CIGARETTES AND ROSES

*It was a familiar place. Rusted metallic chains on a filthy desk, scraped walls with unidentified words, and a stone-cold atmosphere. It's uncanny how this room gets even scarier.

"Please, don't", I whispered, my voice hoarse and small, "not again plea-"

My voice was cut off when I felt a pair of dark, lanky hands against my throat. Tears streamed down my eyes as I started struggling to unlatch the iron hold.

I jolted up from my sleep, sweating profusely. My heart beat faster than ever while I tried to catch my breath. I pushed the blanket off my legs to stand up and wobbled my way across the room. It was around three in the morning when I checked the time while quenching my dry throat.

"It was just a nightmare", I mumbled to myself repeatedly, in a desperate effort to calm my nerves. It has been a very long time since I got a nightmare that I started to believe that they stopped. I, apathetically, blamed stress and the recent burdens of moving to a different place. It has been almost four months since I moved to Shoresland. I just couldn't stay in Seattle anymore. I had to move, after everything. Fortunately, Anna was more than glad to let me stay at hers for a few months until I found a job and moved out. I did make some great friends here, mostly with the ones Anna introduced me to. It has been a great headstart to start a new life.*

.

.

I jumped out of my skin when I heard an ear-piercing shrill. Anna? Really? Now?

"You're finally up, sleepyhead. Let's go", she shrieked.

She needs to stop doing that.

"I think the whole world is up, Anna", I replied lazily, "And where are we going exactly?"

I squinted my eyes because every time she plans something all of a sudden, it doesn't go well.

"Don't give me that look, Haven. We are going shopping, remember?", she said with an exasperated sigh.

" I do remember but is it really necessary to go shopping this early? And how did you get in?", I huffed, while trying to get up and make the bed.

" I have the spare key, doofus.", she groaned, setting

the coffee mug on the table.

Anna is a vivacious person. She lives by her own rules and doesn't even hesitate to do what she likes. Modeling has always been her dream job. She is so dead set on taking up a career in the industry that she had to leave her parents when they tried to talk her out of it. Along with the struggles to find opportunities, she also works as a bartender to pay her bills. Such an inspiration, she is.

I quickly showered and wore a simple dress to start the day.

.

.

.

"My legs are killing me. Remind me never to go shopping with you, Ann", I groaned, as we entered the cafe BlossomBee.