third floor ➳ post malone

eleven

I woke up the next morning with Ricky lying in bed next to me. I hadn't even heard him come in. Anyways, I hope he had fun.

I quietly got out of bed and walked to my connecting bathroom, grabbing my toothbrush and rinsing it with water before putting toothpaste on it.

I looked at myself in the mirror as I brushed my teeth, the mascara I didn't get off reminding me of my night. I finished brushing my teeth and walked out of the bedroom, making my way into the kitchen.

I put on a pot of coffee and sat on the couch, turning the TV on. I didn't really watch what was on, I just left it as background noise as I scrolled through my phone.

Finally, my coffee was done so I got up and fixed it, putting my preferred amount of sugar and creamer in it. Once I was happy with how it tasted, despite having just brushed my teeth, I made my way past my couch to the small balcony that was attached to my living room.

I hadn't been out here since I moved in except to put some chairs and a table out here. The view could be better but I figured I'd like to start spending time out here.

I looked around at the city that had been home my entire life. Most people want to travel, find new things, but me? I'm fine here. I love it here.

As I was looking around, I noticed the smell of cigarette smoke. I looked to my left to find Austin on his balcony, leaning over the railing and smoking a cigarette.

"Never too early to smoke, I guess," I said to him and he looked over at me, ashing the cigarette with a smirk on his face. He looked back out at the half-skyline that we could see as he answered me.

"Not when you have the life I do," He told me as he took another drag. My entire life, I've hated cigarettes. But for some reason, it fits him. Like they were made for him.

"What does that mean?" I asked him and he shook his head, brushing off the question. "Well then, I'll see you later."

I turned to walk back into my apartment when I heard, "Wait, Georgia."

"What?" I asked him, looking back over at him.

"Can I, uh, come over there and talk to you?" He asked me sincerely. I nodded slowly in response and walked in.

Soon enough, there was a knock on my door. I sat my coffee on the coffee table and went to open the door.

Austin emerged into my space in red sweatpants and a baggy Wu-Tang Clan shirt, causing me to melt. 

"You wanted to talk?" I asked him as I closed the door behind him. He walked in and sat on the couch. I followed him, turning my body towards him.

"I don't ever do this, but I was ridiculous last night," he huffed, shaking his head. "I don't remember much but I do remember being very weird towards you so I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

"Oh, no," I waved him off even though I was very surprised to hear an apology come from him. "Don't even worry about it, boys follow me into bathrooms all the time."

"I said I'm sorry, okay?" He laughed at me. For a second, I was mesmerized. I don't think I've seen him genuinely smile. I liked it. It suited him well. "So I see you've met Alex."

"Yes, love him so much," I smiled, grabbing my coffee then pulling my legs to me and crossing them. "Oh, do you want some coffee?"

"No thanks," he shook his head. I nodded and then took a sip of mine.

"So Alex mentioned that you two used to be friends," I told him as I continued to drink my coffee.

"Yeah, that was a friendship I fucked up bad," he chuckled sadly. "Made my best friend hate me over a girl that wasn't shit."

"He doesn't hate you," I told him, sitting my coffee down again. "He misses you, seriously. Maybe you should talk to him."

"Do y'all just talk about me all the time?" He laughed again. Pure heroin.

"Well, I'm curious about you," I admitted. This courage was new, maybe because I feel like he's opening up to me a little. "So I've asked."

"You can just ask me," he said softly.

"Well, you're a bit... scary," I told him and he chuckled.

"Scary? How?" He asked me and I shrugged.

"Well, you're just intimidating. You've got this whole bad boy thing that I just try to avoid," I told him with a small smile. "I just don't want to annoy you like I did when I brought you brownies."

"I'll tell you what," he said, sitting up and leaning closer to me. "I will answer any three questions you have right now, completely honest."

"Seriously?" I asked him and he nodded. "First of all, why are you in Chicago?"

"Got accepted into Northwestern but decided college wasn't for me and I just stayed here because I like the city," he said and ended with a smile. "Next question."

"Wait, Northwestern? What was your major?" I asked him, shocked because he didn't seem like the college type at all. Maybe that's why he dropped out.

"You sure you want that to be your second question?" He asked and I shook my head, changing my mind.

"Um, family? Parents, siblings?" I asked and he sighed, seemingly knowing I would get there.

"A brother," He nodded to me. "I don't remember my biological parents. My brother and I were in and out of foster homes until we were eighteen."

"I.. I'm sorry," I shook my head. "I'm sorry I asked."

"Don't be," he told me with a shrug. "I told you I'd answer honestly."

"Last question," I started. "What are your dreams?"

"Music," he nodded, not looking at me. "My brother and I used to have this little band. Just me on the guitar and him on the drums. We were terrible."

"Your brother, does he live here?" I asked him, yearning for more information.

"That was already three questions," he said, getting up off of my couch. "It's been fun, but I gotta go. Breakfast with Mrs. Duncan."

Don't make my heart melt more.

"Oh, okay," I said, getting up off of the couch, too. "Uh, thanks for the apology and, you know, the good conversation."

"Don't get used to it," he smirked at me. "But hey, if you wouldn't mind, drop by and see Mrs. Duncan this afternoon. She hasn't been feeling too good."

"Of course," I nodded, watching him walk towards the door. "Bye."

He waved and then he was out the door. As soon as he was, Ricky came tumbling out of the bedroom.

"Thank God that didn't go the way I thought because how awkward would it have been if y'all went to go at it but there I was in your bed?" Ricky asked groggily.

"Ricky, shut up!"