TIME: Mark Tuan edition

Chapter 30

"Mmmmrrrgggggphhhhffff."

"Seriously? I come back to LA, to you, and this is what I get!"

My head snaps up so fast my vision darkens and it falls back down onto the bed. "Uugh."

"Good one, Christine," Jen exasperates. I lean back up slowly and peak open an eye to see Jen in the flesh in my room.

Not learning from the previous time, I quickly jump up to my feet and tackle her before I really place my weight on her because of the lack of balance and being disoriented from the abruptness.

"Oh gosh! Geez, you've gained weight!" She jokes. "Kidding of course!"

"Oh, I've missed you!!" I squeal. "How'd you even get in!? Did Miguel see you!? Oh my gosh you're here!"

"Chill would you?" She holds me by my arms to calm me before answering, "You still keep your spare in the same spot, in between the broken doorsill . Of course he saw me I brought breakfast. Do you know it's already 10:00?"

I blink.

"Hello?" She waves her hand at my face.

"I slept in?" She gives me a blank face and rolls her eyes and walks away.

"I've been great thanks. Would you like breakfast? Sure! I'd love some!" She holds her own conversation as she leaves, but I quickly follow.

"Wait, why are you here? I mean I love that you are, but why? Like don't you have performances or something, anything? I thought you wanted to be a performer-"

"I didn't quit you dummy!" She ruffles my hair. I scowl, but she ignores me. "I'm just here cause of you! Feel honored that I thought of coming."

"Greatly honored!" I echo. I greet Miguel before I grab place settings for the two of us to join Miguel at the table for the pancakes she had brought. "How come I feel that there's more to this visit?"

"Do you have work today?" She asks avoiding my accusation.

"Yes, at like 5:00 pm for my radio show."

"Perfect," she mumbles.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing," she quickly says. "I can stay here and watch Miguel while you work."

"Okay, thanks! It's the weekend so I'll just tell the sitter to not come today." I take note to text her later.

"So, until then, tell me what's been going on with-"

Ding. Ding. Ding.

"Sorry," I apologize. She lifts her hand motioning it was okay as I answered the call. "Hello?"

"Oh! You answered!"

"Anthony?" I ask. I pull the phone away to look at the caller ID and I see his name and face on the screen.

"Yeah, you didn't look at your phone did you?" He accuses.

"Of course not." I roll my eyes as I hear him chuckle. "Why'd you call?"

"Snappy," he pauses, "you free today?"

"No."

"No seriously-"

"Yes seriously. I'm not free today. I'm very busy-"

"She's busy with me, work, and Miguel." Jen had taken the phone. "No who are you? You don't need to know who I am. Well, I already know your name is Anthony and you have a thing for my friend here. Sorry she's taken by-"

"DUDE!" I screech as I take my phone back. "I'm not taken by anyone and I already know what you're going to say, but no. Just friends."

"Hello?"