i'd be lying if I said

you make me speechless

the truth is you make my

tongue so weak it forgets

what language to speak in

-rupi kaur

Another day had dawned bringing with it new hopes, and aspirations. Golden fingers of sunlight seeped into the guest room where Laurielle lie, it's rays of warmth graced her flesh as her eyes fluttered open,

She hadn't slept that great in a while so the rest was definitely needed; On the nightstand beside her consisted of a small washcloth, toothpaste, and an unused toothbrush indicating that August had visited the room— Springing from the bed she gathered the hygiene products, and journeyed into the bathroom to handle her business.

Once finished, Laurielle crept down the hallway following the lingering scent of breakfast. She spotted August in the kitchen whisking a bowl of eggs, clearing her throat she had gathered his attention because he turned around, "Good morning."

"Morning gorgeous, how'd you sleep?"

"Fine thanks," she smiled "It smells amazing in here."

He pulled the stool out from beneath the island, motioning for her to sit "Have a seat, breakfast is almost ready— how do you like your eggs?"

"Over medium please," she requested as he poured her a glass of orange juice "Thank you August."

"No problem."

"You know this is a little weird for me, I've never had anyone cater to me this way. At least not a man..."

"Should be refreshing then, yeah?"

"Absolutely, I'm a little taken aback honestly."

"Don't be, it's southern hospitality— you are a guest in my house so it's definitely necessary."

She zoned out due to setting her gaze upon his perfection, he finished up scrambling his eggs before cracking two more into the hot skillet, adding a pinch of salt and pepper, he cooked Laurielle's eggs next.

Minutes later he soon joined her at the island with their plates which consisted of pancakes, eggs, grits, and three strips of bacon— along with a small bowl of mixed fruit.

"I'm starting to dread going back to the city, I love it here." Laurielle whined while neatly cutting her pancakes "But I have to get back to work."

"Well you're more than welcome to come out here, anytime you'd like really. I don't be up to too much of nothing, besides I enjoy your company."

"I enjoy your company as well,"

August playfully rolled his eyes at her, and bit into a strawberry causing the juice to trickle down his chin "Damn, that's good."

Laurielle shifted in her seat a bit before grabbing a napkin, "Here..." she then dabbed him dry

"I hope you're serious about getting those locks changed, ain't no point in homeboy coming to your crib anymore, right?"

"Yeah," she sighed deeply "He's taken all of his belongings so, it's officially over like this is real."

"You don't sound like you've completely came to terms with the fact you're no longer getting engaged, you still got feelings for him?"

"I don't know if it's like that 'per se'," she quoted "I mean the love I had for him has slowly faded away over time, but it still stings every now and again because I feel like the way that it all unfolded caught me off guard so much, had I been prepared for separation— I don't think I'd be as bothered."

August nodded, "I get that... it's like if you two had agreed on cancelling the engagement as a union, you wouldn't feel betrayed."

"Exactlyyy, I'm so glad you understand."

"I understand the circumstance, I just don't understand you."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't want my perception of you to be based on opinions and assumptions, sometimes as humans we judge too quickly without knowing the backstory, so I want to fully understand you first."

"Well I can assure you now, you're not just a time filler— this connection, or chemistry that you and I have is authentic. I just want to pace things and build a sturdy foundation for the both of us."

"I'm on whatever you're on Lauri,"

Satisfied with their conversation, the two finished up breakfast and afterwards cleaned the kitchen. Although Laurielle didn't want to leave she had to, August made sure to give her gas money for the two hour drive back to Pasadena, little did he know is that she'd possibly be back sooner than later,

Upon arriving back to the city and to her home, Laurielle decided to follow the four easy steps it would take to replace her old deadbolt lock, with the new one she had purchased from the hardware store.

Unbeknownst to her, Cameron had already invited himself into the home.

"Oh you're serious?" he chuckled as she huffed, irritation began flooding throughout her being and he knew it "Where have you been? I see you weren't home all night..."

"Cameron please tell me you weren't in MY house all night without my permission? Matter of fact, didn't I kick you out before I even left!? Why are you here!?"

"I felt bad for the way I spoke to you the other day, so I came over to apologize. I also wanted to check on you due to the fact you're taking medication that's not even prescribed to you, now I made a promise to your parents that I'd always protect—"

"Protect what? Leave my family out of this because you failed me the moment you laid down with another woman, now you want to be sweet on me since she's not in our presence? There must be trouble in paradise?" she questioned as he remained silent "Oh wow, there is isn't there?"

"That's another story for another day, I came over to discuss us—"

"Us? There is no us anymore Cameron, and that's a decision that you made. How dare you attempt to slither your way back into my life, by using my pain against me!? I don't need you and I damn sure don't love you. So do me a favor and get the hell out of my house now."

He grabbed her by the wrists pulling her body closer to his, "You don't love me anymore Laurielle? You gonna lie to my face like that? I know you still love me because I still love you, Chanel can't do what you do or make me feel special the way you did, I'm always taking her into consideration and bending over backwards for her, but when it's my turn she won't do a damn thing for me."

"Cameron let go." she said calmly as he continued on with his ranting

"She won't cook, clean, all she cares about is money and sex— I'm more than just my pockets and my package, you know that baby and I apologize for everything I've ever done, just please don't give up on me. I can fix this between us, I'll do whatever it takes just tell me what I have to do to make you happy again please..."

"You're out of luck, because this ship has sailed and I don't plan on looking back ever again. I told you once and I'm going to tell you again, cheating will ALWAYS be the dealbreaker. You want to make me happy Cameron? Fine, get out of my house and never return— that'll make me happy, I don't need you."

He exhaled deeply and finally let her wrists go, "I'll always love you Laurielle."

"Whatever, goodbye weirdo." she said as he made his exit and she slammed the door

Laurielle made it her mission to change those locks, because if Cameron was bold enough to revisit her that one time, it'd be a possibility that he'd do it a second, or a third— a restraining order may need to be put into play.

Although she used pills to suppress her emotions, the addiction crept up onto her as to where she'd pop them even if she wasn't emotional, it was just a habit that had birthed itself into her life. She also loved the relieved feeling she'd get after consuming them.

Her supply had ran low, so she showered and changed into her work uniform before heading down to the pharmacy. While her co-workers were busy tending to the guests at the counter, Laurielle made her way into the stockroom.

Ravaging through the merchandise, she quickly refilled the many bottles she possessed with pills—

A sudden feeling washed over her, her vision grew blurry signaling that she was about to clock out. Nausea crept from her abdomen and into her head, a black hole swallowed her innards; Laurielle knew she would faint once her legs gave out.

Taking one step backwards, she crumpled to the floor like a puppet being released from their strings.

As she lie on her back, tears formed in the brim of her eyes as gravity fought against her. She remained painfully still hearing subtle conversations continuing upfront as she groaned, attempting to cry out for help.

Laurielle lost some of the color in her face, her breath getting shorter and shorter— she was out cold seconds later.