Soar With Me (✔️)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲

Evelyn

"Are you sure that's the lamp you want?" Ivan asks with a scowl plastered on his face.

"What's wrong with it?" A frown grows between my eyebrows as I study the object carefully.

"Everything," Ivan says, sounding completely exasperated. 

"You're being delusional." I put the lamp in my cart and move along.

"'Not once in my life have I imagined shopping at IKEA with my stupid best friend." 

"I'm not stupid," I protest.

"Buying that lamp makes you stupid."

"I don't care."

"You should. You'll be the stupid owner of a stupid lamp."

Ivan runs a hand through his fingers and tugs the strands lightly. His blue eyes appear darker in shade today and his body language is strained. 

"Are you okay Ivan?" We stop in the middle of the aisle.

"I'm fine. What would happen to me?" The octave of his voice rises a little and causes the muscles in my stomach to clench in worry.

"I think we're done here. Let's head to the counter." I only purchase the lamp and exit the store, Ivan trailing behind me. Once I put the lamp away I turn towards Ivan who's standing by the passenger door and staring deep at his navy loafers. They complement his black shirt and equally dark chinos making my best friend look effortlessly handsome.

"Tell me what has climbed up your ass?" Folding my arms over my chest I pin him with a glare.

"I'm fine." Ivan waves me off.

"Don't you dare say that to me. Tell me what's going on." I step closer to him, decreasing the distance between us.

"I said I'm fine," Ivan snaps, his eyes shooting daggers that slash across my flesh.

I take a step back and collide with the car parked next to ours. A blaring siren echoes through the parking lot, sending my heart racing. 

"Evelyn," Ivan calls me gently but the tone does nothing to me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be like that with you." His forlorn eyes twinge my heart.

I nod my head and swipe a hand down the front of my red dress to distract myself.

"It's fine," I whisper. A bark catches my ear as I see Miles staring at me from the car window.

"Don't be like me," Ivan utters, stepping closer. 

"You're being grumpy today and you've never raised your voice at me. If something's wrong then tell me, Ivan. I'm here for you."

"I know you are." I witness his features morphing into a tone of melancholy.

"Is it related to work?"

"No! It's something else."

"Alright. What is it?" I tap my right foot in anticipation.

"It's nothing," Ivan says, leaning against his car and crossing his right foot over his left. 

"How many more times do I have to ask?" I take the place next to him and we both stare at the ground.

"Remember when I said I slept with someone." I nod my head.

"I lied to you." Ivan looks up at the sky and closes his eyes momentarily as if to avoid the look of disappointment on my face.

"Why did you?" My voice quivers with anger.