Opposites Attract

Chapter 8~Scented Candles

~Nick's POV~

Something's not right.

The kettle boiled, making a high pitched screech to let me know that it was done as I paced around my small living room. My brain wouldn't let me rest with what happened today and I had to over think things, again.

"Youch!" I hiss. The tip of my tail suddenly caught alight from the scented candle I had put down earlier on my coffee table. It was a housewarming gift. I thought the fumes would help calm me down... and I'm still waiting for that to happen. I singe the glowing sparks between my fingers and frown with the thought of getting split ends. Great, another thing to think about.

With a huff, I trudge my way over to the kitchen and attempt to cause a distraction, by pouring myself a steaming cup of chamomile tea. The smell always reminded me of my mother. She'd eat, sleep and breathe the stuff. I'd always catch her putting a couple of packets in her bag whenever she went out. She even had the faintest scent of it whenever I'd give her a hug, as if it permanently clung onto her. To this day it was one of the things I associated her with. I drank it now, instantly feeling at ease. My brain calms down with me.

I think about how almost perfect this very moment was, and that the only thing to complete it would be to...

I see my hand slowly reaching over to my phone. It hovers. Should I call her? Maybe just a quick text; short and sweet. I could ask how she's doing? Maybe I could-

*ring ring*
'Dumb Bunny' is calling: Decline or Accept

Dammit.

The sudden noise made me jerk and I spill some of the, rather hot may I add, contents down my pants. Today is not my day. I start to panic as it soaked to my fur, not knowing what to do first. My eyes dart a look down at my damp khakis, then back at the phone. Should I warm up on how to answer? My brain won't cooperate.

I throw my cup down on the table, pick up the phone, stare at it, then answer.

"Helloooo...?"

I should've warmed up.

"Hey, Nick." I smile as she answers, instantly forgetting my damp crotch area.

I hear the distance in her voice. I cock my head to the side. "You alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine..."

There was a little silence. I fidget around uncomfortably. "So...what caused you to call, Cottontail?"

"Oh right! Uh, yeah. I...was wondering if I could maybe come over for a while?"

I smile. "Awh don't tell me, the all tough and famous big city cop is feeling lonely?"

She chuckles. "Maybe a little."

"Well then sure you can! I'd love to finish off our last horror movie meet up."

She sighs, there's a pause, and the line cuts off.

I blink. Was it something I said?

I think about calling her again but I don't bother. I take the fact that she's coming.

My mind goes blank for a second as I try to re-evaluate my surroundings. Then my mind re-focuses: two Hawaiian shirts flung over my resting chair, an empty bag of chips on the coffee table, a few blueberries scattered on the floor by my feet, my tie lying crookedly on the floor next to the TV... This place needs some work. I sniff my own armpits, to make sure if I needed some work too. I think I'm satisfactory. I take a deep breath, roll up my sleeves, and get busy.

~.~.~

There. Spik and span. I could easily check myself out on the squeaky clean floorboards if I was feeling vain. I check the clock... she should be here any second. I squint around the room to see if there was possibly anything else that needed to be done. This was when I realised that I was feeling familiarly sticky. My ears perk up as I look down at the damp patch displayed on my khakis. This had to be my new problem when she was just about to arrive any second, didn't it?