And that was where things got really meta, because even as she sat thinking about her struggles with technology, a part of her brain was putting together a monologue on the topic for her next video.
Maybe there was no remedy to it, she reflected. Maybe it was just the price she paid for packing a lifetime’s worth of adventures into each year.
Claire stumbled into the kitchen half awake and pulled open the drawer where she kept her matcha – then jumped back and slammed it shut.
“I hate it here!” she burst out.
“Well.” Akemi closed her laptop. “Good morning to you too.”
“Sorry.” Claire swiped a palm over her eyes. “I didn’t see you sitting there.”
“What are you shouting about?” Anne hissed as she came into the kitchen.
Claire turned on her mother. “There are roaches in the drawers!”
“Keep your voice down! The guests are sleeping.”
“That’s all you care about anymore!”
“We need money to eat, Claire. And these early reviews will determine whether or not we get more people renting rooms this summer. So yes, that’s what I care about. Providing for you, and for your brother.”
“Whatever.”
“What is going on with you?”
“Nothing!” Claire nearly shouted the word.
Anne threw her hands up in frustration and walked out of the room.
“Okay, she’s gone,” Akemi whispered conspiratorally. “What’s going on with you?”
Claire rolled her eyes. “I just hate it here.”
“Yes,” Akemi said wryly, “this ocean-view house in Hawaii is truly hell on Earth.”
“I’m serious,” Claire said, but Akemi could see her fighting back a smile.
“Me too. This place is the worst. Sunshine every day? Birdsong? Blue skies? Like, get over yourself, am I right? What a try-hard.”
“Exactly.” She was smiling openly now. “The sun is too sunny.”
“Totally. No one likes it here. They’re all just pretending.”
Claire sighed, and her smile fell away.
“Come on. Spill. What’s going on?”
“I haven’t heard from my boyfriend in like a week. I don’t even know if heismy boyfriend. Last time we talked, I was telling him I don’t know if I’ll make it back to the mainland in time to start school, and he was like, ‘Well I don’t think either of us is ready for a serious long-distance relationship,’ but, like, we’re alreadyina relationship?!”
“And since then he’s just been avoiding you?”
“I mean, he’s been busy. But… yeah, seems like it.” Claire made a sound of pure frustration. “Why can’t he just come out and say what he’s thinking?”
“It sort of sounds like he did.”
Claire made another inarticulate noise and drooped dramatically onto the kitchen island.
Akemi stood and stretched. “We need a beach day.”
