𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗯𝗼𝗶𝘀 was a total 'grump.' Majoring in pastry arts, her irritated and seemingly negative personality drove people away, like maybe she had a disease of her own. She had her own little circle of friends that she could trust, it...
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I thought carefully, choosing my words carefully. I didn't want her to spiral on me. I knew the gravity of the situation, imagine someone you recently met, carrying you home and once you got home you practically poured your heart out. Now she couldn't imagine that, it seemed like she didn't even remember. Her face hardened, clearly trying to get a response out of me.
"You..." I paused briefly, "You were shitfaced drunk and I took you home. Marie gave me her key after you passed out on me."
She opened her mouth to respond, but I cut her off, "And no, you didn't say or even do anything." She closed her mouth, seems like I'd answered her question.
She nodded her head in approval, wordlessly saying, "Yeah that checks out."
"What time do your classes start? You should get something in your system. Let's go get something to eat."
"I'm..I'm going to go get ready now," she swallowed, "...for my classes." And with that she shot up and walked back into her room, my eyes trained on her until she disappeared. I heard her clutter around in there for about 5 minutes before she came out clamoring with her backpack in hand.
While she was putting her shoes on, she spoke, "I'm gonna go now, but just," she paused to put on her right shoe, "Just, um see yourself out." And with that she grabbed her keys and left.
Without Adeline here I felt as if I was invading her privacy. I figured I'd clean up and see if I left anything in her room and leave asap. After cleaning up the bowl, I went in her room to do a final sweep. It felt awkward. I skimmed my eyes around the surroundings, gaze landing on her laptop. "Doesn't she need that?" I thought out loud. It clicked. I sighed heavily before taking my leave, quickly texting Archer that I was coming back home.
I figured I'd just give Marie her keys back in person, so I took them with me. As I walked I played with them in between my fingers, tracing the pad of my pointer along the small Hello Kitty figure that hung on the key ring. My thoughts flowed like wine while I made my way back. I felt bad that I lied to her, but at the time it seemed to be the proper response. However, instead of feeling better, making an excuse for myself somehow made me feel worse.
By the time I realized it, I was unlocking the door, pushing it open and nearly hitting Marie as she was on her way out.
"Shit-- sorry!" I yelped.
Marie shook her head, "No, no it's fine!" I peered behind her to see Archer giving me a look.
"Here's your keys, Adeline went to her classes," I explained, handing over her keys.
She paused for a moment, then properly looked at me, "She doesn't have classes till the afternoon?" Marie must've sensed my distress as she began coming up excuses, "It's possible her professor wanted her to come in early, or maybe she herself wanted to be early."
She eventually trailed off, but it left me with even more despair. Archer came up from behind her and began seeing her out. As soon as he clicked the door shut, he turned to me.
"Alright, what's wrong?"
Quick and straight to the point, perfectly in character.
I sighed heavily, "To be truthful. I have no clue." For the second time this week I was venting to him.
I finished off by stating, "I know it was bad to lie to her, but I didn't know what to do. Do you think she knows I lied to her?"
He chuckled, despite his hungover stated he seemed to find something amusing.
Probably seeing my puzzled reaction, he began, "She knows. I didn't mean to look, but I glanced at Marie's phone while she was in the shower. It was blowing up like crazy with messages from Adeline. I'm pretty sure she even called a couple times," he paused, "Now I want to invade her privacy by reading the texts, but she seemed panicked."
I hummed in response, somewhat satisfied the was sort of solved this situation. Well, maybe not solved, but I was glad that I know more now.
Not wanting for Archer to make up another solution for me, I told him mine.
