Kiss me

Chapter 7

"Hello, welcome to Ricky's, how can I help you?"

I looked down at a little girl holding her father's hand. She points her cute pudgy fingers to the bunny cookie.

I smile.

"Iced that one myself."

She looks up at me, her green eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Really?" She drags the Y out, ending in a giggle.

"Uh huh. Would you like me to add some sparkles?"

"Yes please, mister."

I take out the cookie and walk into the kitchen. Quickly, I grab some green sparkles, and add it to the bunny's bow tie.

"Daddy, I want to be a baker when I grow up!" I overhear her excitedly exclaim.

"Nonsense honey."

The kitchen door makes a creaking noise as I push it open, the girl wears a pout on her face. I nod to the man and ring up the price.

"Here you go sweetie. Green to match your eyes." I hand her the cookie.

Immediately, the pout is gone, replaced by a smile.

"Thank you!"

Her father pulls her out the door, visibly grumpy. She waves goodbye.

When the door shuts, I frown.

He's so caught up in himself that he cant see just how full of joy his daughter is.

I'll do better, one day.

▪ ▪ ▪

My bag thuds against the floor as I throw it down, beat from my extra long shift. Normally, I would work from 12 to 8 today, but I had to work an extra 2 hours.

I close the apartment door and hop over the back of the couch to sit down, startled when I land on someone.

"Bitch, get ur fatass off me."

Ellis.

I stand up, angry, until I see his puffy, red rimmed eyes.

He's been crying.

"What's wrong?" My anger is instantly gone.

"Nothing, just sad."

Ellis, sad? Unheard of.

I take a seat beside him. Fly has curled up on the opposite side, licking his leg.

"What do you mean sad?"

"I'm fi--" his voice chokes off, a tear slipping down his cheek.

Uh oh.

I pull him in with my arms, letting him cry into my shoulder.

We stay like this for 10 minutes until he pulls away, wiping his nose.

"I got snot all over you."

"Gross." I wipe off my shoulder.

He laughs. It's good to see him laugh.

Concern fills my gaze once again.

"What happened?" I put emphasis on "happened".

"I can't... idk, it's... complicated."

"You know that we can deal with complicated. Please. Tell me."

"Can I sleep over?" I see the pain in his eyes. It's shocking to see my best friend like this.

"Of course. Just let me shower."