Why Not Me?

| 9 | CLEO |

| CLEO |

Life. The one thing people take for granted.

Friends. Another thing people misunderstand.

Time. Something people think there's enough of.

Money. The thing everyone needs but don't have enough of.

And Love. Something not everyone understands.

Six weeks have passed since Jennifer's incident. It's also been two days since I stopped seeing Ashten. What can I say, things just didn't work out. Granted it's been one of the longest relationships I've been in, in a while. When Jen was released from the hospital we took her straight to her and Steph's apartment, where we alternated keeping an eye on her which was necessary because she would just stay in her room reading or staring out the window. Discussing it amongst each other Stephaine and I decided to call Alexander, Jenn's older brother by three years. They're very close. When he enrolled in the army at the age eighteen Jenn wasn't happy at all because she didn't want anything to happen to him and wasn't going to be able to be with him.

Steph and I grew up with him too. He is amazing and fun. He is very protective of us three. He would write to us but last time we saw him was when the three of us first started college which was years ago, so imagine my surprise when I'm talking to him and he tells me he's back. He came knocking at Steph and Jen's apartment the next day after I called him and engulfed Steph and me in a hug. We caught him up on how Jen's been and hurt was clearly written all over his face at the fact he wasn't here to protect his sister. He asked about her boyfriend Drew and we told him things were kind of awkward a between the two so I just lead him to her room where I heard her cry as soon as she saw him.

Alexander is a breath of fresh air when things get smoky.

After spending about three days here with Jen he talked to me and Steph and decided to take Jen with him to his place upstate so she can relax and be away from the crazy. We agreed thinking it would be better for her and she's been gone ever since. She's texted and called sometimes but I still miss her and hope she gets better.

Anyways, what did that lead to? That lead to me worrying about Jen and going to work and watching over Jen and staying with Steph. To not being able to see and hang out with Ashten like I wanted to like we promised. He would ask me out and I would have to turn him down because I had work to do or projects to do. Or he would just sometimes call at the wrong times and ask me out for lunch or something when I was really tired. I would also be caught talking to Logan in the hallway or parking lot or at work when he would come to visit me and he would get upset, and here I thought he was understanding.

So I cut it off when he said I was too self-centered and only cared about specific people not willing to let anyone else in and that I was a workaholic and an unfaithful woman for always talking to Logan.

Yea, exactly he's nothing but a pathetic dickwad.

He calls me unfaithful while we weren't even dating officially, just seeing each other for a little over a month, and for talking to Logan who is my neighbor by the way. We work in the same building for the same company, we live in the same building and whether it's awkward between us at times or not he's still a friend of mine and I never told him about my feelings for Logan.

He called me a workaholic because unlike him I actually put effort into what I do and I enjoy it and because I have to earn and work for my money not let my rich uncle give me loads of money every week as he does for him.

He also doesn't value cliques. If I don't associate with others and only focus on one group of people in my life it's because I want to and because I trust and love them. They know me and I know them and I'm comfortable. There important to me and it's not my fault I worry about them, it's me. That's who I am. I value friendships. Besides I rather have enough real friends that I can count on one hand than have so many you lose track of them because they only want you for money or something else.

So yea, that's why we stopped seeing each other. I mean, I was saddened I'm not going to lie. Aside from those things he was a really good guy and he treated me well. He would surprise me with texts, messages, dates. He even got to speak to my mother one time, but the bad over the way the cons and not understanding how close I am with the people around me is a deal breaker.

What else happened?

Oh, yea well Derek was obviously taken to jail. Boo-hoo no one cares. For how long? I'm not sure all I know is that he's still there and that's how it better stay. Oh, and Jen put a restraining order against him. Drew fired him so he no longer works at the company and as for him, this incident we made sure to make it how on his records.

Think of it as an early Christmas present from us.

Drew, on the other hand, has been taking it hard. He blamed himself for not protecting her and for confusing her. After Jen was released he stayed away to give her some space because Steph and I told him too which really wasn't the best idea if I think about it now. When he found out she left with her brother he just, I don't know shut down. I haven't really seen him much in these two months but Noah goes to check on him for Steph and me. I hope he knows Jen still loves him, it's just that she's going through a tough time right now. I still think they should at least communicate with each other but that's between them.

As for me, I'm chilling. Tomorrow's Thanksgiving and Jen's staying with Alex, he called me earlier today. Drew's who knows where. Stephanie's spending Thanksgiving with Noah and his family and I'm just going to watch Disney Channel movies on the couch eating ice-cream and chugging down some soda.

The free life.

I've decided that I'm not going to try anymore. If I can't find anyone now then I won't. Truthfully it's stressful and I don't have time to be fooling around. Guys can just wait for now.

***********

I woke up the next day to the sun flashing on my face. Groaning I curl up in my covers and dig deeper into my bed loving the warmth. I was just about to fall back to sleep when I hear something in the distance and then my bed dipped with something, more like someone, laying on top of me.

"Uugh, get off. Can't a girl sleep in peace it's too early!" I groan as I cocoon myself within my covers.

"Oh come on. It's Thanksgiving and it's actually 11 o'clock."

I whined. "But I don't want to."

"Come on. Up you go." She said unrolling me.

"Ah! The light it burns." I hiss as the rays hit my eyes. She laughed. "Oh stop being dramatic." I opened my eyes and stared at her. "Stephy," I whined. She smiled and shook her head. "I brought you cheesecake. Jen said to buy you one and she also said she'll call you later on today." I nod and sit up.

After I come out from the bathroom and getting dressed with a pair of sweats and tank top, my hair in a messy bun and my fluffy slippers on I'm ready for the day.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Steph asks. I shake my head as I hug Noah. "Nah, it's okay. I'll just chill here you guys enjoy."

"You too Cleo. If anything remembers to call us." Noah said hugging me back. "Oh and I cheeked on Drew this morning. He went to his parent's place." I nodded. "Good. Thank you. Now get going you have some driving to do. Don't worry I'm not leaving this place. I'm a hermit today." I smile.

"Yup, I know. That's why I brought you some chips, Jen's cheesecake, some drinks, and you can order pizza later when you're really hungry." Steph said walking to the front door with Noah. She knows me so well.

"Yes, mom." I roll my eyes and Noah chuckles. Stephanie just rolls her eyes. "If Jen's not here someone has to be." She said sticking her tongue out at me.

I chuckled. "Bye. Have fun and don't get too fat. It'll be hard to lose the extra weight." They roll there's eye and after giving me a hug and kiss each they let. I stretch and sigh as I walk into my living room and look around at the dim lighted quiet room.

"Daum, I need to get a dog or something. Maybe a fish." I say shaking my head as I plop down on my couch.

******************

I was literally rolling on the ground laughing. I've been watching movies all day. I saw all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I saw R.I.P.D, I saw the Avengers, I saw Thor: The Dark World, which confused me.

What the heck is up with Loki? I thought he died? But oh well I guess we'll just have to wait for the next movie or something.

Soon after eating I started watching the Rush Hour marathon I have on DVD with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, currently on Rush hour 2, these are the funniest things ever. I can't stop laughing.

"Alright come on let's go."

"Excuse me. You don't just jump in front of a black man on a buffet line." I was laughing.

"What is going on here?! Oh great, this is all your fault." Then the doors open and a group of walks in wearing all black. "It was him. I don't know him." Chris says to Jackie. Then they start fighting.

Chris and Jackie are knocking everyone out then Chris punches two guys in the face and turns and punches another guy. When he turns around again he punches Jackie Chan right in the noise.

"Ugh, ow!"

"Sorry man you all look the same!" He said.

I was dying. My laughing started to die down once I heard my phone ring.

"Hello?"

'Hey, Leo.'

I squealed. "Jenny! Hi, how's it going? You okay?"

She giggled slightly, 'Clo, I'm good. With Alex, what are you doing?'

"Nothing. It's Thanksgiving and I'm watching movies in my apartment."

'So I heard. Why didn't you go with Steph?'

"She was with Noah and I don't want to be a third wheel, plus she's with his family and I'm not apart of that."

'Well, what about you and that Ashten guy? Aren't you to together?'

"Firstly we were never together, officially. We just saw each other from time to time and I broke it off. He was an inward jerk and I wasn't going to put up with that." It was quiet for a while before she spoke. 'You sure you don't want me to buy you the twelve cats?'

"No, you jerk," I said rolling my eyes and she chuckled.

'You know I love ya. Did you get the cheesecake?'

"Yea Steph gave it to me. Thanks, I'm so pigging out tonight."

'I figured.' She laughed. Then she quiets down for a while. 'Have you heard from... Uhm Drew?'

"No. We haven't talked personally but Noah checks up on him all the time just to see if he's right. He's been isolated for a while. He at his parents right now."

'Oh, okay. Well, Alex is in the kitchen making something and I better go check on him so he won't burn down this place.'

I chuckle. "Okay, good luck and tell Alex I said Happy Turkey Day. Love you Jen and I hope you come back to me soon. I am so lost without you." I tell her truthfully. She giggles and I can practically see the smile in her face. 'Thanks, Cleo. Love you too, bye.'

**************

"That'll be six dollars and fifty cents."

I dig in my pocket and pull out my money. "Here you go," I say handing her the money as she gives me my food. "Keep the change." There's nothing like eating Chinese. Besides there the only ones open at this time on Thanksgiving.

Closing my jacket as I wait for the light to change I run across the empty street into my apartment building. Pressing the elevator and hearing the ding I walking in and press my floor button.

Waiting for the door to close. Not be long able to wait I open up my bag and start eating some of my food.

Hey, it happens to everyone.

Just when the doors were about to close someone jumped in and stopped it. Once the doors closed we both froze in place. Here I was in black tights with a baggy gray sweater and flats, my hair in a messy bun, no makeup and a spoon full of Chinese fried rice in my mouth. Looking at me was Logan. Who wore grey sweats, an NYC hoodie his hair was all messy, he had black glasses on a McDonald bag in on hand and a BigMac half in his mouth.

Our eyes wandered the length of each other and once we gobbled down our food we looked at each other and started laughing. This is so awkward.

"Logan." I giggle.

"Cleo." He says clearing his throat a small blush stained his cheeks. I mean I would understand. This doesn't look like the usual dressed up Logan. This is a one in a lifetime thing see Logan like this all dressed down, comfy and causal. Even when going out to play basketball he looks fine.

"Alone?" I asked. He nods.

"Wanna chill?" He asked suddenly and I don't even know what happened but something clicked inside me.

"Sure."

And that was the beginning of. Very interesting Thanksgiving day.