Partnered Up☕︎

#7 Cleaning 'up' this mess that took three months to make

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7# Cleaning 'up' this mess that took  three months to make.
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I'm intrigued. Intrigued because, why did he change his mind? None the less, why right now? I'm not one to believe in fate or miracles but It's quite peculiar that in this very moment in which I've set my mind in search of a comfortable park bench, he appears. His expression is soft yet somewhat nervous, although I can tell he's serious. As soon as his statement left his mouth, his dark eyes darted away from mine and towards the ground in a rush. This is very intriguing.

"Well? What now? Don't just stand there! Speak operation!"

"Alright. Sure. Lucky for you, there's no other competition," I explain, taking in a breath as I walk past him, then pause as a thought occurs to me. "Actually, you should probably lead. As you may already know, I'm not the best with directions."

He only nods walking past me, with his eyes still trailing the ground.

My mouth can't help but ask shortly after. "What made you change your mind?"

"Well, I guess you could say you convinced me," He states. Although it sounds like more of a question.

"I doubt that. I'm not good at convincing people. Though, I can be quite vexatious when it comes to what I want. But you seemed very determined to not agree," I explain, picking up the pace to walk alongside him.

He sighs. "I'll be losing my place if I don't pay rent soon, so maybe getting some help won't be so bad. Lucky you. You were first in line." I laugh a little at this.

We walk for about five minutes or so. The night sky is completely black, no stars, just a few bright lampposts burning here and there. You can see tall buildings in the distance as if crowding around us, they look like jars filled with hundreds of little fireflies. Sounds of cars passing by in hurry and nosy traffic are profoundly making themselves present. Quietly, not talking, we just continue to walk side by side. I feel somewhat comforted by this. I never enjoyed talking or long conversations ever since I was little. I enjoyed being on my own, the quiet and doing things by myself, which came in handy at times.

I'm starting to remember this street from about a week ago. We come up to the little apartment complex, looking at it again, I remember why it's not too popular by the ragged brick walls and broken fliers that glide around with every gentle breeze. Walking in, the bright light pierces my eyes, as we head straight for the elevator, befor-

"Hey, Eli there you are. I tried to get your attention before you ran out, you completely ignored me though." An older man probably in his mid-fifties says with a thick New Jersey accent, as he rubs his reddish beard before his dark eyes light up. "Huh? I never knew you had a girlfriend Eli, it's no wonder you ran out so quickly."

"It's nothing like that," He states.

"O-oh it's not like that," I mumble.

"Oh, you two don't have to hide it from me. I think young love is interesting, I'll actually like having a little soap opera section here and there." He chuckles as he walks behind the counter and puts some papers away. "Of course, please be thoughtful of those around when it comes to any PDA, we've got children this building." He laughs a little harder.

Eli deadpans, rolling his eyes as his hand reaches to scratch the back of his head.

"Eh-eh, n-no. That will most definitely not be happening," I blurt.

"Bad Fay! No more stuttering!"

"Relax doll face, I'm only pulling your leg. Haha, you should see your face!" He slaps his knee, letting out a low, yet powerful laugh. "Ha, Eli this one's a keeper!" Still laughing, he now slaps Eli's back in a playful manner.