The Unexpected Roommate

Chapter 11

    345600 seconds

    5760 minutes

    96 hours

    4 days

    Four long days since Avery left the apartment—would you call me crazy if I tell you I miss him? Well, I guess I'm crazy then. All it took was two days and one night of fantastic s*x, to have me missing him.

    "Did you hear me?" Vicky kicks my leg underneath the table.

    "Hmm?"

    "What's eating at you? Everything alright at the apartment?" Shay asks taking a bite of her slice of pizza. "Did he come back? He wasn't at Shane's place last night."

    "No." I wonder where he is crashing at now. Probably at India's place. After all, she is the closest thing to a girlfriend, "I don't care where he sleeps."

    "Whoa there, what's with all the sass? Are you sure he didn't show up?"

    Vicky is starting to make me angry just a bit. I get she is looking out for me but come on. No matter how many times I tell her I'm fine, she keeps at it. If it continues, I don't know how she and I will be friends. If I ask her to back off, she will get offended. She always does. It's like I can't say anything to her at times because she will take it the wrong way.

    "Victoria, drop it okay. I said he hasn't shown up to the apartment which is all true. I'm just not in the best of moods for other reasons. So, drop it okay?" I search her face, waiting for the reaction she always gives me. Anger, upset, confusion—maybe all three.

    Shay cracks a joke, trying to lighten the mood, but Vicky isn't having it. She sends me a dirty look and turns in her chair. I shake my head, silently praying she doesn't start an argument. The way I'm feeling at this very moment—it won't end well. Vicky opens her mouth the say something, and Shay stops her.

    "I'm going to call it a day," I say, taking money out my wallet to pay for my food. "I honestly don't want to fight with you. I said, I'm fine and that's that." I stand getting ready to make a beeline for the door but stop. Avery walks in with Angeline Jolie, lip girl. Nina is her name, she is friends with India, and that makes it all so weird. It's like they're having a Kourtney, Scott, and Sofia moment.

    Avery's eyes met mine, and for a second, I thought I saw longing or maybe not. I look away and walk briskly out the pizzeria. Damn it! I wish I didn't see him at all. Now, all I want to do is go back in there and give him a piece of my mind. God, this is so confusing even for me. Like I don't want him, but then I do. I need a distraction.

    "Avery, right?"

    Bingo.

    "Yeah." Avery's friend, Eric stops walking and smiles at me.

    "Were you coming in or leaving?" he stuffs his hands into his pocket. I look over his shoulder into the pizzeria. Nina is nuzzling Avery's neck, and he seems to enjoy it.

    "I was leaving." I look back at him.

    "Is there a way I can change your mind, and have you come back inside?"

    A few of his friends, walk pass saying their hellos and whatnot. He is just as popular as Avery, and that sends off some alarms for me. Hanging or being around anyone popular is a recipe for disaster. Eric says something, and I have to shake my head, focus Avery.

    "...just a drink," he says.

    "Not today." With Vicky and Avery inside, that's adding more ingredients to a recipe for disaster. "Maybe we can catch up another time."

    "Are you sure?"

    Was I sure about this?

    "Don't hold your breath." I laugh, walking to my car. So, I take back needing a distraction. I need to take my ass home, immediately. No distractions, no guys, just my bed. "I'll see you around Eric."

                                                                                             ****

    I pause the movie for what seems like the hundredth time to use the restroom. Maybe I've overdone it with the three gallons of water in two hours. I can hear the front door open, and a female is giggling. I'm going to kill him. He has some nerve, what the hell is his problem? I finish up and head back into the living room.

    "You have got to be kidding me," I mumble underneath my breath. Wasn't he just at the pizzeria with Nina? Now he is kissing on India's neck. "Excuse me." I catch their attention. Ugh, I can strangle him. Avery not so subtly tries to distant himself from India, but it's too late. Avery is official in my book labeled manwhore. My first instinct is to run and hide in the bedroom—but this is my apartment. I take a seat on the couch, playing the movie. From my peripheral view, I can see Avery whispering something to India. I focus back on the film; it's not my business.

    "Avery, can I talk to you...alone?"

    "Busy." I point to the screen.

    "It will only take a second, promise."

    "Fine," I pause the movie once again and following him to the back. India watches me with a glare, and I ignore her. "What do you want?" I cross my arms at my chest as he closes the room door behind us.

    "Do you always have to have a nasty attitude with me?"

    "Really? You're starting the conversation with this?" I roll my eyes. "You have less than ten seconds."

    "I need the house tonight."

    "And?"

    "And I was wondering if you would like to..." he drags, and I know he isn't asking me what I think he is.

    f*****g prick.

    "I'm not leaving so you can f**k India on our bed. Are you insane? Move." I push him out the way, and he grabs my biceps and pulls me into his chest. "Avery, you're a f*****g dickhead for sure. I don't even understand why I thought you would be—nevermind. Just let me go."

    "I need it for one night. She and her roommate got into it, and she doesn't want to go home. Can't you stay with your friend Velma? I know she won't mind."

    "It's Vicky, and I don't care if she won't mind I will. You two are more than welcome to crash on the couch." I look up at him, and he is watching my lips. Please don't kiss me. Please don't kiss me. I would rather lick a cactus then have him put his disgusting lips on me. They weren't disgusting four days ago. I roll my eyes at my thoughts.

    "It's just one night."

    "No."

    "f**k it." He snaps and walks out of the room. A few seconds go by, and I hear the front door slam. I'm not sharing this apartment with him anymore. I rather pay extra to move out. He can have the damn place all to himself. My parents are going to be livid once I tell them, but it has to be done.