Maria:
I wake up slowly, like my body is not fully convinced it should be awake yet. For a few seconds, I just lie there, staring at the ceiling, trying to place where I am without thinking too hard about yesterday. Then it comes back in pieces. Lily’s place. My parents. My dad. Everything.
I push myself up and sit at the edge of the bed. The hoodie I’m wearing hangs loosely on me, sleeves slightly too long. I glance down at it, then away. I don’t have the energy to care. The fabric feels soft and worn against my skin, still carrying the faint scent of Lily’s detergent.
The apartment is already awake. I can hear Lily before I see her, the soft tapping of her keyboard steady and focused. When I step into the living area, she’s at the table, completely in her element, like nothing around
