Falling Into Oblivion

Chapter Ten

AFTER ALL THAT'S happened, I am a little stumped that I'm sitting here next to Kaelem in the passenger seat of his car, driving to Arsen's to confront him. Never in a million years did I think  I'd be going out of my way, in such a hurry to see him so soon after our break up -and with Kaelem. But it's funny how the universe works.

I'm fuming inside and I'm ready to explode when Kaelem speaks, his voice comes in waves of comfort, soothing my nerves like he's pulling the lever down to the kill switch to my detonation."So don't get met wrong, because I really don't mind, but looks like I have no other choice than to buy you a car, huh?" He decides out of the blue, like money is no object.

"A car?" My eyes dart up to the amusement swaying on his baby-soft, lips. "You're just going to buy me a car?" I plainly state. The joke is a little odd from his usual jests, but it still makes me wonder whether or not he's being serious.

"Yeah, why not? A brand new car would make your life much easier, don't you think?" I scrutinize his body language, but I still can't get a good read on him.

I should know by now when he's teasing, right?

I pick the dirt at my finger nails and sit in silence, listening to the muffled rumble of the mustang. I glance over to his side, but he's not smiling or laughing.

I look down to my feet. "Because it costs a lot of money, that's why." I reply, breaking the silence. I could never except a gift so grand.

"So, isn't that the point of making money - to spend it?"

I stare at him in disbelief and can't help my laugh erupting. "Okay, yah sure, buy me a car." But then I let my laugh die down.

"Okay." And the conversation ends at that.

DRIVING ONTO ARSENS street, Kaelem parks the car on a side street. Opening the door to the car, I march up the steps to the back door. Without taking a second to see if Kaelem follows behind me. I arrive at the door and pound it with no regards to whomever else can hear me. By the time Arsen comes to the door, I've knocked for a good two minutes straight and gather, no one else is here, apart from him.

"Hello." I squeak out, stepping a foot back as he opens the door abruptly.

Fully aware that he's standing in front of me, his brows heavy, his eyes heavy-lidded. I begin to stand awkwardly, shifting my weight from side to side. I've never been so alert to my hand positioning in my entire life until now. What do I normally do with my arms when I talk to someone? Do I let them dangle to my side? Do I position them on my hips?

"What do you want?" He barks and I decide to shoving my clammy hands in my pockets and puff up my chest in order to hold back from ripping into him.

"We need to talk." My voice thin, I let my chest collapse but quickly gasp for air, not able to get enough oxygen into my lungs.

Arsen throws me a condescending smile. "Now, now, I know you haven't driven all this way to remind me of all your friendly manners." He sing songs.

Manners are a sign of respect. Not like he deserves to be at the receiving end of my kindness but he can learn a few things from it, since he's got none. "Don't patronize me Arsen!" I exclaim.
"I want my phone back. How dare you take it and use it to your advantage."

He grunts, giving me a sour expression. "I never realized how much you whined."

I stretch out a hand. "The phone Arsen."

"What phone?" He throws a crooked smile.

I stand up straight like a board. A hand on my hip and stomp my foot on the cold pavement. "Cut the act. I want it now."