No Such Thing

Chapter 6

Playlist:
Something About Us - Daft Punk
Fine - Jonghyun

Why is it so hot? And why can't I move? I feel like I'm in a sauna. I open my eyes and instantly jerk away. He groans but doesn't get off of me. We were cuddling. Oh my god. I squirm and try to wriggle myself out from under his weight since he's on top of me but all it does is make him pull me closer in his sleep. He's not even conscious of what's going on so I can't even be upset about it. I can be upset about him being in my bed in the first place since I don't even remember reaching my bed myself last night. He must've carried me over.. Why is he being so sweet to me? Am I some sort of charity project for him? I don't appreciate being some kind of experiment of his. His grip around my waist tightens and I stifle a yelp that almost escapes me. Maybe if I just go back to sleep he'll eventually wake up and exit on his own, not just out of my apartment but out of my life. As I drift into back into slumber a pair of bright emerald eyes burn in the back of my mind.

*Ryder's POV*
I breathe in the strong scent of vanilla and as my nose searches for the source, still half asleep, I find my face buried in her neck. She softly whines and I slowly open my eyes hoping I hadn't woken her. Fast asleep. In my arms. I'm really scared that she's gonna wake up and instinctively start choking me. I mean really, she's feisty. That's something I picture she would do to anyone she found in her bed. Shit. My phone starts vibrating on the nightstand and I grab it before it can turn my thought into reality. Vince.

*Where the hell have you been???*
*Taking some time for myself. Sorry I've been AWOL.*
*Is everything good? We miss you at the café. How's Eva?*
*Haven't heard from her in a couple days. I should probably call her today.*
*The CFDA Awards are tonight and I believe you, Carmen, and I are invited as I recall. You still coming?*
*Totally forgot. I'll get back to you later, bud.*
*I'll be wearing Tom Ford so no trying to outdress me tonight. Lol let me know if you're coming.*

How could I forget about tonight? Damn it. It's very odd Eva hasn't talked to anyone lately, especially me, her own brother. I definitely gotta call her and Carmen to see what she's wearing to this thing. I look at Stella and all I wanna do is stay in this bed with her. My friends have always been there for me, I can't blow them off now. Fuck. I try my hardest to get out of her bed without making a sound. I creep around to the bathroom to take a piss and when I return, she's sprawled out on her stomach, her long, bronzed limbs stretched out across the mattress. I hang back a second to get a good look at her. I love seeing her like this. Not constantly trying to fight me off or highly defensive. Vulnerable, natural, just... her. Before I continue to let the day waste away knowing I have a shitload to accomplish in order to not disappoint a whole lot of people tonight, I shove my feet into my Saint Laurent boots and slide my phone in my pocket. "I thought you'd never leave." I freeze halfway through the door when I hear her mumble. I glance over to see she hasn't actually moved. She must be in a sleepy haze. How cute. "You wanted me to?" "You're not meant to stay. You had to leave sooner or later." I didn't understand what exactly she meant, but she fell back to sleep right after. I took that opportunity to pull myself away and leave her place.

"My favorite brother!" "I'm your only brother, Eva." "Oh you know what I mean, grumpy pants." If only she knew what a real grumpy pants I had been dealing with. "Vince was worried he hadn't heard from you and neither had I. What have you been up to?" "Exploring the land of Turkey. Scoping out a couple of job opportunities over here." Of course. One of the many adventures I've been dying to take. At least one of us is free to roam the world. "Aren't you the Turkish delight? You sound excited." "You know how I get about new exotic journeys. How've you been? Mom and dad still yanking your chain about going back to Columbia?" When aren't they? "Always. I'm not going though. Any day now they'll ship me off to Iceland next. I've gotten away from them for a few days thank goodness." Iceland sounds better than listening to their constant nagging. "That's good. What's her name?" "Huh?" I don't remember mentioning anyone. "You heard me. Who's the wonderful girl who's been keeping you out of our lovely parents' clutches. You don't think they've already bombarded me with texts asking me to reveal where you've been hiding?" I pinch the bridge of my nose in exasperation of my parents' inability to respect my space. My sister has a point, Stella has been a perfect getaway from my daily frustrations. Between my parents and my... ratpack as she calls it, I barely have a chance to breathe. "They're such a pain in my ass. And it's none of your business where I've been." "It damn well is my business, you're my baby brother. You can't just be gallivanting around with some hussy." Hussy. Far from it. "I've been doing nothing of the sort. Quit worrying about the company I keep, you know who my real friends are." "Gotta look out for you. This conversation has to end now, I have a tour group to join. Stay safe. Tell mom and dad to fuck off for me!" Absolute angel she is. "I will. Have fun." I hang up just as the cab pulls up to Barney's. I had texted Carmen to meet me there to discuss tonight and maybe get some fashion advice. I keep thinking about what Eva said about my wonderful girl. I stroll into the men's shoe department and find Carmen chatting, more like flirting, with one of the managers. I tap her shoulder and a grand idea dawns on me. "How do you think CFDA would feel about me bringing a plus one?"