THE SPACE BETWEEN US

Chapter 4

Grace's POV

“And you know how annoying Jeffy is!” Leo calls from the kitchen.

“Come on, bro, nobody knows that better than me,” I reply nonchalantly, sinking deeper into Leo’s mattress.

“I’ve got good news for you, though,” he shouts back, busy frying some potato fries. Well, more like baking them in the fancy air fryer his dad gifted him yesterday for his birthday.

Leo had mentioned how the courier delivering that fryer had lifted his spirits, salvaging what had otherwise been a gloomy day.

We’d planned to hang out yesterday, but I had work stuff to handle, and Leo wanted some downtime, so we postponed until today. Now here I am, sprawled out in his room while he’s preparing food.

I usually don’t like eating at someone else’s house, but with Leo, it’s different. He’s always the one cooking, so why not enjoy the free favor?

After completing the 'Lead' managerial chores, it feels like a million bucks just to get into the kitchen and prepare a meal for myself. As a result, I often find myself ordering food instead. I do love cooking, but not when I’m stressed. Leo, on the other hand, cooks every day. As the senior developer at our company, he has less on his plate than I do.

“What’s the news?” I ask, circling back to our conversation.

“Come on, let’s have some snacks.” I leap off his fluffy bed and plop down on the sofa as Leo sets down plates filled with fries on the designer cocktail table.

“Jeffy’s moving somewhere near your place,” he says.

“Whoa! Potatoes are really the best, especially when they’re fried. The crisp—what did you just say?”

“Calm down, bro. My ears are popping! Oh no! I’ve lost my hearing. Oh Lord, please help me. Show mercy on your innocent child.”

“Innocent, my foot. Shut up, i***t. Stop overreacting and tell me you’re joking. Just take back what you said, and I’ll give you two extra fries from my plate.”

“So stingy! What are those two fries going to do for me? Keep them to yourself. And wait, kid, those potatoes belong to me, so who are you to act like you own this food?”

“Whoa, tell your horses to take a break. Remember, you’re talking to the Lead Manager of the company who sources your food,” I brag, standing on the sofa and pinching the collar of my shirt with pride.

“I see a mere ‘ASSISTANT’ gloating in front of me. How illegal. What’s my autonomous company going to think of me?”

“I’m definitely thinking of killing you right now.”

I stuff my mouth with fries and chase after Leo, determined to teach him some manners. “Assistant bro as... asis... tant.” He doesn’t stop teasing me, even as he struggles to catch his breath. We continue running, hurling pillows at each other.

“Yah, uh, uh, uh... breathe, breathe... why is my sofa stained with shoe prints?” he asks, halting for a moment.

He punches me on the shoulder.

“Stupid, this is your doing.”

“What? What the hell? I didn’t do it! You must have done that. Your house is dirty; you never clean it. Not my fault, i***t. When will your childishness end?” I say, emphasizing the word "childishness" while wincing and rubbing my shoulder where he just hit me.

“Oh God! Give this girl some brains. Even if you have to take some from me, I’m ready to lend her some of mine.”

I roll my eyes, giving him the “are you serious, bro?” look.

“You spoiled it because you couldn’t stop blabbering about your so-called position.” Oh, that reminds me, I was standing on his sofa with my dusty shoes on. I give him an innocent look, and this time he rolls his eyes back. “Forget it; you’re always dirtying my house, huh?”

“Yeah, no need to give me attitude; I have my own to handle.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” His forehead tightens as his gaze lingers on the stained furniture.

After we finish the leftovers on our plates, I offer to wash the utensils. The mess I created is the least I can do to make it up to him, and he happily agrees, a smirk spreading across his face. Ugh, so annoying.

“Oh wait! Jeffy’s going to take the same bus as me?” I ask, horrified as the unsolicited fact sinks in.

“Leo! I’m asking you. Hey! What the hell? How can someone fall asleep a minute after turning on the television?”

Idiot...

~~~