Beautiful Dichotomy

chapter 21

Only four days have passed, and Rae finally ran out of her duffel bag clothes. "I think it's time," Dahlia said while lazily holding the spoon full of peanut butter. Once Monday hit and she was desperately leaning into school and work, she almost forgotten her current situation. The overtime she willingly took on nearly killed her as Dahlia kept shaking her head. Just silently watching her get done work and sprint to one of her night classes.

Truthfully, their lifestyles fit suspiciously seamlessly with one another's. Their way of working and respecting space's and boundaries unspoken but known. It felt really comfortable and positive, the perfect combination to build a roommate relationship from.

Dahlia could tell by Rae's hesitation that she was getting anxious even thinking about it. "It's either you go and pick up clothes when you know she isn't home, or you just call the moving company for help and we haul over there to get it all done in one shot." Dahlia added, trying to make it known that she has options.

All she could do in response was nod, now see in thought as she began pacing.

"Just rip it off like a band-aid." She mumbled.

"Yup, a band-aid," Dahlia encouraged, ready to finally see Rae's taste in decorations and finally let her get used to adjusting here more comfortably with her things. "Wanna call Sam?" Dahlia suggested as well, thinking that may reassure her, "when was the last time you two even talked?"

"Last night, after class on my way back I called him... I felt bad I haven't been responding that quick."

"Well he knows your busy," her words reassuring as Rae just nodded. Surprised Rae even spoken to him since she barely saw her near her phone. Getting the courage, she grabbed her phone to first call Samuel. "What if we go and get a couple things and then the moving company has more time so I can schedule a day?"

"You can rent u-hauls same day. We can go rent one now and just do it ourselves to save the money."

Samuel trying to get her attention through the phone, laughing lightly catching her attention, "hey! Do you think you and maybe David can help me grab my stuff from my old place?" Her eyes locked with Dahlia who offered a thumbs up.

"Sure, when we're you thinking?"

Her eyes wavering, "um today? Like in about an hour or two?"

She heard nothing for the longest minute of her life, "oh..." was all she got from him as he tried to figure out the rest of his day. Already having went to his internship, he wondered if his boss would let him take off this last minute, "I know it's a lot to spring on you all last minute. Don't worry about it," Rae added genuinely. Not wanting him to feel pressured.

"I just gotta check with David and my boss, hold on a sec," all she heard was silence through the phone and checked to see if he hung up but he didn't. Figuring he was asking, she filled Dahlia in. Samuel was nervous to hear his boss' reaction, so before he called her, he decided to call one of his coworkers to see if they'd cover. Lucille was older and super sweet. He could always rely on her and he could again as she agreed.

As David walked into their apartment, he heard Samuel's relief as he thanked someone over the phone over and over again. "I promise I'll make it up to you! Thank you so much," Samuel now looked at David with a wide smile. Not thinking anything good can come of it, he decided not to fight it.

"Who can drive this thing?" Rae asked the three people who now stood on either side of her. All of them eyeing the somewhat small truck she had just rented. She now looked on either side of her, to see their expressions. Focusing on Samuel as one of his headbands sat clearing all the hair from his handsome face. "I guess I can try?"

Those felt like famous last words as David sat next to Samuel who barely maneuvered the truck through the busy streets, Rae squeezed tightly between David and Dahlia who was stuck against the passenger side door. The bumps and turns making everything worse. One of their phone gps' saying when to turn out loud for Samuel as they arrived outside the building. Parking in a decent spot, they all climbed out with loud groans and sighs.

"You think she's home?" Dahlia asked, desperately wanting to meet Gabby.

"Don't know," Rae said now fiddling with her fingers in front of her. Her breaths growing deeper before closing her eyes tightly. Samuel unable to take his eyes off her as he stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, "take your time." He instructed her kindly, his words reassuring as she nodded.

"Gimme the keys," Dahlia interrupted, her face expressing her anger as she held her hand out. "I got a few words for Gabby." The longer Rae stood there anxious, the more Dahlia got pissed off. She didn't know everything about her, but she knew enough to know she didn't deserve to be this anxious or to be disrespected.

Before Rae could protest, David sneakily snatched the keys to give to Dahlia as they both headed towards the building. She reached to stop them as Samuel grabbed one of her hands to guide her into the building behind him. Dahlia's tongue sticking into her cheek as she continued to mumble words to herself. Seemingly hyping herself up to confront Gabby as she worked to unlock the door.

Rae's hand now gripping Samuel's tightly as her free hand grabbed his wrist to make sure he didn't move.

You would've thought there was a bomb inside the apartment.

"Hello? Bitch?!" Dahlia said loudly, making David laugh as they looked around. The lights all off and no response came meaning it was empty.

"Dally, please don't." Rae asked as she walked in with Samuel, "let's just get in and out. I'll leave my key on the counter so it'll just be done."

"Sounds like a plan," Samuel narrowed his eyes to David.

"But-" David began before Samuel slowly shook his head no. The threat blatant as David sucked his teeth, "fine."

"Thank you," she said before showing them her room. using old bins, free cardboard boxes and a lot of organization to get her belongings together. Swiftly packing her personal undergarments to close the box, focused on her three friends all helping her. The moment much too wholesome as she nearly cried from their willingness to help.

After about four trips to the u-haul, Rae realized it was getting darker and their time was running out. As she helped David pile in the boxes, she wiped her sweat from her forehead. Offering a hand to him as he jumped crazily off the back. "David!" She didn't laugh until he stood up to reassure her he was alright.

He slung an arm over her shoulder as they walked back. Freezing in place as Gabby stood therewith her arms crossed. "Are you forreal?" She asked with a brow raised. In disbelief of the audacity for Rae to try and move out without saying a word.