Obsession

★ MIA ★ “Mia, wake up!” my mom, Maya, yelled from downstairs. “Ugh,” I groaned, dragging my duvet over my face. Ding, ding. My phone chimed. I froze when I caught a glimpse of the time. “No. Not again.” I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and stretched my arms above my head. After a long yawn, I dragged myself towards the window and pulled the curtains apart. Evening had settled in, and a cool breeze brushed against my skin. As I turned around, my gaze landed on the small bottle of cocaine lying beneath my bed. I stared at it for a moment before walking over and picking it up. After a quick glance towards the door, I pushed aside the book on my bedside table and poured some of the powder onto it. After inhaling it all, I wiped away the traces and looked towards the mirror across the room. The girl staring back at me looked like a stranger. I turned away, only for my gaze to fall on the romance novel Dad had given me years ago. Good night, gummy bear. His voice echoed in my head, carrying me back to the days when everything had felt right. "How thoughtful he was knowing I loved such books so much" I tossed the book aside and reached for the bottle again, but before I could do anything, my bedroom door swung open. I quickly pulled the duvet over myself, burying my face against it as though I had been doing nothing more than sleeping. “Are you okay, Peach?” Maya asked, her voice cracking slightly. “I'm fine.” I looked up and forced a smile. Mom walked over and sat beside me. Her eyes searched mine, but I looked away before she could ask anything I wasn't ready to explain. She picked up the novel and ran her fingers over its cover before flipping through the pages. “Nina is already here, so you need to hurry,” she murmured, rising to leave. I nodded. “Mom?” She paused at the door. “Where did he get that book?” Her expression softened. “At one of those author shows he loved so much. Your dad adored those books.” Her lips curved into a faint smile. “Never knew he was that into romance,” I scoffed. “He was a badass in his own way,” she replied with a chuckle. "Okay, okay. Mom, the door.” I pointed towards it, and she shook her head with an amused smile before leaving. I hurried into the bathroom and took a quick shower, my mind already occupied with the plans I'd made with Karl. After bathing, I wrapped a towel around myself and stepped into my room. Steam curled around me as I reached for my moisturiser. My hand hovered over the drawer where I'd hidden another bottle of cocaine. For a moment, I considered reaching for it. Then I shook my head and grabbed my lotion and skincare bag instead. I turned towards the pile of clothes scattered across my bed. One dress after another hit the floor until I finally settled on a sea-green silk mini dress, black stilettos, and a matching mini bag. Satisfied with my outfit, I spritzed on my collection of perfumes and headed downstairs. Nina had called me countless times before arriving, but I'd been too deeply asleep to notice. By the time I reached the kitchen, Mom and Nina were seated together, enjoying a bottle of red wine and a plate of cheesecakes. I reached for a slice and stuffed a generous chunk into my mouth. “You look gorgeous, Peach!” Mom complimented. “Always,” I mumbled through my mouthful. Nina, however, was staring at my chest. I tossed a tiny piece of cheesecake at her, and she burst out laughing. Mom took a long gulp of wine and let out a dramatic groan. “Bad manners, Mom,” I scolded. Then I grabbed Nina's hand, and together we waved goodbye to Mom. Outside, I snatched the car keys from Nina's palm and hurried to the driver's seat. We fastened our seat belts, and soon we were on our way. The party was already packed when we arrived. Music blasted through the speakers, drowning out almost every conversation. I kept checking my phone, waiting for Karl's message to appear. Nina and I made our way to the counter for drinks. Before long, a guy standing beside her caught her attention, and she decided to make her move. Nina had always been the bold one. When she liked someone, she went after them without a second thought. I was not shy but never made the first move on a guy. “Your lashes are beautiful,” she teased him. I focused on my drink, but impatience and fear twisted inside me. My cheeks burned, and my stomach tightened. Still nothing from Karl. Nina noticed my expression and patted my shoulder. “Stop being so grumpy. He'll be here soon.” “I hope so,” I whispered. I took a sip, gripping the glass as though it were the only thing keeping me grounded. My fingers traced its surface, one after another, almost as if I were counting down the seconds. Then my phone chimed. Karl. I swallowed the rest of my drink in one gulp. “Girl, I'm leaving.” Nina threw her hands into the air, but I was already running. I think I heard her yell, “Adiós!” before the music swallowed her voice. I rushed through the back door leading to the garage. His message contained only two words. The garage. I slowed down when I entered, my breath coming in short, uneven bursts. One hand pressed against my chest while the other clutched my bag. “Karl? Karl!” “Over here.” His voice came from behind me. I spun around. “What? Are you trying to scare me?” “Maybe a little.” He smiled. I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop myself from smiling back. He stepped closer, his familiar gaze settling on mine. I brushed a stray strand of hair away from his forehead before leaning in to kiss him. For a moment, the noise of the party faded behind us. There was only Karl, the cool air of the garage, and the feeling that, for a little while, I could forget everything waiting for me at home. I glanced towards his blue Kampala sports car. “Open it up.” He pulled out his keys and unlocked the door. Then he lifted my chin, making me meet his eyes. “Missed me?” he whispered. I smiled. “Maybe.” He kissed my forehead before brushing his lips against my nose and finally finding my mouth. I kissed him back, letting myself sink into the familiar warmth of his embrace. He guided me towards the car, and I followed without hesitation. For once, I didn't want to think about tomorrow. I didn't want to think about the bottle beneath my bed, the drawer I had almost opened, or the look on Mom's face when she asked whether I was okay. I wanted to forget the girl in the mirror. I wanted to forget the memories that still hurt. Most of all, I wanted to forget how much I missed Dad. And for a little while, Karl made that seem possible. He kissed me again, and I let myself believe that nothing else mattered. Just Karl. My Karl. I pulled my gown off immediately, smiling nonstop. My gaze locked in his like I was studying him. Watching his hands move all over me. The boy who had once promised never to hurt me. The boy whose name could turn my worst times into best. I held on to him a little tighter, wishing I could freeze that moment and stay there forever. But something was wrong. I noticed it in the way his kisses gradually slowed, in the silence that settled between us, and in the way he kept looking away whenever our eyes met. At first, I told myself I was imagining things. He was probably tired. Maybe the party had overwhelmed him. Maybe I was overthinking again. "Karl?" "Hmm?" I lifted my head to look at him. "Is everything okay?" He didn't answer immediately. "Yeah sure" his voice cracked and he leaned over again to continue with the dry kisses. I pulled my face away. He sat up and ran a hand through his hair. My smile faded. "Karl, you're scaring me." He looked at me then, but there was something in his eyes I'd never seen before. Distance. Like the love just vanished. "Mia, we need to talk." My stomach dropped. My palms itched and I wished I could cut them off. There are words you hear every day without thinking much of them. And then there are words that make your entire world go silent. These words held my breathing like I was choked. I pulled the dress closer to my body, suddenly feeling exposed in a way that had nothing to do with the clothes I'd taken off. "Talk about what?" He looked away again. And just like that, I knew. I didn't know what he was going to say, but somewhere deep inside me, a small, frightened voice had already begun to scream. "Please don't tell me this is what I think it is," I whimpered. Karl exhaled. "Mia..." "Don't." My voice cracked. "Just don't." But he had already made up his mind. And I was about to discover that sometimes, the person you run to for comfort is the very person who leaves you with another reason to fall apart. "I'm in love with someone else".