Terrible Habits

Something Good.

Luke

I don't know why I even typed my thought that came across my mind when I was texting Lenny. Maybe it was the idea that she was up at 3AM when I couldn't fall asleep either without knowing that she was settled and ok. But here I am at 3:15 in the morning, pulling on jeans and a pullover, grabbing my keys to go over to her apartment.

I walked out of the bedroom, ignoring Jay with another girl on the couch. I even ignore her "You didn't say you had a roommate" comment as I shut the door behind me.

As I climb the steps to her apartment, I hesitate before knocking on the door. What if she didn't want me to come? Girls are weird like that. I shake my head and knock two times on the door, waiting for an answer.

I'm surprised that when she does answer the door, she is in the same clothes from this afternoon, makeup on, messy bun all the same. The only thing that was different is her bottoms, she is wearing shorts instead of jeans. She is beautiful.

"Hey," she smiles, leaning against the open door.

"Hi," I smile, shoving my hands into my pockets.

"I couldn't sleep," she sighs and I nod. "Want to come in?"

I nod and follow her to the living room, I take a seat next to her on the couch. She sits down and pulls her legs up to her chest, resting her head on her knees, her dark nail polish covers her nails as she rubs her hands on her arms, back and forth. The apartment already feels different with her here. I'm about to ask her about the apartment when she speaks first.

"Sam is really great," she smiles and I feel proud.

"Yeah he is," I smile and run my hand through my hair and rest the other one of the back of the couch.

"How old is he?"

"Just turned 11, hard to believe actually," I raise my eyebrows trying to count the last few years, wondering how time has flown by so fast.

"How old were you when he was born?"

"15," I say and let out a breath.

"And your parents?" I could tell that she was trying to get to know me better, but some secrets were better left untouched. I just give her the basics.

"My dad died when Sam was seven months old, its just been my mom, Sam and I since," I say quickly.

"I'm sorry," she says and I look up to look at her. She was sincere, there was no pity in her eyes, it was as if the sadness that she felt reflected her own, something that she was regretful about. I want to know her, her secrets, everything, but I don't push it.

"What about your family?" I ask and I immediately see her retract, I am stepping in uncharted waters. "We don't have to talk about that now," I cover my tracks.

"No its not that," she forces a laugh. "I just don't think we have enough time to delve into the abyss that is my family," she fidgets on the couch, pulling the sleeves of her t-shirt down, covering her hands.

"I know what you mean," I say and push myself up off the couch to the TV. I pick up the DVD that was laying on the table and pop it in.

"What are we watching?"

"Wayne's World? It's the only DVD that Hollis actually owns," I laugh remembering us quoting it in high school, high school....

"I've never seen it," she laughs and says quietly.

"You're kidding?"

She giggles and shakes her head. I click on the TV and pass through the credits before the movie starts. I put my arm on the back of the couch and stiffen when I realize that she has pulled herself against my side, wrapping a blanket around the two of us. I relax as she rests her head against my shoulder.