Iridescent

Chapter 17: Hickory

Prism Joy

So he wasn't mad after all! I worried myself over nothing. I was feeling pretty stupid right now.

Then why did he end the call last night?

I stared at him, waiting for some kind of explanation. I know he probably didn't owe me one, but I was still curious.

I stared at him, waiting for a response. I could see the muscle of his jaw ticking. He was definitely nervous about something.

He shrugged. "I was tired." he answered flatly and quickly looked away.

too tired to say goodbye?

It was a bold face lie and we both knew it. I wanted to call him out on his BS, but I figured, I didn't want to push my luck either. As long as he's not mad at me, I'm all good.

So I smiled at him and nodded my head instead. Whatever his real reason was, is probably none of my business.

I pushed the plate of hickory chicken nearer him. " Okay, go on, eat." I urged him.

"Smells good. I don't think I've had a decent meal in ages." He rubbed his hands together and grinned.

"Don't get too excited, it's just chicken that I chucked into the oven." I chuckled as I walked towards the kitchen to start cleaning up.

"Uh...where are you going?" he called out to me.

"I'm going to start on the clean up in the kitchen." I pointed with my thumb.

He looked at me like I was crazy. "Aren't you going to join me?!"

I shook my head. "I'll eat later in the kitchen."

He looked at me slack jawed. "Are you serious right now?" his hands dropped to his sides. "Get a plate and eat with me. Christ, Joy, you are not a servant."

I rolled my eyes at his outburst. " well, yeah, I know that, your highness."

He gave me a dry look. "Then what gives? You just don't want to be around me then?"

I shifted from one foot to another, this was getting awkward pretty fast. "No." I mumbled.

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Well, if he wasn't mad then, he was pissed now.

"What is it now, Joy?" he sounded exasperated.

"It feels weird okay. I feel weird being in a house with someone I barely know. I'm not used to being around someone so much, especially a guy." I blurted out.

His eyebrows shot up.

Then he did the unthinkable. He laughed. He laughed so hard I was afraid he'd die from loss of oxygen to his already suffering brain.

"God, you are such an ass!" I screamed and bolted up out if the kitchen, his laughter echoing behind me. I raced up the stairs wanting to create as much distance from him.

I couldn't believe he had the audacity to laugh at my insecurity. He once again proven himself an asshole. I didn't even know what possessed me to tell him the truth anyway.

I plopped myself down on the bed and grabbed my phone. I dialed Marj's number. "Please pick up, please pick up.." I whispered at the receiver. Straight to voicemail. I groaned. I quickly wiped away the tears that were threatening to fall. God. I can't let him make me cry. again. I sniffled.

I left Marj a very frantic message. She really needs to return her calls. Especially to me.

I huffed and decided to start checking my email, more specifically, to check Jason's schedule so that I didn't miss anything important. Even that was an exercise in futility, as the words swam around because of the tears in my eyes.