Flowering Skies

The Next Morning

I jump as I hear my phone ring, but calm down when I hear the tune to my favorite show. It must be AJ.

"Theo! How is the apartment feeling?"

"Bare, and kind of boring. My dad was going to come help me unpack, because there's boxes everywhere. At least I don't have to listen to my mom bitch and complain about every little thing I do. Also- Wait, how did you know? I hadn't told you about it yet."

"Your dad told me. Anyways, what are you up to?"

"I was going to start unpacking, but I'm weak so... You know, it's not working very well."

I hear laughs from the other side of the phone.

"Damn, rude."

"Shut the fuck up!"

"What-"

"I FORGOT TO MUTE! Sorry, that wasn't directed at you."

I'm so confused. "Who was it directed at? Wait, where are you going?"

"I don't know to be honest. This guy doesn't know how to drive. -Ow! You fuckin' Asshole!-" I hear them talking faintly to someone in the vehicle and then to me. "I'll call you back in a second, we're getting coffee."

"Get me something! -Oh. Right."

"Loser."

I hear a faint beep and the call ends as I arrive home, leaving me to continue moving boxes in from the door and out of the way. I check the clock, stretching my limbs and massaging my muscles for the laborious task at hand. It's now only 8:30 In the morning. I groan in frustration. This day can't go by any slower, so I might as well just start moving some of these boxes to pass time.

___

"Finally." Most of the boxes have moved from the entry way to the living room, and I've just got to start unpacking what I can. I groan and rub my face as I set the last box down. This is going to take forever.

I hear a pleasant 'ding!' and pause to face the door. Who could be here at this hour? I walk over to the door and check the windows, not noticing anyone outside. Maybe it was just the mailman? I'll have to check.

The door swings open and Elle topples over me, spilling coffee on the floor. AJ and Jace stay back, quietly giggling.

What. The. Fuck.

Jace pulls me up and I see Aj punch Elle on the shoulder, who quickly runs to grab a towel. "DUMBASS! YOU SPILT YOUR COFFEE ON THE FLOOR"

"What the actual fuck is going on- WAIT, THAT'S WHAT THE "ROAD TRIP" THING WAS?"

 AJ nods and smiles. "We figured we'd come help." 

I feel someone's hand caress my shoulder and turn to see Elle trying to flirt even as Corey walks through the door, carrying several bags and drinks.

"None of you thought to help Corey?" I ignore her, grab the drinks, and place them on the counter, heading out to the car to help haul suitcases into the house.

Corey yawns as we set down the last of the items, and I see a few less boxes in the room than previously. Jace and Elle are in my bedroom, sorting through my clothes. I pull him into the guest bedroom and grab a pillow and some blankets. "Here. If you need anything else, come get me, but I'm not letting you help for a while. You need some sleep. There's no bed up, but you can use the air mattress that I left in there." He doesn't complain and closes the door as I leave for the living room once again, opening a box labeled "Kitchen." I jump as I feel AJ tap my shoulder, handing me a cup of something warm.

"What is this?"

"The hot chocolate you asked for."

"Right. Forgot about that." I raise the cardboard to my lips, pulling away as the hot drink burns my tongue. After a few seconds I can finally taste it. Incredibly sweet but also rich and creamy, it may be one of the best I've ever had.

I go back to unpacking, soon cluttering the island and countertop with pots, pans, dishes, and cups of all shapes and sizes. AJ helps me organize and put things away, and a few hours later, we're nearly done. I lift a glass into the cupboard above my head carefully and hear the pleasant ding of my doorbell once again.

"Who's that?" They ask, wiping dust off of the top of the microwave.

I stop and think. Who could that be? I don't remember- "Oh right. It's my dad." I yell out for him to come in, and as he opens the door, he looks confused. 

"How did you guys get here so early? I left before you did."

I'm sorry. What did I just hear?

I stare at him blankly. "You knew they'd be here?"

Dad smiles and laughs in reply. "How do you think they got your address?"

"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense."

He slips off his shoes and fully enters the room. "Well? Aren't you going to give me a hug?"

My skin pulls tight on my face as I feel myself grinning wide. I run over into his arms and breathe in his scent, the fragrance pulling me back to my childhood, times of dances and weddings. I sigh deeply and pull back, the nostalgia slipping away as I return to the kitchen and finish cleaning up.

Dad pulls the boxes for the couches and beds into their respective rooms, assembling them as we organize and clean more. 

Corey wakes up around noon from Elle clumsily dropping one of my plastic cups.  We decide to leave and grab lunch, all taking Corey's van. I drive, and they ask for places I'd recommend. I think back to this morning with the cute girl at the coffee shop and turn, heading for the Café from earlier.