𝑨 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑵 𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑬 ✓ 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐞

𝟔. 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚

Ransom's sleeves are still rolled up as he puts the last candles down while I hang up the fairy lights, but when he stands up straight and looks around the beautifully decorated living room of his best friend's house, he moves them down again. "Yeah, even I'd say yes now" he acknowledges, making both me and my brother chuckle. "It looks fucking great, guys. Thank you, again. Really, I appreciate the hell out of you" Luca admits. Ransom and I both smile, he cleans up the plastics and papers the packages left while I put up the last lights. I'm standing on a chair, it's quite high. I look at the ground, take a silent deep breath and move my feet to the edge. Before I can jump off, I see a certain hand being offered to me. I look down next to me, and see Ransom studying my face. He gives my hand a soft squeeze, and nods once. I catch myself staring into his eyes, so I look back at my feet and jump off the chair. Ransom doesn't let go of my hand yet, so I move my head up once more to see him. He's staring into my eyes like I did to his a few seconds ago, but clears his throat and let's me go before I can thank him.

Shortly after this moment, we can all hear Sarah's keys jiggling. "Fuck, shit! Go, go, go!" Luca quickly exclaims, pushing both me and Ransom in the direction of their teeny tiny storage room. Basically, a tall cupboard. The two of us get almost pushed inside, and the door closes in front of our faces. We're surrounded by walls, canned and packed food, and the door. There's a little bit of light coming from underneath and above the door, which let's us see each other's faces well enough to know we're both not quite satisfied about this situation. Ransom let's out a sigh way too loud, so I slap his arm and put my finger over my mouth to tell him to shut up. Footsteps slowly come closer to the living room, and a happy gasp leaves Sarah's mouth. She walks further now, we can't hear everything anymore but enough to know she got to her fiance-to-be. Ransom and I stay dead silent, I even close my eyes to focus but can't make anything out of the mumbles I hear. "Is now a bad time to tell you I'm claustrophobic?" Ransom suddenly whispers, glaring down at me.

I instantly look up and frown. "Really?" I sigh, frowning slightly. "Really." he replies, taking a shallow deep breath while he starts to look up at the ceiling of this storage room. "Is it bad? Or, like, can you handle it?" I wonder, whispering at all times. "Just a few more seconds, right? Don't you think? I fucking hate tiny spaces, especially when it's dark as hell inside, Am" he replies, closing his eyes. I silently sigh again, and try to peek through the small opening of the key hole by kneeling down after sideways taking the key out. "He's on his knees now... Opening the box... She's nodding, she's nodding!" I happily whisper, trying not to be too loud. "Thank God" Ransom mumbles behind me. I smile bright, shake my head of happiness and keep watching them as they hug and kiss each other. I'm so happy for them, they are soulmates. It looks like Luca is now telling Sarah that we're in here, so I let out a relieved breath while Ransom's breaths keep being very shallow.

"They're almost here, hold on" I silently tell Ransom. I can see Sarah and Luca walking up to us, and the door opens only a few seconds later. "Hey guys! What the hell." Sarah starts, looking down at me sitting on my knees as Ransom catches his breath. Right, this might seem weird. "This isn't what it looks like" I quickly address, getting up by grabbing Ransom's arm for support. "Or is it?" Ransom teases, earning another slap from me, on his chest this time. "Alright" Luca chuckles, shaking his head and taking a step back to let Ransom walk out. He puts his hands on his hips trying to catch his breath. "I was just peeking, sorry, but... You're engaged!" I cheer, opening my arms for my best friend. She happily hugs me, and jumps up and down with me. "I'm getting married!" she laughs, grabbing my shoulders and nodding joyfully. "You sure are, congratulations!" I giggle, shaking my head at her enthusiasm. "Congratulations, guys. I'm really happy for you" Ransom adds once he's okay again. He gives Sarah a hug while I hug my brother, and tells her she'll be really good for his best friend.

"We will leave you two to it now. Dinner is coming at 7pm, enjoy your bubble, yeah?" I ask the lovebirds, giving them kind smiles. "You ordered dinner for us? Thank you so much, Am. You're the best, I love you" Sarah replies, giving me another hug. I smile again, rub her back and glare at Ransom. He needs to say he's going as well, they need their space. "Oh, right. Yes, I am going too! Enjoy the night, enjoy each other" he makes up, nodding and looking down at me for approval which I ignore. "But wait, where are you going?" Luca asks, looking at me once he thinks of the fact I was staying here. I smile gently, and nod my head once. "I got a place. An apartment, I'm going there now. I want you guys to be in your own happy bubble, not having your sister or best friend around all the time. You just got engaged, this is your time together" I explain. They both smile at me, very softly. After telling me how welcome I was, and that I will always be that welcome again, Ransom and I grab our coats and leave their house. I put all my things in my car early this morning, so I'm good to go and see my new apartment.

"So you really got an apartment, or you're just telling them that so they don't feel bad about you leaving?" Ransom asks as we walk out, towards our cars. "I really got an apartment" I answer him. He slowly nods, and takes his keys from his pocket. "Near?" he asks again, slightly looking at me. "In the city" I sigh, getting my own keys from my purse. I unlock the doors, while he does the same. "Don't you hate the city?" Ransom wonders, frowning while he opens his door. "I'm sure I'll survive. The more miserable I am, the happier you are. Right?" I assume, raising my eyebrows. "Sure, Am" he let's out underneath his breath. He steps in, and can't get out of here fast enough. I drive to the city of Boston, to find the apartment building in the middle of it. Meeting the owner who explains everything I need to know and gives me the keys, I look around. Once she leaves, I take the belongings I have in my car out of there and bring them inside. I'll wait till tomorrow to bring in the things I have in the storage locker, so I've got all day to put it all in the right spots. I have my pajamas and all other things I need before bed, so I'm good.

One thing I have to do today already, is grocery shopping. There's nothing in here of course, and I do need to eat and drink. The nearest grocery store is only a few blocks away, so I walk over there and think of the things I need. It's not that late yet, I've got all the time in the world to do this. First of all, plastic plates. Not only those, but plastic knifes, spoons and forks make their way into my cart as well. Plastic cups and bowls soon after that, while I realize I have to do some apartment-shopping soon. I need things like these, as well as pans and other kitchen equipment. Sure, I took my baking stuff from the house, but not everything I need to cook myself a good meal is there. I need to shop for it, and I will, tomorrow. Spices, bottles of water, juice and wine are the next things I put in my cart. Important, those things. I use spices with almost everything, from salt and pepper to chili flakes and everything in between. Once I've thought of all the spices and sauces I'd need, and put them in my cart as well, I start the think of paper products and cleaning equipment. Paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner and all other things I need are in my cart too now. Can't miss those.