Emily, Please Don't Go Away

Seven

 I was yet again pulled from my sleep by a knock on my door. I groaned in annoyance as I threw my legs over the side of the bed. As I stood and stretched, another knock.

"I'm coming!" I yelled in frustration. I pulled the door open aggressively, revealing a rather amused Gerard. "Jesus, I thought you said eight!" He tapped his bare wrist.

"It's actually a little later. I overslept too," he chuckled. I glanced at the clock on the stove and realized it was almost ten.

"Shit. Okay, I'm gonna get dressed. Feel free to make some coffee. There's travel cups in the cabinet," I said as I headed down the hall. As I entered my room, I peeled my sleep clothes off and tossed them into the hamper. I rifled through the closet, searching for an outfit. I decided on something both comfortable and presentable, and I grabbed some underwear, a bra, and a pair of socks. I slid on my underwear and a pair of dark grey skinny jeans. I had just buttoned my pants when I heard a nervous cough from the doorway.

"Dude, what the fuck?!" I shouted as I pulled a shirt across my bare chest. His face burned red as he looked at the ground.

"I'm sorry! I was just going to ask where you keep your coffee. I figured you would have closed the door."

"Third cabinet, second shelf." He turned quickly and headed back down the hall towards the kitchen. I threw on a bra and a t-shirt and slid my socks on. As I headed out of my room, I grabbed the bag I had packed. The scent of brewing coffee filled the air. I made a quick stop by the bathroom to fix my hair and makeup and brush my teeth before heading into the kitchen.

"Hey, coffee's done," he mumbled, not making eye contact. He took two of the travel cups and filled them. "How do you take yours?"

"Just make it the same as yours. You haven't disappointed me yet." A small smile flashed across his lips. After he snapped the lids on, he handed a cup to me.

"Are you ready?" I nodded, taking a careful sip of the hot drink.

"You are a goddamn magician with this shit." He giggled and shrugged. "No, seriously. My coffee never tastes this good." I picked my bag up off the floor, but he grabbed it from me.

"More practice, I guess," he dismissed as he opened the door. As we stepped out, he pulled the door to, making sure it was locked. He started down the hall, and I followed close behind him. Neither of us said much as we made our way down the stairs and out of the apartment complex.

"So, I'm assuming that you have a car..." He smiled but kept walking down the sidewalk. We came to a small parking garage, where he waved casually to the guy in the small office. As we passed the rows of cars, he pulled out a keyring from his pocket. He stopped behind a small, silver car. "Is this it?" He nodded as he unlocked the trunk.

"It may not be the prettiest car, but it runs and drives great." He tossed our bags in the trunk. I walked over to the passenger side and waited for him to unlock it.

"Hey, some wheels are better than none, which is what I currently have," I laughed. He grinned as he unlocked the doors. I slid inside the car and was immediately overwhelmed by the smell of stale smoke. "So, smoker?"

"Yeah," he admitted diffidently. "I'm honestly surprised that you hadn't smelled it on me."

"Well, the whole apartment building smells like coffee and cigarettes, so it's not exactly something I would've singled out."

"True," he laughed nervously. He stared at me for a second. "Are you sure you want to do this? I realize that it was sudden, and I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing you-"