CHECKLISTS

Small Talks

I turned off my laptop and put it on top of the nightstand. I pulled the covers to my chin and looked up at the dim ceiling of my now unfamiliar room. Well, technically, it isn't mine. It's Henry's flat.

The yellow light coming from the bedside lamp was somehow comforting. I don't think I'd do well with the lights completely off again. I don't know.

I heard a beep and felt my phone vibrate under my pillow. I ignored it. I cannot deal with anything right now.

Henry just broke up with her girlfriend, Tara King. How did I not know about that?

It said on the articles that it was Henry who broke it off. And that Tara was devastated.

But what was that earlier?

I am so confused. I've never been this confused since 4th grade when the girls in my class were talking about boners. For some time I thought boners refer to bulging arm muscles. It meant bulging alright, but not anywhere on a man's upper body. This is a whole new level of confusion. Why is Henry suffering if he's the one who broke up with his now ex-girlfriend? Did the articles lie? Are they some sort of cover up? Is Henry Cavill the same person as the media says he is?

I felt my phone vibrate again.

Irritated, I snatched it from behind my head. I double tapped the screen and it came to life. There was two messages from David.

"Is Henry there? I thought he'll be there tomorrow but someone advised me that he already left Cali this afternoon."

"Kristen, are you home? Did Henry drop by?"

I stared at the screen like a moron for 5 seconds. Oh right. How could I be so stupid? Of course he can travel from California to New York that fast because he is rich. Maybe he owns a private jetplane and he hired his own pilot. Jesus.

I replied, "Yes. He's here." I hit send.

The phone buzzed. David is calling.

"Hey," I croaked. I cleared my throat and tried again. "Hey."

"What's he doing?" He asked, there was a hint of irritation in his voice.

"He's in his room, I think. I was about to sleep."

"Oh, sorry," there was a pause on the other line. "I would've arranged a proper introduction but he is.. He's unpredictable sometimes."

"I understand," my voice was stiff, just like the rest of me right now.

He was quiet for a moment. "Good night, then. We'll talk tomorrow. I'll be there at eight."

"Sure. Good night," I said. He hung up.

Great. What did I do? David wasn't cold with me. For a week, he acted like he was my uncle who's just a few years older than me so he has to treat me like a cousin or sibling, but with authority. He was professional but not cold.

I turned to my side and closed my eyes, willing myself to fall asleep. Too much thoughts in your head causes insomnia. I had to quiet my mind.

I breathed in and out slowly. It feels weird but I still went with it.

Breathe in...

... Out.

In...

Out...

In...

There were two knocks on the door.

Out...

Two knocks. "Kristen?"

My eyes shoot open and I dart to the door. I opened it as soon as I get to it and came face to face with Henry.