The Suburbs

Chapter eight

The day seems to have flown by. I got up early, got myself dressed, got settled in the office and threw myself into my work. I even started preparing some columns for next week too. It was a welcome relief to have my work to concentrate on, it took my mind off of last night.

I have decided that I'm not going to allow myself to be upset anymore. I made a mistake, turns out I'm not as perfect as I thought but I am a good person and I don't deserve to be called a slapper by Jacob. He watched me, that must mean something. So there's no way I can allow his insult to have any merit.
I'm single, I'm not being unfaithful to anyone. He should really look in the mirror before he starts name calling.

I have spent the last eighteen months trying to build my confidence back up and I am sure as hell not going to let Jacob Jackson knock it down.
I said sorry, I tried to make things right and he didn't want to say anything other than call me names. I'm not going to dwell.
I shall just keep my distance as much as I can and naturally let Elle and I drift apart, that way nobody has to get hurt.

I scrape my hair up into a top knot and throw on some comfy pyjamas. Tonight I'm going to spend my evening making fajitas and then maybe a homemade cheesecake, anything to keep my mind occupied.

"Puss!" I squeal a little too excitedly as I see the beautiful grey cat waiting for me by the patio doors, again.
I instantly slide the doors open and let her coming running in. I love her company, she makes me feel a little less lonely in this house.
She purrs heavily as she makes herself comfortable on my sofa and I can't help but smile.

"'Make yourself comfy, Puss." I giggle to myself. I'm very aware this is still crazy cat lady territory but I'm in far too deep now to stop it. I may as well embrace it. My name is Mia and my only friend in the suburbs is Puss, the stray neighbourhood cat.

"Mia! Darling?" I hear Elle call from the front door.

Oh god, Elle. I can tell from her voice she is clueless about last night. Jacob did say he wouldn't burden her with it but my hands are suddenly sweating anyway.

"Coming!" I call back, trying to sound as friendly and as upbeat as possible.

As soon as I open the door I'm met with Elle's big smile as she waves sangria in front of my face. Jesus, please no more alcohol. I don't think I can stomach anymore.

"Sangria time!" She cheers excitedly.
"Oh wow, Mia something smells delicious."

I try to appear as nonchalant as possible, but every time she looks at me I keep panicking that somehow my face will tell her everything that happened.

"Oh I'm just making some fajitas, would you like some?"

"I'd love some! Grab me a glass darling and I'll pour you some of my famous sangria." She says with a wink.

I feel myself relaxing a little, it's not as awkward as I feared. She clearly has no idea about my stupid moment of madness and as long as Jacob doesn't tell her then everything can just stay the same.

"And who is this cutie pie?" Elle asks as she perches next to Puss.

"Oh." I laugh.
"It seems I have adopted a cat. She came by the night I moved in and she seems to drop by regularly ever since."

"Oh that is adorable! She obviously loves your company, Mia."

"I really like hers too." I say.

Elle throws back a sangria quite quickly and fills herself another glass. Now that I know she has a problem with her drink I just feel sad watching her. The other night was fun, but that's when I thought it was a one-off.