Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

This summer felt like it was cranking the heat up to eleven.

From Monday to Friday, I had my sweet escape in air-conditioned classrooms, labs, and the library.

Weekends? Just as awesome. My home's AC and chilled watermelon slices were the stuff of dreams.

Lounging in my cool haven, munching on watermelon while skimming through papers, it felt like a small slice of peace in a hectic world.

Leda dropped a message: "Hey, it's Saturday, no classes. Sure you don't want to hit the town?"

Roseanne sighed and said, "Leda, please, give me a break. With this heat... I can't even think about stepping outside."

"Not even for a little shopping, maybe to grab some cute outfits?!"

"I can just shop online."

makeup? You gotta try those in-store to know if

my usual brands, no

at the supermarket?! You gotta leave the house for that!" Leda's frustration was palpable through the screen. Roseanne whispered back, almost guiltily, "Actually... home delivery isn't

was silent for

with

from Leda. Roseanne always could

by her friend's

David, and all those other

summer heat. She hated the sun even more than Roseanne did. So when Leda brought it up today,

start..."

to cause her physical

had somehow gotten her phone's lock screen password and decided to browse some not-so-savory

swore he could

where indulgences like emperor-grade jade