"Christ, you're an idiot," I laughed, nearly tripping up the stairs to the flat. I was holding a bag of Hawaiian takeout in either hand, so I couldn't hold on to the railing. Ren, who was behind me, caught my back before I could really fall.
"Says the one who just tripped up the steps," he teased. I rolled my eyes.
The three of us were still recovering from the laughter when Jade pushed open the door. When she let it fall behind her, Ren caught it above me to keep it open so I could walk in. The sight that we were greeted with wasn't necessarily unusual, but boy was it unexpected.
"Sel!" I exclaimed after an awkward pause. A splotchy-faced Arya was sitting on the couch in front of a crouched Selwyn. I shared a look with Arya, one that said more than any telepathy ever could.
"Hi, Joanna! Jade, Ren," he smiled, standing up from his spot on the ground. He turned to walk away, but he paused to say to Arya, "I'm gonna drop these at home. I'll be right back."
Jade and I stepped out of the way of the door, Ren still holding it open for Sel. When he walked through, he let the door fall shut.
"Spill," Jade and I said in unison as soon as we snapped our heads forward. Arya moved her eyes to Ren for a flicker of a second, and it took everything in me to refrain from rolling my eyes. I turned around.
"Would you help Sel with his groceries?" My mouth said, though my eyes said, 'I'll tell you later.' Taking the hint, he nodded and gave a lipped smile before heading out.
I walked into the kitchen to start opening up takeaway containers, and Jade got out the plates and forks.
"I didn't tell him anything," Arya began. "But we made up. And I think we're going to be... okay."
"That's great, Ar." I walked over to the couch to sit beside her, noticing a shard of glass on our floor. I picked it up, and before I could ask, she answered.
"I tripped and dropped my tea earlier." I burst of laughter escaped my lips as I flicked the glass off my finger.
"Good. Filthy microwave tea," I teased. A smile crossed her face, but there was something there that she wasn't saying. "Are you sure you're okay? There's nothing else..?"
She shook her head, and with Arya, I knew not to push it farther.
Minutes later, Ren and Sel returned with some cans in their hands. They walked straight to the kitchen, where Jade remained, and Arya and I followed them in.
The sound of styrofoam lids, metal forks on plates, and soft chatter filled the kitchen. One by one we were all back in the living room eating.
-
"How was your day, Ar?" I asked in between mouthfuls and conversation.
"It was okay," she began. "I was a little late for work, but it's not like my boss was surprised." A laugh escaped Sel, and Arya joined in-- and any trace of suspicion I had that she was keeping something from me faded away at that moment. The warm glint in her eye returned with that laugh. It brought a smile to my face, and when I looked away from Arya and Sel sharing their moment, I caught Ren looking at me. I felt heat rise up my face.
"How about you then, Jo?" Sel said through a final fit of chuckles. I spoke through the blush that was still creeping in, "It was fine. I saw a book in the shop today that I actually read the manuscript for at my internship, so that was really cool, but after that, I spent the day with Ren and then Jade."
The chatter continued, but before we knew it we were all finished, and it was nearly 10:30 PM.
We said our goodnights, throwing away empty containers and placing our used dishes in the sink. Jade hopped in the shower, Sel went back to his flat, and Arya went straight to bed.
