Free falling

Amigas Cheetahs

We're all sitting around Carrie's dinner table eating quietly when Jamie breaks the silence.
"When do we go back home Kami?" For once I don't know what to tell him. Our apartment is still trashed and I'm not sure where else we can go at the moment.
"Are you trying to leave me already little man? I thought we were having fun!" Carrie is quick to distract him and pretends to be offended which causes my brother to laugh and try to apologize to Carrie.  While the sight of them playing around is heartwarming and funny, I can't find it in me to smile along with them. My appetite vanishes as I struggle to come up with a plan. 

By the time Jamie finishes dinner and i get him tucked into bed, I'm no closer to figuring out a solution to our current homeless status. As much as it pains me to admit it, Xavier is right. I can't really go back to where we were living. The neighborhood is dangerous and the apartment was barely holding together. As I walk into the dining area I can see Xavier and Carrie whispering at each other and the intensity of it makes me stop short in the entrance way. It looks like they're having a hushed argument though they stop once they see me step into the room. I look at them both suspiciously before hesitantly stepping into the room.

"Is everything ok" Carrie shoots Xavier what looks to be a meaningful glance before speaking up. 

"Yeah everything is fine. Xavier was just telling me about your apartment and how its basically unlivable. Do you know what you plan to do next?"

I let out a heavy sigh and take a seat at the counter. "I wish I did, I've been thinking about it all night and not any closer to figuring out what to do. I would need to pickup more shifts at the diner in order to be able to afford a down payment plus rent for a new place and I don't know where I would even start to look in order to find a decent but affordable place." I put my head in my hands and massage my temples as I feel the beginning of headache coming on. I'm hoping it doesn't turn into a migraine. I cant afford to be out of commission for two days.

I feel a hand on my shoulder that causes me to jump and look up. Xavier is standing close with a bottle of aspirin in his hand and a glass of water in the other. I look at him quizzically before giving him my thanks and gratefully taking the aspirin. It was weird how he knew I needed them but I won't question it. 

"Well you know that I love you and Jamie and that you're both more than welcome to crash for as long as you need." Carrie is an angel and I don't know what I would do right now without her. From the corner of my eye I catch Xavier giving Carrie a hard glare. I wonder what's that about. 

"Thank you so much Carrie. I swear I'll try to be out as soon as possible."

"It's no biggie. We're amigas cheetahs. The Galleria to your Chanel. I got your back. Now in saying that though I think I-- I mean we have figured out a solution to your problem, just keep an open mind and here me out first, okay?"

I looked from her to Xavier, whose face remained blank before nodding apprehensively. "So like I said, I love you and you can stay as long as you want, but I know of a place with two extra beds, in a great neighborhood and its not too far from work or school and you can stay there rent free so what do you say?"

I stared at her in disbelief. There's no way a place like this could exist. It's too good to be true. Isn't it? "You're joking. There's no way a place like that is even real. Where is it even located at?"

She bit her lip nervously before glancing next to me. "Umm, Xav said that you could stay with him." I immediately go to protest before she cuts me off. "Wait! Please just hold on a minute okay? Lets make a pros and cons list before you let your pride decide for you."

I huff and cross my arms. There's no way that I could agree to this for a number of different reasons. The main one being that this guy is a complete stranger and can't be trusted no matter how much my gut tells me other wise. The last guy I trusted was supposed to be my father figure and look how that turned out and knowing Carrie her pros list will be significantly longer than her cons. There has to be a different solution. My eyes travel over to Xavier and I can see him looking at me with guarded eyes. I can't tell what he's thinking but I remember what he said to me. "I'm going to make you mine."  Those words were so full of promise and meaning, they give me chills just thinking about them. I can't even entertain if those words were meant to be real. I can't afford those type of distractions.  I can't afford to rely on another guy to take care of me, to take care of us. I'll make it work, I always do.

"I'm sorry, but no. I can't accept that. At least not right now. If it's alright with you Carrie, I would just like to stay for two more days at the most while I go look for apartments and try to work something out. She goes to say something but I quickly interject. "Please Carrie, just let me try to figure something out first. Just two days, that's all I'm asking" She looks like she wants tos ay something but seems to think better of it and lets out a sigh instead.

"Take as long as you need. I meant it when I said that you can stay here as long as you want. I just want you guys to be comfortable." 

"Thank you Carrie, I really appreciate you. I plan to skip class tomorrow and head out first thing tomorrow morning to look at  places while Jamie is at school. I'm going to head to bed now, it's been a long day." I give them what I hope is a reassuring smile and turn away, but not before sparing one more glance at Xavier. He's staring right back at me and the look is so intense that it makes me turn away and quickly head back to Jamie's room. He's a problem for a different day. right now I have to figure out where we are going to live. First thing tomorrow.