Suddenly.... Love crept in.

"I can't do this anymore!" she screamed.

"So that's it... seven years and you're leaving just like that?" he asked.

"YES!" she snapped.

"Oh no, they're at it again." I sighed, rolled my eyes, and stumbled out of bed.

I heard the front door slam, footsteps hurriedly going down the walkway, and tires screeching away. I looked through my window just in time to see the rear of Kimone's car driving speedily down the street. Again, I sighed.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I came downstairs and headed to the kitchen.

"She left, and I think it's for good this time," Kyle answered as he stared blankly at the door.

"Don't worry, she'll be back. She always comes back," I said, trying to sound optimistic.

"Hmmm, whatever," he grumbled.

I was about to offer him coffee when I heard him go up the stairs. I sighed again.

It's crazy how two people who were head over heels in love and so much hatred for each other suddenly. It was really weird, but I tried my best to stay out of their quarrels at all times.

Kyle and Kimone were my roommates from college days. We met in the cafeteria during my second week on campus and have remained friends ever since. We were so close that after college we shared an apartment so we could save some money.

But for the past year, their relationship took a turn for the worse. They were always arguing, even over the pettiest things, endless bickering and malice for reasons unknown to me. I didn't know what had gone wrong. I tried asking Kimone on various occasions, but she played it off each time, saying it's nothing and that they were okay. She would tell me what was happening on her own time.

After cleaning the kitchen, I then made breakfast and thought about sharing some with Kyle. I knew he didn't like to eat when he was moody, but asked anyway.

"Kyle!" I shouted from the bottom of the stairs. “Pancakes are ready!"

"No, thank you."

"Okay.”

Well, more for me, I thought, and sat down at the kitchen table to eat what I had prepared.

I was about to take a second bite of my pancake when my phone started ringing. I rolled my eyes upon realizing that it was upstairs.

"Oh man, can't a girl just enjoy her breakfast? Whoever it is gotta call back cause I ain't getting up." I growled and continued eating.

"It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh," echoed throughout the house. The sound of my favorite song by Ace of Base alerted me that my phone was ringing again

"Uggghhh!" I snapped.

But still was stubborn and did not get up. I loved the apartment but hated that the bedrooms were upstairs and I kept forgetting to take my phone with me whenever I was coming to the kitchen. After about five minutes, my plate was empty and, as usual, I began reading the morning paper. But my phone was at it again. This time the sound was getting louder and coming towards me. I looked up to see Kyle downstairs with my phone in his hand.

"Thanks!" I said. “Really couldn't bother to get up.” with a slight smile

"I know, but can you put it on silent or something? I need some peace right now," he mumbled.

I gave him an 'ooh really' look and was about to argue, but decided against it. After noticing his eyes were red, he had been crying.

"Are you okay?" I asked, already knowing he would lie.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just having a terrible headache," he replied.

"There are some painkillers in the top drawer on your right if you need any," I told him.

"Cool," he said as he sat around the other side of the table and began reading the paper.

By this, my phone was at it again...

"Oh," I gasped as I had forgotten it was in my hand.

"Hello?"

"Hi, good morning, this is Nurse Walters from Middlesex Hospital and I'm calling for Miss Nicole Lyons," I froze and wondered why would the hospital be calling me. Was something wrong with my mother or anyone one of my family members I wondered?

"Er.... um, yes, this is her. How may I help?" I tried to remain calm as I spoke.

"Calling on behalf of Miss Kimone Livermore, you were listed on her phone as BFF (best friend forever) and in her purse as next of kin."

I panicked,

"Huh?" I struggled to find my words. "What's happened?" I asked again.

"She met in an accident. How soon can you get here?"

It took a while for the words to process in my mind. It was as if my brain became slow. When I finally registered what she had said, all I could do was shout.

"WHAT?!!"

I suddenly felt hot and dizzy and found it hard to breathe. I had to lean on the table for support. Then I noticed Kyle was wide-eyed and staring at me.

"What is it?" he whispered

"Okay, I'll be there soon," I said and hung up the phone.

"What's wrong?" Kyle asked.

I stood up from the table and attempted to walk, tied.tied

"God damn it Nicole what is it?" he shouted again, this time hitting the table, and it snapped me out of my sudden state of shock, that was when I saw the panic in his eyes and I could feel the tears springing in my own eyes.

"It's Kimone," I whispered. "She had an accident."

And after saying that, everything went dark.