Unmasked

It's Getting Crowded. - Chapter V

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[9:00 AM]

Sun rays crept in through the clouds, their golden beams shining on various areas of the car. The overcast from yesterday was at long last dispersing. It wasn't technically early, but still earlier than you'd prefer to get up.

The car's engine rumbled rhythmically. Ash suggested we go home sooner rather than later, so you'd all gotten packed and ready by 8:45. As per the original seating arrangement, Sal sat next to your right side. Todd insisted on telling the story of how he became absorbed in computer science during the ride since the radio was "remarkably dull" these days.

In an attempt to break the ice between you and Sal, you considered cracking a small joke. "This makes computer science seem really tempting, huh?"

"Haha," he nodded, extending nothing more than a forced laugh.

This is torture.

Instead of feeling sad, you noticed a spark of anger firing up in your chest. It was contained, but if Sal kept acting like this you might find your mood turning awfully sour. You pushed it away and tried to reason with your emotions.

Does he think I was flirting with him? Or did he have an epiphany on how bothersome I am while gazing into my eyes? God, I fucking hate secrets.

You crossed your arms and sighed obnoxiously loud. Petty move, but you didn't care. Larry peeked over from the front seat, eyes flickering back and forth between you two. He raised his eyebrows questionably before turning back around.

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[11:11 AM]

The five of you reached your destination— Addison Apartments, home sweet home for all but one. Ash parked and everyone got out of the car. A moving truck sat idly on the curb and it wasn't yours from last month.

"Do these people think they're coming to L.A. or something?" Larry jested. "Nockfell's getting crowded."

As your crew walked closer to the apartment complex all sights were on the incoming tenants. The evidently happy family shared laughter and smiles while unloading their boxes.

How annoyingly sweet.

"Hey, is that another teen?" Ash pinpointed.

Curious, your attention focused on the boy in the black muscle shirt. His hair was mid-length and sat just atop his shoulders, jet black and slicked. Tattoos decorated his arms and neck. Practically on command, he turned in your direction. Smudged eyeliner, toned muscles, and an enticing grin completed the look.

"Well damn," Todd mumbled. Even he could appreciate the allure of the newcomer.

You all must've gawked like a flock of birds who'd found the last breadcrumb on earth. He mouthed something to his parents before walking over and greeting the group.

"Hi there," he introduced, "I'm Erik. Hopefully, you guys live here at Addison Apartments, yeah? Making friends would be a good start for me."

A light British accent. He was already growing on you.

It was unnecessarily often that you looked too deep into situations before, but not this one, no. Erik's dark brown eyes were paying an extended interest to yours. You tightened your lips to hold back a smile.

"Well I guess it's your lucky day," you replied. "We all do, except for Ash, but she visits frequently."

Ash waved with a blush on her face. Now all that's left was for Sal to fall in love. You paid him a glance, interested to see what his initial impressions were. From what you could recognize, he was squinting. Hard. You wanted to say something but then remembered he was mad at you— and possibly Erik, too (or it was bright outside, who knows).

"That's awesome. I should get back to work, but feel free to stop by room 302. We'd love the company."

Erik parted with a peace sign, making sure his last look was towards you.

"I like him!" Ash admitted, fairly excited.

"Ditto," Todd replied.

"He seems chill," Larry agreed.

"I don't know..." Sal grumbled, twisting his pigtail with a finger. "My gut is telling me he's bad news."

Ah, so he speaks.

"Or maybe he's just charming," you butted in. "Not every nice guy is hiding a dirty secret." It was entirely feasible you'd hoped that comment would strike a nerve.

"What, so you and Erik are best friends now 'cause he's charming?"

"Alright, alright, Sal and (y/n)— be nice to each other," Larry winced, stopping the short-lived argument. "You two sound like an old married couple. Aren't we supposed to be like, friends and stuff? Not enemies."

You rolled your eyes. Sal scratched his neck awkwardly.

"Can I be honest?" Ash confessed, positioning herself in front to walk backward as we proceeded to enter the main foyer. "Since yesterday, I've sensed tension between you and Sal. Is everything okay?"

The hall fell quiet for a brief moment.

"How about Sally Face and I go down to my room and, you know, let out some steam? See you guys later," Larry answered abruptly, taking Sal by the shoulder and exiting stage right.

"More like Grumpy Face," you scoffed under your breath. "One-second-I-like-you-and-the-next-I-don't face."

Todd and Ash glimpsed awkwardly at one another cringing.

"We'll let you figure this out..." Todd smiled sympathetically, struggling not to break out in a full sprint to his room.

"Sorry. I'm gonna go back to sleep upstairs. I feel like being unconscious."

Leaving them behind, probably very disturbed, you took the elevator to your apartment.

"Welcome home, darling," Dad cooed.

"Hi, de—"

"Nobody talk to me for the next five hundred years," you groaned while going to hibernate under the covers of your bed.

You closed the blinds and shut off the lights prior to crawling in. A small part of you felt like... crying. Flipping over, you stuffed your face into a pillow. It was irritating that you couldn't comprehend why Sal's words hurt so much.

And then it hit you.
Shit.
I cannot afford a crush right now.