Melissa was still half-asleep on the couch, a blanket draped over her legs, a peaceful smile on her face. Ice breathed deeply, the taste of salt and the shadow of the waves still on her lips. Guilt and shame from the night before washed over her in waves. She remembered Bern, their entwined bodies, the burning desire, and a sensation she had never known before.
— Damn… she murmured to herself, her throat tight.
She rose slowly, her bare feet sliding on the cool floor. Her hands trembled slightly as she picked up her phone to check messages, though she didn't really want to know. The notifications were silent. No Bern, no Teddy. Just a few messages from Melissa, probably checking if she was okay.
— Hey… you okay? murmured Melissa, stretching, her eyes half-open.
Ice nodded, trying to smile.
— Yeah… I'm okay… just… heavy, she murmured.
Melissa looked at her, understanding that this wasn't just physical fatigue. Ice's eyes were red, her features drawn, but something in her gaze remained untamed, almost defiant.
— Want some coffee? Melissa suggested, rising slowly.
Ice nodded, remaining silent, following her to the kitchen. The smell of hot coffee filled the apartment, bringing a bit of comfort, a bit of normalcy. Movements were calm, precise, but every gesture of Ice still betrayed the unrest in her mind.
She sat at the table, hands wrapped around the warm mug, staring out the window at the golden morning light brushing the city. The world seemed to continue without her, indifferent to the storm she had weathered the night before.
— Ice… murmured Melissa softly. You know… you can tell me what you're feeling… even if it's hard. I'm here.
Ice inhaled deeply, letting the tears rise once more.
— I feel… empty… and dirty. I didn't think… I could… do what I did… I… I slept with a stranger. And the worst… is that I liked it…
Melissa took her hand, squeezing gently.
— Listen… you did nothing wrong. You were the one hurt. It's normal to look for… a little warmth, a little comfort. And it doesn't change who you are.
Ice nodded, but her gaze remained lost, fixed on the steaming coffee in front of her. She felt both relieved to have spoken and crushed by guilt.
— And Bern… she murmured. He… he's different. But it's… it was just a moment, and I don't know how to handle it.
Melissa nodded, understanding.
— For now, you just need to breathe. Forget the rest. One thing at a time, Ice.
— Waking Up and Leaving for Work
The morning light timidly filtered through the curtains of Melissa's apartment. It wasn't strong yet, but it was enough to wake Ice. The young woman opened her eyes slowly, feeling the weight of the previous night lingering in her sore muscles and stiff neck. Her body was still marked with traces of sand and salt, burning reminders of that moment with Bern, which, despite herself, kept returning to Ice's mind.
She stayed still for a few seconds, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Memories came back in fragments: Bern's laughter, the warm contact of his skin, her heartbeat against his. Then, inevitably, Teddy and the scene at the hospital. The image of Lora and Lily, their eyes full of trust and innocence, stabbed at her heart. All of it—the mixture of desire, betrayal, and guilt—weighed gently but heavily on her.
Melissa was still half-asleep on the couch, the blanket half-slid over her legs, a peaceful expression contrasting with the chaos in Ice's mind. The simple sight of her reassuring friend gave her a small anchor in the storm inside her.
Ice inhaled deeply, feeling her throat tight and her hands trembling. She got up slowly, sliding her bare feet across the cool parquet. Each movement seemed to take extra effort. She headed toward the bathroom, letting the hot water run over her body, but she knew the water couldn't wash away the guilt or the images swirling in her mind. She closed her eyes under the burning stream, trying to convince herself that she could regain some semblance of normality.
She took a quick shower, letting the hot water rinse off the salt and sand from the beach, but not the guilt or the tumult of her thoughts. She dressed simply, professionally: a white shirt, black pants, comfortable shoes. Everything had to remain neutral. She had to remain Ice, despite the emotional storm within her.
Leaving Melissa's apartment, she took a deep breath of the morning air. Her fingers gripped her bag as an anchor to reality. She knew that today she had to appear strong, professional, and avoid any confrontation with Teddy or the rest of the world. Yet deep down, she already felt that things were going to be complicated.
The ride to the hospital was silent for Ice. She sat in the passenger seat, her cheek against the window, watching the buildings pass under the morning sun. Every breath reminded her that reality continued relentlessly, while her heart and mind clung to the beach, to Bern, to Teddy, and to everything that had been revealed the night before.
Melissa drove calmly, occasionally glancing at Ice.
"Maybe… you should take a moment to breathe before walking through that door," she said softly.
"I know…" Ice replied, almost inaudibly. "But… I have to… I have to move forward."
Melissa nodded, understanding that Ice wanted to maintain some semblance of control. She also knew that this day would be heavy, full of confrontations, glances, and thoughts that Ice wasn't ready to handle.
At the hospital, the cold air-conditioning made her shiver as she entered. The lobby was already busy, nurses running, patients and visitors crossing paths in a continuous ballet. Ice inhaled deeply, trying to focus on her uniform, on her professional gestures. Every step brought her closer to Teddy, and every step made her heart beat a little faster. She didn't want to meet his gaze. Not yet.