Sickly Intertwined

Chapter One

A/N Grace^^

 "Rent is due tomorrow morning, don't forget." I say to Fawn who is sitting at the kitchen island, entranced in something on her phone. Most likely texting that guy she had over last night. He tried to sneak out this morning, but I caught him walking down the stairs with only his pants on; the rest of his clothes in his arms.

"I just got paid yesterday," pulling a white envelope out of her purse on the counter next to her. "I'm going to stop by the bank after class today to deposit it."

Opening the fridge, I grab the pitcher of orange juice and pour it into a cup for myself, making sure to pour another for Fawn.

"So...who was that guy that I caught sneaking out of our apartment this morning?" I give her a knowing smirk, sliding the glass or juice towards her.

Looking like a deer in headlights for a moment, she bursts into laughter.

"Oh my god Grace, I'm so sorry," she says between laughs. "I told him to be quiet when he left."

"To be fair, it's kind of hard to sneak out the front door when I was already awake in the kitchen."

Her face softens a bit.

"Couldn't sleep again?"

"No, the doctor told me this new medication is supposed to help, but I don't think it's doing its job." I've had nightmares for years now. Every time I close my eyes, all I see is her. "It doesn't matter though. I'll just call the doctor and get a stronger prescription. I do have to go to class now, but are we still meeting for lunch?" I say grabbing my bag as I head over to the door.

"Yes! Would you mind if I brought a friend?"

"Would this friend happen to be someone I've seen before?" I know exactly who she plans to bring. It would be nice to meet him, however, when he isn't half naked in my home.

"Maybe." She smiled mischievously and trots up the stairs.

Rolling my eyes with a smile, I grab my keys and walk out the door.

***

My professor is giving some kind of lecture about something. I can't focus on anything he is saying. My mind and body are aching from the lack of sleep. My leg bouncing furiously up and down, trying to do anything to keep me awake. A hand places itself on my knee causing my leg to come to a halt. I look up instinctively and I am met with deep, emerald eyes. The boy who was sitting next to me - who I honestly didn't realize was there - was looking at me. He studied my face for a bit, narrowing his eyes as he does so, but didn't say anything as he removed his hand and brought his focus back to the lecture. I continue to stare at the side of his head in confusion.

Who the fuck does this man think he is putting his hands on me.

Suddenly feeling a bit annoyed from my newfound awareness of the random boy sitting next to me, I grab my bag and walk out of the room.

I decided to go for a smoke to burn time before meeting Fawn for lunch. I walk to a bridge that goes over a small pod on campus. Pulling a cigarette out, I grab my lighter and cup the end of the beautiful nicotine stick and light it. Taking a long drag, I immediately feel more relaxed. Anxiety's a bitch but nicotine sure takes the edge off. I stare mindlessly at the water beneath me and continue taking long drags from the cigarette until I reach the butt. Dropping the butt to the ground and stepping on it with my shoe. I check the time on my phone and see a text from Fawn letting me know they are getting out of class in 10 minutes and will meet me there. Placing my phone back into the pocket of my jeans, I head towards Killigains, the diner that we're meeting at, and grab a table for the three of us.

I feel very interested to formally meet this boy considering he has already met my apartment. I roll my eyes at the thought and sit at the booth the hostess brought me to. I thank her and order a Dr. Pepper, pulling out my phone once again to check my socials. As I'm scrolling through Facebook a memory from 10 years ago comes up on my feed. My mom reposted it. It's a picture of me and my older sister in the living room of our childhood home. It looks to be Christmas morning as there are bits or torn up wrapping paper all across the floor in front of us. In the photo me and Scarlett are hugging while I'm holding an iPhone 8 box in my hand. I remember this day vividly. I was 12 years old. My sister had been working at a part time job for a little over a year, she had saved up her money and bought me my first phone for Christmas. Of course, it wasn't the latest phone but that didn't matter to me. I was grateful anyway. I stare at the photo smiling like an idiot with tears pooling into my eyes. I miss my sister with every part of me. If only-

My thought was cut off as two people suddenly sat in the booth across from me. Immediately wiping my tears, I put on a smile and greeted Fawn quietly. I must've been staring at that photo for a while, my drink was now sitting in front of me. I didn't even notice the waitress had brought it to me.

"Hey, sorry we're late, our professor wouldn't shut up, so our class ran a little late." She rolls her eyes in annoyance with a smile on her face as she turns to this mystery guy beside her. I lock my eyes with him, and I realize he looks very similar to the guy from my class earlier. I study his face a bit longer, but my eyes settle on some kind of birthmark on his face, right on his cheekbone. I realize he couldn't be the same guy; he and Fawn just came from their own class. Maybe I'm more sleep deprived than I realized.

"This is Alexander, or Alex. Alex, this is Grace, my roommate and the girl who you ran into this morning." Fawn face filled with amusement at that last comment.

Does she think she is funny?

Alex suddenly speaks up from his seat.

"Hi! It's nice to meet you. Sorry about this morning, I wasn't expecting you to be awake at 5 in the morning." His eye contact falters as he says that last bit. He seems nervous. Girl, I'm not her mother. What are you nervous about?

"Nah, it's fine. Completely forgotten." I reply with a smile.

This seems to take the edge off because he immediately relaxes in his seat with a smile. I see him give me a quick survey with his eyes, he looks back at my face and narrows his eyes.

"You look familiar. Did you go to Hastings in high school by any chance?" I can see the wheels turning in his head like he's trying to figure out where he's seen me before. Fawn answers before I can even conjure a thought.

"Nah, she and I went to Westlake. You might've seen her at a party or around town somewhere."

"My sister went to Hastings. You might be confusing me with her." I reply with a smile. Fawn's head snaps over to me. Most likely because this is the first time I willingly brought her up in conversation.

"What's your sister's name?" Alex asks, looking suddenly more interested in my answer.

"Scarlett." Hearing her name out of my own mouth immediately made a sharp pain erupt in my stomach. I regret bringing her up in the first place. Thankfully the waitress comes over taking down Fawn and Alex's drink orders and our food.

Once she walks away, Fawn turns her attention back to me and asks, "Do you have any plans tonight?" A mischievous smile spreads across her face.

I immediately know that look, which I return happily. "Party?"

She beams in response. Alex looks between the two of us with a worried, yet amused look on his face.

"Should I be worried?" he asks with a chuckle.

"Definitely." We both respond at the same time. Alex just laughs in response.

"Good."

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Thank you for choosing my story I have so many things planned that I cannot wait to write.

See ya'll tomorrow ;)