Forgive (Mithzan X the reader)

Chapter Six: Strangers

The rusty station wagon's passenger door eerily creaks as Ross uncomfortably opens it. After rubbing his head, embarrassed about the dirtiness of the seats, he slides to the left and points inside.

"Well?" Ross utters nervously.

You wait for Eli to hop in. "Ladies first."

Eli ignores your smart remark and gladly jumps into the car. He shuts the door behind him and sticks his tongue out through the clear glass window, leaving you and Ross outside.

Ross quickly steals a glance at your suitcase and Eli's luggage, which he rudely left for you to deal with.

"Do you want me to put it in the trunk or something?" He politely asks as he grasps the handle of Eli's suitcase.

"Thanks," you manage to mutter kindly.

"Cool," he awkwardly adds as he takes your suitcase out of your hands and rolls the two luggages to the back.

You hesitantly open the car door of the backseat and slowly get inside. Once inside, you feel the trunk open. The car bounces a little  as Ross messily throws the luggage inside. He, then, hops in the driver's seat after slamming the trunk close. You hold your breath as he starts the car and begins to drive down the road.

A little while into the drive, Ross asks if you want some music.

"No thanks," you politely decline. "I'm good."

Ross looks at Eli. He shakes his head as he whips out his phone and plugs in his earbuds. He carefully places them into his ears and eventually tunes out, which leaves you and Ross in an awkward position.

"Where you from?" you ask quickly.

"New York," he answers. Before you can open your mouth, he raises his hand. "Not the city."

"Nice."

Silence.

"So," you say after blowing a desperate raspberry, attempting to break the silence. "Any roommates?"

He nods his head. "Yes, unfortunately."

You pitifully chuckle as the car halts to a stop at a red light.

"How many?" you question as the car steadily inches forward. "If you don't mind me asking."

"Two," he answers almost instantly. "Both really good guys. They act stupid sometimes, but they really are cool."

"Nice," you respond. "I know that one of them is Mithzan. Who's the other?"

He stares at your through the side view mirror. Uncomfortable shivers tingle down your spine as he smirks.

"I'll let them introduce themselves."

The red light turns green and Ross steps on the pedal.

~~~

Ross jangled the house keys in his hand as he opened the door in one swift move. Mac and cheese, soda, all sorts of junk food, and cat fur immediately fill your nose, unpleasantly. Your nose scrunches up from the stench as you cautiously step inside the house.

Eli trails behind you, seemingly unprovoked by the smell of the house. He plops his luggage in the foyer and breathes in.

"It's not the best place to live," Ross says as he shuts the door and tosses the keys on a nearby wooden table. "But, it gets the job done."

You nod understandingly and nudge Eli, who was unknowingly staring at the floor. He catches on.

"Ah," he says. "Thanks for letting us stay at your place. How can we ever repay you?"