Across the Hall (G.N.D. Sequel)

24

Lexi's POV:

I walk into my apartment and hear laugher from inside. Mia and another individual come into my view and I smile, "hey."

"Hey, Lexi. This is Brandt. Brandt, this is Lexi." Mia makes the introduction and I shake the guy's hand.

"Nice to meet you."

Mia looks me up and down, her eyes lingering longer than usual. "I um- I already showed him around."

"What are your thoughts?" I ask the guy.

He nods, "I think I could make it work."

"Well, that's good to hear. It's kind of a steal for $1,450 a month." I shrug, really hoping this guy bails me out of living with my ex.

He nods, "yeah, I guess you're right on that. When could you guys move your stuff out?"

I glance at Mia, not sure of what her plans are. "I could have my stuff out in a week or so, I think. What about you?" Mia asks me.

"I could too." I shrug, though I don't know where I would put my stuff... or how Mia wants to go about splitting the things we bought together.

"Alright, sweet. Well if you guys are down..." Brandt shrugs.

I nod and Mia does too, and we strike an agreement. I'm free from living with my ex in one week. Just seven more days, I've got this.

Upon our agreement, Brandt leaves and Mia gets quiet for a while, leaving it to me to break the silence.

"How's your day been?" I ask her.

She shrugs, "nothing special."

"Mm, no plans for the evening?" I question.

She shakes her head no and turns away from me, walking over to the table and shuffling some things around. I plop myself onto the couch and track her with my eyes, trying o figure out why she is being so short with me.

"What's wrong?" I ask her.

Mia shakes her head, still giving no verbal answer.

I laugh a little, "Mia, I know you. What's the matter?"

She glances at me, "don't do that. You don't get to do that anymore."

My brows instantly furrow, confused as to why her voice turned hostile. "Pardon?"

"Stop, Lexi. Don't come in here and ask me what the hell is 'wrong' when you know what is wrong. Just because I let you go doesn't mean I don't still love you and have feelings for you. I smell her perfume all over you. I heard her kissing you on the phone today." Mia admits.

I swallow hard and look down at my hands, just letting her words sink in. I feel bad that her feelings are hurt, but not bad enough to change anything. Mia breaking up with me was the best thing she could've done, and I whole-heartedly believe that. I love Evan.

"Mia..." I sigh and stand up, walking over to her.

She looks at me and her eyes glisten with tears, "please don't, Lexi. It just makes it worse."

I bite my cheek and pull her into my arms anyway, hugging her. "I'm sorry."

She lets me hug her for a moment, but pushes me off. "Ugh. I can't- you smell just like her. I just- I need space." Mia says, walking out of the room.

I grab my t-shirt and sniff it, catching a small whiff of Evan's scent on me. I've gotten used to it, so I hardly even notice. But I guess it's a less-than-subtle scent to others. Evan's always smelled heavenly, which makes her that much hotter.