Cloud nine (Romance)

Chapter 13: Self preservation

(Pov Max, Around the same time of chapter 12)

It was another late night of struggling to sleep, I got a message from my boss over at the fastfood place I worked at. I open up my phone, fatigued, and I see his signature "Copy and paste" messages. I skimmed to the end of the message and it said "-Fired". 'Oh yay, another short term job.' I think to myself.' I start swiping through social media to get my mind off of it. Almost coincidentally I hear a ringing from my cell phone. My screen gets illuminated as I see Minhs profile. With the profile name 'Minnie' with a heart icon next to it. I groan as now isn't the best time but I eventually collect myself, put my reading glasses on and answer the phone. "Oh..-hhi Minh, wassup?" I say with a fake yet preppy tone of voice. "Oh, I'm ok." It got quiet for a second, but then she continued. "I was just curious to see if you would want to come over." I felt conflicted. I wanted to see her truly, but at the same time I most definitely was not in the right mindset to be social. I guess I got lost in my thoughts for too long because she then said "I mean, It's ok if you don't want to g-" "No Minh, I definitely want to come over." I didn't mean to say that. "Oh, ok great. Thanks Max." We then exchanged goodbyes. God, I'm not ready.

I wonder how Naomi and Tyler are doing. I scroll to my group chat with me, Naomi, and Tyler. I named it "The only good friend trio." Pretty funny if I do say so myself. I sent them over a message asking how they were doing then stating that I hoped they were ok. I remember That Tyler always talked bad about his mom although I never actually got to meet her so I hope that they are doing okay. I reluctantly get off of my perfectly comfortable bed, moving over to my cooler to get a 'legitness fitness' energy drink to support Tyler's new blend. I really like the 'Strawberry Sorbet' blend. It's crazy how smart he is to actually make it energizing, sweet, and healthy all at the same time. It's shocking that I immediately got in a better mood as electrolytes and energizing products were flowing through my veins.

I go into the shower trying to finish getting ready fast, but then I hear some dinging from the phone on my bathroom table. I just thought that it was some message from my dad that I didn't want to read. My now ex boss just sent a message to my dad, telling him I quit or something like that. Well I wanted to get my mind off of it so I played some lofi background music to unwind. I told my phone through voice to play a song on the speaker in my background. My phone put on some stripped melodic background music. Just the thing I needed. I let out a big sigh as I turned the shower faucet to the right as some hot steaming water started bouncing off of my body. The music paired with me showering myself, getting so much hard work off my shoulders with blissfully smelling aromas filling the air. This was a taste of heaven.

After a mellow yet rushed shower, put a towel on to somewhat cover myself. I pick up my wallet, keys, and phone. I then throw on some comfortable clothes, putting everything in my pocket, and then dash out the front door. I open up my car and then rev up the engine. I then peel out of my apartment complex's parking lot as I then drive to her house. About twenty or so minutes pass as I drive over to her house. Essentially, I saw her house and it was nearly pitch black except her room with dimly lit lights. Instead of knocking on her window like a psychopath, I knocked on her door at a pretty acceptable volume. I then hear a faint sound coming from her room saying "oh shit, damn it why is he already here." It was quite shocking to hear her say that. I've never really heard her use profanity besides that one time there was that big first hangout over at cloud nine and the sudden gust of wind started to emerge. Come to think of it, it has actually been very windy and rainy recently. I wonder why and if it will get worse.

I then hear the rattling of chains on the door, assuming it's some form of security precaution as she then opens the door. I then saw that she dyed hair with streaks of red. She was wearing a baggy gray hoodie, with black sweatpants. All of her clothing was festooned with stickers that she most likely put on herself. She looked so cute, her hooked eyes and lazy yet comfortable outfit just made me want to bunch up against her. I then let out my hand in an attempt to initiate a handshake as I then said "Uh, hi Minh. How are you doing right now?" gosh, I was acting so awkward, she really gets me all shy like that. Especially with the way she is looking right now, how could I not fall flat looking at her adorableness. She laughed at me and said "Y'know, you still really suck at talking to me." "Ever since we have talked about our interest in each other, you have balled up around me acting like a red-faced mess. '' I was quiet. I didn't know what to say. She proceeded to grab my hand and rub it across the sides of her face. After that she then pulled me in, holding hands as a way to bring me into her home. "Yo Max, you hungry or did you already eat?" I told her a flat out "no" because I was still looking at her.