Innocent Rose

11. Parasite

TW: hint of emetophobia (not mentioned graphically) and references to pimple popping (don't know if that would count as a TW but I know some people are Squimish with that stuff)

Home alone on a Wednesday. Weird, I know.
Usually a day for yourself is on a weekend, but this was the only day of the week when I'm home alone and can do whatever I want. And by whatever I want, I mean rewatch Howl's Moving Castle to feel joy or try to binge watch Friends for the 20th time and relate to Monica's neglectful parents or Chandler's trauma responses.

Today though, it was different.

Classes were canceled for the day, so when everyone left (for work and school), I decided to tidy up. I organized my side of the room I shared with my sister, cleaning up some trash and leftover dishes. Even organizing my laundry and fixing my bed (which is technically a futon but hey, it's better than nothing I guess). Because of my cleaning hyper fixation, I didn't even bother with taking a shower (mostly because I forgot) and just threw my hair in a bun and Bobby pinned the bottom layer that couldn't reach.

I played music on the speakers as I cleaned the house and started brooming and moping the floor. My poor neighbors must be terrified because they have only ever heard rap or Spanish music echo through the walls on a daily but they'll live.

I poured the boiling water in the mop bucket when the doorbell rung and I sighed, upset that not only is my cleaning hyper fixation interrupted and will probably stop here because of it or because someone came home early. I walked over and opening the door, seeing Lorenzo.

"No." I said before closing the door in his face, only for him to repeatedly ring the doorbell, and he was persistent. I quickly opened the door, opening it enough that he could only see me in the corner. "What?"

"We need to talk." He said before placing his hand on the door and pushing it open fully, walking inside as if he lived her.

"Yes, please come inside uninvited knowing I'm home alone." I closed the door.

He stood by the entrance of the living room, taking in how it smelled like Lysol, Pine Sol, and Fabuloso covering his nose, which is why I'm guessing he took off his sneakers and put on my dads slippers at the entrance.

"Do you want anything to drink?" I offered, walking to the kitchen but stopping right when I got to the fridge after I realized how dumb I was for asking that question.

He's a fucking vampire. They only consume blood. Right?

"I'm a vampire dumbass."

"I was just trying to be civil, but if you wanna be a prick, you can get out." I grabbed the mop out of the bucket and continued mopping. "Why are you here anyways?"

He pulled out a small box from his pocket and handed it to me. "Anthony told me to bring this to you."

"Out of anyone, he choose you?" I rose an eyebrow at him as I looked at him, not taking the box.

"It was originally going to be Chris, but he had to go out of town for a few weeks last minute." He quickly looked down, seeing both cats rubbing their faces on his leg. "What the hell?"

"They do that with everyone." I took the box from his hand and opened it, seeing a rose necklace and a new chapstick tube. "What's this?" I held up the necklace.

Lorenzo looked at me as if I asked the dumbest question, and I mean, I did, but why am I getting this necklace?

"Anthony said, and I quote, 'A rose for my Rose,'" he cringed while saying.

"Is that really all you came here for?" I put the necklace back in the box but took the chapstick out and opened it, inspecting it to make sure it's not used before shoving it into my pocket and continued mopping.