A Home From Nothing

Chapter 5 4 years later

The alarm on my phone blares from under my pillow as I struggle to regain consciousness. I pull it out from unde the pile, thank f**k I plugged it in at least. I turn my alarm off, stretch and yawn. Pulling the blankets back, I get up and head into the bathroom. I turn the water on to warm up while I go back to my closet and grab my clothes out for the day. I found a cartoon scrub top and black scrub pants, not the most glamorous but they definitely get the job done.

Padding back towards my bathroom, I take a look around my small one bedroom apartment. The front door opens into the kitchen just to the left of the fridge. My sink and cabinets to the right of the big cold box. I have a small kitchen table with 2 chairs against the wall across from the door. My living room has a coffee table, a good size couch with 3 seats and my tv mounted to the wall. My bedroom is just as minimalistic but with much more clothes. I try not to buy things I don’t need, but clothes are my one exception. I do, however, stick to buying from thrift shops and second hand stores. I love clothes but I don’t like the idea of spending a ton of money on them.

Finally back in the bathroom, I grab a towel from the cabinet and set it on the back of the toilet, making sure to close the lid. Removing my oversized Tshirt and underwear, I take a moment to look over myself in the mirror. My black hair still just below my ears. My grey eyes are bright even for just waking up, sleep stuck to my lashes in some places. My lips are a little on the thin side but I like that they fit my face. Moving my sights lower, I check my breasts for lumps, not knowing my family medical history, I do this rather regularly. Can never be too careful. Once I’m finished with that, I notice the steam from the shower has filled the small space so well, I can barely see into the mirror anymore. Time for my daily hydrotherapy session.

When it comes to showers, I prefer mine to be hot, steamy and long, however, today I have to stop by Dominos before going to work so I don’t have my usual 30 minutes. When the choice is between sleep time and shower time, shorter shower time is the only option. I like my sleep more than I like my showers, so instead of waking up earlier I just chose to cut off a bit on the shower.

After dressing quickly and brushing out my hair I throw my shoes and socks on, grab my phone and put it in my purse before heading out the door. I am right on time. Maybe with any luck, Graham would have a cup of coffee ready for me. He makes the best coffee, with a sprinkle of cinnamon in the grounds so it brews throughout the coffee instead of sitting on top. That thought alone has me quickening my steps in the hopes this day dream comes to life.

I made it to Domino's and Graham's apartment. They live in a huge 2 bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor with vaulted ceilings and a wall of windows. I used to stay in their spare bedroom, before I got my apartment. At the door, I don’t even bother knocking instead using the key they insisted I keep for emergencies.

“Hello!! It’s meeee!” I call out in a sing song voice loud enough to reach the furthest bedroom, don’t want to surprise them again. My face heats at the memory of walking in on Domino on his knees in front of Graham. They pick on me relentlessly about my lack of s****l experience but I’m quite happy with the relationship I have with my bedside battery besties.

Shaking that thought out of my head, I walk into the dining room. Once I see it I start smiling like a damn fool. Just as I’d hoped, a large steamy cup of caffeine goodness was sitting at the table, in the spot I used to sit. Setting my purse on the table, I pick up the cup and breathe in my favorite aroma. I take a sip and groan loudly

“This is straight orgasmic!” I say out loud to no one in particular.

“How would you even know you chaste b***h?” Dom questions from his perch on the couch.

“Just because I’ve never had s*x with a man, doesn’t mean I don’t know what an orgasm is. I’m just lucky enough I don’t have to fight for mine. Well, according to other women.” I volley.

As I turn around I catch Graham and Dom in the living room, watching the morning news as always. Dominic Graves has classic Mexican features. Black hair, thin mustache, brown eyes and skin. While Graham Graves is almost his opposite with red hair, full red beard pale skin and so many tattoos you can’t even see his skin tone below his chin.

I plop on the couch, careful not to spill the gift from the gods. Once I get settled, Dom hands me the stack of mail that always seems to spawn, no matter how many times I change my address. I only moved out a few months ago, but I can not figure out how mail always ends up here.

“Big stack this month. I used it to measure Graham. He lost a quarter of an inch since the last stack.” Domino declares while simultaneously ducking from the onslaught of light smacks from his adoring husband.

“Thanks, it’s probably all junk to be honest,” I laugh watching them. I set the stack to the side while Dom apologizes to Graham and they share a short sweet kiss. I envy them. Just a little. Having someone to share the experiences of life with is not something I want to miss out on. On the flip side, I’m also not interested in being alone with a man, any man, as far as that goes. Save for Dom and Graham. They’ve shown me I can trust them with anything.

I wasn’t always like this. I used to dream of my knight in shining armor just like every other little girl out there. Despite where I am now, my life wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. After witnessing the cruelest acts the dregs of society could come up with, I swore to never be alone with a man I didn’t know I could trust 100 percent. I’ve managed to keep that promise, even though I’m just a few months from turning 21 I have never been alone with a man.