Speechless: REWRITTEN

26. Begonia

Cheyenne

The universe has a funny way of making things good for a little while before throwing something in to mess it up. And for some reason, this particular time feels a lot like déjà vu.

"So I just remembered something."

I look into the kitchen area at Mordecai, who offered to try and cook something for dinner for us tonight while I fix and clean my dance shoes in the living area. We've been consistently seeing each other since we got back together a month ago, and it feels like how it did back then, but without the lingering fear hovering above us. It's been nothing short of wonderful.

"Yeah?" I answer. He doesn't answer me, so I just go back to polishing my tap shoes. A minute or two later, he seats himself in front of me and shows me something in his hand. I look over, and it makes me stop my project.

It's the necklace he gave me the first time I went to his apartment back then. The silver of the bird has considerably dimmed and the sapphire is not as vibrant, but it means just as much, if not more.

"You kept it?" I ask him quietly.

"Why wouldn't I?" he replies.

I can't help the stupid grin that finds its way to my face. I push my shoes to the side and crawl over to him. Pushing my hair out of the way, he ties the pendant around my neck, then leaves a gentle kiss where the clasp meets my skin. I turn around, resting my arms on his shoulders and making contact with the ocean in his eyes before kissing him sweetly. This is how almost every night with us ends: kissing on the dingy carpet of my studio until our mouths hurt and he has to get home before he's in danger of falling asleep behind the wheel.

We don't get too far before there's a loud knock on the door, startling the both of us.

"I'll get it," I sigh, standing to my feet and hoping that my face isn't too red. Running a hand through my hair, I swing open the door and instantly wish that I just left it unanswered. "What the fu—"

"Surprise!" My aunt Natalie collects me in her arms in a tight hug, leaving me thoroughly confused and panicked. She pulls away from me, and I know I look insane, mouth agape and eyes wide at her surprise visit.

"Uh..." It's all I could possibly say.

"I know you're confused," she says knowingly. "And I'm sorry that I didn't call first, but I couldn't get a hold of you! Did you change your number?"

No, I just blocked your number from coming through. "My...phone broke."

"Oh, honey, that's awful. We can go get it repaired tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes. Can we talk about it inside?"

No, no we cannot. In fact, that would be one of the worst things to do right now. I turn around slightly and Mordecai has migrated back to the kitchen, unaware of the scene happening at the door.

"Th-the studio is a mess right now. It'd be awful if I invited you in," I laugh.

"Oh..." Her voice sounds like she just put two and two together to get twenty-three. "You know, I used that excuse all the time when my parents wanted to come into my apartment and I had a boy there."

"Yes! There's a boy in my apartment, and I don't want you two to meet yet." It's not a lie at all. Not one bit. "So if you can come back tomorrow, we can talk for as long as you want."

She nods. "I understand. Okay, well, I'll come back around this time tomorrow. I want to hear all about your college adventures." She pats my shoulder comfortingly, but it feels like a snake bite.