Starting Over.

#11 A place to Celebrate.

Malia’s POV. 

“Breathe Malia, with each hit, remember to breathe..” Frank assisted, as I’m doing combinations on the punching bag. When I woke up earlier my whole body was feeling the after burn of yesterday’s workout and also all the dancing and yes also the alcohol, my muscles were aching, but that didn’t stop me from coming straight back to the gym.. it feels good to train again, also I didn’t really fancy staying at the apartment to find out if Damon would return to being awkward after hooking up again last night or technically it was this morning. I need to find my own apartment and soon, not that I mind Theo knowing that Damon and I hooked up, but being reminded that you are very loud in bed by your best friend, was not the highlight of my day. It was kind of funny though. 

“Thanks for the workout.” I said with a smile to Frank. 

“The pleasure is all mine sweetheart.” He smiles in return, he really is a very kind man, i have already taken a liking to him, he reminds me of both my father and Gus from the garage back home.. 

“By the way I remember you talked about needing to find a place to live..” Frank Said as we were finishing up our session, I nodded to confirm. 

“Well a buddy of mine has an apartment his selling it’s about 10 minutes from here.. if you wanna have a look, I mean..” he added, I couldn’t help but smile. 

“That would be great Frank!” I answered. 

“Here’s his number, give him a call.. I think he’s home today, if that works for you.” He said giving me a piece of paper with his number on it.

“Thanks Frank. You’re the best.” I said with a big smile on my face. 

“I know, but don’t worry I won’t tell my wife you said that.” He laughed, I couldn’t help but laugh with him. He’s tough and hard when training but a real cheerful guy otherwise.. 

****

“I’ll take it! When can I move in?” I asked Franks buddy, after he showed me around the apartment and we talked about the price, rent and all the practical things. It’s a big apartment, it’s a two bedrooms. The apartment building seems very safe, it has a door phone, so you have to be buzzed in, the apartment is on the second floor, when you walk through the door you walk into a little hall which leads to the quite spacious living room, which are directly connected to the kitchen, only a breakfast bar separating the rooms, one master bedroom with a joined bathroom and a little walk in closet, a room for guests or whatever, and an extra bathroom. It’s more than enough for me, and I’ll be able to pay for it with the money I saved from selling my dads house, with enough to cover me in case I don’t get a job right away. And the best thing is it’s like right in the middle of the gym and Theo’s apartment, so I will still be close by..

“You can move in next week, if you want? Just have to clear everything with the bank and all that.” He answered with a warm smile. 

“That’s perfect! Thanks for this.” I said returning his smile, and reaching my hand out to shake his in a ‘we have a deal’ kind of way, which he immediately took. 

“No, thank you.” He said. We walked to the door and said our goodbyes. 

I can’t believe my luck! That apartment is a gem, It wouldn’t have been on the market for long, I better remember to give Frank a big hug next time I see him. I’m so exited! I find my phone in my pocket to sent a text to Theo. 

Malia: Hi.. guess what!? I found an apartment, I can move in next week. wanna come meet me and help me look at some furniture? :) 

****

“Thanks for coming with me.” I said as we sat down at the cafe to get some dinner before Theo had to be at work.

“You know I’ll do anything for you Malia, even go shopping.” He laughed in return. 

“It’s weird though! I only just got you back and now you are moving out again.” He added. 

“I know buddy! But the apartment is only like 10 minutes from yours.. I promise, you will see me so much you’ll get tired of me in no time.” I giggled. 

“Never! I could never tire of you, you know that.. you my homie.” He said while making  hand gestures like some kind of gangster wannabe, making me laugh in the process. 

“So what about you and Damon?” He added in a more serious tone of voice. 

“What about us?” I asked while shrugging. Damon and I aren’t in a relationship, not that I want us to be either. Damon doesn’t do relationships and I’m absolutely not in any rush to get back into one, not with him or anybody for that matter, i’m just fine on my own. 

“Are you gonna keep hooking up, or what?” He asked curiously. 

“As long as it’s fun for the both of us then I’m OK with that.” I answered honestly.

“And you’re totally OK with him hooking up with other girls too?” Theo continues. 

“He can do whatever he wants, that’s what I’m gonna do.” I said shrugging it off like it’s not a big deal, which to be honest I really don’t think that it is. I could feel Theo watching me attentively trying to read me. I really mean it when I say that what we are doing are totally with no strings attached. I like s*x and I like s*x with Damon, and I KNOW that Damon likes s*x and seems like he also likes having it with me. So If there’s no drama, i’ll be down for that. I just matched Theo’s glance without wavering. 

“OK, if you say so.. just be careful, I like having you back here and I like my roommate, so please don’t mess that up for me.” He said with a chuckle. 

After dinner I walked with Theo to the bar so he could start work and walked back to his apartment. Damon was there playing something on the Xbox in the living room, bit we decided to watch a movie before going to sleep early, since tomorrow is Monday and Damon has to be at work and I’m gonna sent out more resumes.. in reality the movie only served as background noise, we spend the time catching up. I’ve been here for about 3 days know and a lot of that time has been spend with Damon in one way or another, but we haven’t really been talking that much, if you know what I mean. 

He asked about my father of course he knew about his unexpected and way to early departure from this world from Theo, but this was more about like a walk down memory lane.. 

“So how is your mom, Ryan and Rose?” I asked, trying to change the subject before I got all emotional. I really liked his mom, she was always kind to me. Oh and Rose that girl was the sweetest thing ever.. 

“They’re good. Mom and Ryan still going strong... Rose is 7 now, can you believe that.” He said that with I chuckle, but the look in his eyes were something else, I remember this look from 5 years ago.. every time he looked at Rose or interacted with her his eyes just shone pure love. It is adorable really. The bad boy/player just turned into mush around his baby sister, and apparently that hasn’t changed..

“Good!” I simply answered with a smile. “Do they still live here in Brooklyn?” I added. 

“No not in Brooklyn, but still pretty close by, under an hour away in traffic.” He chuckled at the last part.

“Talking about traffic, do you still have your bike?” I asked, I have some good memories on that bike.

“Yes, i do. Not getting rid of that anytime soon.” He answered with a smirk. 

I’m really relieved that he’s not acting all awkward anymore..

****

“You can just put it down there, thank you.” I said with joyful smile to the moving guys standing there with my new couch. 

“That’s the last of it miss.” One of them said while dusting of his hands. 

“Thank you so much.” I said roaming around in my purse to find some cash for their tip, bingo!

“Here you go.” I added handing them both some bills. The younger one of them shot me a wink saying “i’d rather have your number.” Making me blush and giggle. He’s cute and all, but I’ll pass. 

“Don’t think my boyfriend would agree with that.” I laughed trying to let him down easy. 

“Shame.. if you change your mind, my number is on the bill.” He smiled while shrugging. 

“He shoots.. he misses.. Come on you dork.” His workmate said laughing at him, and with that they left leaving me alone in my new apartment with all my things in boxes and the furniture almost in place. 

I slumped down on the couch exhaling a exhausting breath looking around at my new place, a smile on my face. This feels right, now I just have to unpack and make the place a home. I got up from the couch going to the fridge, the first thing I did this morning coming over here with a load of my stuff was putting some beers in there, just so I could have a cold one now.

Opening up the beer, I looked around at the boxes, first things first! To unpack all this s**t I need music, just have to plug in the stereo.

I plug in the stereo and and connect it to my phone, choosing a playlist and get to work.

About 3 hours later I’m done unpacking, I don’t have that much stuff yet, have to go shopping for clothes and stuff. 

I should be really tired but I’m wide awake, I feel like celebrating, but with who? I know Theo’s at work tonight.. and I don’t feel like going out or anything.. I wonder what Damon is doing tonight. We have really gotten to know each other again over the last week, talked a lot, flirted a little, it’s fun, but we haven’t hooked up since the night at the club, I know he’s been having s*x with others. I don’t mind, we’re not in a relationship or anything just having fun. He can hook up with whoever he wants just like I can. 

I pull out my phone to sent him a text.

Malia: Hi :) what are you up to?

It didn’t take long for him to answer me.

Damon: Miss me already? ;) not much actually.. why? You want some company? ;) 

Well that was easy...

Malia: Don’t flatter yourself :P haha.. Yeah I need some help setting up the tv and all that, if you don’t mind? 

That is a total lie, I already set the whole thing up, I smile cheekily looking over at the tv. 

Damon: Be right over ;) Xx. 

Guess I know how to celebrate now..

Malia: Push the button for apartment 4, and I’ll buzz you in, the door is unlocked :) xx..