The Soldier's Roommate

Chapter 11: I'm done.

Alice

The weekend was over within the blink of an eye, and all too soon I had to say goodbye to Jake, waving after the train that carries him to his new home.

I promised I'd be the one who visits next, simply so I can make fun of his room at campus. I'm really curious to see how he has settled there, how he lives his day-to-day life.

It seems like he has grown up, and I believe him when he says that he evolved into a neat freak. My brother was always very confident and able to manage himself, he didn't really have a choice in that matter when our parents left. I hate that he had to grow up so early, that he had to figure out how to make ends meet at such a young age... It's not fair.

That's why I'm even prouder of him for taking the path he wants to, for taking control of his life and aiming high, even if we have been taught to do the opposite.

Elijah avoided me after that moment on the couch, which wasn't that hard since Jake, Felix and I spent most of the weekend going out, and by the time Monday rolled around Elijah actually seemed like he'd be making an effort. He prepared breakfast on the mornings he was up before me, made coffee when I got back from work, and even asked about my day every time... The conversations were kept short, but he made an effort, showed an interest in my existence.

This morning I'm up before him. It's Tuesday, about two weeks after Jake left, and I'm usually in the office on those days, meaning I don't see much of Elijah for most of the day. As I'm making my coffee this morning I hear footsteps in the hallway, making me wonder why Elijah is shuffling around the house. "You up already?" I ask as I pull the mug from the machine.

"Yeah, got another appointment today..." He says, leaning against the kitchen door frame with a smile.

I never ask about his appointments, I don't know if they're for his busted knee or for something for the army... I really have no idea, and I don't want to push him. He should talk about it when he feels like it.

"Do you need me to drive you?"

"Oh, no, that's fine. Mason will pick me up."

"Mason is the guy that was here when I moved in?" I ask for clarification, and Elijah nods his head, moving from the door to the coffee machine when I screw the lid on my travel mug.

I can feel his eyes on me when I move aside, giving him space in front of the machine, avoiding any physical contact with all that I have. "Yeah, he served with me. He's a good friend. My best, somehow, even though he's an idiot..."

A smirk plays on my lips when I lean against the fridge and watch how he prepares his coffee, almost effortlessly by now. I learned that Elijah is a perfectionist when he wants to be, it took him a full week to figure out which way the coffee was perfect for him. "What are you smiling about?"

Heat creeps into my cheeks when I realize he's watching me now, his eyes dancing with amusement as I clear my throat. "Nothing. You just... You know how to treat Cecile now."

He laughs, a full-on belly laugh that makes my skin tingle, and I can't help but grin when he shakes his head with laughter. "Yeah, that's true. She's good to me."

I like this playful side to him. It's different, not as grumpy and broody, and more approachable.

"Do you always give weird names to objects?" he asks when his coffee is finished, leaning against the counter with a smirk.

"Yeah, I do. Don't ask why. I have some weird habits." I'm not ashamed of them though, and so I shoot him a wink as I straighten myself up, grabbing my bag from the kitchen counter and shooting Elijah one last smile. "Well, I'll see you for dinner, I guess?"