A Love To Last

c h a p t e r (16)

᭝ ᨳଓ ՟

Ellery woke up with a start, her head throbbing as if a marching band had taken up residence inside her skull. She sat up slowly, her wavy chestnut hair now a tangled, frozen mess resembling an actual bird's nest. Her eyes, bloodshot and puffy, reflected the exhaustion etched across her face. The bed around her was a chaotic tangle of sheets and blankets, evidence of a restless night.

The room spun slightly as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet meeting the cold floor with a shiver. She squinted at the clock on her nightstand, its numbers blurry and unkind.

Ellery tried to stand up, but her legs wobbled, and she nearly fell face-first onto the floor. Catching herself just in time, she stumbled towards the bathroom door, catching a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. The sight made her jump-her disheveled appearance was almost unrecognizable.

"Who's Ursula? You're Ursula!" She joked, pointing an accusing finger at her reflection. She chuckled at the sight, despite the pounding in her head.

Ellery's movements were sluggish and uncoordinated as she pushed the door to the bathroom open.

She fumbled for her toothbrush, managing to squeeze a generous amount of toothpaste onto it. As she brushed her teeth, the minty freshness did little to alleviate the fog in her mind. She turned on the faucet and rinsed her mouth. She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to wake herself up.

"Today is a new day, a fresh start!" Ellery reminded herself, trying to muster some optimism. Just then, a terrible headache hit her, as if nature itself was against her. She winced, holding the side of her head as she walked back to her bedroom.

Ellery opened the drawer of her nightstand, desperately searching for a hangover pill, but found nothing. With a resigned sigh, she grabbed her phone and exited her room, each step feeling like a monumental effort.

She made her way to the kitchen, the smell of something cooking hitting her nose. She wrinkled her brow, trying to place the unfamiliar scent. As she entered the kitchen, she found Mona standing at the stove, a look of intense concentration on her face. Mona, channeling the spirit of an African mother, tapped the wooden spoon on her arm to taste the soup. She closed her eyes, savoring the flavor, and nodded in approval.

Ellery stiffled a laugh, grabbing Mona's attention. She turned quickly and smiled when she saw Ellery leaning on the door frame.

"Morning, best friend!" Mona greeted, her voice cheerful despite the early hour. "I made you some hangover soup."

Ellery raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "Hangover soup? You sure that's a good idea?"

Mona laughed, a bit nervously. "Well, I found a recipe online. It can't be that bad, right?"

Ellery approached the stove, peering into the pot. The soup was a murky concoction, with bits of vegetables and what looked like noodles floating in it. She couldn't help but smile at Mona's effort, even if the result was questionable.

"Thanks, Mona," Ellery said, her voice softening. "I appreciate it."

Mona ladled some of the soup into a bowl and handed it to Ellery. "Here, give it a try. It might just do the trick."

Ellery took a tentative sip, the warmth of the soup soothing her throat. Despite its odd appearance, it wasn't half bad. She gave Mona a thumbs-up, grateful for her friend's attempt to make her feel better.

Mona switched off the stove and other appliances, giving the kitchen a quick dusting. She wiped down the counters, making sure everything was in order before heading back into the living room, with Ellery in tow.