Waking Life
Chapter Four: Moving Day.
Adina watched, pouting, as Danni packed up her sewing kit, sealing the box shut with a strip of masking tape. "But why do you have to move out?"
Danni rolled her eyes heavenward, praying for patience, and then spoke in a voice that bordered on angry calm. "As I told you last week, I am sick to death of your irresponsibility, and I need to be around actual adults. You are not in that category."
"But…" Adina whined, and Danni turned and glared at her.
"No buts, Adina. I gave you every chance to grow up, and you still act like the spoiled brat you were in high school. You've depended on me long enough. It's time you took some responsibility for your actions."
Adina flopped on the couch, heaving a dramatic sigh. "Fine! Just abandon me, like everyone else! You're not my friend anymore, Danielle!"
Danni gave her a look. "Aren't you a little too old for melodramatics?"
Adina crossed her arms, looking pointedly at the wall, and Danni sighed in exasperation. "Fine. Act sixteen. It's not going to change anything. I'm still moving out."
Adina ignored her, and Danni sighed. "Look, we've known each other since our Junior year. Doesn't that at least merit a good bye?"
Adina glared at her. "Good bye."
Danni decided not to push the issue any further. "Bye, Addie." She gathered up her stuff, and then took one final look at Adina. "Adina….come on…"
"Better hurry or you'll miss the bus, Danielle."
Danni bit back a curse, then turned around and walked out the door, slamming it behind her. She couldn't believe the selfishness of her friend. She'd always known Adina thought only of herself, but she never imagined that she would take Danni's moving out as a personal attack on her!
The bus pulled to a stop, and Danni clambered on, bags and all. The driver looked at her. "Going someplace?"
"The stop near the hotel, please."
The driver nodded. "Can do."
Rubin was bought out of a sound sleep by his mother yanking the door to his room open and shaking him. "Rubin! Get up and get this place presentable! Miss Morgan is moving in today and the place is an absolute pig sty!"
Rubin blinked his brain still fuzzy from sleep. "Whuh? I thought she had her own room." He had to admit to himself, though, the thought of Danni being in his room both thrilled and terrified him.
He hadn't had much luck with girls-most thought him a little too weird, and worst of all, he never knew just what to say to them. He'd try to be clever and end up looking like a babbling idiot in their eyes. And if the girl was as beautiful as Danni-he was lucky if he remembered his own name.
Mrs. Farr rolled her eyes. "Yes, she has her own room! But the rest of the apartment is a mess! Get it cleaned up right this…" she was interrupted by a knock on the apartment door. "Oh hell, that's likely her! Hurry up and get this place looking habitable! Up! Up! Up!"
She scurried out of the room and Rubin glared after her, then fumbled for his glasses, bringing the room into sharp focus. He heard his mother's greeting, then Danni's soft voice answering, and it suddenly occurred to him that he was completely naked under the covers. Worse, his mother had left his door open, and now he heard Danni's footsteps as she entered the apartment.
To say he panicked would be putting it mildly. Rubin bolted out of bed, grabbed his pants and pulled them on, frantically hoping that Danni was still in the hallway. He yanked his shirt on over his head and then walked casually out of his bedroom, smiling at Danni. "Hello."
Danni smirked at him, and Rubin felt himself blushing. "Must be hot in your room."
Rubin blinked at her. "Huh?"
"You're looking a bit flushed."
Rubin flushed even deeper. "Oh…uhh…no…not…not really. It's….I….Do you need any help with your things?" Having changed the subject, he waited for Danni's answer.
She smiled at him, and Rubin felt his heart speed up. "I'd love some. There's not too many boxes to carry."
Rubin smiled back. "Well, two can get the job done quicker."
"Indeed."
Danni went downstairs to start carrying up boxes, and Mrs. Farr gave her son an inquisitive look. "Rubin, is everything alright?"
Rubin gave her a practiced look of innocence mixed with exasperation. "Yes, Mother, everything is fine. You can leave now."
Mrs. Farr frowned in disbelief, but left without further commentary. Rubin sighed in relief then went downstairs to help Danni.
Danni set the box she was carrying down on her bed, looking around at her new sleeping quarters. The bedroom was a small one, with a queen sized bed that took up nearly half of the right wall. On the opposite side was a small desk with a soft, squashy looking chair in front of it. A small bureau was at the foot of the bed, and a closet was at the head.
Rubin came in and set his box next to hers. "I know it's a bit small, but I can promise you the bed is quite comfortable. Besides, what's a bed for if not to sleep?"
Danni giggled to herself. "It's a very lovely room, Rubin. I'll be able to sit on my bed and get some sewing done."
Rubin looked at her, surprised. "You sew?"
Danni nodded. "My mum taught me. I make nearly all my own clothes. You'd be surprised at how much money I save. So if you ever rip a shirt or lose a button, you can bring it to me and I'll get it patched up."
"I'll be sure to do that. Do you need help unpacking?"
"No, I can manage that on my own. Thanks though."
Rubin nodded, and then blurted out: "Do you like food?" He realized how stupid the question had sounded and clamped his mouth shut, wishing that the floor would open up and swallow him.
Danni grinned at him. "Yes, I've been known to eat it. Why, are you offering some?"
"Umm…well…I guess I am. I think I've got some eggs in the fridge." He blushed, looking down at his feet. "I haven't had a chance to go shopping yet."
Danni smiled. "Eggs would be fine."
"How would you like them?"
"Scrambled, please."
Rubin nodded and walked into the kitchen, hunting for the skillet. After a brief search, he found it, got the eggs and cheese out of the fridge, and then set about making himself and his new roommate a late breakfast.
Danni walked into the kitchen. "Those eggs smell good. Is that all you can cook?"
Rubin grinned. "No, I'm a fairly decent cook. How about you?"
Danni chuckled. "I'm no slouch either."
Rubin laughed. "I guess that means we'll be splitting the cooking. How does that sound?"
"Perfectly acceptable."
Rubin slid the eggs onto two plates, setting one in front of Danni. "There you are." He got his portion, and then looked over at Danni. "Would you mind if I put some music on?"
"No, not a bit."
Rubin switched on the stereo, smiling to himself as the strains of Mahler filled the apartment. He looked over at Danni, and was delighted by her reaction.
She had her eyes half shut, a peaceful smile on her face, and was swaying gently in time to the music, humming softly.
'This could be the start of something wonderful.' Rubin thought to himself.
