Present

9.3

Audrey

Suddenly I was taken back, to a time several months ago before our senior year of college had begun. Gwen and I spent our days either lounging in the apartment and watching bad movies or by the pool at the overpriced apartment complex down the street. Gwen's parents had been paying for an apartment there for Gwen, but I could count the nights she stayed there on one hand. I could hear her complaining about how loud her neighbors were as if it were yesterday.

On this particularly hot day, Gwen and I had decided that it would be best to stay in and clean before settling down to a movie. Neither of us particularly felt like melting in the unforgiving sun, even if there was a pool.

"You wash them, I'll dry them," Gwen bartered as she tied her wild hair up into a bun.

"I always wash them," I complained.

"Yeah, because I hate it and you love me." Gwen said smartly.

"Okay, you're right," I rolled my eyes. "But that still doesn't mean I like it. I just can't wait for maintenance to fix this stupid dishwasher." I had to resist the urge to kick it. It had been nearly two weeks since I had loaded the dishwasher for the last time, only to notice an hour later that my entire kitchen floor was covered in suds. I reluctantly filled the sink with hot water and dish soap in hopes that it would make the washing process easier.

I snatched a dish from the soaking water and scrubbed it with a soapy sponge. I could already feel my fingers drying out from the hard soap. I swiftly rinsed the dish and handed it to Gwen. She then whipped it down with a rag and placed it in the drying rack. Our routine went smoothly and swiftly. That is, until I handed Gwen a frying pan and she flicked water onto my face with her slender fingers.

I stared at her in shock. "You did that on purpose!"

"So what if I did?" She flicked water at me again and I shoved my hand into the suds in the sink and flung them at her, hitting her in the jaw.

"You did not!" She squealed.

"Oh, yes I did!" I tried to run before she could get me back, but I was no match. Gwen stuck her hand in the sink and flung water at me, soaking my Barnette University t-shirt. I closed my eyes hard to avoid getting the water in my eyes.