JUST ONE MORE DAY

Artic's POV

How many days has it been?

Two? Three?

I don't even remember anymore. The mornings blend into afternoons, and the afternoons... just vanish.

When I finally opened my eyes today, the light outside was already sharp. The room felt hot, humid. I was sweating before I even moved. My bedsheet had folded into a tight knot under me during the night. I rolled onto my side and stared at the wall. White paint, a crack running from the corner to the window. It wasn't there last month, I think.

I picked up my phone. Battery at 9%. Plugged it in without thinking.

No notifications.

I lay there for a few more minutes before dragging myself up. My neck cracked when I stood. My body felt heavy. I didn't brush my teeth. Didn't even look in the mirror.

Pulled on the same black hoodie I've been wearing for three days now.

Walked out the door with my hands in the pocket.

The sunlight outside stung my eyes a little. It was probably 2 PM, maybe later. The small shop down the lane was open. I walked in without greeting the uncle behind the counter. He didn't say anything either.

Grabbed a cup of chicken ramen. The red and yellow packet.

Then a bottle of orange soda. Cold. My fingers stuck to the condensation.

Paid with the crumpled note I had in my pocket and walked back.

No one was home. Just silence. Always silence now.

The house smelled like old air. I boiled water in the kitchen. Steam rose from the kettle. I poured it into the cup. Let the noodles sit. No extra spices. No eggs. Nothing fancy.

I sat on the floor with my back against the couch.

Opened the lid.

The smell hit my nose. It was cheap, synthetic, but still better than nothing.

I took my first bite.

It burned my tongue. I chewed slowly anyway.

My phone buzzed.

I wiped my hands on my hoodie and checked.

A message from Dad.

> "Hey, I went to your mom's hospital to take care of her. Today's my turn since your sister had to go to college. Don't worry about anything. On the fridge, $500—I left it for you. Eat anything. Take care. I'll be back in a few days. If not, I'll send more money. Love you."

My thumb hovered over the screen.

I didn't reply.

I read it again.

Then again.

Still didn't reply.

I unlocked the phone and opened that app. The one I told myself I wouldn't open again.

Emily's profile.

Her latest posts were right at the top.

Two new photos.

One in a park. Her arms around Blake's. Her smile was soft, real.

The second one—at a mall. Matching hoodies. Hers said "His." His said "Hers."

My chest felt tight. Like something invisible sat on top of it.

"Must be nice," I whispered.

I closed the app. My fingers shook a little.

I didn't know why.

But I opened the short videos section. Started scrolling.

Video 1:

A guy, maybe twenty, standing in front of a white Mercedes. His sunglasses too big for his face.

> "They said you couldn't make it."

Text overlay: Me in 2029.

Generic motivation music played in the back. The kind that builds up like something great is about to happen. Nothing happened.

Scroll.

Video 2:

A girl trying to flip a water bottle. She missed.

> "Hahaha guys I'm sooo bad at this 😭😭😭"

Thousands of comments. "You're so cute." "Marry me."

I didn't even blink.

Scroll.

Video 3:

A news headline.

> "A man murdered by his best friend. Turns out the friend was sleeping with his wife."

I watched it till the end. No emotions. Just empty.

Video 4:

A cat. Fat. Gray.

Purring. Rolling on a sofa.

3 million likes.

I liked it too.

Video 5:

Some girl baking cake in a microwave.

> "Step one—you need a microwave. Hehehe."

I closed the app.

Checked the time.

5:12 PM.

Where did the day go?

I stood up and stretched. My spine cracked. I ignored it.

Then sat right back down.

Opened the game.

A new season had started.

Let's see…

"Omnix," I whispered to myself. "No fall damage. Not bad."

I queued for a full map. Decided I'd camp and go for survival.

Died at 78/100.

Shot from behind. Didn't even hear footsteps.

Gold rank. -120 points.

I dropped the phone on the bed.

It bounced once.

I lay back down. Arms behind my head.

Stared at the ceiling.

Again.

10:08 PM.

My stomach growled.

I went to the kitchen. Opened the fridge.

Leftover beans, but no rice. Bag of chips. The orange soda from earlier.

I grabbed the chips and drank the soda straight from the bottle.

Sat on the floor again. Same spot.

Put on some anime. Didn't even check which episode. I wasn't paying attention.

Time: 12:06 AM.

Bedtime.

But I couldn't sleep.

I stared at the ceiling fan. It wasn't on.

My head buzzed.

> "Tomorrow I'll wake up early. Like 10 AM."

> "I'll clean the room."

> "Do some exercise."

> "Maybe study. Maybe meditate. Like they say—body and mind, right?"

> "Yeah. Tomorrow."

I kept repeating it in my head.

But nothing moved.

I rolled over and picked up my phone.

Opened the browser.

Typed it in.

P-o-r…

Yeah.

That site.

Clicked.

Scrolled.

Watched something.

Then another. Related videos

Felt something.

Then nothing.

> "What the hell is wrong with me?"

I closed it all.

Time: 2:19 AM.

"I'm not sleeping tonight," I muttered to no one.

"I'll grind. I'll become better. Stronger. Emily will regret everything."

"Everyone will."

I reopened the game.

Joined a match.

Lost again.

Next thing I remember…

The sun through the window.

Time: 11:03 AM.

I'd slept.

Of course I had.

My stomach was growling again.

I stood up, opened the fridge.

There it was—instant noodles.

Same brand.

Same flavor.

I hesitated.

Then shrugged.

> "First day of change. I deserve something good, right?"

I poured water into the kettle.