Roommate

Part Four

"Dominic?  What are you doing here?"  Erica asked, inviting herself into Dacia and Shanice's apartment.  Once she was inside, Dominic peeked outside to see if anyone was waiting for her in a car or not.  No luck there.  He didn't know what to do or even if she was invited over.

"Chillin', what are you doing here?  They knew you were coming?"

"Yeah, they know.  Where everybody at?"

"Lying down."

"Lying down? It's almost two in the afternoon." She sat on the love sofa and Dominic laid back down on the couch and started channel surfing.

"Yeah, they're just tired."

"Oh.  Well, you look nice today."  She started flirting with him on the low.

"Thanks," he said nonchalantly.

"You always looked good though.  I have been wanting to tell you that for a long time."

Dominic glanced at her, not knowing what to say.  "'Preciate it."  The silence was making him uncomfortable.  "I'll go see if Dacia's woke."  He removed himself from the living room and headed towards Dacia's room.  He rapped on the door a few times and slowly walked in and sat beside her.  "Daci, baby.  You woke?"

"A little," she answered.  "Who are you talkin' to in there?"

"Erica came over here just now.  Did you know she was coming?"

"No, I haven't talked to her all day."

"I see," he said, catching Erica's lie.  "Well, can you come out there with me?"

Dacia sighed and mixed it with a laugh.  "Just tell her to leave, please.  I really don't want to deal with her right now."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Dominic went back to the living room and Erica was sitting in his spot.  "Um, Dacia said could you come back later? She doesn't feel like getting up right now."

"Oh, well, I gotta wait for a ride to come back and get me."  She pressed a few buttons on her phone like she was texting someone, but she didn't text anybody.

Dominic sat on the love sofa and gave the TV his full attention.  He wanted to go to sleep, but he didn't want to leave her just sitting there.  He got up once more and tapped on Shanice's door.

"Shanice...Shanice..." He repeated.

"Dominic, what you want?"

"Can I open the door?"

Shanice got up and opened it for him.  "Whatcha want, child?"

"Erica here,"

"For what?"

"I don't know.  Come in here with me until she leaves."

Shanice sighed and looked behind her at Drew who was still sleeping peacefully.  "You better be glad you like a brother to me."

Dominic smiled.  "I love you too, sis."

"Hey Erica, what are you doing here?" Shanice and Dominic both sat on the love sofa.

"Just thought I'd stop by to see what y'all were doing."

"Oh.  What you been doing all day?"

"Nothing, I got tired of being in 550."

"You should've called first."

"My bad, I didn't think it would be a problem that I came.  I figured y'all would be up like every day."  She hadn't noticed that she was already caught in her lie from talking to Shanice, but Dominic just sat there quietly, shaking his head just a little.