Mirrorless

Chapter 9

Ask her pillows,
About the tears
That she's shed,
Every day and night.

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William lounged on Lilian's couch, lazily chewing popcorn. Lilian sat next to him, her legs tucked under her. Lilian was the only one who refused to live in a dorm, and instead lived off campus in an apartment, making her place a hotspot for her friends to hang out in their free time. Her apartment came with a decent sized living room and a complimentary T.V., which was way more than what on-campus dorms could ever dream of offering.

"Will, stop hogging the popcorn!"

William hugged the popcorn to his chest, turning his body away from Lilian, his eyes still focused on the television. Lilian scowled at him and turned her attention back to the TV.

William had returned from his grandparents house on the morning of New Years and had immediately headed over to Lilian's to give her company. Then they'd decided to go on an Indiana Jones marathon to kill time before Lucille returned from her parents' house.

Halfway through 'The Last Crusade', a knock sounded at the door, and Lucille let herself in, pulling off her coat. She glanced at the TV and grinned.

"Oooo Indy Jones, huh?"

She plopped herself down on the couch on the other side of William, dunking her hand straight into the bowl of popcorn. William frowned and swatted her arm away, still not prying his eyes away from the T.V. screen. Lilian laughed.

"So, Luce, how was Canada?"

Lucille pulled a face.

"Horrid. The cold there probably froze everyone's brains. No that they had brains to start with, though."

Lilian's brow crinkled.

"Why? What happened?"

Lucille rolled her eyes.

"My parents and their friends are both really annoying."

William scowled at the two.

"Okay we get your family is mean, but can you both stop cross-talking and watch?"

Giggling, the girls turned their attention to the TV.

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Calix trudged through the snowy streets, his head bent against the freezing wind. He didn't need to pay attention to know where he was going. He knew the route like the back of his hand.

He slowed to a stop in front of a door, hesitating slightly. He raised his hand and knocked twice. Lilian opened the door, her expression brightening. Her bright, happy expressing made Calix dread even more what he was about to say. She held the door wide open, stepping aside to let him.

"Calix? Come in! I was so worried about you. You weren't lifting the phone and I thought something bad happened."

Calix stepped in, his gaze landing on Lucille and William laughing in front of the TV. He cleared his throat, shifting his gaze back to Lilian.

"68,750 dollars."

Lilian frowned, glancing back at Lucille and William, who had turned around to stare at them, all hints of laughter vanishing from their faces.

"Calix?"

Calix clenched his jaw, speaking louder.

"68,750 dollars. That's how much you owe me. I want you to pay me back by the end of this week. I don't care how you plan on doing it. If the money doesn't get to me by the end of this week, I'll have you kicked out of this apartment."