I woke up to find myself alone in the room. The space next to me was empty and cold, indicating that Carmen had left quite some time ago. I stretched, enjoying the rare opportunity to wake up at my own pace without anyone immediately around to rush me.
Carmen's absence was almost a relief; I had things to do, and I didn't want to feel her eyes on me the entire time.
First, a shower. I grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom, deciding to take my time. The warm water cascading down my body was soothing, and I allowed myself to relax under the stream, washing away the remnants of the previous day.
As I scrubbed, I found myself thinking about the events that had transpired since I had moved in with Carmen. It had been a whirlwind of activity, emotions, and confusion, and I still wasn't entirely sure how I felt about everything.