Finally reaching my room, I fumbled for the key, almost dropping it in my rush while glancing around. Heart pounding, I darted inside and slammed the door shut, hastily locking it.
"That was so scary"
Breathless and slightly hysterical, I glanced around the room. And that's when it hit me. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. The room was big, but it was too simple, literally. A bed so white it could blind, a bedside table that looked almost offended at its own blandness, and a TV that seemed to stare back at me as if to say, 'I'm the only excitement you'll find here.'
Yeah, that's it. Even one stem of leaves to add color was nowhere to be found.
With a dramatic flop onto the bed, I buried my face in the pillow, stifling a laugh that threatened to erupt. As I tried to regain my composure, I mentally counted to ten, hoping to calm myself.
"This is okay, you're going to be fine, Scarr. Everything will be fine"
Rising from the bed, I surveyed my bag. But then, reality slapped me square in the face—I didn't pack a suitcase. Not a single one.
"Oh, come on, Scarlett Rose!," I exclaimed to myself, trying to keep it together.
Attempting to distract myself, I reached for my phone, hoping to text my brother a dramatic "I quit" message. But fate had other plans for my already messed-up day—literally.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something scuttling by. In a blink, my vision locked onto it—a cockroach.
A f*cking cockroach!
And not just any cockroach, no sir, this one decided it was time to sprout wings and take to the skies. Cue the most bloodcurdling scream to ever grace the walls of that plain, white room.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
I leaped from the bed with an agility I didn't know I possessed, convinced that if I ran fast enough, I'd defy gravity and lift off, too. Round and round the room, trying to dodge the insect.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I found refuge on top of the bed, panting and still screaming. Dodging and weaving, I hurled everything within arm's reach while screaming.
"AHHHH GO AWAY! PLEASE GO AWAY!"
Dodging and weaving, I hurled everything within arm's reach. My designer bag, my once-fabulous shoes, even the innocent-looking pillows.
In desperation, I yanked the window open, ready to toss out anything so the cockroach cna leave me. Then, in a moment of panic, I almost threw my phone but thankfully it was saved only by a miraculous last-minute grip. I watch as the insect scuttle outside the window.
As the dust settled, so did the cockroach, leaving behind an eerie silence broken only by a distant wolf's howl. It was like a scene straight out of a B-grade horror movie.
"Oh my god" I breathed in relief.
Taking a breath, I surveyed the room. That's when I noticed it—the long slit on the side of my skirt, a final blow to my patience. My breaking point had arrived.
A long silence stretched in the room with me just staring at my skirt before my legs gave up. With a loud sob, I collapsed to the floor, the weight of the day finally crashing down on me. Tears streamed down my face, mixing with frustrated laughter.
"I can't....I can't do this anymore. Oh my god, I can't. I want to go home now"
This was officially the cherry on top of my messed-up sundae that was my day.
*Phone rings*
Sniffling, I swiped to answer the call.
"Hey Scar! How are you there?" my older brother's cheerful voice greeted me.
"Hello?" I whimpered, my voice cracking with emotion.
"Scarlett, are you crying? What's going on? Why are you crying?" My brother's concerned voice instantly made me feel both relieved and even more emotional.
"Edward, it's been a total disaster!"
"Whoa, what happened?"
I took a deep breath, "Okay, so first my car broke. My feet are aching so much because I tripped while trying to walk to a motel apparently my car cannot be fixed until tomorrow! Then I got sent to this creepy motel. Then, the receptionist at the motel messed up my room reservation, gave me attitude, and even called me a bitch! Then, there was a flying cockroach, and I threw my stuff everywhere, and then my skirt got torn!"
"Wait, slow down Scarr—"
Gasping for breath between sobs, I exclaimed, "And, Ed, there's more! The room is like, so plain, I can't find my suitcase 'cause I forgot to bring it! Plus, I almost threw my phone out the window! And then, a wolf started howling outside, like in some… some spooky movie!"
"Seriously? That's... uh, wow. Are.. are you okay?"
I choke back my tears, "I'm so done with this, Ed. I can't take it anymore. I just want to go back home! Please…..I can't do this anymore! Take me back home!"
Edward's voice turned from confusion to concern, "Okay, okay, I understand, Scarr"
I sniffled and said through a shaky breath, "I just can't handle it anymore, Eddie. I want to go home."
After pouring out about my day to my brother, he responded with a calm tone.
"Hey, Scarr, I know you're freaking out, okay. And that's fine that you're feeling that. Just take a deep breath and count to ten for me, alright?"
"I just want to go home, Eddie," I cried.
"Please, take a deep breath for me and count, okay Scarr?"
Clutching the phone tightly, I obliged, closing my eyes and following his instructions. His familiar advice, knowing me all too well.
I took a deep breath and started counting in my shaky voice, "One…two…three…four...five...six…."
The simple act of counting and focusing on my breath helped soothe my emotions. With each count, the frantic beats of my heart began to slow, and the tears gradually ceased their flow.
"seven…eight …nine…ten—"
"That's good—"
I interrupted him, "I need 20, Eddie, please"
He stopped and cleared his throat in the other line while I continued my counting.
"thirteen…fourteen…fifteen" With each extra count, I felt the tension loosening its grip on me, allowing a moment to clear my mind.
"Are you okay now? Feeling better?" he worriedly asked.
I nodded even though he could not see me, "Yeah, I felt better"
With a slight chuckle, my brother said, "But 20 now, Scarr? That's a new record for your calming technique. You're really having a wild day, huh?"
The laughter in his voice helped ease the remaining knots of anxiety. Then, I find myself smiling as well.
"Yeah, crazy doesn't even begin to cover it,"
His tone went softer, "So, I'm gonna ask you the same question again. Do you want to come home? I can send someone to pick you up."
The offer lingered in the air.