As We Burn

Twenty-Eight.

The next morning, I wake with a plan in mind. Crispen is still soundly asleep, so I make sure I'm quiet as I get ready for the day. The sun is only just beginning to pour through the open windows, but I'm too excited to wait. I rush through my shower and only throw on a plain hoodie under my jacket, making sure I'm early enough to catch the next bus. I pause at the door, wondering if Crispen will think it's odd that I've left so suddenly, so I decide to send him a text once I'm walking down the road.

Just going out to grab Starbucks. Be back soon. I finish my text off with Crispen's signature black heart and press send.

Thankfully, the bus is just arriving as I reach the stop, and hardly anybody is on it. I suppose it is still early for a Sunday outing. Plus, the wind has become biting with cold, whispering promises of an early winter. I suspect it will start to snow sometime this week. I scroll mindlessly through social media on my phone, tapping the like button on one of Ava's new Instagram photos. She sits at what looks like the café on campus, staring off into the distance. She looks effortlessly pretty with vibrant eyeshadow and wavy dark hair that falls down onto her skirt. I wonder who took the photo; usually she reserves her café time for me. Although, I haven't been the best when it comes to staying connected. I exit the app and decide to give her a call. I feel like so much happens in between the times that we see each other, and I always feel guilty for not keeping in touch as much as I should.

"Parker, why are you calling me at eight o'clock on a Sunday morning?" she groans. I laugh and apologize. I've never been an early riser, but my sleep has drastically improved since moving away from home, and I don't find myself as exhausted throughout the day anymore. As a result, my mornings aren't so painful.

"I just wanted to see how you're doing, I feel like it's been a while since we spent a weekend together," I say. I know it's mostly my fault, but I do miss spending time roaming the downtown shops with her - even if she does make us stop at every single shoe store. I can almost smell the Chanel perfume she mists herself with every time she leaves the house. It's a refreshing, powerful scent.

"Yeah, I miss it, too," she professes. It makes me smile. "What have you been up to?"

"Well, I visited my mom," I sigh, and my smile disappears.

"From the sound of your voice, that doesn't sound like it went well?"

"It went whatever the exact opposite of well is," I tell her. "But Crispen was able to come get me."

"Oh, have you guys been...spending a lot of time together?" Her tone is reserved, sprinkled with the tiniest hint of judgement. Sure, Crispen has his mood swings, but he makes me happy. Shouldn't that be all that matters?

"Um, kind of. Why?"

Ava's end of the line goes silent for a few moments, and I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure the call hasn't ended.

"There's something I need to talk to you about," she finally says. "What are you doing tonight?"

"I don't have anything planned," I answer with nervous curiosity.

"I'm having some people over, mainly just people from my program. Zander will be there, too. Would you be able to stop by?"

I do have plans in mind with Crispen, but they won't take all day. Maybe he'd even want to come along with me to Ava's - it would be nice for us to get out of the house and socialize, especially with people who have nothing to do with Onyxus.

"Sure, just text me the time. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. I'll explain tonight, just...be careful Parker."