Accidental Housemate

10: surprising

I woke up with a void and a hangover.

When my eyes first opened, the empty, white ceiling with the light fixture, which I saw at least two of, came slowly into my view. My hair felt dishevelled, and I was uncomfortable in my jeans from last night. I remembered lashing out at Dave a little, maybe more than a little, then him bringing me home and helping me into bed.

My hand raised to palm my face, disappointed in myself.

I left my bed for a shower and a change of clothes, but I was slow due to the headache hammering at my head. When I was done and wrapped in a towel, Dave knocked on my door.

“Perrie, it’s already noon,” he warned me, not wanting to trespass.

Only then did I check my phone for the time. I cussed under my breath, but then shrugged it off because it was Saturday, anyway. I got dressed and left the room. I found Dave in the kitchen, stirring what looked like soup.

“Hey. Good… morning?” he questioned me with a tight smile.

“Hey, Dave.” I poured myself a glass of water from the pitcher, still not meeting his eyes once.

“How do you feel?”

I gulped. “I’m fine.” I raised the cup to my lips and chugged it.

“There returns the mysterious Perrie. Despite your backlash, I prefer the more honest version of you. Quit bottling it up.”

What on Earth was that all about? Was I supposed to feel complimented or humiliated?

“Dave, can we forget about last night?”

“Only if you tell me what’s bothering you. The secret you’re so faithfully hiding. But technically, I can’t make myself forget.”

I blinked. “What do you mean?” It didn’t classify as a secret, exactly.

“Your family background, for example. Your profession, you—”

“I don’t have anything to tell you.”

“It’s not like you have a secret child from a one-night stand, do you?”

My breath hitched in my throat. “I… don’t.”

“Then—” The ringing doorbell cut him off. 

I blinked at him. “Are you expecting anyone?”

He shook his head. 

We both scurried out of the kitchen, curious about who the unexpected visitor was. When Dave opened the door, my heart sank, my gladness for the visitor shutting him up turning into horror. I wished I was still asleep and having nightmares after a drunk night.

“Tiffany?”

My younger sister had a fresh look with her hair dyed red and her eyelashes extended. We didn’t look similar anymore, as she’d dropped the blonde hair we shared. A shiny silver ring pierced her nose, and her freckles looked clearer than I last remembered. In her eyes were rage and spite, which I was certain were directed at me.

“Hello, Rochelle,” Tiffany piped, flashing me a wicked smile.

The name brought to me anxiety-worthy memories of my darkest days. Dave had already backed out of the scene with a weirded look, leaving the guest for me to handle. I hoped my housemate wouldn’t put two and two together. I gripped her forearm to take her out of the flat and talk outside, closing the door behind me.

“Drop that name, and how did you find me?”

“Aww,” she gushed. “I thought my older sister would rather be happy to see me.”