Black Rose

Twenty

After they stopped by Taco Bell to get something to eat, Raine tried to convince Melrose to stay at his place for the rest of the day but she preferred to be in the comfort of her own home. After the day she's had, any place outside of her apartment walls is the last place she wants to be. Melrose had it in her mind already that once her feet were on the safer side of the threshold, she'd close herself off from the world. Raine knew it as well which is why he has to call his parents and let them know they wouldn't make it to dinner. Sunlyn would be saddened by the last minute cancellation, but when duty calls, you answer.

Raine helped Melrose out of the car and being the gentlemen he is, carried her belongings and the food for her.

"Thanks." She mumbled, slowly walking towards the building. She held the door opened for Raine since his hands were full and followed closely behind. Instead of taking the stairs like she normally does, Melrose opted for the quickest way up--the elevator. The ride was no more than ten seconds and she was grateful. When they exited the tiny space, they ran directly into Lance and the girl from his parent's party.

"Oh, hey Melrose." He greeted, smiling too hard for Raine.

"Hi, Lance. Hi Amber, right?" She asked for clarity. She nodded and waved, still not fond of Melrose. Raine cleared his throat, wanting to know who these people were--mainly Lance. Mel caught the small hint and rolled her eyes. "Raine, this is my neighbor and his friend. Lance, this is a good friend of mine, Raine."

Lance held out his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you man."

"Same." Raine responded blandly. "I'm gonna go inside and make a phone call. See y'all later."

Lance threw up two fingers awkwardly. He picked up on Raine's vibe and didn't care to say another word to him.

"I guess I'll wait for you downstairs." Amber spoke up, looking at Lance and then Melrose. "Let you two talk in private."

"No need to do that." Melrose declined. "I have business to tend to, so I should get going too. See you later, Lance."

"Bye, Mel." He watched her walk pass him and shook his head with a half smirk. He knew he'd screwed up with her when he didn't see her anywhere at the party. Amber is a childhood friend of his and their relationship is strictly platonic, but Melrose didn't know that nor did she care. The person she wanted was in her apartment waiting on her. 

When she walked through her door, Raine's deep voice was the first thing to welcome her, but he wasn't talking to her. He was on the phone with his mom. Leaving him to finish his conversation, she went to her room in desperate need of a shower. After being in a germ infested hospital for six hours, she felt disgusting and couldn't hold out any longer. Searching through her drawer, she grabbed the first outfit in sight, along with new undergarments. The rest of her things were already in the bathroom, so that's where she went. Closing the door behind her, she twisted the knobs until the water was set to her desired temperature. Peeling her clothes off one by one, they formed a puddle under her feet. She stepped in the steaming shower and jumped when the scorching water touched her back. Also, something she'll never get used to. It took a few seconds for her body to adjust and when it did, she fell into pure bliss. She stood directly under the shower head, letting the water wet every inch of her. With her eyes closed, she savored the moment, never wanting it to end. Her mind went blank. The worries and stress had vanished into the atmosphere. This is where she gains a piece of mind, a piece of sanity and piece of happiness.

*****
Back in the living room, Raine paced the floor as he listened to his mom rant about flaking out on her at the last minute. He had grown annoyed with her melodramatics but out of respect for her, he sucked it up and dealt with it.