My Enemy

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Roxy?"  the voice sounds faded.  "Roxy?!" I hear again.  "What?" I mumble to the voice.  "What are you doing?  Wake up,"  I open my eyes to see myself clutching my pillow very tightly, like my life depends on it.  I don't remember anything from the night before... anything that happened after I left Jackson on the porch is now gone from my memory.

I cringe at the thought of last night.  The fact that he did that to me just makes me hate him so much.  I want to punch him, but I'm sure Roman gave him what he deserved.

I try hard to picture what happened, but come up blank.  "Sorry, Mik.  I had a long night.  I know I'm usually up by now, but would it be okay if I sleep a little more?"  She nods.  "Roman is cooking lunch, so I'll go hang out with him.  Hope you feel better, sis."  She walks up to me and gives me a hug.

It makes me want to cry and I hold on tighter.  She doesn't seem to mind, though, as if she knows exactly what I'm going through.  I sigh and let go of her.  She walks out, shutting my door, and I go back to sleep.

***

I wake up to the sound of 'Bird Set Free' by Sia playing.  I get out of bed and put on a hoodie.  I walk downstairs and see Mik sitting on the couch, watching the music video.  "Hey, sis," she greets.  "Hey, Mik."  "Are you feeling better?" she questions.  "Not really.  My head is killing me."

"On it!" I hear.  I go into the kitchen to see Roman holding out an Advil and glass of water in my direction.  "You're a life saver, thank you."  He nods.

"Hey, do you mind cluing me in on what happened last night after you beat the living crap out of Jackson?"  He hesitates.  "It's okay.  You can tell me," I assure.  He nods and begins.

"You raided your mom's Vodka and puked your guts out," was all he needed to say for all the memories to come crashing into my mind: him coming into my room to comfort me, me drinking an entire bottle of Vodka then puking my guts out while he held my hair, and then me falling asleep in his arms.  Not to mention, he kissed you, reminded the voice in my head.  It was only on the head, I shot back.

Without words I walk up to Roman and hug him.  He seems surprised at first but eventually his hands snake their way onto my back while I clutch onto his neck, tightly.  We stay there for what seems like hours.  He rubs my hair.

I hear footsteps and let him go and turn around to see my mother walking in.  "Hey, mom.  Did you have fun?"  "Yeah, I did.  I was here this morning, but it was pretty dead, so I went shopping.  Would you guys mind helping with the bags?"

***

After carrying in groceries, we eat the lunch that Roman prepared -killer grilled cheese sandwiches- and just talk.  It's nice and relaxing.

After lunch I decide to head upstairs for a shower.  I go into my room and grab clothes, a couple towels, and my speaker.  I start some music when I get into the bathroom (Bird Set Free... again) and sing along while I shower.

When I finish, I get out and dry off.  I'm putting leave-in conditioner in my hair when to my surprise walks in a very confused Roman.  I quickly scramble to get the towel to cover myself up.  I can barely bring my eyes to meet his, but when I do, his face is crimson.

I'm sure mine is too, based off the heat I feel creeping up my neck.  He starts to quickly come up with an excuse.  "I-I'm sorry.  Oh, god.  I-I didn't know."  His head hangs low and he starts to shut the door.  As he does, I say, "I'll be out in a minute."

***

When I walk into my room, fully dressed this time -pajama shorts, a tee shirt, and knee-high socks-, I find him sitting on my bed.  "Hey," he says quietly.  "I really am sorry.. I didn't hear anything.  I guess I should learn to knock."  "And I guess I should learn to lock the door..." I try as an attempt to make his embarrassment die down a little.

He smirks.  "Nice view though, BabyDoll."  I scoff and push him.  "You're such a pervert," I sternly say.  I knew he couldn't not be himself for once.  He gets up to walk out but not before saying, "Don't forget that last night you said you owe me... I'm holding you to that."  "And what exactly do you have in mind?" I question, with my hand on my hip.

"I guess you'll have to wait and see," he says, turning towards the bathroom, but not before purposely taking his shirt off on the way in.  As he does it, I see his six pack.  I gawk at him.  He turns to me and I try to hide it, but he catches it.  "Like the view, Babe?  There's more where that came from," he says, smirking and finally entering the bathroom.  He shuts the door and I hear the lock click.   I guess he's learned from my mistake.