Page 61 of HER SISTER

Whoever said romantic breakups hurt the worst, had clearly never went through a friendship breakup.

It had been approximately three days—maybe more, my concept of time is really lacking—and I haven't moved from this bed.

I've only managed to move twice every day—and that's to brush my teeth in the morning and then brush my teeth at night and shower before going back to bed.

Thank god, classes don't start back for another week, or else I would be failing without a doubt.

Mya had cleared out her side of our shared apartment by the time I had gotten back from Mili's, leaving me to stay in the empty space alone, which I did—stupidly hoping she'd show up randomly and I could talk to her.

Well, until Mili got a little too worried about me being alone, and had me start staying at her place.

Most of her photography set up was at her place—along with her desktop that she used for editing, so she could really only spend so much time over at Mya and I's place before she needed to get back.

Especially now that an agency wanted to sign her.

"Ati."

I only groaned, tugging the covers closer to me, "I'm tired," I forced out.

Mili only hummed, and I could suddenly feel the bed dip next to me, "You've been in bed all day—it's time for our evening walk," she said.

Yes, it was getting to the point where Mili had to force me out of bed for longer than thirty minutes.

I only groaned again, "Can we take a break today? I really don't feel there mentally," I whispered, knowing I was actually going through it mentally.

But I knew somehow, Mili would somehow find a way to get me out of this bed.

So when I felt her surprisingly stand back up from the bed, I felt slightly shocked—but grateful at the same time.

At least I could continue replaying everything on a loop and crying myself into oblivion.

Yet, my pity party was interrupted yet again, when the bed had dipped next to me again—not even an hour later.

"What are you doing?" I questioned.

My brows furrowed when I felt her suddenly slide in under the covers with me.

"It's time to eat—I got your favorite takeout," Mili said as she pulled the covers away from my face.

I furrowed my brows, blinking a few times as I adjusted to the bright lights.

I eyed the Italian food, "I'm not—"

"You haven't eaten all day," Mili cut me short, raising a brow when I went to disagree, "You're eating," she determined.

I pursed my lips together, "Fine," I sighed as Mili took the food from the boxes.

Mili hummed to herself, "One word to describe how you feel...Go," she said as she grabbed the plates.

Mood checks seemed to be a constant thing with her, and honestly, I didn't really mind it.

I shrugged, "Hopeless," I breathed out with complete honesty, feeling like I was stuck in this constant loop and that I'd never be able to get away from these dreadful feelings.

Mili nodded, "And your mood on a scale of one through ten—ten being happy and one being sad," she added as she prepared the plates with pizza.

I pursed my lips together, "Four."

Mili suddenly looked down at me with a smile, easily sending a jolt of warmth through me, "That's better than yesterday baby," she said, pressing a bunch of kisses to my cheeks before handing me my plate.

And for the first time in the past few days, a small smile managed to grow on my lips.

Mili paused her actions, "No way," she said, looking down at my lips.

And even her acknowledging that I was smiling was enough to make me smile harder.

"She's smiling," Mili practically gushed, leaning down to press a fleeting kiss to my lips.

"Mili," I whined out when my smile managed to grow.

Mili pressed yet another kiss to my lips, "I really think I might pass out from your beautiful smile," she determined as I shook my head at her.

I swear she's the sweetest—I really don't think I would've made it this far through my friend breakup without her.

"What are we watching tonight?" I questioned, changing the subject as she clicked the TV on.

Mili hummed, "I tell you the same thing every single time," she reminded me.

I jokingly rolled my eyes to myself, "Whatever you want," I mocked her typical response.

Mili laughed slightly, "You're very vocal tonight," she determined, clearly happy about my progress.

Usually, I wasn't this talkative.

And the realization alone somehow sent me for a loop.

I suddenly sat my piece of pizza back down, suddenly feeling nauseous.

Mili frowned as she looked over to me, "It's okay to feel better, Ati," she reminded me.

But I could only argue her statements in so many different ways.

"I shouldn't feel better after what I did to Mya," I whispered.

I already felt guilty enough for making her feel like she wasn't welcome in her own apartment.

Mili sighed slightly, gently pulling me into her side, "It's okay to make mistakes, Atiana—we made a mistake, we apologized, now we wait for Mya to hear us out fully," she explained, gently running her hand up my arm, "Time heals, but that's only if you're willing to heal."

I hummed weakly, feeling my eyes grow with tears, "I just really hate that I hurt her—she was one of the best and closest friends that I had, and she was the first person I met when I got to LA," I explained, shaking my head as Mili wiped some of my stray tears, "She was so nice to me Mili—and what did I do in return? I—"

"Made a mistake," Mili quickly cut me short, clearly trying to flip my perspective. "We're all human, Ati, seriously give yourself some credit, and use life as a learning experience," she said, pressing a fleeting kiss to my temple.

I nodded slightly, and even if she had mentioned this before, it suddenly felt different after crying for three days straight—this time it felt like I didn't just hear her, I understood her.

Mili suddenly reached over to her nightstand, "I was going to wait to surprise you with these—" she said, opening the drawer to grab something, "—But I think you need this the most right now," she said, handing me the envelope.

I furrowed my brows as I held the envelope in my hand.

I knew it was from Mili because of the name Ati written neatly on the white paper.

I hesitantly glanced to Mili before suddenly looking back to the envelope that I slowly started opening.

And almost as soon as I read the cover of the Get Better Soon card, I couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Lani..." I trailed off, feeling so warm by her thoughtfulness.

However, when I managed to open the card, my lips managed to part in shock.

"You didn't," I whispered.

Mili smiled slightly, "Oh I did," she countered my statement.

I blinked a few times as I grabbed the plane tickets to Islamorada.

"I wasn't sure if you were okay with me coming along, but I can always get my ticket canc—"

Mili quickly cut herself short when I pressed a sudden kiss to her lips.

Even the idea of going home managed to make me feel a lot better—and getting out of LA sounded like heaven.

"Of course I want you to come along," I whispered as we pulled back from the warm kiss.

Mili smiled slightly, "Yeah? Are you sure?" she questioned, clearly making sure I was completely comfortable.

"I'm one hundred percent sure," I didn't hesitate to answer, pressing another kiss to her lips, "This was just what I needed—thank you so much."

Mili smiled against my lips, "Of course baby," she murmured as we pulled away yet again.

And I couldn't help but furrow my brows when she revealed something else.

"I figured some childhood nostalgia might help as well," she added as I looked at the familiar book.

It was the iconic, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.

My smile grew, "You are the sweetest person on the planet," I determined, easily pulling her into a deep kiss that she didn't hesitate to reciprocate.

"Guess who gets a bedtime story tonight?" Mili jokingly questioned as we pulled apart.

I hummed happily, "I'm the luckiest girl ever," I determined, knowing that Mili was the most perfect girlfriend that I could ever ask for.

Mili gave me a narrowed look, "No, I'm the luckiest girl ever," she said, easily flipping my statement.

I laughed, "Agree to disagree?"

Mili smiled slightly, "That's really the only option here," she determined, clearly not budging on her opinion.