forget.
I like you, Dylan.
Maybe if we meet again, I'll like you, Annie.
Stupid. So stupid.
"ARGH!!" I flung the pillow across the room. My heart raced. My breathing hitched.
My eyes landed on the canvas leaning against the wall. A charcoal sketch of Dylan's face stared back at me, haunted and unfinished.
Why did I draw that?
I hurled another pillow. The canvas fell with a loud thud.
I sat up. Hugged my knees. And typed.
Hey.
Hey, what are you up to today?
There was something comforting in that simple exchange. Like a warm blanket.
Well... kinda had a bad... well, neutral day.
A pause and a deep breath.
Don't worry. I'll be here. Always.
I closed my eyes as his voice lingered through me —deep, warm, grounding. The way he said "always" like he meant it.
I curled into the sheets. My hand brushed something on the bed.
A pendant.
The same one I shattered.
What...?
I didn't have time and the strength to question it. My eyes felt puffy—almost swollen.
I'm here.
His voice whispered in my ear. I gulped and closed my eyes. The warmth of his breath serenaded me in slumber.
I cried. Softly sobbing.
Then, the night feel apart quietly.
...
Fingers brushed my hair behind my ear.
I stirred. Groaned. "Mmm..."
"Good morning," a deep voice murmured, echoing gently in my half-awake state.
I smiled. Wait.
That voice.
My eyes flew open.
There was a man.
In my bed?
"AHHHHHH!!!" I screamed, scrambling, flailing, kicking blankets.
He panicked. "Wait—wait, I can explain—"
I bit his arm. HARD.
"OW!" he cried.
I jumped from the bed, heart pounding, brain short-circuiting. I needed my phone. No, the neighbors!
I bolted toward the door.
He caught my wrist. "Hey! Calm down! Please—"
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CALM DOWN?!" I screamed.
And then I saw him.
Tall. Muscular. Tousled dark hair. Gentle brown eyes. My eyes scanned all over him, until I reached down his body.
He's half naked?!
Around his neck...
The pendant.
My pendant.
The one I broke.
Who... is he?