Be My Friend

Chapter 43: Spooky Time All Around

"I'm pretty sure September first is a little too early for putting up Halloween decorations." Riley states from the living room. I hook and string up another little ghost on a cabinet handle. She stuffs a handful of popcorn into her mouth. I bend over the marble table to pick up a ball of fake cobwebs and begin stretching them out with my back turned to the two lame-o's watching tv.

"Not that I'm not loving the view from here, but I agree." Alex puts his two scents in from the couch and Riley gives him an appreciative nod for confirming with her opinion.

"Are you kidding? I disagree. As soon as Halloween stuff starts appearing in the shops and the leaves begin to fall, that's when it's time to start getting spooky, so pay attention kids." I say suggestively and plug in a light up Jack-o-lantern into the outlet near the toaster. It lights up the dark corner and I smile in satisfaction.

Riley moved into the place about a week ago. She didn't seem to have much stuff with her but it wasn't like I was going to complain. The hot August heat was unforgiving while bringing her stuff in and I was thankful that there was less stuff to carry, even if it did peak my curiosity about her.

She was fairly easy to get along with, which was surprising to me because I didn't have a great history with roommates, or people in general, plus my social skills were kind of lacking about ten miles behind. Riley liked Lucy, and Lucy liked Riley. To me that kind of was the most important thing. If the cat didn't seem to like you then the owner probably wouldn't either, let's be real.

"Excuse me? We're both way older than you, kid." Riley shoots back and I roll my eyes. Did I say she was pretty easy to get along with? Only when she wasn't being sarcastic.

"Yeah, what she said." Alex interjects so seriously that I can't help but laugh. He takes a sip of his whiskey and continues to watch me work from the couch.

"Good one, Alex." I roll my eyes again but with a smile still planted on my lips.

"He learns from the best." Riley motions to her self and dusts the crumbs off her grey jumper. "Look at me, I've only been here a week and I'm already a bad influence on you." She gushes to Alex trying to feign guilt but it sounds more like gloating to me. Alex takes another sip of his drink and scratches the back of his neck. I don't think he was used to all this attention. Especially from someone he barely knows.

I clean up and pack away the remaining decorations into a bag and join Alex on the sofa. He automatically loops his arm around my torso and I lean into his side while curling my legs up onto the couch. I sigh in content and focus in on the tv which was currently playing an episode of Brooklyn 99.

"I need me a boyfriend or a girlfriend, either way I feel like a loner next to you two." Riley sighs and I chuckle lightly with a blush already spreading across my cheeks.

"Go clubbing or something." I suggest and shrug. I didn't really know how else you would meet someone instantly. "Snag someone's number, you know." I swing my hand out in emphasis.

"Ehhh, that's not a bad idea. I know you have that thing with your mom this weekend, so let's all go out next weekend. How 'bouts it?" She asks and stretches her legs out from the couch, sinking lower into the pillows.

Alex nudges me. "Sounds good to me." He says and I nod in agreement.