Falling...

Chapter 3

A/N- Sorry it has been a minute since I got this up. I have had family in town. I hope you enjoy. I couldn't wait to write the next installment. 

I wander over to my car and push the keys in the door lock to get in. I have an old Chevrolet S-10 so there is no luxury to my car. I figured it would be easier to move around and do what I needed in a small pick up truck. I love my little Harold and he loves me. I make sure he is maintained and runs well. Yes, I have my truck named. If I don't name him then it proves I don't love him. Well, that is what I tell myself to feel better anyhow. So I jump on in and push the brake petal and clutch making sure I am in Neutral with the stick and turn the ignition. It takes a minute for Harold to turn over so I rub his steering wheel softly and make sure to do it until he turns over. You cant just start a car this old, you have to make sure to stroke their egos too. That is why I call my S-10 Harold. Reminds me of to many men I have dated. 

As soon as Harold turns over I shift the truck into first, check my mirrors, and coast out to the road. It is one of those smaller downtown areas that only has one lane on each side. I get into the lane and stop at a stop sign. Looking around making sure I am free to proceed and continue on my way home. I desperately need to pick up my school work, start it, and then head to work in a few hours. I have a goal to accomplish and I have no time for other things most days. It is nice to just be able to get lost in school work and know that when they are graded I am doing well. I am about to turn right down the street before my apartment before I glance to the left and see Skylar standing there in front of my favorite coffee shop. 

I stare so hard at him that I almost miss my next turn down the road to my apartment building. Scolding myself when I realize what I was about to do and shaking my head at myself I peer in my rear view mirror. I can not see him anymore, but I see my own stupid smile plastered all over my face. I have got it hard for this one and I can even get the lady guts up to go up to this man and say even one word to him. I have this deep fear that if I was face to face with him I wouldn't be able to get a word out. But, it may never happen so I should just get it out of my head. He is a distraction that I can not afford right now. 

I shake off the feeling to want to go back to the coffee shop and glance around trying to find a parking spot. I usually park on the corner of East and West. Ironic right? I dont know who named these streets, but I swear they were high while doing it. I turned onto West St and spotted an open outlet and grabbed it instantly. I turned off Harold and stroked his dashboard and thanked him for working today for me. I grabbed my backpack and got out heading towards my tiny apartment. I liked that this place was close enough to everything that I needed. 

I bounded up the cement stairs, past the front office, and then walked further back into the complex. I stared at the fading sign that read: Berkshire Parrish. It was ironic, but simple. I found this place just looking around on the internet. I called the office from high school before I graduated and already gave them a deposit with out even looking at the place. They had views of the inside of the apartments on the website so I was satisfied it would work. I have not had anything happen since I moved here years ago and I knock on wood nothing will continue to happen.

I spot my stairwell and start to slowly take each step as to not fall. They tend to sneak up on me if I go to fast and I am a klutz already. I don't need to have a cast and try and get up these things. Grabbing onto the hand rail I stare up at my door as I hear my tummy begin to grumble. I rub it with my free hand and finally make it to the top, My across the way neighbors are very quiet and I have only seem them maybe once and that one time it was brief. I pull out my keys from my pocket and begin to search for my key when I hear their door open. 

Out of curiosity I turn my gaze and look over at the door. There is a beautiful woman with long legs and a short skirt leaving. She is a little shorter then me, but she is wearing really high heels. She is stunning from her make-up to her very expensive heels. Seeing this just confirms that my neighbor either has money or has just finished with an escort. I see her smile and wink and then begin to descend down the steps, quite as slow as I went up might I add. I now have a side smirk on my face as I notice him in a pair of boxers and a big smile on his face. 

"Hey Ronnie. Having a good day?"

He finally notices me and that wipes the smile off his face. He goes pale white and just stares at me. I wave my hand saying hello and that is when he finally comes back to looking normal. 

"Hey Ariel. Great day. Thank you for asking. Have a good one yourself."

With that he slams the door closed. I think I just caught him and that makes me softly chuckle to myself. Yep, he hired an escort. However he finds happiness is no business of mine, but good for him. I finally get my key in the door and open it up. Noticing around the stuffy feeling prompting me to go over and open a few of my windows and then throwing my backpack down onto the couch. As i plop down to take a moment to take off my wrap on my arm is when Kibbles jumps on my lap.

I starts to stroke his long soft fur and he buts his hand on my hand wanting me to scratch his face. I giggle as he does this and continue to scratch his face and the rest of his back. He rolls over onto his back on the couch and begins to purr as I rub his belly. 

"Kibbles, you are to cute fella. Okay, mommy needs to get some food and gather her homework before going to work. Is that okay with you?"

He just continues to purr and roll around on his back on the couch. I get up and toss out the wrap that Ducky put over my tattoo and go to the sink in my kitchen to wash the new ink. The first day after the first hour you can wash it and then I put Aquaphor onto it for about two to three days, followed by lotion for a week and Bam perfect ink. After I get all cleaned up I open the fridge to find some old pizza. I place it on a plate and pop it in the microwave. I grab a soda out as well and then close the fridge door. 

Just as I am about to grab my pizza from the microwave I heard my text ringer go off. I walk over and grab it out of my backpack on the couch where Kibbles is passed out purring on his back. I shake my head and unlock my phone. Staring at the text from Belle. She is sick tonight and needs me to still go to the studio, clean up, man the phones, and call in her back-up teacher. I roll my eyes and grab my pizza and soda. I have to quickly devour them before heading to the studio. This is going to be a long and boring night. Her replacement and I do not get along as well as I like, but we manage. I pull out my phone and call Evelyne so that she at least has a heads up. 

She doesn't answer so I have to leave her a message. I shoot her a text as well and then finish down my pizza. I throw my paper plate in the trash can before I go over to my desk to find a few of my school books. I have a few essays to write and hopefully I can get them done before the end of the week. Its Wednesday now and I cross my fingers Ill get them turned in by Friday. I shove everything in my book back, run into the bathroom to lather up my arm, and then shoot over to the table to grab my keys and phone again. 

Just as I am about to grab the handle to my front door there is a soft knock on the door. I just stand there blinking at my door that no one ever knocks on. I look over to the couch to hear Kibbles meow loudly in disgust at the sound as well when another few knocks, louder this time rap on the door. I wonder who could be at my door and why. That is when I stare at the handle again before yelling at it. 

"Who is it?"

"Hey Ariel, its Ronnie. Open up please?"

I hesitate before I open up the door, but there he is dressed now and has a concerned look on his face. This cant be good.