The House

Chapter 5: Raleigh

I lean back in my chair at the kitchen island, pushing my grease stained paper plate aside. Gabe retreated back into his room to finish unpacking his things, Erica disappeared to go on her laptop, muttering something about "making this house cute again", which I didn't really get. Addie was next to me, still munching on a cold breadstick.

Rent, who was previously on the couch, was rooting through the cupboards. "God, the only food we have in this house is leftover pizza and the shit food we brought with us in the car," He moans.

"Sorry?" I don't really know what to say to that, it's one of those things Rent always says but won't actually do anything about it.

"You say sorry now, but when you don't have your damned froot loops in the morning, you're gonna be in one hell of a mood, and you're already an awful morning person" Rent replies, making me blush.

"Okay yeah, that was once," I looked at Addie to explain. "One time I woke up and there wasn't any of my cereal, and I just got a little mad. You know I'm not a morning person."

"Well yeah, what with all your sleeping issues and-" I cut Addie off by shushing her.

"Yeah, okay, let's just let this go. Rent's exaggerating anyways," I tell her in my defense. I wasn't really in the mood to talk about my ongoing sleeping issues I've had for years.

"Oh he was pissed," Rent whispered to Addie, winking.

"Oh my God! Mind you I was also experiencing the worst hangover I've ever had! I was hungry and sick! I don't even know how you and Gabe weren't dying all day beside me then," I cried.

"'Cause me and Gabe weren't totally wrecked like you were at that party. You had to have taken more shots than I do in a whole week!"

I rolled my eyes, "It wasn't that bad, I had fun!"

"I bet you don't even remember that whole night," Countered Rent.

"I don't. But I know it was fun. Anyways, food?" I say, steering the conversation back on track, away from my excessive drinking habits.

"Raleigh and I could go out to the grocery store if you want," Addie volunteered.

I look at her, raising my eyebrows. "What if I don't want to go to the store with you?" I ask.

"Then too bad. Come on, let's make a list." She replies, sticking her tongue out at me.

We call down Gabe, and together we build a long list of food. The list mainly consists of cheap junk food that any college aged students would buy, with only a few healthy items, mostly at Erica's request.

Outside, the air was balmy and thick with humidity. Addie pressed at her curls with her hands. After watching her do this for a bit as we walked to my car, I finally asked her what she was doing.

"It's humid out, and that will make my hair into a rat's nest." She stated, very matter-of-factly.

"And that helps you because..." I trailed off, leaving the end for her to answer, but she said nothing, dropping her hands and shrugging.

"It's nine O'clock, anyways. You know nobody will be out in around here at this time" I reminded her.

She laughed lightly. "That's because it's all old people."

I laugh along with her as I climb into the driver's seat and begin to drive down the road.

"So," She begins somewhat tentatively. "Explain to me how you know all these crazy people."

"Well, I met Rent my freshman year, when he was my dorm partner. I walked in after having been downtown for a while on the first day, and he stood there, eating my box of Cheez-Its that I had brought! We hadn't even met yet." I recalled, laughing along with Addie.