CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO – DOWN IN THE DUMPS

Jasmine sat cross-legged on the floor of her apartment, surrounded by half-packed boxes and unfinished canvases. She stared blankly at a painting of a lone figure walking on a beach, the colors muted and melancholic. A sharp knock at the door startled her from her reverie. "Jasmine? Are you in there?" Emily's voice called from the hallway. Jasmine sighed, reluctant to answer. "It's open," she finally replied. Emily burst into the apartment, her energy a stark contrast to the gloomy atmosphere. "Oh, honey," she said, taking in the scene. "This won't do at all." Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Hello to you too, Emily." "Don't 'hello' me," Emily retorted, hands on her hips. "Look at you, sitting here like a sad potato. We need to get you out of this funk." "I'm not in a funk," Jasmine protested weakly. "I'm just... processing." Emily snorted. "Processing, my foot. You're wallowing, and I won't stand for it. Get up, we're going out." Jasmine didn't budge. "I appreciate the thought, bu