Lost in Translation

Chapter 37: Honesty is Not Always a Virtue

———Anthony———

Saturday, July 13th, 2019

Now that I was clean and it felt like there was some kind of driving force or plan (even if that plan was just to ignore my problems until tomorrow), I was starting to feel a little more human. The numbness that had blanketed me faded, which, while a good thing, also left room for my anxiety to take over again.

Before I could think about it too hard, though, it was time to go. James kept me sufficiently distracted from my thoughts as we walked to the admin building. Although I'd never admit it, I was glad James was here. Without him, I would have had zero chance of making it through this summer.

We entered the lobby of the admin building and were blasted by the sweet relief of the air conditioner. James groaned as I started toward the stairwell, but before he got too far into his grumbling about the stairs, we were stopped by the ringing of his phone. James pulled it out, and his face twisted into a sour expression, which could only mean one thing.

"It's Adam," James confirmed with a sigh. "Go on ahead, Cupcake. I'll try and cut him off quick. If I don't answer, he'll call like five times within the hour." I nodded and started up the stairs as James turned back into the lobby. Now that James was gone, my short-lived optimism plummeted. My heart rate started to spike as I got closer to the apartment, and by the time I got to the door, I was practically sweating.

I let myself in without knocking. Marcus stood up quickly before sitting back on the couch and wringing his hands. He was dressed in nice jeans and a plain t-shirt, which was a lot nicer than his everyday meathead gym rat aesthetic. I must have looked similarly nervous because he gave me a sympathetic smile before waving me over.

"Where's James," he whispered.

"Lobby. He's on the phone with Adam," I whispered back. Marcus gave a grim nod before the front door opened again, revealing an aggravated-looking Kat and a frustrated Darius.

"I'm not saying no. I'm just saying there is a way we have to—"

"It sounds like no," Kat said firmly, cutting Darius off.

"You don't understand, it's just—"

"No, you do not understand. She is my sister," Kat barked back. Darius let out a frustrated sigh.

"You don't know anything has happened yet, and I can—"

"Uh, hey, Darius. Hey, Kat," Marcus said with an awkward wave. I nodded to both of them as they stopped in their tracks and turned to us. Darius looked a little sheepish, while Kat put up a mask of indifference.

"Uh, hey, guys. You're a little early," Darius said.

"Dude, I live here," Marcus said pointedly. "And it is like 4:45. 15 minutes isn't that early." As Marcus and Darius debated the definition of "early," I sidled up to Kat.

"Is everything ok?" I asked in a whisper.

"My sister has stopped replying to my texts. It has been almost two days, and Darius and I are not in agreement on how to handle it," she explained in a low voice. "I want to return to Russia and get her, but apparently, the paperwork is difficult and takes time."

"Well, he isn't wrong on that part, but I get your point. Is there—"

"Well, you're here early!" Sarah said as she stepped out of the dining room. "The table is already set. You guys can come sit."

"I told you it counts," Darius muttered to Marcus.

"I live here," Marcus hissed back.

"Hey, Chickadee. I'm glad to see you," Sarah said as she pulled me into a hug that did little to reassure me. I followed her into the dining room. The table was set with food that looked like it had been catered from the dining hall. We usually never ate in the dining room. Seeing it set up felt too formal and weird. Sarah, Darius, and Kat sat down, but Marcus and I both awkwardly hesitated.