The curtains fling open, forcing her to shield her eyes from the bright sun. "Rise and shine baby sis. Today is a new day, an opportunity to start anew."

Her vision slowly adjusts to the light and recognizes the svelte figure of her older sister. "Argh…Olga, leave me alone." She pleads. "I'm not ready to get up." Her back seeps into her mattress, wrapping her sheet over her face."

The 30-something-year-old's dress gracefully spins as she maneuvers through the room, picking up Helga's uncleaned garments. "Nonsense, do you remember when I thought I earned a B on my report?"

"Ugh, Olga I already apologized- "

Olga raises her hands up. "No that's not my point! You, baby sis, wouldn't let me just mop around whining. You told me to snap out of it! Now here's my chance to do the same for you!" Olga energetically picks up all the items and turns to Helga, who is still wrapped up under ivory covers. "I won't pester you any longer. I must start my day. But you sis, do something today. Start small and get some fresh air. You know just doing that can do so much good."

The 27-year-old blows out a heavy sigh when the door closes and unveils herself. Stretching her long arms up she attempts to glide her fingers through matted hair. "Criminy…" She grumbles at her reflection in the mirror straight across the room. Soft cries from just behind the door catch her ear. "Okay Stix, here I come boy."

For once she decides to take her sister's advice. Helga turns the wheel of her silver 2-door, catching a quick glimpse of her French bulldog hopping around on the back seat. As she proceeds to pass a stop sign, the flickering of headlights distracts her for a moment. A male figure attempts to wave her down. But she directs her attention to the road.

Her foot gently presses down on her squeaky breaks at another stop sign. Helga grumbles at whimpers from the back seat. "Hush up, I'm gettin' them fixed soon." Helga turns to stroke his soft face and then sighs facing back to the traffic. "Maybe we should've walked it, boy."

Helga feels some light rumbles in her tummy when the same car pulls up beside hers. Their tinted window rolls down. "You are bad!" says this vibrant stranger. Knowing he meant 'bad' as good, she nervously brushed some of her strands behind her ear. Wide-eyed, all she could do is blink at this unexpected compliment.

Shooting her a knowing hooded-eyed smile, he chuckles. "What do you want to do?"

Without thinking, she points to the park ahead where she planned on taking Stix out for a quick walk. He mimics her pointing and follows her tracks to a vacant parking area.

His charcoal car stops behind her and out he jumps out grasping a cigar in his left hand. He lowers his upper body to her window, getting a closer look at the blonde. "You are beautiful." He mumbles through smoke almost incoherently. Moving his cigar out of his mouth, revealing a white smile. He peeks at her back seat while blowing out more smoke. "Cool dog…." Stix nudges at his hand. After patting the dog a few times, he focuses back on Helga. "Can I see you?" His squinty eyes glide all over her. "I work and go to school, but… I can make time for you."

The usually impulsive and quick-witted woman, nibbles at her lip running her eyes over his lightly sun-kissed skin, and almond-set eyes. He takes a whiff of his cigar, pulling her attention to his lips; the pigment looks unnaturally dark… she assumes due to smoking. Her attention moved to his nose, it almost looked as if it had been broken in the past. His dark bushy eyebrows knitted together in anticipation of some type of response.

Her pink nails drum against her steering wheel. "Um… I'm not in the best place…" Her head shakes, at a loss of anything else to say.

They both stare at each other while the booming base from a black escalade goes by.

He sighs and looks away impatiently. "Ima get one of those, one day." His sight narrows at the trunk driving into the distance. "W-well, we can go at your pace." He declares putting his chestnut gaze back on her. "Here. Take my number." He points at her phone gesturing for her to save his info. "If you're interested call me later on." His full lips brush against the top of her hand, planting a gentle kiss. "I love you." He huskily blurts out; his eyes grow big at his own sentiment, shrugging at her with a half-smile, the black-clothed male plops back into his car.

Helga watches as he peels off. She's frozen in place, letting what happened settle in. The muggy breeze snaps her back to the present along with the whimpers of her four-legged passenger. She claps her hands before tugging at the leash. "Alright, Stix let's jet."

Still feeling energized by the fresh air and sun against her skin, she dives onto her bed in front of her sky-blue laptop. Her chin drops to her hands, reading a description on LinkedIn. Her eyes drift to her read a notification on her phone. She opens her contact list and strolls down the lengthy list of names. Letting out some air, Helga judgmentally shakes her head while looking at 10 digits.

I mean I don't even know his name

Her eyes review the number with her thumb hovering over it. She rolls her eyes and gently tosses the phone aside deciding to submit her resume.