Bright

four

I woke up the next morning in a pool of my own drool. The sun filtered in from the window and onto my face. Michael took up room in the recliner, his mouth hanging open. I got up quietly and closed the blinds then went to the bathroom and started a bath. I usually take showers but since today is special, I wanted to pamper myself. The bubbles filled to the edge of the tub. I started the 1975 and slipped into the bath. The water was warm and encased me in it. I closed my eyes and relaxed. A few moments later, I heard the shuffling of feet in the living room. Michael is awake. The handle to the bathroom wiggled, trying to open. “Michael, I’m in here.” The door bumps open and I try to find something to quickly cover myself. The bubbles hide most of my bare skin but, STILL, I didn’t want to reveal everything. “Michael!” I yell, waking him up from his half-asleep state. His eyes open wide, “Shit!” He turns out and shuts the door behind him. That was close.

It’s not like me and Michael aren’t comfortable around each other. He’s seen me in fairly revealing clothes and I’ve seen him in just his underwear. But, a line has to be drawn somewhere. I tease from behind the door, “Trying to sneak a peak, Clifford?” He chuckles slightly then sharply takes in breath. He sounds in pain. “You okay?”

The floor creaks and he groans, “I really have to piss, Stella. Are you going to be in there forever?” I burst into laughter. It’s a small apartment and there’s only one bathroom. Not my fault, I claimed it first! “Sucks to be you!” He moans, “Stella!”

I laugh and rinse my washrag and begin cleaning my face. There’s an odd entertainment in putting him through pain. “Maybe you could aim out the window!” I tease.

“UGHHH, Stella, PLEASE! This isn’t funny!” I pour shampoo in my hair and begin scrubbing.

“Hmm… It’s pretty funny to me!” I dunk my head under the warm water. When I come back up, I don’t hear Michael so I assume he’s run off (maybe to a window). A second later, his hand slides on the door frame and his voice is barely above a whisper, “Stella, please. I won’t look. I’ll finish my business and be on my way.” The pleading in his voice breaks my heart. I sigh loudly and make sure everything is covered up before granting him access inside.

He pokes his head through first. His eyes look tired and his brown hair is ruffled more than usual. He makes eye contact with me, unsure if he is fully allowed entry. He keeps staring and I yell, “Don’t be a weirdo!” He pushes the door fully open and hops to the toilet. Kicking the lid open, he begins to push down his boxer briefs, “Wait!” I call. I drape the washcloth over my face and tightly close my eyes, “Okay, go.”

He laughs, “You are such a baby.” I swat the air and place my hands over my face. The sound of him urinating fills the room and I make an enthused gagging sound. He finishes, pulls up his underwear, flushes, and puts the lid down again. I peak my eye out from the cloth. He’s sitting on the lid of the toilet, facing me. “Okay, get out.” He smirks mischievously and I immediately know what he’s doing. He’s getting revenge for me making him wait. Asshole. He continues to stare in my eyes and smiles down at the bubbles on my body. “Michaeeeeeel!” He stays silent. I sigh. Grabbing the conditioner, I rub some into my scalp and let it sit. My music still resounds around the bathroom and I hum along to it. Michael coughs loudly. He’s not going to let me act like he’s not here. I dunk my head under the water and wash the conditioner out. Michael remains in his seat when I come back up. I lower my eyes at him and grab a handful of bubbles and swiftly fling them at him. They land on his bare chest and I giggle. His mouth drops open in shock. He gives me an evil look before jumping towards the tub. I cower and scream, “Wait! You didn’t wash your hands! Wait!” He lowers his eyes, sinks his dirty hands into the tub quickly then splashes bubbles into my face. I scrunch my face up defensively. He laughs hard and holds his stomach. Then, a full on war breaks out between us. I splash him with more bubbles and he comes back to do the same. The entire bathroom is soon coated in water. The bubbles are becoming scarce and I aware myself that I AM nude under the water. I stop splashing and soon, Michael does too. We both laugh hard even in our shortness of breath. It feels like an eternity but our laughter does die down. We both look at each other, unsure of what to do next. There is a form of electricity between he and I. I’m not quite sure what sparks it but it sets a funny pit in my tummy. Michael looks like he wants to say something and I hang on to his words. He coughs, “I- um, I’m going to go make a pot of coffee.”