Lockdown Summer

V. Like It's Buffering

Lockdown Day 7

I was almost halfway done shaving when I noticed the color of the razor in my hand. I stopped and stepped out of the bathroom.

"Ever heard of knocking?" Rica peered away from the paperback in her hands and stared at me with an eyebrow raised.

She's sitting with her back against the wall. Her legs were stretched to her front; they dangled on the edge of the bed.

"You never lock this door."

"How...did you...know...that I don't...lock it?"

I ignored her and showed her the purple razor.

"Oh, sorry about that."

"I thought the rules were clear." I was obviously impatient.

We're not supposed to leave our things in the bathroom. That was set after she left one of her hair products, and I almost used it. If we're going to survive in this house together, we must avoid getting into each other's nerves.

"I basically just said I was sorry," she said with a roll of her eyes. Then she covered her face with that book.

I tossed the razor next to her and left.

Everything about her annoyed me.

The clothes she wore bared her shoulders and legs. And she'd still sweat even with less skin covered. But it's the summer, so that's normal.

The smell lingered after she showered. It's too girly, too strong, and too sweet.

The music she listened to.

"That's Carly Rae Jepsen," she argued.

"I don't care," I said back. "It's too poppy, and you're playing it too loud."

The way she cut the carrots in the food she made for all of us, which was perfect. And yet, she never bragged about her kitchen skills.

The way she laughed. Haha...hahaha...hahahahaha... Like it's buffering inside her mouth.

After a week of being stuck in this house, and it's starting to feel unlivable. This is the last place on earth that I wanted to be at this time.

I rolled to the side of bed, and the walls caved in around me. I closed my eyes and wished I'd dream of my real home.