Love to Hate You

Chapter Eight

Jennie

It has been two days since I've seen my joyless roommate. Between the Kim case and visiting Nana, I've been flat chat and coming home at ridiculous hours, so we have been like two ships passing in the night. On Thursday night, however, I arrive home and just make it into the elevator of the underground parking lot when I hear, "Hold the doors!" I'd recognize that voice anywhere, and although I will the doors to close with every fiber in my being, my hand annoyingly defies me and presses the button.

I park underground now, given the latest mishap. They have security cameras in here, so hopefully, that's enough to deter would-be criminals.

Lisa barely acknowledges my existence when she steps in beside me, and I'm not in the mood to converse with myself, so oddly, I bite my tongue.

The doors close, and we stand in silence as we start moving. That is until the elevator lurches forward, then drops back down, squealing to a halt. The lights flicker on, then off, before switching off completely, and we are blanketed in darkness.

While Lisa pitches up against the back wall and curses, I can't help but scream. It is a little more girly and high-pitched than I expect.

"Is that really necessary?" snaps Lisa, standing with her arms folded across her chest. I blink into the dark. "I am scared. That's what normal people do. Just because you're from another dimension."

"Just brilliant," Lisa says, under her breath. "Of all the people..."

"Shut up," I fire back. She better not mess with me tonight. I am ready to pop. "Why did you have to get into the elevator the same time as me? Just to antagonize me?"

"Yes, because my life revolves around you, your royal highness." I can almost swear Lisa curtsies beside me.

My head is going to explode in two seconds. I have enough on my plate without having to deal with this, and I snap. "I worked overtime because of you."

"And I took the late shift for the same reason. Maybe we should coordinate our work schedules," Lisa hisses in the dark.

This feels like I am in a horror movie.

How is this happening right now?

My phone dings and the screen lights up.

Trixie.

Oh no, baby girl, hope your Nana is okay. Sorry have been in and out of service. Don't worry, she will be fine. Much love to you both. PS Catch up next Thursday night?

It is two days after Nana's accident, and only now does Trixie bother to send some half-assed message. She is also in New York, so just how patchy can phone coverage be? And surprise! She is postponing tomorrow night's catch up.

Unfuckingbelievable.

Lisa starts moving and huffing beside me. She is so close I feel claustrophobic. I think she is stretching her arms and legs, and some bone makes a weird cracking sound. Then another.

My misophonia cranks into gear, and I lose it. Lisa probably receives the wrath I want to unleash onto Trixie, but it can't be helped.

"Can you just quit it with the heavy breathing and the tai chi, or whatever you are doing beside me! This is a three by three box. You can barely swing a cat in here."

I feel Lisa deliberately shove me to the side with her hip. "God, gross," I hiss, recoiling at the touching of our limbs. "This is my idea of a nightmare, so I don't need you getting all handsy in the dark. Get back on your side Romeo."