Aftertaste [COMPLETED]

Chapter 28:: Trouble

THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED So I opened it. I knocked lightly to let him know I was entering.

"Rory? Ror, it's me." I stepped inside only to stub my toe on a beer bottle.

"Ouch! Dammit Rory."

I cradled my foot and tried not lose my balance.

I could hear noises coming from his room as I made my way towards the back of his flat.

Immediately a grimace came across my face.

"Oh my god." I put a hand across the bridge of my nose.

Rory looked up from where he sat on the floor playing god knows what game on his Xbox one.

"Oh hey Berlin."

"It stinks in here. Seriously what is that?"

He looked around for a moment. "I don't smell anything. You guys smell something?" "Nope," Logan replied without looking up. "Not a thing," Chad seconded.

I rolled my eyes. "Well, glad to see the gang's all here. Except...where's Kadeesh?"

Logan rose from where he lay sprawled across the bed. "Kadeesh?"

"Yeah, come to think of it, I haven't seen him in a while."

"Oh, yeah he got deported."

"What?!"

"Yep, turns out he was here in the country illegally this whole time."

"Oh my god. That's terrible."

"Yeah...Hey Rory, we got anymore chips?"

"Check the pantry."

"Sweet, thanks man."

I took a seat at the edge of the bed and watched Chad and Rory play for a while. I couldn't believe he was actually leaving. But he was, and the evidence was all over the floor: half packed suit cases and clothed all over the floor; most of his things now in boxes.

I sighed. "So you guys leave tomorrow, huh?"

"Yup," he answered, his eyes still glued to the TV screen.

"Yup," I echoed with a ghost of a smile.

"Yep. Hey we're were you all day?" This time he craned his neck to look up at me.

"I was with...Dan."

"That guy again." Logan reentered the room with a bowl of lays chips.

"So what? He's a nice guy and I kinda like him."

"I don't know, Berlin. I mean how much do you really know about this guy?"

"Yeah what does he want with you anyway?"

I looked to Chad with narrowed eyes. "Chad, you've known me for like a month. Chill."

"Just saying, you moved on from James pretty fast, don't you think?," he mumbled. I shot him a look and we held eye contact fora split second.

"Anyways," I pushed on, turning my attention back to Logan. "Hey but what ever happened with you and that girl Lauren. I only saw her like twice and you never mentioned her again."

"We broke up," he said coldly, not even bothering to look at me."

"So fast? I mean... what happened?"

"Berlin. When it happened, I didn't mention it for reason. It's not that big a deal. Leave it alone."

I didn't like the tone he had just taken with me. It was hostile, but there was an eerie calmness behind it. Just that quickly the mood had been altered and the tension was swelling within the room.

I stood to my feet, shifting g my weight uncomfortably. "We'll um, I guess I better go now so..." there were goodbyes peppered here and there as I exited the room. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Logan trailing me closely. "Here, I'll walk you out. How'd you get here?" "Dan dropped me off." "O,h i'll take you home," Rory chimed in. I was relieved that he had offered and not Logan." I hesitated for a moment.

With raised eyebrows he gestured for me to keep walking. Uneasily I did.

Once we were out on the curb Rory clicked the car lock. I waited a moment before climbing in, thinking Logan might want to say something, he didn't.

"Well, bye," said timidly. He didn't respond. As Rory started the car, I saw him walk off into the direction of Rory's garage. I let out a deep breath and ran my hands across my tired face. I rested my arms on the dash and let my head drop. My life was falling apart and all I could do was watch.

I felt myself drifting off too sleepy as my lids became heavy.

Tap tap tap.

I snapped my head up with a gasp, recoiling in my seat as a dark figure wrapped on my window. I put hand to my heaving chest and shut my eyes. I took a deep breath and opened them again.

I rolled down the window. "Logan. Jesus you scared me. How long have you been standing there?"

"Berlin I don't think you should go on that date with Dan."

I wrinkled my brow and fixed my mouth in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"I just have a feeling something bad is gonna happen if you go. Don't go Berlin."

I looked down at my lap trying to decipher what the hell he was talking about, but when I looked up, he was already walking away. I heard him say faintly "drive safe, Berlin." Urgent chills rolling down my spine.

Then it hit me: I never told him about the date.

A/N:: I know it's been a while so sorry :(( I've had writers block five ever, but here's something to tide you over until the next update, hope you enjoy.

Thanks and Happy Reading

-C.R.