Roses Are For The Weak // Short Story

At Home {Chapter 2}

AUGUST 30

I turn the key and the door handle. Josh and I walk into the kitchen.

"Uh- make yourself at home. I have plenty of snacks in the pantry," I tell Josh as he examines the living room.

"Aww, little cat," Josh coos behind me. I turn around swiftly seeing him cuddling an orange ball of fur. He was very gentle with her. "What's it's name?" He asked me after looking up at me.

"Oh her name is Alani. It's Hawaiian for 'orange tree'. I thought it was fitting for her since she's a ginger." I said bending down to pet her as well.

"Oh, God," I said quickly turning to him. "You don't have clothes or anything to wear, I feel terrible I should have-" Josh swiftly cut me off.

"Carmen it's alright. I'll take my bike tomorrow to the store and grab a few things. Don't worry about it," He reassured me as he picked Alani up and cradled her in his arms.

"She's cute, isn't she," I hear josh murmur.

"Oh yeah she's the-" I stopped myself. I looked toward Josh, realizing he was talking to the cat.

"Oh... me?" I questioned.

"Yeah.. I was hoping Alani would agree with me on this one," He rubbed the nape of his neck as his face shifted to a pink hue.

I smiled at him, feeling my face flush red. I turned back to the counter to put the medicine I got into the cabinet.

"You know, I start my new job tomorrow. I'm really excited for it," I tell Josh turning back to him.

"Oh yeah? Where are you working for?" He asks while climbing atop a bar stool.

"I'm just working at this boutique or some retail store, I'm not sure what it is. It's called Izzy's. I don't know; it seemed cool when I saw it in the paper," I laughed.

"Ah, my friend used to work there. He maybe still does, he only applied there maybe 3 months ago. His name is William. I mean, I don't think I would still call him 'friend' though..." Josh trailed off as he put Alani back down on the floor.

My eyes shot back at him, "Why wouldn't you consider Will your friend anymore?" I asked him gazing into his eyes.

"I don't know. He told me he didn't wanna be my friend anymore, and I don't know why..." He told me, shifting his gaze to the tile floor.

"Well, I don't know why someone would dump you as a friend. I mean, look at you. You're kind, polite, and honestly good-looking. Why wouldn't anyone pass you up as a friend?" I turn back to the sink, turning on the water to wash the dishes. I left a few in there earlier as I didn't wanna do them because of my headache.

"That's sweet," He almost whispered as he made his way over to me. He looked around the room before he put his hand on my waist. He gently pushed me out of the way of the sink.

"You go sit on the couch and relax. I can wash the dishes for you. Besides, I need to repay you for staying here somehow," He grinned at me and quickly started in on the dirty dishes. I walked over to the couch and Alani was sitting there patiently waiting for me.

"Aww, you're such a good girl, aren't you?" I asked her as I swiftly picked her up and set her down on my lap. I snuggled down under a blanket and rested my head on a throw pillow.

And the Steelers score a touchdown!

I open my eyes and look across the room to the TV. Football. Was I watching football? I must have been asleep. I look up to see Josh sitting beside me, staring at the TV.

"Hey, sleepy," Josh whispered to me as he patted the top of my head.

"Mmmmmmh," I moaned while closing my eyes again.

"You're exhausted. You need to go to bed. And shoot, Carmen, it's your first day on the job tomorrow. You don't wanna be all grumpy," I hear him say. I know he's still looking right at me. I hear the rustling of the couch as he gets up. His hands slowly surround my body and I get lifted into the air. I turn my head around and I see him smiling at me as he holds me midair.

"Down the hall, first room on the left," I manage to get out. Next thing I know, I'm laying on my bed covered up. Looking to my right to see the time on my clock, Josh is sitting on the corner of my bed on his phone.

"Carmen? I thought you fell asleep again," He says quickly.

"I think I may have been for a second but I'm not sure." He stands up and puts his phone on the bedside table.

"Goodnight, doll," He whispers in my ear, tucking a strand of hair behind it.

"G-goodnight Josh," I say quietly. He's grinning as he slowly slides his hands into his pockets and walks out the door.

"Wow..." I whisper to myself under my breath. I hear the jingling of Alani's collar down the hallway. She swiftly jumps onto the bed. I pick her up gently and lay her beside me.

"And goodnight to you, Alani," I look at her and give her a kiss on the forehead. She purrs in response. I turned back over on my other side and sank into the bed.

AUGUST 31

"Carmen, wake up. I heard your alarm from the living room," I jolt up out of my bed. Sun beams peek through the blinds on the window.

"Oh God, my job," I hopped out of bed. Looking in the bathroom mirror, I saw I had a lot of work to do. After combing my hair and doing my makeup, I was headed out the door.

"Don't you need these?" Josh asked leaning against the counter. He rattled my keys in his hands.

"Right, keys," I took them desperately. Josh clung onto my hand after I took the keys from his.

"Have a good day today, doll," He wrapped his hand around my face.

"I-I will don't you worry about it," I replied flustered. I stumbled out the door to my car. I quickly put the keys into the ignition, and pulled out of the driveway.