Forbidden Fruits

Chapter 8: Faith

"What are you getting ready for?" A groggy voice inquired from behind me. I was sat at my desk, leaning in close to my mirror while applying another layer of mascara to my lashes. The voice of my waking roommate had pulled me from my very interesting internal monologue about wanting to get my lashes professionally lifted so I didn't have to use my lash curler as much. I checked my phone briefly for the time, it was almost noon, before responding to Trixie.

"It's the middle of the day on a Wednesday, Trix. I'm getting ready for class," I laughed a little, shaking my head at her.

"Wait what time is it?" She sat up in bed, rubbing her face with her hands.

"It's 11:45. How late were you out last night?" In the weeks since our little outing to the underground fighting ring, Trixie had gotten close with some girls she had met through a classmate. They were much more similar to her in their party habits, and since then Trixie had been going out almost every night. I was honestly starting to be concerned considering how many classes she was missing on account of being hungover, but I wasn't her mother and had no place to voice those concerns.

"God, I don't even remember. Fuck, I need to stop drinking so much." Trixie slumped forward in bed and I honestly felt bad for her.

"I can't disagree with you on that one. Maybe just take it easy tonight. We could get a pizza. Watch a movie or something? I just ordered this new projector that connects to my computer, we can set it up tonight and project it onto your wall," I offered, turning around to finish applying my mascara.

"That... would actually be really nice. Thank you, Faith. I'm sorry I haven't been around more to hang out. I've missed talking to my day 1 bestie, y'know."

I couldn't help but smile. I met her eyes in my mirror and I could see how tired she looked, but she was returning my smile. "Then it's a date," I promised. "Why don't you get some more rest. There's some Advil in the bin above my closet, you should eat something and take some and get another nap or two in."

"I will do that. What class do you have?"

I fastened my cross necklace around my neck, putting the last finishing touches on my outfit since I was ready now. I was wearing a cute white skirt that my grandma had gotten me last year for Christmas, paired with a pink, high-neck tank top. It was a little bit cropped, which wasn't my usual style, but if I pulled the skirt up too high then it wasn't long enough for me to be comfortable. I ended up just deciding to go with the small amount of midriff exposure rather than risk my skirt flying up. "It's just my English class. But, it is at 12:10 and the professor is strict about timeliness, so I will have to talk more later. Take care of yourself, okay? Text me if you need anything: snacks, a little treat, anything like that."

"Oh, you treat me so well my wonderful, doting wife." I giggled at her jokes. We had been joking back and forth about being a 1940s couple for a bit. I don't know where it came from, but it was the first time I was 'in' on a running joke, so I was just happy to have the little running bit.

"Anything for you, my sweet husband. I'll see you later!" I hiked my backpack up my shoulders, blew a kiss farewell to Trixie who was cuddling back up in bed, and headed out of the dorm.

I was finally back in the groove of things here at FSU. My mom and I were still not on great terms, and our conversations were less frequent and more stilted, but I wasn't obsessing over it. Ultimately, after I talked to Trixie about it I realized that my mom owed me an apology. What she said to me wasn't okay, and now that I was finally out of her area of control, I was able to realize that. So, until she apologizes I think we'll just be in this weird gray area of communication. Dad hasn't been very receptive to me either, but that's to be expected. Things are weird right now, but at the end of the day they're my parents and we'll work it all out eventually.