A Baseless Rumor

When I opened my eyes, a few things felt off.

First of all, Derek was gone.

Ever since we started sleeping together, I might wake up a few times during the night, but a normal day always began with me waking first in the morning and rousing Derek.

But now, well.

It didn't seem like I'd overslept.

Which meant Derek had gotten up much earlier than me, despite my rising at the crack of dawn, and left me behind.

That was strange, too.

Why would he go off on his own, when usually he'd wake up early and wake me instead?

If he was hungry... my routine always included setting out a little fresh fruit on the table in the room.

As I sat up, wondering about it, a second oddity hit me...