Water was still running down my back when I turned off the shower, mumbling under my breath about how boring it was to shower without washing my hair. I wrapped the towel around my shoulders and looked at my reflection in the mirror… the blowout was still perfect.
In the kitchen, I grabbed a glass of juice and leaned against the counter. My phone buzzed on the table — a message from Daniel.
— I sent the class recordings, like I promised. They're in chronological order. If you need help with anything, just call me.
I smiled a little — he really had remembered. I typed a short, polite answer, without leaving room for conversation:
— Thanks, Daniel! This is really going to help me.
I put the phone aside, still feeling a small pinch of gratitude, when a noise from downstairs caught my attention. I walked to the window and, pulling the curtain aside, saw Rafael in the garden. He was crouched down, tending the flowers. The streetlight hit from the side, outlining his shoulders.
Before he could look up — if he even would — I let the curtain fall again. I stayed there for a moment, feeling my heart race out of sheer anger at myself.
I went back to the kitchen, grabbed some papers, and sat down with my laptop. I hit play on the first recording.
That was what I needed to focus on… that was why I was there.
Some time later, I noticed my arm numb on the table. I blinked a few times, trying to understand where I was. The recording was still playing, already far ahead.
— Wow — I muttered, ironically — these classes must be really exciting… I fell asleep in the first half hour.
I got up slowly, moving my arm until my fingers tingled. I went to the window and heard the familiar creak of the gate: Rafael was walking down the street, on his nightly outing whose purpose I never knew and probably never would.
I checked the time and shook my head.
— Of course… no wonder my stomach is growling like this.
I opened the freezer, grabbed a steak and a bag of cut fries. Thought about making some white rice to go with it.
— I deserve a treat today — I murmured, dropping the steak into the pan. — If I don't spoil myself, who will?
The smell started spreading through the kitchen.
Cooking filled me up in a way nothing else did. It was simple, but it was my favorite meal — steak, fries and white rice. When I finished eating, I washed the dishes slowly, letting the warm water run over my fingers. While I put the plates away, I thought about my savings. My mom still sent me money every month, even though I insisted she didn't have to. And since I only spent on what was necessary, the balance just kept growing.
Maybe it was time to use a bit of it. My clothes were still from high school and, looking closely, none of them felt like me anymore. I sighed.
— New hair, new clothes… maybe only a drastic restart will get me back on track.
I smiled to myself. The perfect person to help with that came to mind immediately. Evelyn… she always knew how to dress, I loved her style. I grabbed my phone and sent a short message:
— Hey! What do you think about going shopping this weekend? I need to update my wardrobe and thought of you to help me 😅
The reply came almost instantly:
— Yesss! Finally! We can spend Saturday afternoon shopping and then go to a bar at night to show off your new look 😏
I laughed, imagining her excitement on the other side of the screen.
— Deal. Saturday is perfect.
I put the phone down and leaned back on the couch. That was what I needed — to fill the time, fill the day, leave no room for what hurt.
I woke up with the sun slipping through the curtains and hitting me right in the face. I tried to turn, but my whole body complained. The pain in my back exposed the disaster of the previous night.
— I really need to stop falling asleep anywhere — I grumbled, my voice hoarse with sleep. — A soft bed two steps away and I choose the couch… brilliant, Helena.
I stood up with effort, my feet cold on the floor. I walked to the window, still rubbing my eyes and, before I even saw the garden, I heard my landlord's cheerful voice:
— Good morning, Helena! Sleep well? — he asked, with that bright tone of someone who seems to enjoy talking to the day.
— I slept… more or less — I answered, laughing.
He let out a short chuckle.
— Well, make sure you rest properly, because I already have an idea for lunch. How about eating with us today?
I smiled sincerely, but shook my head.
— I'll stay up here and eat something light at home. I'm meeting a friend later.
— Good! — he said, upbeat. — It's good to get distracted… young people have to enjoy life, or time passes and we don't even notice.
His voice was still echoing when I closed the window. I went to the bed and let myself fall onto it, feeling the mattress mold around me. I sighed, laughing to myself.
— What a waste — I murmured, burying my face in the pillow. — I spent the whole night on the couch with this waiting for me.
I stayed there, stretched out on the bed, in no hurry for anything, letting myself sink into that pleasant numbness of a morning with no commitments. I ended up dozing off again without even noticing.
I woke up with my phone vibrating beside me. I grabbed it, still a bit dazed, and saw Evelyn's message flashing on the screen:
— Wake up, sleepyhead! How about meeting right after lunch? Like one-thirty at the mall?
I smiled, still sleepy, and typed back:
— Deal. See you then.
It took me a few seconds to get up. My body felt heavier than I remembered… laziness mixed with a kind of tiredness I didn't even know the source of. I walked to the wardrobe and grabbed any outfit, something simple and comfortable. While I looked at myself in the mirror, I thought about doing some light makeup, nothing much, just to get used to getting ready. A touch of color on my cheeks, a bit of mascara.
Then I went to the kitchen, opened the fridge and found the leftovers from last night's dinner. I turned on the stove and put the steak and fries in the pan. The familiar smell spread through the air and I couldn't help smiling.
— It's impressive how steak is still good, even the next day — I murmured, sitting at the table, ready to really start the day.
The mall was crowded, the sound of voices and footsteps mixing with the background music. As soon as I walked in, I grabbed my phone and called Evelyn. She answered almost immediately, her voice as lively as ever:
— You don't have to look for me, just look straight ahead.
I raised my head and there she was, a few meters away, waving with that wide, contagious smile. I waved back and walked over to her.
— Finally! — she said, pulling me into a quick hug. — I was starting to think you'd given up.
— Didn't even think about it — I replied, laughing. — I just took a while because I walked here.
Evelyn let go of me and looked around, excited.
— So, where do we start? I know some amazing stores here.
— Honestly, I have no idea — I admitted. — I don't really know what to buy. I just want to change a little.
She gave me a small, mischievous smile.
— Leave it to me. Today I'm your official transformation consultant.
— That sounds dangerous — I joked, but she was already pulling me by the arm, determined.
— It's liberating — she said, winking. — Let's start with clothes that match your new hair.
And so we went, weaving between shop windows and racks, the shine of the lights reflecting in the mirrors and Evelyn's laughter guiding every step.