It was a cold winter morning, a nice morning to stay in bed under layers of warm blankets. Jimmy woke up to the soft hum of the morning, the soft morning sunlight entering her room through her window on her bedside.
She rubbed her eyes, blinked at the digital clock, and groaned.
"Ugh. Six A.M.? Already?" she muttered, stretching.
Still half-asleep, she swung her legs over the bed, slipped into her fuzzy slippers, and shuffled to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, freshly washed and a little more alive, she slipped into her comfiest pajamas—the good ones, the soft ones that whispered, today's gonna be a no-stress day.
In the kitchen, she whipped up a quick omelette and brewed a cup of tea, grabbing an apple for good measure. With breakfast in hand, she plopped onto the living room couch and placed her tray on the coffee table.
Halfway through her omelette, there was a knock at the door.
She froze. Blinked.
Then scowled.
"Seriously? Can't a woman enjoy her tea in peace?"
Grumbling, she got up, shuffled to the door, and opened it—only to be ambushed by a whirlwind named Sana.
Her best friend burst in like caffeine on legs, practically shaking Jimmy by the shoulders.
"Jimmyyy! You're free today, right? Let's go shopping!"
Jimmy blinked at her.
She blinked again.
Then sighed. "Sana. No. Not today. Go with someone else. I'm tired."
Sana's face dropped like a kicked puppy and hugged her waist.
"But I don't wanna go with anyone else. You're my only best friend!"
Jimmy stared at her for a second. Sana's over-the-top pouting. The giant eyes. The emotional blackmail.
"…Ugh. Fine."
She rolled her eyes and muttered, "You've been doing this to me since we were sixteen."
Sana grinned like she'd just won the lottery.
"So, can you release me from your koala grip now?" Jimmy asked, raising an eyebrow. "I kinda need to get dressed if you're dragging me to shop till we drop."
Sana beamed, nodding like an excited puppy, but not before sneaking a quick peck on Jimmy's cheek.
"Ew," Jimmy groaned, scrunching her nose in faux disgust.
"Oh please," Sana teased, hands on her hips. "Don't act like you didn't like it."
Jimmy let out a long-suffering sigh. "I didn't," she muttered.
"Yes, you did," Sana sang back.
They both rolled their eyes—professionals at this routine by now—and Jimmy headed upstairs to get ready.
Sana wandered into the living room, pacing a little before pausing at the window. The morning sunlight spilled over the garden, the flowers swaying gently, and she stood there watching them like they might wave back.
A few minutes later, Jimmy descended the stairs looking like she'd just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
White high-neck top. Baby pink leather jacket. Long, fitted black pants. Perfect fit.
Her hair was braided in a soft, elegant twist over one shoulder, and though she wore no makeup, her natural beauty glowed like she'd been kissed by the morning itself.
Not that she believed it. Jimmy didn't think much of her looks—she chalked it all up to genetics and luck. But anyone with eyes knew better.
She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a notepad, scribbling down a list. If she had to go out anyway, might as well make it useful—time to stock the fridge with more than just sadness and leftover takeout.
Just as she was finishing, Sana crept into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around her from behind.
"Are you done yet?" she asked, peeking over Jimmy's shoulder like an impatient little gremlin.
"Almost," Jimmy murmured in reply, still focused on her list.
"I've been waiting for you," Sana whispered dramatically, voice soft like a ghost at a Shakespeare audition. "Since you didn't come out, I thought you'd... died."
Jimmy didn't even flinch. Still scribbling on her notepad, she muttered,
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I was just doing what people with brains do before blindly wandering into consumer chaos."
She paused, then smirked.
"Dear Princess, forgive me for the delay."
Her sarcasm dripped with royal mockery.
Sana, undeterred, pouted and nuzzled Jimmy's neck like a clingy kitten, making her cringe and flinch away.
"Hmph, I was joking," Sana said quickly. "It's not like you took forever. You only took twenty minutes. I take forty just to pick socks."
Then her eyes softened. "But hey... you look gorgeous. Sometimes I seriously consider just wifing you up."
Jimmy rolled her eyes and brushed invisible dust off her shoulder.
"I know, right?," she said, turning for the living room. "Too bad you're a girl."
Sana grinned, easily matching Jimmy's tone.
"I was telling the truth," she said. "But fine, fine. Let's go."
She puffed her cheeks out in dramatic rejection, like a child denied her last candy. Jimmy snorted. Sana kept following her with a goofy lovesick smile plastered to her face.
They stepped out into the chilly street, arms brushing as they walked past local stalls and street vendors. Their breath fogged in the cold air, and everything smelled like roasted meat, spice, and early morning life.
After a bit, Jimmy glanced sideways.
"Hey… Sana? Aren't you hungry?"
Sana, teeth chattering slightly, turned toward her.
"I-I thought you were going to starve me along with you," she said, stuttering from the cold.
Jimmy grinned and nodded toward a food stall. "Let's see what we can grab here. Chicken skewers?"
"Yes. Yes. A million times yes. One for me, please!" Sana cried, darting toward the vendor like a woman on a mission.
They each bought a skewer, unbothered by the steam escaping from the meat as they ate, warmth finally battling against the wind.
Sana moaned in delight and look at her friend with starry eyes.
"Jimmy, I think we should buy some more to bring home. This tastes too good...mmh~"
"We should," Jimmy nodded savoring the taste and blowing her skewer to cool it down before taking another bite.
Sana chuckled and noticed a black few black cars parked in front of a café a few meters ahead. Sana nudged Jimmy and giggled,
"Hey, what if we get kidnapped by a mafia boss because we look too good eating like this? And because they fell for us in first bite?"
Jimmy gave her a side eye as she chewed and said,
"You know that's not possible. I don't think there are such people in this economy."
"Ahh, come on. Play along," Sana pouted and nudged her again as she pick up another stick of chicken skewer, "What if it does happen?"
Before Jimmy could answer, the sound of gunshot rang through the air. People screamed and scrambled in panic around them in chaos.
Sana and Jimmy stood frozen in their spot, eyes side and filled with horror as a suspicious looking man fell dead right infront of them, blood seeping out from his neck.
"AHHHHHH!"