"F!": My Grungey Seattle Adventure (With My Besty and With Mudhoney)

21: 'Shoot the Moon'

6:56

REX

To be honest, I forgot about Holly for a few minutes while making stir fry with Elliot. Cooking together always seems to get my mind off things, and has been a highlight of roommate life for me over the years. I think it's a really good way to escape life.

The thing that brings my mind back to the current situation is Elliot asking: "So when should I give'er her present?"

"Damn. I forgot about that girl," I mutter, glancing at the microwave clock. 6:56, and she's still not back. "Wait, what present?"

Elliot walks over to the other side of the counter and pulls the Blind Melon record out from his Sub Pop tote bag.

"Oh. You bought that for her?"

Elliot nods. "Yeah, but it's not wrapped or anything 'cause I thought I wouldn't have time, but now she's coming any second, so..." He shrugs. I can't believe he was going to wrap the frickin thing. I'd like so say, sorry, man, she already has that one, but I can't remember if Holly actually owns Soup or not. Maybe on CD? Huff. I gotta admit, though, it was sweet of Elliot to have bought her something. Why didn't I think about getting her a gift, though? Am I stupid?

"Oh. Well, that's really nice of you," I comment.

Elliot looks confused. "Wait, was that supposed to be sarcastic?"

"No! No, it's really nice. Seriously," I reply. "I didn't even get her anything."

Elliot doesn't look the least bit surprised. "You should," he replies dryly. "Something music-related would be good."

As if I don't know what kind of gift my best friend would like! Is he for real? "I know..." I trail off. "She has a lot of records, though."

"Does she have this one?" Elliot asks, pointing to the bag with a tiny voice crack and look of concern.

"I... I don't think so," I reply. Half of me feels bad for making Elliot unsure, and the other half is amused at his sudden doubt. "But either way, she'll appreciate it a lot. It's really... thoughtful."

"Thanks," Elliot says wearily. "If you want, I can say it's from both of us." 

Oh, only now he's making that suggestion. I have to chuckle at this. "No, no, you go ahead and give it to her." He can embarrass himself; I won't have anything to do with it.

Elliot nods shyly, his shaggy, light brown hair falling from behind his ear. Since I told him Holly's coming, I've sensed his excitement and anxiety. Normally he's pretty chill and carefree, but I get it, I hardly ever bring guests over.

Originally, Holly was supposed to come to Seattle in June, but because of the intense heatwave that hit the Pacific Northwest at the time, we decided it'd be best to wait until the end of the summer. And now she's here! I actually can't believe it's been less than a day since she arrived; so much has happened already.

After thirteen long minutes (can you tell I've been keeping track?), I get a call from Holly asking for directions to my apartment, and she arrives a moment later. Elliot answers the door since my hands are covered in Mrs. Meyer's Bluebell dish soap. He greets her with a welcoming "Hi" and smile, and I can tell she's unsure if she's at the right apartment when she says "Hi... Is this-are you-"

"Come on in, it's us," I shout from the sink, where I'm drying my hands.

"Okay, looks like I'm at the right place," she mumbles awkwardly as she steps past Elliot inside. "Man, it smells amazing in here. You must be Elliot," she remarks, accidentally (I think) ignoring my roommate's extended hand. She waves at me, grinning.