BOOTH BOY

Chapter 4 - Bridesmaid

My headache only leaves four hours after I've taken Advil and lied in bed with the curtains drawn. I haven't drunk in such a long time I'd forgotten the regrettable next morning.

I'm ripped out of my fort of darkness, otherwise known as my room, when Marina's had enough of my moaning and groaning. She marches in my room, like a Marine sergeant, yanks my covers off and orders me to the shower.

I sorely regret asking her to stay over last night.

I blame the alcohol. I clearly wasn't thinking straight. I'd forgotten what a complete heartless monster she can be when she's bored of cooking shows and over dramatic telenova's to binge watch.

When I come out of the bathroom, smelling much fresher and frankly looking so too, I find her in the lounge, painting her toe nails. She looks up at me with a bored face, "Well, finally! I thought you'd died in there."

I grumble something at her, cursing her existence, as I'm still mad at her for being so brutal, and hobble away.

I'm on a path to my kitchen when she suddenly jumps up and runs after me. "Aileen, wait, I can explain-"

She doesn't catch up with me until I'm already staring at the waist-to-neck high pile of dishes in my sink, the burnt mess in a frying pan on the counter top and the countless spills of unidentifiable liquids littered everywhere.

I think I'm about to explode. She inches in front of me, sheepish and contrite, hands behind her back. "I know I said I wouldn't trash your apartment but-"

I lunge at her, "I'm going to kill you!"

She skips out of my grasp and climbs over the island to ensure there's a large slab of granite between her neck and my hands. "Can you calm down for two seconds so I can explain?"

I can't remember the last time she looked so frazzled. I let out a animalistic yell and climb onto the table to scratch at her. She runs around the island, screaming bloody murder. The neighbours are sure going to ring nine-one-one.

Luckily enough for her, because I'm intent on murder, my cellphone, which is charging next to the toaster on the counter, begins to ring.

I have to take several deep breaths and calm down before climbing off the island to pick up. I put on my best salesperson impression and answer, "Hello?"

I wonder if it's just Cassius calling me from an unknown number to ensure I pick up. I switch to loud speaker and go through my call log. I already have twelve missed calls from his number.

"Hi", a bubbly voice drawls at me from the speaker, "Aileen, this is Elias. You know, your bestest friends little brother."

I chortle when I recognise the voice. "Elias, what's up, homie?"

He seems a little flustered on the other end of the call and I can't help but wonder what he's doing. "Well, I need you, girl. Are you busy?"

I look around my kitchen. There's no way in Hell I'm cleaning it up and there is also no possible scenario that doesn't involve murder if I stay in this house a second longer. "No", I say firmly, "Where are you and how can I be of assistance?"

Elias seems relieved when he speaks next, "The Mall. You can meet me outside Chanel."

Oh, the rich that can afford Chanel. I hop up on the counter and swing my legs. I haven't gone shopping in a considerably long amount of time. I don't think I'll actually be purchasing anything from the Chanel store but simply being apart of the retail therapy process should be enough to heal my sudden bout of Marina-inspired sociopathy.

"Sure thing", I distractedly wrap the cord around my index finger as I talk.

"Okay. See you in like 5."