Diaries of the Dead

14 | Twisted Allegories

unedited

14 | T w i s t e d   A l l e g o r i e s 

           Truth be told, Aiden didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of the idea earlier. There was a reason why he could never be fully interested in his novel. It was because it didn’t hold his interest anymore. Jessica’s life had taken its place.

            Jessica remained still, her arms crossed against her chest and a delicate eyebrow raised. “I’m still not following.”

            “It’s nothing.” Aiden shrugged nonchalantly, even though he secretly wanted to celebrate his sudden realization.

            She let a pleased smile make its way onto her face and unfolded her arms. “Shall we go investigate our suspect?” she questioned suddenly, cocking out a hip as she picked at her fingertips.

            “Yes.” He heaved himself from the seated position, instantly regretting it as a series of cracks ran along his spine from the abrupt movement. Ignoring the quivering feeling, Aiden made his way to the front door and grabbed his keys, twirling them around a slender finger.

            “I call shotgun!” Jessica beamed as she pushed past Aiden.

*       *       *       *

            Grace opened the door of her apartment to come face-to-face with Vanessa. Involuntarily, a sigh escaped her rosy lips.

            Vanessa slumped her shoulders and pouted. “Grace?” She glanced over her friend’s shoulder to take a look inside of the apartment. “Can I come in?”

            Grace sucked in a breath and shook her head rapidly. “No, no you can’t.”

            The blonde’s light-colored brows furrowed noticeably as he jaw fell open. “What? Why not?”

            Grace tapped the door impatiently. “What do you need, Vanessa?” Her words were spat out with the kind of venom Vanessa had never heard before.

            It hurt her, and it bothered her.

            “Grace,” she said, sharply. “What is the matter with you? Lately, you’ve been acting weird. I used to come to you for everything and now, you won’t even let me into your apartment?”

            Grace held up a finger, silencing her. “Let me see if I can guess where this is going. You are about to scold me for not being a good enough friend when in fact, you are the one who ditched me for that new guy.”

            Vanessa opened her mouth to respond but paused when she saw a shirtless Mitch towering over Grace’s small frame. She glared at the couple and scoffed. She didn’t need an explanation to understand what was happening. As far as she knew, Nate and Grace were an item. She didn’t understand how Mitch fit into the picture, but it was clear now.

            Mitch swung an arm around Grace’s shoulder and pulled her closer to him. “Is there a problem?”

            Grace bit back a snarky remark and instead, tore herself out of Mitch’s grasp. “No, there isn’t,” she spat.

            Vanessa’s oceanic eyes darted back and forth between the two, unable to form the words floating in her mind. It was evident that their friendship had faded. She didn’t even know why she tried anymore.