linoleum on the floor. The living room consisted of a comfy chair with a small hole in one arm I’d placed by the only window, an end table that was big enough for a book, a glass of tea, a small lamp, and the plant I had in the windowsill. My twin-sized bed took up the rest of the living space and could double as a couch when I had guests.
Not that I ever had guests, but if I did, that was where they would sit. The only other door led to the bathroom that I’d decorated in tasteful teals and blues. The tiny studio apartment wasn’t where I’d pictured myself at twenty-seven, but it was mine, and that meant the world to me, especially after four years with having nothing.
I remembered myself at twenty-one, working at the family restaurant to save money for beauty school. I’d had dreams of being a hairstylist and owning my own salon. I’d told my mom time and time again that I’d be the best in town, that all the old ladies would come to me for their Sunday best. I thought about giving it another go, but I was too focused on surviving to think about living. Besides, I finally had a healthy nest egg, and the thought of using it on tuition left a bad taste in my mouth.
Laying my clothes out on the bed, I returned to the bathroom and finished my morning routine. Freshly shaven with minty breath and a bit of concealer to cover the dark circles under my eyes, I returned to my bedroom to get dressed. I sighed, seeing Cinder lying on my shirt.
“Cinder, what are you doing?”
She looked up, eyed me, and then tucked her head back down.
I grimaced at the black hair I could already see clinging to the fabric of my uniform.
“I don’t have time for this, Cinder,” I moaned to her as I grabbed the black pants she’d ignored in her quest to mark my shirt. Tugging them on, I turned to the dresser and pulled out another top, one identical to the one Cinder had claimed. “We’re going to have a talk about this when I get home.”
She didn’t even dignify me with a glance.
Sitting in my chair, I slipped on my standard white socks and plain canvas sneakers. Cinder lifted her head and focused on my shoelaces as they flipped through the air. I smiled as her pupils widened. Not wanting her to attack and chew on my laces and ruin another pair, I dropped my feet to the floor and hid them from her view.
With her favorite toy out of sight, Cinder rolled over and eyed me as she lifted her paws into the air. Her little bean toes were just begging to be played with.
“Your cuteness won’t save you this time,” I said, staring at her belly. Unable to stop myself, I got up from the chair and buried my hand in the soft fur of her chest. I smiled when she wrapped her paws around my hand and tilted her head back, begging for more scratches. I chuckled as her eyes closed in bliss when I complied and scratched under her chin.
“You’re spoiled.”
She purred in response, her claws making a brief appearance when I pulled away.
Grabbing my phone from the bed, I pulled out the charging cable and checked my notifications. The little ball of fear that popped up every time I checked my phone subsided when nothing was there.
Snatching my small, black backpack from the floor by the bed, I tucked my phone into its designated pocket next to my wallet and spare charger. Tossing my bag on the counter, I grabbed my jacket from the single stool I owned and shrugged into it. It was almost too hot to wear, but I wanted the extra protection between my skin and the pavement just in case I ever got into an accident. Picking up my backpack, I shrugged it on and then reached for the helmet sitting on the counter.
“This isn’t over,” I said, using my helmet to point at Cinder as I walked backward toward the door.
Satisfied I’d made my point and warned her sufficiently, I snagged my keys from the hook on the wall and grabbed my bike. Unlocking the door, I awkwardly maneuvered the contraption through the opening and propped it against the wall.
Locking the door, I triple checked the knob before allowing myself to walk away. I managed to wrestle my bike down