The day grew to a quick close and I was more than happy to get to my bed. The covers were warm and inviting. I laid my head on a pillow, after digging under it for my phone. Only two unread messages showed up on the cracked screen. One was from Robert, which I did not feel like reading, but the other one was from Ralph. I unlocked my phone and quickly checked the text.
'Hey, sorry about Andrew blowing up at the girl U work w/'
I would have to tell Carrie about it when I saw her the next day. 'It's all good. She didn't even notice, since we're always Bing yelled by our manager. :)'
It took Ralph a few minutes to reply. 'Good. I didn't want her 2 think he was always like that. He's just...stressed out.'
A groan escaped my lips. It seems like every time I talk to Ralph, he has to bring up Andrew. I wish I could have told him how much it hurt me to hear it, but I am not supposed to try to kick-start his memory. I was trapped in the friend zone and, to tell the truth, it majorly sucks. 'I get that feeling. I'll talk 2 U 2morrow, B4 I come over 4 dinner. Night.' I sent back my message and rolled over, leaving my phone abandoned for the night.
My dreams that night were filled with Ralph, but not in a good way. He had replaced me with Andrew. Ralph was making a new life with him while I was left in the trash like an old, broken toy. I awoke with a start, a thick layer of sweat covering my body. After I got myself together, I ran a hand through my messy hair. "Calm down, Merridew." I whispered to myself. "It was only a dream." Turning to the clock, I noticed it was about time for me to get ready for work.
Taking a deep breath, I got out of bed and headed to the shower. As I passed Maurice's door, I banged on it to make sure he got up as well. "I got the bathroom first." I announced closing the door behind me. Stripping down to my boxers, I examined myself in the mirror. Freckles were splattered across my pale skin, staining my lean figure. It was not that I had no muscles, I just was not as defined as Andrew, who had a bulkier body. His skin was and even tone with no markings to ruin it. My unruly red hair curled a bit at the ends, while his straight brow hair stayed tamed. The only thing I had on him was my shocking blue eyes.
Maurice banged on the door, causing my to turn away from my image. "Hurry up and start the your shower already!" He yelled on the other end of it. "I have to take one too."
Removing my last article of clothing, I jumped in the shower and began my morning routine. As soon as I got out and finished brushing my teeth, I let Maurice get his stuff done. Getting dressed in my usual work uniform and making sure I looked okay, I headed out the front door and made my way to work.
Carrie was already there, like always, reading a different romance novel. "Hey." She said, marking her place before setting the book down. "Are you excited for today?" She asked.
"It's work, so I'm going to go with no." I replied as I went and clocked in. "But, I am nervous for afterwards when I have to face Ralph's aunt and uncle again." I sighed, throwing Carrie her apron.
She giggled and tied it around her waist. "You don't even know what she wants from you yet. For all you know, she could want you to move in with them and ravish your blonde princess so he'll remember you." Carrie said making it sound all dramatic.
My face heated up and I turned from her. "I think you've read too many of those trashy smut books and need to be put in a loony bin." I said, not making eye contact with the brunette.
"I'm just saying, you never know." She winked at me before heading to the floor.
I rolled my eyes, but followed her out, the whole time wishing I had just stayed in bed.
It ended up being a pretty slow day, which helped to lift my spirit. Our boss was even in a fairly good mood, but that could have been that he finally read my e-mail about asking for time off. Even with Carrie and I being some of his best workers, we were mouthy and having a break from one of us was like a gift from God himself.
Carrie swung the kitchen door open and strutted to clock out. "I'll clock you out so you can go get ready for your dinner date!" She called as she disappeared in the office. "See you when I see you!"
"Thanks!" I yelled back as I hurried to my van and headed home. I raced inside and headed straight to my room, not even saying 'hello' to my room-mate. I tore through my closet trying to find something that could make a better impression than what I had been wearing when I first met them in the hospital. I ended up deciding on a black tank top with a blue dress shirt that matched my eyes. Throwing on a nice pair of jeans and dress shoes, I found myself once again leaving.
On the way there I was caught in traffic, causing me to yell strings of curses before I was able to make it to Ralph's. As I walked up to the front porch, I was making sure my hair was not too out of control. After I rang the doorbell, it took a few minutes for Ralph's aunt, Brianna, to answer the door.
"Welcome Jack." She said in a cheery voice. "Come in." Brianna gestured to me. Her blonde hair was pulled in to a loose bun, showing off a pair of pearl earings. A plain forest green dress clung to her curves until it reached the middle of her calf. "Ralph is still getting ready."
"Thank you for having me." I said politely.
"It's no problem at all, but my husband and I would like to speak with you in private at some point." Her face held nothing, but seriousness at that moment.
I could feel a lump forming in my throat and my heart skip a beat. "I guess now would be a perfect time, that way we won't have to worry about it later." I suggested, wanting to get it over with.
Brianna seemed to think it over for a second. "I believe that could work." She said, then lead me to their living area. Joseph sat in an arm-chair, typing something on a computer. He was dressed in a simple white dress shirt and black slacks. "Dear." Brianna cooed resting on one of the arm-chair's arms. "Would you want to talk to Jack about the 'thing' now?" She asked and her husband stopped his work.
"Please have a seat." Joseph waved to one of the cushions. I quickly did as I was asked. "I hear you want to talk Ralph on a trip. Is that right?" He asked not turning from his computer. His eyes scanned over the screen, reading over what he had just wrote.
"Yes sir." I replied, not letting him see how nervous I really was.
"Hmmm. You are aware that he is currently in a relationship with a boy by the name of Andrew, correct?" I nodded, suddenly feeling my throat swell shut. "Ralph needs to be able to relax and clear his head, but I feel like he can't do that with Andrew around. He's too much of a distraction to Ralph." I closed my eyes, waiting for Joseph to turn down my offer. "But you..." He paused. "Ralph always comes home happy after seeing you and it's a refreshing sight." He finally turned to face me. "It's because of that, that I will allow him to go." Joy flooded my system. "But, if anything happens to him..." Joseph stared me down. "I will have no problem with killing you." A shiver went down my spine. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Y-yes sir." I said frozen to the seat.
"Good. I'm glad we could have this chat." He went back to typing.
Just then Ralph dashed in to the living-room, hair still wet. "Oh, you're already here." He smiled at me. "Sorry if I kept everyone waiting."
Brianna jumped up and clapped her hands together. "Not at all." She patted her husband on the shoulder. "Come on honey, it's time to eat." She then ushered us all towards the kitchen.
A/N: The dinner is going to be split up in to two chapters, and this was the first part. I have to do some work for the next few days and I don't know when I'll be able to work on this again. Just wanted to get a chapter out so it does get updated. A huge thanks to everyone who is reading and reviewing! I never thought so many people would respond to this story. It really means a lot!
shyheart632: I'm not sure at this point, I might depending on how other parts of the story get hammered out.
hotwingincident: Oh wow! :D Thank you so much! I'm flattered!
StarSeeker3459: Thanks, and I hope this was fast enough. XD I might add some more Rogice in later chapters.
Just Another Reviewer, BlueAnchor: Here is the long awaited next chapter! It only shows part of what Ralph's guardians want to talk about, but it does give a little something to, hopefully, hold people til the next time I can update. :)
Socialstudiesgeek16: Lol, I could actually see that happening too! I did add another chapter to the story that goes along with this one, but it's more what happened afterwards. Yes, Ralph is playing with fire at that point! XD
Terrordactyl: This chapter is more focused on what his uncle wanted to say, so you'll have to wait for the next update to see his aunts concerns. X) Sorry.
ImInRogersPants: O.O I has the power!? YAY! lol. Thank you so much for that review! It gave me a pick me up!