Obsessed with Submission

2

"Here you are! Apartment 301." Aunt Lea beams at her niece, her white smile blinding in the fluorescent lights. Her smile falters when she glances back to the stairs and watches Ophelia's hand clutch the railing in a white-knuckled grip. "You good?"

A frazzled breath exhales past Ophelia's lips and she leans against the wall. "Yeah...yeah just peachy." Her head pounds and ears ring, she drops the duffle bag at her feet and drags it the remaining 5 feet to the door. "You failed to mention," Ophelia sucks in a breath, gasping. "The apartment is on the 3rd floor." She regrets never using the state-of-the-art gym at her university. The only time she went was for a yoga class that she fell asleep in. To say that Ophelia is out of shape is an understatement.

Her Aunt ignores the annoyed tone, unlocking the door. With a flourish Azalea pushes open the door, arms spread wide as she saunters inside. "It's worth it for this grand fully refurbished apartment, no?" The younger girl trudges after her Aunt, kicking the door closed behind her. "It comes with everything you need, I mean just look at the kitchen!"

"Wow, a refrigerator." She mock gasps.

Azalea glares, "I'll have you know, it's an LG, top of the line." She gestures to the stove, "Also LG!"

The room is rather spacious. Gray-toned hardwood floors fade into carpet once you reach the living room area. A hall shoots down to the left, supposedly to her bedroom. The door to her right, beside the entrance is an empty coat closet. Windows line the wall in front of her, allowing for the view of the soccer field and forest to be seen. "Let me guess, the washer and dryer are LG too?" She smirks at her Aunt Lea.

At her silence, Ophelia walks forward, leaning against the kitchen island. "Tell me there's a washer and dryer." The cold white marble cools her heated skin from the climb up the stairs.

"There is..." Azalea runs her finger across the counter near the sink. "In the basement." She refuses to look at her niece already knowing what the woman would say. "Look on the bright side, you only have to share this floor with 2 other faculty members. I know how much you like your quiet time."

A loud bam echoes in the silence, the sound of the front door being slammed closed. "That went better than expected, I thought for sure she would scream."

Two hours later, Ophelia finally managed to move into her new home. Erica had called her brothers and got them to aid in the unloading process. Once everyone found out about the stairs with no elevator access, the grumbles and scowls at Azalea began. Said woman quickly fled, an excuse of having to help with student planning.

One last box is left in the bed of Evan's truck. The burly man places it in Ophelia's waiting arms. "That's it!" He shuts the tailgate with a slam.

Erica grins, stretching. "That was awful." Her twin brother, Emmett, grimaces beside his sister. "Fia, you didn't tell us about those stairs." He points at the woman, "Cold move woman! Cold move."

"I didn't know! How many times do I have to tell you this Emmett?" Ophelia glares back.

The two bicker back and forth. Evan shakes his head over Ophelia's shoulder at his younger sister. Understanding, Erica steps between the two shouting adults. "Alright, alright, that's enough." She places a hand on Emmett's shoulder, "It wasn't that bad and you know it, so stop blowing this out of proportion." He mutters hotly but deflates.

Behind her, Evan places his hand on Ophelia's shoulder. He gives her a reassuring squeeze, "You going to be okay here?" His kind eyes and calm demeanor always work on relaxing Ophelia. "New place and all, you sure you don't want Erica to spend the night?"

She smiles back at him. "I'll be fine. I can do this." Her eyes travel back to the twins. "Besides, someone has work in the morning anyway."

Her best friend walks over, taking the box from her arms. She hands it to Emmett who squawks in protest. "I'm going to miss you." Erica hugs her tightly. After they separate, Evan comes in for a hug. He lifts Ophelia off the ground in a bear hug, his laugh loud and booming. "Gonna miss you squirt." He playfully tousles her mussed hair. Emmett shoves the box back at Erica. "It's been real Fia." He sticks his hand out to be shaken. She slaps it away, pulling him into a tight hug.

The siblings all pile into the truck, and it drives down the paved road, taking the happy warmth with them. Alone now, Ophelia carries the box into the apartment complex and up the grueling stairs. She closes the door, setting the box on the floor. All around are unopened boxes. There isn't a single piece of furniture in the living room aside from her bean bag chair. Evan and Emmett had carried up her bed and put the frame together. Her wardrobe and nightstand are in her bedroom too. Even though some of the furniture inside their shared apartment belonged to both women, Ophelia decided that if she was going to start fresh, she would leave it all behind to Erica. She is seriously regretting not grabbing the end table to rest her lamp on.

Well into the evening and verging on the middle of the night, does she finally take a break. The kitchen is sorted. All her appliances, kitchenware, etc are placed neatly in their respective places. The fridge is empty save for a 24-pack of bottled water and takeout that she got with her Aunt hours ago. All Ophelia's clothes are folded or hung on hangers in her closet. Shockingly the closet was a walk-in. She didn't expect that and was happily surprised.

Using her finger to tap the screen of her phone, the time winks up at her. "Oh my gosh, it's that late?" She quickly stands, stumbling from the living room and down the hall. Ophelia enters the bathroom, setting her phone on the counter. A 10-minute shower to wash the sweat and dust off from moving is needed before she even attempts to go to bed. She washes her hair, soaps up her body, and scrubs until her skin is pink. Not even 15 minutes later, Ophelia is ready for bed. Her teeth are brushed, contacts are in their container, and the sheets are clean and fresh. In just 5 hours she is going to meet the rest of the faculty and staff at the weekly meeting at 7:30 A.M. so her alarm is set for an hour before. She shuts her eyes, trying to sleep, anxious for what is to come.