Just The Two of Us

Four

i apologize for the wait, it's been a rough while 💔

——

My fingertips rhythmically thrum on the faux-leather of my steering wheel, occasionally looking up at the shabby Motel 6 currently illuminated by my headlights.

Sucking in a lungful of air, I kill the engine and grab my phone from the cup holder. Dignity is a pleasure I no long have the comfort of - however, I have a feeling my dignity is going to be the last thing in my mind tonight.

Making sure to double-check my vehicle is locked, I set off to Kadie's motel room.

I trudge my way up the stairs. About halfway up, I trip on the next stair and fracture my shin on the steel edge. Walking it off, I finally arrive outside.

Saying a quick prayer, I rapt my knuckles on the thin door, whatever dew slicking it transferring onto my skin. I just wipe it off on my pants.

The door creaks open, and my breath catches in my throat.

Cautiously, I use the toe of my shoe to nudge the door open. "Hello?" I call out, "Kadie?"

Stepping into the doorway, the motel room is dimly lit. The only illuminating factor in the room being a lamp on the desk, the lampshade stained with multiple different ... substances. Kadie sits with her head in her hands at said desk, her knee steadily bobbing.

For a moment, I contemplate leaving. But then I remind myself of todays earlier events. I cringe.

"You alright?"

"You lied."
Kadie's voice is strained, slightly clipped with a sharp exhale. Her shoulders slump as she lifts her head from her hands, her knee ceasing its movement.

"About what?" I innocently inquire. I have a sneaking suspicion of exactly what the die-hard vegan is talking about, but there's always the benefit of doubt...

"Look. On the nightstand." She whimpers, her tone easily turning steely a moment later as she straightens her posture, dark brown eyes glaring into mine with a certain passion.

Deciding to oblige, I shuffle over to the nightstand closest to me and peer at the various photos littering it.

It's a picture of me - seated at [restaurant] with a heaping plate of [meat centered meal]. It's the same with every other: they all depict almost every time I've gotten a meaty dish from a restaurant since Kadie and I broke up.

"What the hell is this?" I can't help but ask, a little weirded out at the photos that were clearly taken without my knowledge (they were taken without my knowledge).

"Proof that you lied." Kadie replies, her fingers angrily thrumming on the desk next to her. Her glasses are slightly fogged up, the blue zebra-print frames chipped in some areas. She looked rough.

"No, yeah, I see that-" "You have two options from here on out." Kadie cuts me off, and I can't help but raise my brows offendedly.

"You can either be vegan and go to heaven, or you can be a disgusting filthy no-good meat eater and go to hell." I quirk a brow, her wordage a little ridiculous for a woman who's nearly sixty.

"Um. Yeah, uh- no thanks. Sorry Kadie. Bye." I grimace, speed-walking out of the motel room and nearly slipping on my way down the stairs.

The night is silent, void for my very slight labored breathing. The sky is an empty sheet of black construction paper - the light pollution of Orlando drowning out the twinkling stars.

I quickly hop into my vehicle, starting the engine and peeling out of the Motel 6 parking lot.

I seem to be making a lot of mistakes lately.

The road is nearly completely empty - surprising considering how close Disney Springs is. I push 60 in a 35, some late 90s grunge song playing low on my car radio as tears swell in my ears. This feels like a pivotal moment.

The song (and my moment) is abruptly interrupted as I get a Twitter message. Siri begins reading it out, and my brows raise in delight to hear it's from Nik.

I take one hand off the the wheel to unlock my phone, my eyes quickly reading the direct message.

Hey. Orlin said you weren't feeling too good. I was wondering if you wanted to come as a plus 1 to New York for a Con
11:03PM
💟

I quickly heart the message, my brows raising even further as I re-read it. It sounds way too good to be true.

Maybe this is my destiny. I go to New York, find fame, then run away with the grungy barista at the local hole-in-the-wall café...

Taking both my hands off of the wheel, I eagerly send Nikolas a message back.

I would love to!
11:04PM ✓

The sudden thundering sound of what sounds like a freight engine suddenly draws my attention back to the road. I quickly swerve back into my lane, my phone clattering to the car floor.
A part of me believes I should probably take this as a sign.

Nervously laughing and speeding back up to the speed limit, I continue my way back to my home. Whatever happens next, that's most definitely for tomorrow me.