Let's Pretend We Never Happened

Chapter 23- Trouble Is A Friend

Chapter 23- Trouble Is A Friend

I paid no notice to the faint sound of Ashton Kutcher seducing Katherine Heigl with his charming, oh- so-charismatic ways.

I paid no notice to the strong smell of buttery popcorn that lay popping in the microwave...Pop, Pop, Pop!

I paid no notice to the taste of blood in my mouth from biting my lip too hard, upon opening the dull colored, grey door of the apartment.

“Hey, Piper.” His feet shifted side to side, attempting to mask his already apparent nervousness, while he ran a gleaming, sweaty hand through the blonde mop of tangles.

He couldn’t hide the feeling of apprehension. I’d seen it on him many times before.

My guess was that it had began to snow outside because he looked as if he had just showered with his clothes on. Which knowing him, he might’ve.

Even the sight of him disheveled and weary contrasted with the setting. His young, boyish, innocent looks seemed out of order with the apartment’s old and wise, torn and tattered appearance.  He didn’t belong here...so why did he come?

I didn’t like surprises at all. I detested them. I wanted to know what was going on in my life, every second of every day. I had enough shock after my mother’s death to last me a lifetime, thank you very much.

“What are you doing here?”

“Can I talk to you, please?” His manners indicated his upbringing. Even in the most awkward of times, he could still sound as if he was giving a speech at the Grand Opera.

“What? Uh, yeah, okay, I guess…” I pushed the door open for him, and made a gesture to allow him to enter. I pointed towards the kitchen entrance, avoiding all eye contact. “I guess you can sit in there. I’ll be right back.”

My sudden panic made me overlook the messy kitchen appearance. He would just have to overlook it too.

“Uh, okay. Thanks Piper.”

I walked hastily towards the living room, frantically searching for the remote so I could drown out what I was going to say with the TV noise so he wouldn’t be able to hear.

Bren and Shawna lay on the couch comfortably, one person’s feet in battle with the other’s, in attempt of victory over coffee table space. They went unaware of my new problem, and for a minute, I wanted them to keep their ignorance. Finally, I found the remote and turned the volume to almost deafening heights.

“What the hell are you doing Piper?” Shawna clasped both her hands over her ears. “IT’S TOO LOUD!”

“Shut up for a second, will you?” I spoke rapidly.

“WHAT?”

“SHUT UP FOR A SEC, WILL YOU?” I raised my voice.