blackout - Alexia Putellas

5.

my heart is breaking again and again and again and again and again every time I see those news... get well soon, Jill..

Amidst a flood of messages from unfamiliar numbers, Erin found herself sifting through an assortment of pictures and videos sent by various strangers.

However, it was a red heart that immediately drew the blonde's attention.

Opening the specific message from yet another unknown number, Erin's breath caught, her lips pursing with a mix of curiosity and concern.

In the photo, she - Erin - was captured alongside none other than a particular brunette, dressed in a white attire that remained elusive in the blonde's memory, even the red wine stains marring the otherwise pristine dress.

It appeared to be a selfie, likely taken by Alexia; one hand held the cellphone, the other draped around the slender blonde. Both were smiling, yet Erin's glassy eyes contrasted with the athlete's hazel gaze.

Clearly, the blonde had indulged in a fair amount of drinking.

In the image, a bottle of champagne and an empty glass adorned her hands, while they were reclined against a backdrop of beige tiles.

Beige tiles.

"Hold on," Erin mumbled to herself, glancing up and swiftly turning around before hastening back to the restroom with determined steps.

Pushing through the door, her eyes scanned the surroundings, and the familiarity struck her - beige tiles matched the backdrop of the photo.

Lifting her phone to compare the image with reality, the blonde steadied herself against the sink, realizing the unsettling truth that she truly couldn't recall anything.

Absolutely nothing.

Blackout.

At least, they both looked happy in that picture.

Closing the app, opting not to delve any deeper into the embarrassing events of the previous night, the blonde emerged from the bathroom and the building shortly afterward. She headed away from the hotel grounds main building, towards the small cabin shared with her friend, deciding that a little sleep might do wonders.

Perhaps a nap might help shake off the remnants of the night and make her remember.

Wandering along the cobblestone path by the water, the blonde absentmindedly scrolled through her phone gallery, shaking her head in disbelief at the images she discovered.

Most were hopelessly blurry, likely taken before Erin had inadvertently smashed her phone and left her purse in the restroom. Most videos were mere black screens, seemingly recorded by accident, with audio as scratchy and disturbing as the hoarse voice Erin had awakened to that morning.

Amid the collection, there was another video of slightly better quality.

It appeared to be from earlier in the evening, presumably shot by Martha using Erin's phone.

The blonde was seen at the bar, engaged in conversation with the bartender, holding one of many champagne glasses and a blurry stranger sitting beside her.

But much like the other occurrences from the night before, Erin couldn't recall any of these moments.

Absolutely nothing.

Blackout.

"Hermana!" A higher-pitched voice echoed behind her, and an exhausted Spaniard emerged, running toward her on the cobblestone path, her journey all the more challenging with a pair of heels on.

"Hi, Martha," Erin mumbled, deftly tucking her phone into her purse as she slowed her pace, allowing her friend to catch up.

The Spaniard, still catching her breath, struggled to keep up the blondes pace.

"I really wanted to follow you and make sure you're okay, but breakfast arrived, and I couldn't resist- Oh, I see! You found your purse," Martha babbled, pausing to remove her heels before once again catching up with her friend. "That's amazing! Where did you find it?"

Turning right toward their modern hut nestled among palm trees, the blonde retrieved her slightly bent, and obviously scratched room card from her purse.

"The receptionist figured it was mine since she saw the ID and witnessed me leaving the restroom together with someone last night," Erin explains as they slowly but surely approached the door.

"Ah, ah, indulging in dreamy rendezvous in a restroom," the black-haired teased, playfully slipping past Erin and into the room once the blonde had unlocked the door to their cabin. "Not a place I'd choose for a steamy hookup, but if that's what's turning you on, then—"

"How about you stop making fun of me for once, just head to the beach and leave me to nap in peace," Erin murmured, tossing a red bikini to Martha, who slumped back on their shared master bed once the room door was closed.

"Hm, I don't think I'm in the mood for—"

"Patri might be there too," the blonde shrugged, attempting to persuade her friend, hoping for a chance to get some rest.

And of course, this statement captured the black-haired's attention.

"You know what, hermana," the Spaniard grinned, springing to her feet as she undressed. She then slipped into her bikini, securing her hair in a high ponytail. "You're absolutely right."

The anticipated relief Erin yearned for as Martha set off for the beach, leaving her alone, failed to materialize.

Instead, the blonde was left alone with her restless thoughts.

On the bed, she tossed and turned, orchestrating a symphony of movements. The curtains danced to her whim, opening and closing in tandem with the ever-shifting rhythm of her mind.

In a futile attempt to escape the clutches of sleeplessness, she hopped between various television programs, each failing to divert her thoughts from the enigmatic events of the previous night.

As the sun commenced its descent, and Martha's absence persisted, the blonde found herself compelled to seek solace in a change of scenery. The decision to venture into the gym was born out of a hope that physical exertion might provide a sanctuary for her thoughts, leading to the elusive peace she sought.

Perhaps, a workout might unlock the door to her memory, revealing the obscured events of that mysterious night.

For Erin remembered nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Blackout.

Slow yoga exercises and stretches marked a tranquil prelude, a deliberate warm-up carefully tailored to accommodate her current condition, followed by a cardio session on the bike, to invigorate the circulation without being too overwhelming.

The gym, a space framed by glass and overlooking the sea and the unfolding sunset, offered a breathtaking panorama of the ocean and the hotel's expansive grounds.

The view was nothing short of spectacular.

Captivated by the enchanting scenery and the surprisingly good feeling of a workout session, the blonde remained oblivious to the gym door opening as she pedaled through the captivating backdrop.

Interrupting the quiet surroundings, a reserved "Hola" caught Erin's attention, prompting a swift glance upward.

And in a matter of a second, without even looking, she identified the person behind her.

⬇️⭐️⬇️