Why did she keep doing this to herself? That's the question Sarona kept repeating in the back of her mind as she drove through questionable streets. April had called her from god knows where to say she was in trouble and needed a ride home. So here she was at 2 in the morning to bail her out. Sarona tried not to get annoyed (not that she ever really could) with April only for her fingers to drum irritably off of the steering wheel. She made another turn and finally found the place that April had been talking about. It was a small corner store named Joe's with a flashing red neon sign.
Sarona pulled in to one of the four empty parking spots and hopped out of her car. She left it running seeing as she would be back soon with company and it was a cool night. Sarona wasn't overly worried about someone stealing her car. Whatever happens, happens. She pulled open the glass door of the store and stepped inside. There seemed to be no one in the store with the exception of an old man behind the counter. He had a gentle face and a kind smile that was comforting.
"Hey have you seen my friend, she's young has brown hair, short as hell, constantly getting into trouble?" Sarona said walking up to stand before the man.
The old man's eye twinkled and the look on his face was one of knowing. "She went to the bathroom a few minutes ago."
Sarona nodded at the man and spotted the sign for the male and female restrooms. She walked to the small hallway and saw the door hanging open. Saron was scared for a moment before hearing a giggle. She shook her head and pushed the door open. April was laid out on the (probably) dirty floor of the bathroom with her phone up to her ear. She looked up at Sarona and put on a large grin.
"Tameanie!" April yelled louder than necessary. She tried to stand up, but got ended up falling back down. "I think I overdid it."
Sarona pushed down the headache she felt riising and sighed. "You always do, AJ." She somehow managed to keep the bit of bitterness she felt from her voice. Sarona reached down and grabbed the short girl under both , with one move of graceful power, she lifted April up into her arms bridal style where the drunk girl rested her head on her shoulder.
"Thanks Saronie Pepperoni." April whispered with a goofy grin.
Sarona shook her head and adjusted the girl so that she was more comfortable. She felt soft, even breaths on her neck and her hairs stood on end. Sarona shivered and moved April's head so her breath wouldn't hit her neck. She kicked the bathroom door open and carried her little friend out. Sarona nodded at the old man as she passed the counter and he responded with a kind wave and knowing smile. It set her on guard a bit, but she was leaving anyway.
Outside, Sarona found her still active car sitting untouched. She leaned up against the car still holding April and pulled open the back door. Sarona laid her down in the back and put her on her side. She stretched out her body into a more comfortable position and brushed the hair from her face. Sarona closed the door and hopped into the driver's seat. She pulled out of the lot and headed for April's apartment.
The drive to the apartment was decently long and Sarona had to wipe the tiredness from her eyes. She pulled into the small driveway beside April's apartment and shut off her car. Sarona took a moment to rest her eyes. She was preparing herself for the long night ahead. Then, Sarona removed the key and got out. She got AJ out of the back and carried her to the door. Sarona, who was way too used to doing this, held her cautiously and pulled out her key to April's apartment (a requirement that made her life much easier). She unlocked the door and entered.
Sarona kicked the door closed and made her way through the rooms like she had many times by now. She walked into April's room and laid her on the bed. Sarona then eyed the cut up t and ripped jeans she had been wearing. She shook her head as she walked into her friend's closet and pulled out one of the many pairs of sweatpants that she had bought April and a long sleeve shirt. Sarona quickly stripped AJ of the shirt and pants then swiftly replaced them with the sweatpants and shirt. She threw the dirty clothes in the laundry bin and tucked the short girl in bed.
Sarona exited the bedroom and entered the adjoining bathroom. She opened the cabinet and removed a bottle of aspirin and pulled two tablets out. Sarona put the container back and opened the sink's cabinet. She tsked to herself as she saw the case of water she kept for these nights was nearly empty. Sarona pulled out one of the four remaining bottles and shut both cabinets. She walked back into the room and laid both the pills and the water bottle on the bedside table nearest to AJ's bed. With her first set of tasks done, Sarona walked over to a stiff looking wooden chair and sat down. She had learned early on that having a chair anywhere near comfortable would cause her to fall asleep eventually. So, Sarona had gone out and scoured to find a chair that would dissuade her sleep. Something about the texture of this wood made it impossible for her to sleep on it.
Sarona plugged in her headphones and selected This Is All We Know by the Chainsmokers to listen to as she waited. Her face was stoic as she thought to herself. Why do I keep doing this to myself? Dragging myself out of bed at ungodly hours to travel sometimes very far distances to get this girl. Is it really worth it? Sarona had sat their for a couple of hours thinking about her situation. She could admit to herself that she held feelings for the younger woman, but she wasn't naive. AJ was a bit unhinged and did whatever the hell she wanted. Sarona was tired. Tired of doing this, but everytime April called she would come. She was a sucker. A damned follower. It made her sick how this girl had control over her.
Sarona felt angry at herself and April, but it soon gave way to a weary disappointment and sadness. She didn't have to focus on herself for long though as AJ suddenly hop out of the bed and ran to the bathroom. Sarona let out a long sigh, already ready for round two. She walked in behind the short girl and quickly pulled her hair back to hold it. Sarona rubbed comforting circles in April's back as she let it all out. Eventually April was empty and stood up shakily. Sarona moved into place so that she could support her and helped her to the sink where the younger woman washed her mouth out. After April finished rinsing her mouth out, she turned off the water and helped her back into bed. Sarona helped AJ take the pills with a few sips of water then leaned her back on the bed. Then, she wrapped the younger woman in the cover like a sausage so she was nice and cozy. Sarona saw a streak of light and saw that it was later in the morning than she originally thought. She quickly checked the time. 7:37!? God damn it. Sarona collected her jacket and slipped it on. She straightened it out and removed her hair from the back.
"Of course." Sarona muttered to herself hoping she wouldn't be late. She started to leave, only to look back at April one more time. Sarona walked back over to the side of the bed quietly and leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. The kiss was short and chaste, barely lasting. Then, she left the apartment, dead tired, to go to work.