"Is it home time Miss?" I look down at my waist. Luke is standing there, his pens in his hand and his metal batman lunch box in the other. I beam down at him. It is indeed the end of the school day.
"It is, where's your dad?" I say using a warm voice. He shrugs and shoves his pens in the lunch box. Today most of them have been colouring, something they all love and they seem to do it well. I already envision some of them pursuing artistic routes in life. I imagine some of them would do exceedingly well in the world of art. Luke, for example, seems very talented, his drawings are slightly above his learning age and he picks things up quickly. I like that about him, as well as many of my other students.
"Don't know, he'll be here soon," I smile at him and crouch down his level. His dad is a kind man. Often late though because of work, as he's told me before at a parent-teacher conference which he feels quite bad about.
"Of course, he will. Why don't you go play with Tyler while you wait?" He nods excitedly and scurries off. I watch him with a smile then slowly straighten up. Another girl, Georgia, catches my eye. She's tall for her age, very outspoken, and seems to have a knack for public speaking. I'm hoping she doesn't turn into a shy girl. I really adore this brave part of her; it's very admirable.
There's also another boy, his name's Thomas. He's quite short with black bouncy hair and soft tan skin. He loves drawing and making things. If you give him little bits of paper or cards, he'll sit there and build a house. Granted, it wouldn't be an immaculate piece, but would still be very good none the less. Most of my students are filling out now. I double check they're leaving with their parents before saying goodbye to my last lingerer. He's a sweet kid. They all are.
I go around tidying the classroom, putting all the last bits and bobs away. The kids help tidy it, but they sometimes miss things, so I like to go around and pick them up.
I'm doing that for about ten minutes, and it's getting hot in here, so I open the door to the play area outside. It's a nice day. I contemplate sitting out there in the sun for a little while, but I have other things I need to do. I still have to go over all their work and e-mail a few parents. It's nothing too bad, but there have been a few students picking on others a few times and I want to address it before it gets to be too bad. I've talked to them, but nothing has worked so I'm hoping this will.
I lock up the classroom on my way out of the building and climb into my small Toyota that I bought when I moved to the city. I figured I would need something more reliable than the pick up my dad gave me when I was seventeen. Not that it wasn't great, because it got me from point a to point b easily enough, but I don't think it would fit in around here. I turn my engine on and music starts playing, just a little fall out boy for my drive home. I hum the tune and mouth the lyrics. It's only a short drive home and I see my apartment building sooner than I'd like.
They're not new, but they are still in good shape. They're just a bit rough around the edges. I call it home.
I pull into the carpark underneath the block and take the lift up to the seventh floor and unlock my apartment. I assume Angela's gone because there is no sign of her anywhere. I even call out and she doesn't answer. She's probably still at work or out with Mike and Eric. She's around them a lot more than I am.
Not due to the lack of trying, I just prefer staying indoors at the moment rather than going out.
It's been just over a week since the little incident with Alice. I haven't heard from her since the last text. Angela had, and she told me Alice seemed pretty off about the whole situation.
I would be too.
I mean I am.
I sigh at the mess in the apartment. You'd think for a teacher I had better organisational skills when it came to tidying up where I live, but no. I'm disastrous in that department. I always have been, even in Arizona my mum's boyfriend would nag at me to tidy my room more and pick things up behind me.
I don't really like him. He was an ass, to say the least. He thought he was my father, and tried to step in.
It didn't work though and it just made me dislike him even more.
I go around and tidy up, for Angela's sake. I know she prefers our place tidy so I might as well make an effort.
She comes back later that night. The hours have long since made the apartment dark and the sky starry. I'm up watching reality T.V and munching on popcorn. I'm just trying to pass the time. I've been worried about Angela. She never usually stays out this late. I hear the twist of her key in the lock and her clumsy and what I assume is supposed to be silent steps into the living room. It's not just Angela, there's someone else.
"Shh" She whispers as if she hasn't noticed me. I'm sitting on the sofa, the T.V is on and I'm about ten feet away from the door.
I hear them chuckle amongst themselves and Angela reach her hand up slowly and turn the light on. I cover my eyes to stop them burning then look at the horrified faces on them both. Angela and Eric. Both standing there, covered in paint, reeking of alcohol. I laugh at them so much that it hurts my stomach. I fall onto the floor and stumble to my feet. Angela tries to avoid my eyes, but there's a wide smile spread across her lips that says she seriously hammered. Eric, on the other hand, is far too gone to even tell. His eyes keep opening and closing and he's clinging onto my roommate like his life depends on it.
I know this would happen eventually, I'm happy for them.
"Shhh don't wake B-Bella." He mumbles into her neck sleepily. I snort and usher them to Angela's room as quickly as I can. Their door closes and I hear a few thuds before I hear them stumbling around and falling onto her bed. I laugh lightly at them. Oh, I wonder what it's like to be drunk and horny.
I hear moans soon after their tumble and decide to go for a walk. Maybe the fresh night air will do me some good. I snatch a bottle, my phone, my keys, and my purse in case I get hungry. Her bed starts creaking and I know it's really time to go now. I blush as I gather my coat and leave, making sure to slam the door shut behind me for good measure, not caring about my neighbours. None of them seem to care about me. I've heard more than one of them fuck in the hallway and they're constantly yelling at each other. I'm pretty sure I've even heard things smash, from sex or anger I don't know, maybe both.
I make it to the bottom floor. The air is brisk; it is a lovely contrast to the heat of my apartment.
I first start to head toward a nearby park, but I stop, the thought seems a bit dangerous. I decide to walk around the block instead, staying under the dim light of the streetlamps.
I've seen far too many horror movies so I know not to stupidly slide off into an alleyway or a darkened street corner. I could get kidnapped, or even murdered.
I hug my jacket tighter around myself. I spot a small diner not far from me. The lights are still on and I see a massive 'open 24 hours' in the window. Time for some coffee. They'll probably be busy for a while.
I walk into the diner. It's similar to the one I met Alice in.
I wonder what she's up to now. If she's tucked up in bed, watching a movie, or maybe out on a date. I don't know, that girl seemed like she could do anything. I don't know much about her, but she's been invading my thoughts a lot lately, and all these questions seem to arise. Many I feel the need to get an answer on.
I sit at the counter. It's a beautifully polished marble counter, and I smile at the woman behind it. She looks tired, probably been working a twelve-hour shift. I smile and order a simple coffee. "Just something to perk me up a bit" I say. A shot of vodka could also do that, but I don't see any on the shelves behind her, so I don't ask. She smiles.
"Out for a walk?" She asks.
"More of an impromptu dismissal" I reply.
She grins.
"Roommate?"
"Yeah." She laughs to herself and prepares my coffee. I watch her boil the water and add the coffee, milk, and sugar.
"I understand. I have the same problem with mine." She winks. "His name's Kirk. He always has the guys over, and sometimes even his lady friends. They disappear for hours and come out looking even worse than when they went in. I didn't even think that was possible."
"Well doesn't that sound lovely." I say as I raise an eyebrow at her and take my coffee. The hot steaming mug warms my hands from the cool air outside, doomed only to get colder as the night dragged on.
"Feel free to stay here as long as you like. I'm always up for a chat." She smiles again then goes back to her work, refilling machines and what-not. I sip my coffee in silence, letting the comfy atmosphere of this place absorb me. I wish I had brought a book or something with me as I'm getting a bit bored and I can't exactly go back. It hasn't even been half an hour yet.
"You know there's a little place just up the road from here." I look up at her and away from the mug. "Might be a good place for you to hang out, meet people and such." I shrug. Not right now, I'm tired, and she's about all the people I can muster. I glance at her name tag. It's white, and has her name printed in black.
"No thanks, Maggie. I think I'm fine here." She shrugs and refills my coffee.
"If you say so. I just thought a pretty lady like you could use some company." I snort.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh dear, I didn't mean that offensively." She stops pouring the boiling hot liquid and places it back on its holder. "I just meant I'm sure there's someone you could talk to who was closer to your age. You don't look a day over twenty-one and I'm nearly forty." What a compliment, I think sarcastically.
"Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I'll stay here."
"Suit yourself. I'm going to head out back. Just let me know if you need anything." I stare down at the coffee swirling in the cup. She hasn't made me pay for it yet. I shrug and plop my purse, keys, and phone on the counter beside it.
I hear a faint mumble of something in the background, but brush it off as nothing. Probably just a T.V. somewhere. I check my phone for the time. It's just turned one. Hopefully, they'll be finished soon. I want to sleep. No, I need to sleep. My job is great and all, but it sure does tire you out quickly. A classroom full of kids is a bitch to keep hold of. I mumble a few curse words under my breath and decide to call Angela. She doesn't pick up, what a surprise.
My coffee's almost gone. I go to ask the woman to refill it, but instead I just leave the money on the counter and walk out. It was more than I owed but I wanted to give her a nice tip.
It's certainly gotten colder since I walked in over two hours ago. The streetlights are getting bright and I can't even tell where the stars are with all the clouds out tonight. Little drops of water start to land on my face, it feels refreshing. The clouds are getting darker.
Looks like it's time to head home. My shoes feel uncomfortable on the walk back, something digging into my sole. I ignore the pain though and go to my apartment and climb in bed. They've quieted down now so I crash a few minutes after my head hits the pillow, not bothering to get undressed. My phone still buzzing in my pocket.
I wake up at seven the next morning, uncomfortably laying on half of my bed with my feet and left knee on the floor. Ah well. I grumble and get up, ruffling my hair on the way to the kitchen. I pull my boots off tiredly and look up when Angela's door opens. Out walks a very grumpy and hungover looking Eric. I smirk, he barely manages a smile as he pulls on his shirt and leaves. I'd say good morning but I'm not good in the mornings until I've had my coffee.
Anyone who has lived with me knows that.
Angela soon follows, looking just as dishevelled as her fuck buddy. She sees my all-knowing smirk and blushes scarlet.
I chuckle and take the first few sips of the morning brew.
"How was your night?" I enquire coyly, smirking evilly at her ever darkening red face.
She coughs into her hand, clearing her raspy throat, probably exhausted from all the moaning.
"Good." She mumbles.
Sure it was. I switch on the T.V and get ready for my Saturday morning when my phone starts to make funny noises in my pocket. I pull it out, Alice's name is flashing on the screen. What does she want? I answer to be polite.
"Hello?" I ask, sleep thick in my voice, as it is with hers also.
"Good morning. I'm glad you're up." She shuffles around from her end, maybe still in bed. "You never did get back to me." I groan internally and smack my hand against my forehead dramatically.
I knew I should have replied.
Angela gives me an odd look from the kitchen as she makes her tea. She doesn't like coffee, thinks it's too bitter.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I didn't want to make things even more awkward." She laughs.
"That's okay. I really am sorry Bella. I didn't know, but uhm." She pauses for a few seconds. Butterflies start to flutter in my stomach. What's happening? "Would you like to get coffee sometime?" I gape. She can't be serious after our last failed attempt at coffee. "Just as friends I mean. I know you're not gay, or into women as you put it, but I'd like to be your friend, if you'll let me."
Confusion fills my head, so many thoughts and questions. I'm silent for a full minute before I finally figure out how to reply.
"Uh, yeah. Coffee sounds good, I love coffee." I blush.
She chuckles at me, I can picture her hiding her grin behind her small hand. "Well, I'm glad. How about that diner again, tomorrow lunch time? About one?"
"Sounds good."
"I'll see you there." I can hear her smile through the phone as she hangs up. I chance a look at Angela who is no longer there. Did she put Alice up to this? Her absence tells me she did.
Second chapter in one day, you must be lucky :)