Blonde And Brunette

Chapter 23

I think that’s enough Harper drama for now,’’ Serena sighs, standing from her pink plush couch, the popcorn bowl in hand. “Come on”. She holds out her hand for me.

“What? No way,’’ I whine, pointing at the screen, “I need more. They’re living their lives in high school like I never did”.

Serena scoffs. “Azalea Mikaela Evans?”

I straighten up. “Yeah? Am I in trouble?”

“You’re letting your ex win?” She arches her brow.

“He never was,’’ I told her. “We never were official. He—it’s complicated”. She nods with a shrug, satisfied with my response and moves out the way. She picks up our dirty dishes of stress eating from the coffee table and makes her way to the kitchen. 

I sneak a glance at the clock stuck to the wall. 7pm sharp.

“What do you want for dinner?” Serena calls from the kitchen. At the same time, her doorbell rings. We both looked at the door. 

Everything about Heartbreak High flies out the window as I slide down from the couch in an effort to hide. Serena’s apartment isn’t that big and she has no closet. “Are you expecting someone?” I whisper, my voice raising a notch so she can hear me. 

I literally crawl to the kitchen, a blanket over me to cover myself. 

“What are you doing?” Serena whispers back. 

“What am I doing? What are YOU doing?” I whisper-yell. “Go answer your door”.

“OK OK but why are you whispering?” she asks.

Suddenly I wished a rolling pin appeared in my hand so I could smack the shit out of her. She did not just ask me that! “Girl bye”.

I continued manoeuvring my way around her to find an empty cupboard so I could squeeze myself inside. She gives me one look, shaking her head and goes to answer her door. 

I stay in the cupboard, my breathing slow and my heart ringing in my ears. I spy through the gap that has light seeping in. Nothing and I mean absolutely nothing is heard. I wait it out for a few seconds.

I lean my head back and close my eyes to count backwards when chattering noises resonate. Faint at first until it got closer. A male. A female laugh. Another third voice. I place my ear against the gap to listen for more. But I failed to notice how badly I was wrapped into the blanket that I tripped and my ear got the impact. 

“Ow! Motherfu—” my head hit the edge of the cupboard when I tried to stand so I ended up sprawled on the floor. The chatting comes to a halt so I throw my hands up, “I’m OK!”. 

Rubbing my sore forehead, I stand up. I think my leg is bleeding. Eh. So what? I recognise Andrew first who’s holding a pizza in his left hand while his biker jacket is on the other hand. Serena gives me a look of concern and a ‘what the fuck’ look. The door closes and my attention diverts to the male entering with ripped muscles under the black shirt he is wearing. Our eyes lock and he stops.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Is the first thing that hits me, his voice harsh and teeth gritted.

“I could ask you the same thing,’’ I replied with the same tone. 

Roman looks at Serena, “I thought you said you were alone”.

Serena winks, “Surprise?”

“What’s the actual beef between you two? Can’t you just fuck the tension out of each other?” Andrew makes his way to the couch and places the pizza box on the table. “The building is gonna catch fire with how fiery you both look right now. I brought pizza and I think there’s some cans of soda in the fridge. Why don’t we all sit and talk like civilised adults, hmm?”. He sits his gluteus maximus on the couch. Typical Andrew. Always the smart talker.