𝐼𝑛𝑘 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡

Chapter 6: Champagne and Mac n Cheese

My alarm startled me out of my drunken sleep as I slowly arise from my silky sheets. I take in the light coming through my curtains before a sharp pain makes my head throb.

Yep, I maybe had too much champagne last night..

I stretch out my aching limbs before heading out to my kitchen to grab some pills and juice. My apartment feels different though...almost as if someone is her-"HOLY FUCK!"

"What?! What?! What's wrong?!"

A very disoriented Jd sits up on the couch looking around as he squints his eyes a bit to protect them from the morning light.

"Nothing...wait..you stayed? I thought you left last night after we had that very competitive drunk pillow fight?"

He lets out a laugh.

"Let's just say you were plastered and I didn't want to leave ya here just in case you did something stupid in your uh hazy state. Sorry to scare ya I must've not really elaborated on my plan last night."

Aww wait, that's actually so sweet-AUGH OKAY OKAY HEAD IS STILL THROBBING.

"It's alright, thanks for doing that. Just give me a sec to take some pills and we can maybe watch something for a bit?"

"Sounds good with me."

We exchange smiles before he goes to use the restroom while I swallow down my pills with some grape juice. Damn, that's refreshing.

I then proceed to make my way to the living room to flick on the tv and see if there would be anything worth watching. So far, the live tv options aren't amusing me so I decide to go to Netflix and see what they have. It's a hit or miss with it but, it's better than what live tv offers.

The cushions of the couch sink in a little and I feel a light kiss on my cheek indicating that Jd returned.

"Find anything yet?"

"Hm, im having some trouble..OH do y'a happen to like Scott Pilgrim Vs The World?"

My remote hovers over the movie as I wait for his response.

"Yeah actually, I do. It's one of my favorites."

Sometimes I wonder how much we truly have in common cause so far I feel like we share a brain half the time.

"It's one of mine too."

I smile to myself as I turn on the film and the intro takes over the once option filled screen. He puts an arm around my shoulders as I move a bit closer to him. This feels right.

My first morning in a long time with actual company.

-
After a few hours though, he announced that he had to go home.

I let a frown appear on my once smiling face as I got up to accompany him by the door while he puts on his shoes and coat. I mess with the ends of my hair as he ties his laces.

"Okay, well darling hopefully I'll see tomorrow at work? Wouldn't want to go too long without seeing you."

I let a light blush creep onto my cheeks before responding, "Yeah,I should be there. Don't miss me too much."

As the small tease comes out my mouth he gives me a small amused smile. He then leans into kiss me. His kiss makes me feel alive but, also adds to my current dismay of him leaving.

"I'll try not to."

And with that he leaves. I'm alone in my apartment again with only the mild humming sound of the furnace running overtime to keep me warm. The funny thing is, I actually preferred being alone through my junior high and highschool years but, as I've grown, Ive begun to not welcome the lonely feeling as much. Turns out, being utterly alone in an apartment with adult duties isn't the same as being alone in your room with family right outside it.

I let out a sigh and pull out a coloring book I keep in my living room. It helps me unwind and I just adore seeing how the colors that I wash over the page bring it to life in the end.

I pull out my fancy colored pencils as I start to enrich the white paper with pigment. My mind thinks of the possible color combos I could do but, it also thinks of work.

Work.

The place where everything changed. God, it's like I can hear her voice screaming at me from beyond the grave for what I had a hand in.

He was doing it for me though. He had good intentions. He isn't a bad person...he just cares...deeply.

Besides, it was just once and my forged fake suicide note and our excellent detail oriented brains should keep us safe.

It's in the past now and the wicked witch is dead Veronica.

You are saved.

Rejoice not regret.

-
My hand inevitably started to cramp and I stashed away my coloring supplies back in their spot in the side table drawer.

I got off the couch and checked the time which read '3:26'.

Makes sense. He left at 1:00 and I colored for awhile so what was I expecting? I just feel exhausted so I was hoping it was later I assume.

I go to my computer and check my business email to see if there's anything I need to do. I quickly scroll past the emails about Heathers demise trying to find something to do to pass time but I fail in that search and close my computer.

I sit in my grey chair contemplating what I could do. I could finish that book that's been staring desperately at me ever since I set it down two weeks ago. Or I could lay down and watch videos while curled up in a warm ball made of blankets. Yeah, I'll pick the latter option.

-
Okay and that latter option took me to...4:00....Jesus, you need to get your lazy ass up Ronnie.

I begrudgingly peel away from the blanket cocoon I've curated before making myself a pot of homemade mac n cheese. Y'know what's funny about this recipe, it's actually from Heather Mac and trust me, she has made plenty of jokes about it.

I miss her. We used to hang out often. Be each others safe haven at work. But, I haven't been able to interact with her much due to her moving floors on Heathers command.

She's the perfect person to be around and I need someone to hang with because being alone with my thoughts isn't the best thing right now and no, I'm not going to watch more videos about people's collections of cool shit.

I pick up my blue encased phone and dial her number immediately hearing her sunshine laced voice on the other side.

"Hello stranger!"