Lips Like Coffee

cup: 39

PEN

Have you ever felt the biggest battle or obstacle in your entire life was right in front you? Well mine was five foot ten, and staring at me with rage in her eyes. It was the kind of rage Grecian heroes feared of the gods. All the wrath of a scorned goddess of beauty was about to descend onto me, and I wasn't equipped for the war.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now, Pen," she was seething as her fingers curled.

"I've been trying to tell you this since the beginning, Kitty," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.

It was true. From the first time she expressed interest in me, I told her I already had feelings for someone else. She still pursued after me until I gave in. And I wouldn't have given in if I hadn't been such an idiot before. All I needed to do was tell the truth, and maybe Norma and I could be together now.

"Do you understand how much effort I put into this relationship? All for you to still love that girl!"

Closing my eyes, I held my cheek as I tried to process what happened. The stinging sensation that I felt made it glaringly obvious, but I was in utter disbelief. She slapped me.

"You're so stupid! Do you even realize what I've done for you? Dealing with all your emotional baggage and your family crap, it's exhausting! But I did it! I did it so you would love me, so you would only see me. It wasn't enough for you?"

My hand still rested on my face as I stared at her. I couldn't help how my mouth gaped open. Even as she rattled on, I was still in shock from the initial slap. This wasn't some accident or instinct reaction, Kitty purposely hit me. What could I even do?

"I asked you a goddamn question and you aren't even listening!"

She muffed my head to the side, and I stepped away from her. I didn't understand why she was suddenly so volatile and aggressive. The fact that she had even hit me was still making my head reel.

Her eyes were wild, with pupils dilated to the point there were only thin rings of blue left. It was a major change from the cool persona she kept. This side of her was frightening.

"I think you need to take a minute to breathe," I said, combing my hair back with my fingers.

"Maybe you need to stop being an idiot, and realize that I'm better than her!" She was manic as she neared me again. "You think you can just leave me? I won't let you."

As her hand struck out toward me, I flinched away as I screwed my eyes closed. When I didn't feel anything, I peeked one eye open to see.

Kitty was gone. I looked around in bewilderment as I tried to see where she could have went. Her purse was missing as well, but I didn't understand how. Going to the kitchen, I stood in the frame but she wasn't there either. There was no way she would have gone upstairs, because I would have heard her. Where could she have gone?

As I went back to the living room, still in a complete daze, I heard the screen door shut. Straightening my body, I perked up as I saw Norma walk into the house. She had her hands tucked into her hoodie, but a smile was on her face as she approached me. Although I was confused as to where Kitty went, I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind as I moved toward her.

"What are you doing here, Puddin," I asked, pushing loose strands of hair from her face.

"I wish I could explain it, but something in me just told me to come here," she said, shrugging with her hands still in her pocket.

Coming as close to me as possible, Norma stood on her toes as she touched the tips of her fingers to my face. A frown formed on her plump lips as she examined me. I felt her thumb rub across my cheek, and I closed my eyes at the soft touch.