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𝐉𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐇𝐈 𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐍

𝐉𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐃 from her sleep, the blaring ringtone of her phone piercing through the quietness of the room, save for the faint sound of The Loud House playing softly on the TV.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep as she reached for her phone on the nightstand.

Squinting at the bright screen, she saw the name "Grandma Suzy Ann" flashing across it.

Jhream answered the call, her voice raspy as she swallowed the dryness in her throat. "Hello?" she said softly.

"Hey, baby. You just waking up?" Suzy Ann's warm voice came through the line.

Jhream nodded instinctively, even though her grandmother couldn't see her. "Yes," she replied, her voice still groggy.

Suzy's voice came through the phone again, laced with curiosity. "You still coming to the family reunion, right?"

Jhream sighed, her mind still foggy from sleep. "That's today? Da-dang, yeah, I'm coming," she replied, her words slow as she processed the thought.

Suzy chuckled on the other end of the line. "How you forget, sweetie?"

Jhream shook her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "Head ain't in the right place right now." She glanced over at Blaise, who was fast asleep beside her, his steady breathing filling the silence of the room.

Suzy's voice came through the phone loud and clear, as if she was yelling straight into the mic. "Well, okay, baby. I'm gonna see you later. Be early too, I want you to help!"

Jhream winced slightly, holding her forehead as she groaned under her breath. "I hear you, Grandma," she muttered, shaking her head as she slowly slid out of bed. Her feet hit the cold floor with a soft thud, the chill of the hardwood sending a shiver up her spine.

She grabbed the nearest shirt from the foot of the bed, pulling it over her head in one smooth motion.

With a flick of her wrist, she pulled the phone off her ear, ending the call. As she walked toward the bathroom connected to her room, her eyes fluttered, still adjusting to the harshness of the morning light that streamed through the half-open blinds.

Her bare feet padded softly across the floor as she entered the bathroom, the coolness of the tile floor beneath her toes a stark contrast to the warmth of the bed she had just left.

She leaned against the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror, trying to gather her thoughts for the day ahead.

Jhream reached for her toothbrush, the cool plastic handle familiar in her hand. She turned on the faucet, letting the water run for a moment before she held the brush under the stream, the bristles soaking up the flow.