Azalea

Locket

"WAKE UP SUNSHINE!" Mari yells in one of my ears, the alarm clock blaring in the other.

I jump up with a hand over my heart. "Dang it Mari, are you trying to kill me or something?" She laughs.

"I do this literally every morning. Why you aren't used to it, I don't knooow." She holds out the 'O' in a sing song voice. I throw a pillow at her and she runs out the room yelling for me to get ready.

My eyes are sore from not opening them for so long, I rub at them with the back of my hands. The sting is still there but around the corners, I'll be able to ignore it when I drink some coffee.

I throw on my waitress uniform and grab my black flats. "Mari is there coffee made?" I can practically hear her eyes roll, "Obviously dummy. How did you not know, our apartment smells like it."

"Stuffy nose dummy." I say mimicking her voice. Mari rolls her eyes and thrusts my mustache mug towards me. Of course with a little caution since she doesn't want to be burned by my sugared and milky coffee.

I drink it quickly when I see that we woke up late. I rush to the kitchen and practically throw my mug into the sink. Mari grabs our jackets and our purses. Soon enough we're running out of our flat and waving down a taxi, well at least trying to.

"So, Azalea, when is your date tonight with that John guy?" Mari asks while waving her hand but having a taxi zoom past.

"His name is Jared and it's at seven, at some Italian restaurant. Why?" I question and raise an eyebrow. Another taxi ignores us. Mari just shrugs,"I just like knowing these things, when my best friend is having some fantabulous dinner date with some guy John." A taxi is about to drive past when Mari runs out and slams an open hand down on the orangey-yellow hood.

"HEY BUD STOP!" she yells and the man driving rolls down his window. "Hey! You know what just get in." He says. Obviously trying to stand up for himself and stopping when he saw the look Mari gave him.

We get in and I accidentally slam the door. "Oops, sorry." The man grumbles something about rude people these days. Isn't everyone rude though in NYC? I mean it is one of the things New Yorkers are known for, that and having one amazing city and New Year's Eve celebration.

Mari goes on talking about this and that about Tumblr and Pintrest. It's  not that I don't care, it's just that she tells me about it all the time. She wouldn't stop either if she had a choice.

The taxi brakes quickly making Mari and I lurch forward and slam back. "Here's your stop, gimme your money and get out." The man sneers. Mari makes a growling noise and slams money into his hand.

We both eagerly leave the car and run into the café where we work. Were we have been working since we started college. Our boss, Karen, holds open the door for us and says a 'goodmorning girls.' I rush out one to her too.

Thankfully we're on time.

                                                             ~•~

"God damn what a day!" Mari says when crashing down onto our couch with a raspberry bubble tea we had bought at our job. My Americano is almost gone and I laugh at Mari.

"We need to catch up on The Walking Dead, we're far behind." I say and slump down onto the couch and turn on the TV. All the recorded episodes are still saved to the VCR.

Mari smiles, "I've missed my Walkers!" I've missed my Daryl.

                                                              ~•~

Mari and I are in total rage mood right after Beth dies. "WHY, HOW COULD THEY LET THIS HAPPEN?! DAMMIT AND I WAS HOPING THE POSTS ABOUT HER DEATH WAS FAKE!" Mari yells.

I'm  sitting on our couch, our Boxer, Lambchop on my lap. Mari stops yelling and just stares at the TV. I hear a knock and turn off the TV. Stalking towards the door I throw it open with a huff. Jared is standing there and raises an eyebrow when he sees me. "Distressed much?" He tried to joke but the words fall flat like pan.

"Oh hey, what're doing here?" He gives me a blank look and sighs. "Our date? Azalea you're not even ready!" I completely forgot. Mari gives me a worried look and Lambchop makes an uneasy sound.

"I'm sorry I was busy, and you know I hate being called Azalea, just Lea." Jared rolls his eyes and throws his arms up. "Lea this is the third time your either late or not ready this month!"

"Maybe I have other things to do Jared, I'm not superwoman!" He just clenches his jaw, looking down he shakes his head. "Lea, I'm just aggravated, sorry. I'll wait out here okay? Just take your time." I give him a small smile and give him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry. But Beth died Jared. I'll try to hurry." He nods and waits in the doorway as I run to change.

I quickly put on a black,fitting dress and black heels. I put on a diamond bracelet and look at my necklaces. One stands out and makes me pause. A golden locket, a small heart charm elegant in its own way. Sam had given to me for my tenth birthday and I had worn it everyday. When did I stop?

I trace it. Savoring the small heaviness on my fingertips, a smile creeping onto my face.

A whine makes me stop admiring. Lambchop is sitting in my room; he seems to be reminding me to hurry up and go on my date. I consider the locket but instead pick no necklace and put my hair up into a French twist.

Mari waves bye to me; microwaved, leftover pizza on a paper plate balanced in her lap. I wave bye back and slip out the door. Jared shuts it behind me and takes me in. He smiles and offers his arm I take it and we head downstairs. I hope my eyeliner, mascara, and lipgloss will do the job tonight.

When we sit down I skim the menu and have no clue what to order with the many possibilities. I settle on the spaghetti and meatballs, I know so predictable. Jared smiles and tells me I look beautiful tonight. I blush lightly and tell him he's quite handsome himself.

We soon order and while we wait we sip our waters and talk. Talk about work, friends, news, shows, and how Jared is returning to college. We really don't talk about deep stuff. Like family or our childhoods even. Even though I've been dating Jared for three years I barely know anything about his family or childhood. I know his everyday stuff.

I guess I crave deep thinking too much. I crave something bigger and something so easy to love and forget about flaws. Jared though I do love, but, he talks generically; stuff anyone talks about. I try not getting bored but it proves difficult.

Our food arrives and we raise our glasses, "Cheers." We whisper and start eating.

                                                             ~•~

I get home and kick off my heels and take out the French twist. I shake my head around to relieve the strange pressure from my hair being up. Lambchop sits up and wags his tail, he bounds over to me and pounces onto me. We land on the couch where Mari was laying last time I saw her. She probably is sleeping in her room.

I scratch behind the big, floppy, brown ears on my adorable Boxer.

I yawn and lay down. But sleep is yet to come. I stand and walk to my room. The locket beckons again and I take it into my hands and stare. Every detail added finely, gold glittering and the simple elegance makes me get a pang of homesickness.

This is the first time in awhile that I've actually thought of Sam. It has  been years. Eight years to be exact. Not a letter or phone call, I thought we were friends, but I guess not. I sigh and curl up to sleep. Lambchop curls up close at my feet.

The locket is laced, dangling between my fingers. So beautiful... I just don't know why I still have it.

My eyelids grow heavy, I sigh and close them.

Hopefully I'll enjoy it.