Better Off

Hilda's growl

Sierras quote collection #12, monday morning

"Dress how you want to be addressed"

-

In the last chapter...

"Jackpot," Sierra thinks while looking at the window. In her mind, she already sees herself sitting there in a cozy blanket, reading a book and sipping tea.

But more importantly, she has to work hard to give this room her characteristics and to make her mother proud. As of tomorrow, she has to apply for a job and hope for the best.

-

The next morning, Sierra can't seem to turn around again and fall asleep for another five minutes. She is restless and even Luna can feel it, rising from the spot on her blanket on which she had slept on, letting out a loud meow.

"Was that a complain, little lion?" Sierra asks with a pout. The british shorthair purrs at her feet and proceeds to stare at the door afterwards. The girl understands and opens it so Luna can hop out into the living room. 

Then she changes her clothes from a nerdy shirt and girl boxers to one of the lovely dresses her mother knitted and combines it with grey tights. To spice it up a little, she ties the curly mess on her head into a loose braid and even applies some basic make-up.

After checking her appearance for flaws in the mirror (and finding the same as always), she sneaks out the door and inspects the kitchen. 

The object of desire immediately catches her eye - a coffee machine on one of the counters.

Without thinking twice about it, she fills the water tank, adds coffee powder into a filter and flips the switch. 

And when the growl of the machine gets louder by the second, Sierra panics. The sound makes her think that it could implode at any moment and that it probably woke up Diego already.

For a while, there's nothing besides the noise of the brewing coffee and Sierra's anxious thoughts. When the coffee pot had finally filled and the growl had stopped, the door to Diego's room opens and reveals a sweaty man wearing nothing more than boxer briefs. 

He's rubbing his eyes at first and then leans in the doorway. When his vision clears, his mouth is wearing a cocky smile. "I see you've encountered Hilda," he notes with a sassy undertone.

Sierra stares at him, her face forming one big question mark. "The coffee machine." He adds for clarification and approaches the kitchen, causing Sierra to swallow hard.

"What time is it? I must have woken you up, oh dear... Lo siento," she stammers, mixing english and spanish like she always does when she's nervous. "Sorry, I kind of haven't let go of the language yet" she states with a shrug.

"It's 7am, but no worries. I was gonna get up anyway. Thanks for the coffee, by the way" he laughs and opens a cabinet to take two mugs out of it, handing one of them to Sierra.

He pours coffee in each mug. "Where exactly do you come from, if you don't mind me asking?" 

"Mexico," she replies, making sure to sound more confident. "What about you, Diego?"

"Argentina," he smiles, but it doesn't look genuine.

"Milk?" 

Diego tries to break the awkward silence. "No, thanks though." Sierra says and pins her eyes on the steam rising from the black drink, as though it's the most interesting thing she's ever seen. 

They both stand there frozen for a while, drinking coffee while letting the silence speak, until Diego finishes his. 

"Well, I've got to hit the shower and then head off to a shooting. Make yourself comfortable, I can't serve with breakfast but there's fruit in the bowl over there."

"Sure, gracias." 

He smiles again, but this time she can't tell whether it's forced or not. Shortly after, he heads off to the bathroom and Sierra can breathe again.

"Mierda, Sierra. What the fuck was that?" she says to herself and sinks onto the sofa.

She grabs one of the apples out of the bowl in front of her, bites into it with agression and instantly regrets it. Sometimes she just acts way too impulsive. Well, she had a reason.

In her opinion, she just made a complete fool out of herself. Adding weight to that, she made a fool of herself in front of her new roommate. Who's incredibly hot, by the way.

Of course he is. He wouldn't be a model if it were otherwise. Sierra, where did your intelligence go? Did it float out of your brain the moment he entered the room? 

She takes a deep breath and tells herself to stop with this nonsense.

She can't fall for her roommate. She shouldn't.

She's not here for that.