Intertwined

Violette 

As he spoke, his words dripped with insincerity, “It's not you, Violette,”he began, uttering what had to be one of the most trite breakup phrases in history. 

“It's me, I'm just not ready for a serious relationship.”

I fixed him with a stern gaze, my mind racing with the audacity of his claims. 

Hadn't he been the one to push for our relationship from the start, three months prior? Hadn't I finally relented, sacrificing my precious day off to accommodate him? And now, he had the temerity to list off flimsy excuses as though he hadn't been the driving force behind our fleeting romance.

"We're not even in a serious relationship, Logan.”

I interjected, my voice firm but controlled, offering him an easy escape. 

His shoulders sagged in relief as he looked up from his untouched steak, and I bit back the urge to douse him with my glass of wine.

"'Besides, we barely spend any time together,' he continued, oblivious to my growing irritation.

 “You're always working, it feels like I'm dating a ghost.”

I rolled my eyes inwardly, weary of his dramatics. 

“It's fine, Logan, I understand.” Isaid dismissively, my patience worn thin by exhaustion. 

I had to get home and rest before my afternoon shift the next day.

With a swift motion, I opened my clutch and tossed a few dollars on the table, rising to my feet. 

As I turned to leave, Logan called out, “Hey...”and made a move to grab my wrist.

.”We can still be friends, right? We don't have to end things on a sour note.”

I sidestepped his grasp, my voice cool. 'No thanks, I'm good.' 

The audacity of this man was staggering. 

With my ego bruised and my body heavy with fatigue, I made a swift exit, leaving Logan and his half-baked excuses behind.

             ***************************

“ I’m home!” I yell tiredly asI stepped into the apartment I shared with my Italian roommate, Aria.

Aria and I had formed an unbreakable bond during my postgraduate program, bonding over our chaotic schedules and my nursing school struggles. 

When we discovered we were both searching for an apartment off-campus, it seemed like fate had brought us together. 

I was grateful for her presence in my life, especially given my meager financial situation, which made it impossible for me to afford a place on my own even with two part-time jobs. 

Despite her eccentric personality and the occasional arguments over the toilet lid, Aria was my closest friend, and I adored her.

From the kitchen, Aria's voice floated back, laced with sarcasm.

“How was your date?" I could sense her disapproval of Logan, and this time, I was inclined to agree with her.

The man had broken up with me on a Friday night, which was sure to sour my entire weekend. 

Not that I was deeply invested in him, but still, his timing was atrocious.

I trudged into the kitchen, my heels dangling from my hand, my feet screaming in protest.

“Awful," I groaned, hoisting myself onto the breakfast bar. 

Aria spread peanut butter on a slice of bread, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "As predicted," she quipped

“He broke up with me," I confirmed, stifling a yawn. 

“Thank God," Aria muttered, taking a bite of her sandwich.

After chewing and swallowing, she asked, "What was his excuse this time?" I hesitated, reluctant to relive the humiliation. 

Aria waited patiently, her expression expectant. Despite my protests, she would keep pestering me until I spilled every detail. "Something about me not having enough time for him," I finally relented. 

“And what did you say to him?" she pressed on. I groaned, exasperated. 

“Aria, I love you, but I really need a shower and bed. Maybe one of those sandwiches you just ate?" 

Aria's smile was knowing; she'd keep badgering me until I shared everything. 

“Alright, go take a shower, and I'll bring some to your room," she offered. 

"Thanks, babe, you're a lifesaver," I said, hopping down and heading straight to my room.

As I stepped into the shower, the warm water washed away the stress of the evening. I let out a deep sigh, feeling the tension melt from my shoulders. Logan's words still lingered in my mind, but I pushed them aside. I didn't need him anyway. My career was my priority, and I was doing just fine on my own.

After the shower, I wrapped myself in a cozy towel and walked into my room. Aria was already there, sitting on my bed with a plate of sandwiches and a glass of water. "Thanks, girl," I said, giving her a grateful smile.

I took a bite of the sandwich, savoring the peanut butter flavor. "Mmm, this is so good," I said, feeling a bit more energized.

Aria rolls her eyes. “It’s just a peanut butter sandwich .Now, spill the beans. What really happened with Logan?"

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "Aria, I told you. He said he wasn't ready for a serious relationship”

Aria raised an eyebrow, waiting for more information 

“And I barely spend time with him cause of my work”

Aria nods “Yeah he is right on that one, you are a workaholic”

“No I am not!”

“Yes you are,” she insists “well I am glad you are no longer with that d*ck” she says with a chuckle

I shrug. "Honestly, I don't care.”

“I know” she laughs better getting up and heading to the door.

 “ Good night schnookums” I says just to annoy her, cause she hates whenever I call her that.

She scowls as she shuts the door, but I hear her laugh in the hallway.

I felt my exhaustion start to lift. Talking to Aria always made me feel better.

As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but think about what the future held. Would I find someone who truly understood me? Only time would tell.

                 Violette 

I woke up feeling revitalized after a nine-hour slumber, and as I opened my eyes, I discreetly glanced at the digital alarm clock on my bedside table. It read 8:34 a.m., still four hours before my afternoon shift started.

Satisfied that I'd slept soundly, I began my morning routine. My plan was to apply a face mask, deep clean the apartment, prepare breakfast for Aria and me, and brew coffee – essential for Aria's daily functioning.

As I entered the bathroom we shared, I took care to make no noise, not wanting to disturb Aria. 

She becomes a monster when woken up from sleep.

Standing before the mirror, I brushed my teeth with an electric toothbrush, the soft hum filling the silence. 

My mind began to wander, as it often did when I was alone. Thoughts of my father, Diego Lopez, flooded my mind. He'd struggled to make ends meet after my mother passed away, giving birth to me. Though I'd never been to Argentina, my birthpla