Him and I {Chuck Clayton}

Chapter 9

"Damn, look at the sunrise, Glowing finish line, made it in record time, Hey, baby, we made it
My head's faded, headlights dilated,  Spinnin', spinnin' and I can't sit still, Spinnin', spinnin' and we can't sit still..."

The smooth voices of BØRNS and Lana Del Ray croon through my speakers as I weave in and out of traffic trying to get home for my now breakfast date. Butterflies flutter in my stomach and I feel my excitement growing as I am getting closer and closer to my apartment. It's a different kind of feeling having a car and actually driving it rather than being in the passenger seat or on a bus or train. I take in the scenery at every red light. I feel empowered and grown up and I have a smile on my face all the way home.

I step out the car surprised that I did not get into any accidents considering that I was in a reverie with Chuck more than half my time getting here. Feeling that familiar excitement in m chest and twinkle in my toes, I head up to my apartment building and go up the steps to my apartment. I reach my floor after what seems like forever and before I can turn the knob to open the door to my floor, I hear loud voices booking from the hall.

"Do you think Serena is still talking to Chuck?"

"I don't know girl but I'm determined to find out. He's not just going to leave me and think that he can just move on like it's all good."

"Yeah girl I hear you. You and Chuck belong together. Screw her."

I decide to make myself known and open the door. I find myself facing Josie and Veronica and I give them both a dirty look and walk over to my apartment.

"Hey, uh Serena. Did you hear that?" Josie asks with this sweet fake voice and it intensifies my anger.

"Yeah I did. You're a bitch you know that right?"
I snap struggling to enter the keys into my door.

"Yeah I've heard," Josie responds cooly rolling her eyes. "So you see, Chuck and I have history. There's no way he's just going to give me up for some Southside trash who works at Pop's. You can barely get your key into the door. Look at you."

"Tsk tsk," I hear come from Veronica behind her.

"How did you know I'm from Southside?" I laugh walking closer to Josie. "Have you been looking me up online? Are you jealous?"

My hands are shaking, balled in fists and I find myself getting closer and closer to Josie. We are within a foot of each other when Veronica comes from behind her and steps in front of Josie.

"Let's go," Veronica sneers at me as she pushes Josie away from me on the opposite. "No need to keep talking to her. We'll just show her, after all, that Chuck doesn't belong with the help."

With the flip of her hair, she leads Josie further away  and eventually out of the hall. I turn the keys into my door finally and I slam my door, throwing my purse across the living room and let out a low growl. I throw myself facedown on the couch and start to fall asleep, the anger in me still brewing in my chest.