The Arrangement

Fight

I didn't wake up until noon the next day. I had never in my life slept in that late and it scared me for a moment. Instead of dwelling on it, I just grabbed my journal from the bedside table and paused when I saw a note on it.

Jasmine,
Sorry for late notice but I gotta do some errands in town. Both of my parents are gone at work but Victoria is coming over. I'll be back around 3. See you then.
Tyler

I discarded the note and opened my journal like I had originally planned to do. As I opened to the next blank page I realized I was going to run out of room soon. Sighing, I started my next entry anyways.

Perhaps I was not made for this set of shoes I was given. I can't seem to make anyone happy, and if I do, it makes someone else upset. Perhaps I should no longer try anymore for trying simply ends in horrible consequences on my part. Perhaps it should have been me that went into the 'other life' as my father describes. Perhaps my sister should be here instead, cured of her illness and no longer suffering from the harshness of this world. Perhaps.... Perhaps.

I can't write anymore because I already know I'll begin to write about Tyler as I had noticed myself doing. Tyler consumed my venting, my longing to please, and my everyday life. It was upsetting me how I could be afraid of someone that I also wished nothing but happiness upon. But if I were to ever write that.... I feared I would be admitting on paper, in a physical form, something that should be kept hidden.

I got up from bed, suddenly glad that Tyler was going to be absent today. His presence would only make my thoughts more persistent. My feet led me down the familiar path until I got to the kitchen door. Victoria was in there, yelling about pizza. I walked in slowly and then smiled when I saw Cathy and Roy talking at the counter, ignoring Victoria.

"Jasmine!" Victoria's voice is crisp as she looks me over. She's wearing her hair up in a messy bun and her sweatpants and tank top mimic her comfy look. "Can you please tell them to make me some pizza?" She asks, a plea in her voice. I grin.

"I could ask but that doesn't mean they will."

"They told me they only follow orders from residents in this house, which I am not included in." Victoria seems offended by this.

"Cathy," I begin. She looks over at me, daring me to ask her to make a pizza. "How are you doing?" I ask, smiling as I saw Victoria glare at me. Cathy laughs me.

"I am fantastic darling, how are you?" She grins and Roy rolls his eyes.

"I'm good, but I'm a little hungry." I glance at Victoria and she crosses her arms, waiting impatiently for me to stop toying with her.

"Are you, what would you like?" Cathy asks, wiping the counter and smiling, knowing what I was going.

"Oh, I don't know..." I sit down at the counter and look at Victoria, telling her to sit. She huffs but eventually allows herself to sit next to me. I look at Cathy and smile. "I don't really know what I'm in the mood for." I tap my chin and glance at Victoria.

"Pizza, you're in the mood for pizza." Victoria tells me. Her blue eyes, not even comparable to Tyler's, pierce through mine. I grin.

"You know Cathy, I really think I want some pizza." I tell her, acting as though I thought of the idea for myself.

"For breakfast?" Cathy asks, pretending to be shocked.

"Oh well that's true." I pretend to be interested in the wall.

"Oh, I hate you all." Victoria whines. She glares at me and goes to say something but Roy interrupts her.

"Cathy, make the poor girl some pizza." Roy grumbles from the side. He sends me a glance with a wink.