The Officer (18+) (Slow Updates)

7

I sit on the couch with my legs tucked underneath me as two women have a screaming match on the television. My phone is clutched tightly in my hand, as I browse pinterest for a recipe. Cadence walks into the living room with a bag slung over her shoulder.

"All right, I'm heading over to Leigha's."

I look up at her. "Okay. Are you sure you don't want me to pick you up?"

"I'm sure. Bye." She begins to walk toward the door.

"Don't forget about your tutoring session today. Love you."

"I won't. And I love you too."

With that she is out of the door, leaving me all alone in the apartment. Alex decided to spend his day off with his boyfriend, my dog is exhausted from our run, and I can't think of anyone else to hang out with. I guess I should busy myself with something though. I go back to scanning pinterest for a dish that I could accomplish in the next few hours while still having enough time to get a little dressed up. After all, he is coming over to my place for the first time.

Matteo and I have exchanged a few texts over the past days, mostly regarding today's tutoring session for his son, but it's still a start. Today, I have a plan to change that. Picture this, Matteo comes over and sees me dressed casually yet gorgeously. I invite them in and while his kid is getting well acquainted with some math problems, Matteo and I are in the living room bonding over some mutual interest. I'm laughing at a joke he told and end up leaning over a little too close. Our eyes meet, the tension palpable. I invite him to stay for dinner. He graciously accepts and we get to know each other over some pasta dish, and boom! Monica has got herself her first boyfriend in three years.

I must admit, I am a bit rusty with the whole dating thing, so better hop to it. I go into the kitchen and scour our cabinets for ingredients, luckily for me we have everything we need for lasagna. I gather everything and start boiling the water. I set aside a cutting board and start chopping vegetables. The water reaches a boil as I start the sauce, so I put the lasagna noodles into the pot of water. Some time later, I assemble the lasagna into a glass tray and put it in the oven, now dinner should be done in a few.

I go into my room and through my closet for something to wear. I want to look good, but not like I was trying too hard. I settle for a pair of jeans and a top that has a sheer middle section. I hop into the shower and clean off the sweat I managed to acquire while in the kitchen. Once clean I get out and tie my hair up into a puff, I'll deal with it after I'm dressed. I put the clothes on and accent it with some simple stud earrings. I go and get the lasagna out of the oven and then return to my room to situate my hair. I pick it out, and go with a side part, you can never go wrong with a side part. Once everything is finished I check my phone, it's been two and a half hours since Cade left, but there's still a bit of time before Matteo is supposed to be here, maybe I should put on a little bit of eyeshadow.

As I go to put down my phone it starts to ring. My heartbeat quickens as I stare at the contact. I clear my throat before answering.

"Hello?" I answer in a cheery voice.

"Hello, Monica." His smooth voice replies.

"Hi, Matteo. How are you doing?"

"I'm good but, I won't be able to make it to the study session today. Tell your sister I'm sorry, and if we can, we should definitely reschedule."

"Oh really? What happened?" I try to hide the disappointment in my voice.

"I got called into work."

"Well, don't worry about it. I'll tell Cade, and just let me know when you want to reschedule."

"Thanks."

"No problem, have a good day at work."

He chuckles before answering. "I'll try to. Bye."

"Bye."

I hang up the phone and look at myself in the mirror. I guess I got dressed up for nothing.

I begin to take the earrings out of my ear as I dial Cade's number. After waiting a few seconds, I am greeted with her voicemail. Weird, maybe she didn't hear it ring. I call her right back and this time she answers.

"Hey Cade-"

"I'm on my way right now. I lost track of time but I just called the uber. It should be here in a bit." Cade rushes out.

"You have to go? But you just got here." a deep voice complains. Did she and Leigha invite some boys over?

"Don't worry about it. You can stay out later if you want, Matteo cancelled."

"Really? What happened?"

"Work."

"Oh... Okay. Well that's fine I'm sure I can tutor the kid some other time."

"Yeah. So are you still coming home or are you going to stay with Leigha."

"What? Oh, right. I'll stay with Leigha for a bit longer then I'll come home."

"Okay. Make sure you stay safe..."

"I will. Bye Mo-"

"Wait Cade. I don't want to be intrusive but I heard that guy's voice and I just want you to know that I trust you to do the right thing. And even if you don't please make sure you use protection. Okay, bye love you!"

"Oh my god! I'm not- whatever. Bye. Love you too."

I make my way to the kitchen and hang up the phone as I make myself a plate of Lasagna. It's so sad that I have to eat this all by myself but that's the price you pay when the only people you hang out with are your best friend from college and your little sister who you are the legal guardian of. But I guess it's better than how I was before I got Cade, my life is more calm and I am in control of myself. The same couldn't be said about me five years ago, that's for sure.

But it's kind of pathetic. I've just turned twenty one, and all I have to show for it is a failed relationship, and a kid. I should be having the time of my life, not sitting at home eating pasta alone. It's days like these that make me want to get out of my shell and live a little. My reasons for being so sheltered have been because I want Cade to live in a stable environment. To have the things that I didn't when I was growing up. But I need to snap out of it. Seriously, Cade is leaving for college next year and then what. I don't even know who I am because I've spent my years of self discovery raising a child. But I can't blame her, she's helped me become more responsible. If it weren't for her I don't know where I'd be, and frankly I don't even want to think about it.

Even still, I can't let myself become some jaded old woman, whose only claim to fame is writing articles for the local news station. I need to meet new people, do something, be something. And that can't happen at my dining room table.

With that I put the rest of the lasagna in the fridge and head to my closet to pick out something else to wear. My sights settle on the dress I wore on the night of my birthday and a smile places itself on my lips as I slip it on. I go back into the kitchen and take the bottle of vodka and a shot glass back to my room.

I fill the glass up as I look at my reflection. Here's to new beginnings I think as I let the liquid courage flow down my throat. 

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