Soft

twenty three ♡

I nod, swallowing around the lump in my throat. "Thanks, Ky."

Kyra and I used the rest of the day to catch up. 

Once she left, I got ready for bed. 

I check my phone for the first time in hours and see a message from Amara. 

Habibti ❤️: I found this book today, got you one too, I think you'll like it. 

There's a photo attached of the book.

"The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran. 

I smile at her thoughtfulness. 

Emilia: Thank you, baby, we'll read it together. Sorry, I didn't answer. Kyra was over.

I take a selfie of myself in bed with the empty spot next to me.

Emilia: I miss you. It's so cold without you :(

Amara replies almost instantly with a photo.

She's cuddled up in bed with the blanket tucked into her chin and her hoodie over her head. Her cute glasses are on, and she's wearing a playful smile. 

Habibti ❤️: Must suck, I'm soooo warm and cozy. 

Emilia: Wow, rude. Rubbing it in when I'm over here freezing.

Habibti ❤️: Not my fault you didn't stay over. 

Emilia: Oh? So I could have stayed?

Habibti ❤️: Always.

Emilia: Don't tempt me. I'd be in that bed in ten minutes flat.

Habibti ❤️: What would you do once you got here? 👀

Emilia: I would recreate what happened this morning and more. Your neighbours would hate us.

The three bubbles appear and then disappear. 

Emilia: You okay, Amara?

Habibti ❤️: goawaynowimhorny.

I burst out laughing at her message. 

Emilia: I'll make it up to you tomorrow ;) Be ready at 6. 

Habibti ❤️: Okay, mami. 

Fuck.

That one word did something to my head... and my vagina. 

Emilia: Jesus, Amara. 

Emilia: Goodnight. 

Habibti ❤️: 🤭🤭

Habibti ❤️: Goodnight, pretty. 

______________________

Amara

The first thing I notice when I wake up is how soft the light is. The second is the stupid smile tugging at my lips.

I stretch under the covers, toes curling at the memory of last night's texts. Emilia's face in that selfie, hair slightly tousled, the little pout at the empty space next to her, it's been playing on a loop in my head since I fell asleep.

I roll over and grab my phone. No new texts, but I already know what today holds.

After a shower, I throw on a big T-shirt and wander to the kitchen, making coffee and slicing up fruit to snack on while I figure out what to wear.