A hangover, not so much of a hangover.

Makena's POV

Do you know the feeling you get when going through a hangover? That's exactly how I feel right now, asides from the `consequences of drinking ʼ part. Asides from that, everything else was existing. The terrible headache, dizziness, puking, and inability to remember my name {maybe I exaggerated a tad there.}

That didn't stop me from stumping into the living room in my pajamas and bunny slippers.

"Hi, sissy." I pranced into the living room, sending a not-so-warm greeting to Aurum who was also present.

Why does she have to be such a terribly good sister, "Had a terrible night? " Her eyes squinted, paying unusual attention to the eyebags that I stopped by to pick up during the night.

"Just reminiscing." At least, that's what I remember. My behind came in contact with the couch, the one Aurum wasn't sitting on.

Despite the distance between her seat, "Makena." The way she said my name, unveiled worry.

"Don't bother." I waved her off, crossing my left shin over my right one in a sukhasana¹ position. "People are forced to say how they feel on two occasions. When they're drunk or angry. I'm certain you weren't drunk yesterday." I might have woken up with a partial hangover, but Aurum didn't. She didn't even drink last night.

"I didn't mean to sound so...well, bitchy." She scratched the back of her neck, looking everywhere but at me. Almost sad. Just almost.

In a detestable hum, "I know you didn't need alcohol for that."

I watched her flinch, and an involuntarily smirk found its way to my face. Surely it doesn't make me bad.

My smirk was a somewhat trigger, "I was just pissed that you were all up in my business." No pity or anything, yesterday's Aurum was back.

"I know you very well Aurum, that's not why." Suspiciously eyeing her down, "You were on the edge because of another thing." I am yet to find the thing. "Somehow, you managed to drag me down with you." Hissing through my teeth, my displeasure found its way to all four corners of the house.

Of course, she was quick to refute, "You're assuming things."

"I really don't care." Which rolled off my tongue as a quick lie. Rather than saying the truth, I conveniently took a jab at her. "I'll allow you to continue being independent. The independent Republic of Aurum."

Terrible joke, I know. It took everything inside of me to not cringe.

Aurum flinched instead, "Makena, I -"

Exasperatedly, I held my hand up to cut her off. Sorry. I don't want I hear it.

"Save it. I'm going to Dee's." Yes, I know I'm still dressed in my onesie pajamas, and bunny slippers. I'm way too lazy to care about changing.

"Seriously? Are you going there to confirm what I told you yesterday?"

Also demonstrating rage through my voice, "I don't care about it. I'm going there to get chocolate chip cookies." My voice became softer, more compassionate. "Mum wants them at her dinner tomorrow."

I wouldn't go to Dee's to confirm anything. Mum asked me to get her favorite cookie and come with it to her weekly family dinner. I can't say no to her. Duh. So, Aurum can get her head out of the cloud.

"Oh" Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"You can do whatever it is that independent women do. I'll be back soon."

"Makena," Aurum whimpered in fear. She has never been a scardy cat. "I am really sorry."

Aurum is a poker-faced, strong-willed, and funny person. I wonder what happened to her in the space of 24 hours.

My tongue clicked, "No Aurum." I shook my head in disagreement. "You are not."

"Huh?" Her eyes caught mine, and lines of confusion showed up on her forehead.

"What exactly are you sorry for?" Not bothering to stop my voice from rising, "Lashing out and telling me that my obsession with Jotham is delusional?" Tilting my head in a silent question, "Even though it's not an obsession... I'm certain you aren't sorry about that. Are you?" No, she isn't. And her straight face said it all.

"Well....." Like I predicted, she trailed off staring at the ceiling. I might as well fill in the gaps myself.

"I thought so. There's nothing to be sorry about here."

More trailing off, "Makena..."

"Although, I think you should visit the definition of the word obsession. You don't see me worshipping the ground he walks on." In other words, I am most certainly not obsessed with Jotham Wright.

It was almost inaudible, "Not yet." She spoke under her breath, but I heard it nevertheless. Hmph.

"I heard that and it goes into the pile of yet another thing I don't care about." When she opened her mouth and closed it without saying anything, I added," If you'll excuse me, I'm going to add something sweet to my life."

About to settle on my feet, I heard her say. "You have an email." It forced me to sit back promptly, halting my attempt to stand.

Changing the conversation, smart move Aurum. Except that I'm not interested.

"I have an email?" I cocked my head to the side in question.

Her attempt at fake smiling was followed with, "It was directed to Makena Anderson of Make Designs." Another scratch of the neck. "Soo....."

"Who is it from?"

"Jotham." She paused for a while, "He wants you to be there on Monday. In his office to finalize the documents." Those pair of eyes searched my face for a reaction to the mention of Jotham. Nah, she won't get any today.

Jotham already said I was going to get an email from him. But, the thought of him having my email address was enough to enable my tummy to do somersaults. Not that it wasn't expected though. It's just official, nothing more. 

"Is there anything else?" Comfortable with my poker face. Yeah, I won't be giving her any chance to blab on about him today.

I might have imagined it but.... her face fell, "We might have potential customers who reached out to you." She continued in a professional tone. The tone of not my sister, but my assistant, "Then there's also the customers' reviews.". My assistant that works more than she ought to.

"You're taking care of all that? We need an HR team." I stated aloud, mostly to myself. Making mental notes, I tugged it at the back of my mind with the rest of my mental notes.

"Yeah...."

Sincerely speaking, "I'll see what I can do." I crossed my fingers hoping that I sounded reassuring enough. She needs more help with these things. Everybody does.

"Okay."

"See you later then." Another attempt to untangle myself from my sitting position when...

"Makena..." Aurum trailed off yet again, saying my name, among other unsaid things. Unsaid words.

"You're sorry." Voluntarily, my eyes rolled in their sockets. "I know" As sarcasm found a way to stick to each word I said.

Even though she cocked her head when saying, "You haven't forgiven me." It wasn't a question, but a statement of fact.

"I just want to give Jotham a shot. It's not like I actually went to him." I vividly remember saying that, the day I danced by the side of the road. "I already said that. Fate is speaking, I'm listening." Not helping myself, I shrugged it off with an usual smug expression. Fate. Hmmm.

Her eyes scrutinized my every feature. "He's your fictional crush."

"I don't refute that fact." Mine also stared her down.

"You're in love with him." There was more scrutinizing. But of course, my natural unusual smugness remained in place.

"Fictionally."

"Really, Makena?"

We have had enough talk about Jotham, obsession, and crushes. Time to talk about what actually matters.

Not trying to be very suspicious, I glanced at the television screen while talking "You're hiding something." Mind you the television had been turned off this whole time.

It came with a hmph, "No, I am not."

"You are and it's driving you over the edge." More prodding accompanied my words, "Just come right out and say it."

"I'm not hiding anything" That was what she tried convincingly to say. But, her body failed, as droplets of sweat ran down her face.

Bruh, the room was at room temperature.

My cue to leave, "Fine."

"Fine."

"Keep your secrets to yourself and allow me to keep my fictional crush to myself too." I was finally able to balance on my feet, without more unnecessary interruptions.

Of course, she tried to call my name once more. "Makena.."

I didn't need to know what she said next, seeing as I was already out of the door, letting out a sigh of relief.