Chapter 3

The next morning instead of being awakened by the sun I was awakened by the sound of crashes and clangs in the room next to mine. Garfield was officially moving in, and judging by all the noises he was making, he's going to be a noisy roommate. I regret this decision already. I shoved my head under my pillows hoping to drown out at least a bit of the sound. Another bump hit the wall and I shot my head up in surprise.

"Ugh." I groaned and laid my head back down. The softness of my pillow cradled my heavy drowsy head. I couldn't sleep well last night, thinking about all the despicable things Garfield has done so far. I shuddered at the thoughts, trying to get them out of my mind. I snuggled back into my weighty blanket I started to relax once more, and just as I was about to let the sweet release of sleep take me again. *CLANG* "I swear to God!" I threw my comforter over my head. Stomped to my bedroom door and swung the door open. I opened my door to a sight I have never thought I would ever see.

Right across my bedroom door was Garfield's room door wide open, he was painting the pink walls to a forest green. His back turned towards me. The color looked nice, but he looked nicer. He was shirtless. His back muscles gleamed in the morning sun, creating delicious shadows, making him look more built than what I ever could've imagined. He was splattered with green paint all over his body, green looked good on him. My brow raised. My eyes followed the curved line of his back downward. He wore painfully low jeans, his Calvin Klein boxers peeking through. I could feel my cheeks blaze up into eternity. He turned around.

"Hey Ra-" I slammed myself shut into my room before he could finish his sentence. I facepalmed. I'm an idiot.

I walked over to sit on my bed and waited for the noises to stop, they of course never ceased and I was getting a hankering for my morning tea. I heard voices, voices that weren't Garfield's, voices that sounded familiar. It sounded like Rich and Vic. Thank god. I changed from my short pajama shirt into a more casual outfit for the day. Simple black jean shorts and an old band t-shirt. I didn't even know the band. I must remember I can't wear such little to bed anymore, now that I'm living with a guy. I sighed. A lot of things are going to change.

I walked out making sure not to give Garfield a single look. From the corner of my eye I saw that no one was in my peripheral vision. I was safe. I glanced into Kori's old room, now Garfield's new room and saw that it was almost completely covered in forest green paint, it definitely needed a second coat. There were additional splatters of paint on the hardwood floor. He better mop that up. There were few boxes but not enough for a single person. I left the room and wandered into the living room. I scanned the room and saw piles of boxes covering every inch of the floor. I shivered at the mess, I hated mess. The boxes were sprinkled with different labels such as, 'clothes', 'books' a tiny box I might say, and 'video games'. I saw Rich and Vic, looking sweaty and tired, with Garfield talking aimlessly to them with still no shirt. Victor saw me and his eyes beamed as did mine. The large man stepped towards me and enveloped me in a large hug.

"Hey, Rae. Long time no see." Garfield gawked and interrupted, "So he can call you Rae but not me?" He whined. Victor laughed.

"You've gotta earn the right to call her any nicknames. She's my little sister, I can call her anything. Isn't that right Ravey poo." I looked up at him and glared then proceeded to stomp on his toe.

"Ouch! Okay, maybe not anything." Vic cried. I laughed and looked at him.

"Nice to see you too Vic." I answered. "So I guess I don't have to ask what you two are doing here?" I studied both of them. "And why there's an obnoxious amount of noise coming out from my room." I crossed my arms and looked straight at Garfield. Ignoring his chiseled chest. Richard interjected and stepped forward, "I'm sorry Raven. Garfield just wanted to move in as soon as possible and we were trying to be as quiet as we could." He explained. I gave out an exasperated sigh, "It's fine. I wake up at about this time anyway."

I walked away from the three men to the kitchen, filling up my teapot with water. I glanced at Richard looking at me and nodded my head for him to come over. He sighed knowing what was coming to him.

"So." I said with annoyance and glimpsed at the blonde boy in the living room, then back at Richard. "Explain," I demanded. He looked at me firmly.

"You're just so stubborn. What was I supposed to do?"

"Nothing." I returned.

"He's my friend Raven. I wasn't just going to do nothing." He explained. I breathed.

"What about my wishes Rich? I asked for no roommates. Yet you go behind my back and dump one on my doorstep." I used a strong voice but made sure to not talk too loud so the other people in the near vicinity couldn't hear.

"If you hated the idea so much then why did you agree to take him in?" He bit. His eyes became sharper and more aimed at me.

"Oh, that reminds me. If you all are such good fucking friends with Gar over there, then why have you never told me about him?" I grew closer to his face. I was not losing this stare down.

"Honestly Rae you want to know why? Because you are such a fucking shut-in I knew you weren't going to find anybody and end up being homeless." Richard was yelling now. It caught the attention of the two nearby.

"Woah Woah Woah!" Vic intervened. "Let's save the bloodbath for another time." He pushed us away from each other, good thing too or I literally would've bitten his head off. Who does he think he is. Just choosing my life decisions for me, as if he were my leader. Garfield stared at me stunned. I walked away. I wasn't going to take this. I stomped into my room and slammed the door shut.

I heard talking in the other room. I didn't care enough to listen. I sat on my bed and opened my favorite book for the reading to carry me off. A few minutes went by and I heard two pairs of footsteps leave my apartment. Now if only the remaining pair of footsteps would leave too. Finally, the sweet sound of silence graced my ears and I was content if it was only for a moment. *KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK* I cringed at that noise. It really only meant bad news for me.

"What do you want?" I hollered.

"Could you open the door?" He shouted back.

"Only if you tell me what you want." I said to him while walking to my door.

"Well um.." He nervously spoke. "I guess I just wanted to say sorry." I was surprised. What could he possibly be apologizing for? For being so annoying maybe. I threw the door open. He was actually wearing a shirt. I was a little disappointed. He stared at me then looked to the side, scratching the back of his neck. I hated when he did that, the deplorable action causes his muscles to flex and it's hard not to stare. It looked like he was blushing ever so slightly. I hope I wasn't.

"I didn't know Rich didn't tell you that I was coming over. When we met yesterday I thought you knew I was coming." He went on. "I'm sorry if I was intruding or anything, I really didn't know." He said all this looking like a young boy who just threw his baseball into a strangers window, and shattered it. I was stunned. I never knew Garfield could have this side of him. I didn't know how to respond. His apology seemed sincere, but he was a stupid boy.

He stared at me waiting for an answer. I looked into his beautiful jade eyes. His large, hypnotizing, delicate jade eyes. Green suited him well. I really have to teach myself to not look into his eyes.

"I can leave if you want. You weren't expecting me so it's the least I could do." He hung his head down. I thought about the idea in my head. It would be nice if he left. But what if Richard was right? I am just a shut-in that might go homeless if I don't let someone in. Why does he always have to be right? Having Garfield here really would help with the rent situation, and maybe we could be friends. Maybe.

What was happening? All I wanted since he arrived was for him to leave, and now that he's actually here suggesting for him to leave I don't want him too. I sucked air through my teeth, regretting what I was about to say.

"No, you can stay." I pronounced slowly and carefully, just in case I changed my mind mid-sentence. His whole body vitalized. The gloom in his eyes was replaced by joy. I couldn't help but give a small smile, a smile I hid from him.

"You won't regret this. I'll be the best roommate ever Rae!" He enthused. I fired him a scowl.

"Oh right. Raven. Sorry." He chuckled. I rolled my eyes and shut my door. I really hope I don't regret this.

The whole day went by quietly, which I appreciated. I was in my work uniform and was about to go to my evening shift. I exited my room and saw that Garfield's room door was closed. I sighed. Oh. He opened it immediately and started walking forward, not knowing I was there. He stopped abruptly. I was frozen, our faces were mere inches apart. If he moved as much as an inch our faces would've collided, our lips would've collided. He cleared his voice and backed away.
"Oh sorry, I didn't see you there." He smiled. It was so cute how his eyes squinted whenever he grinned. I mean. He's gross.

"It's okay." I said quietly. I cleared my throat too.

"I'm going to work." I stated then turned my back to him and walked away before giving him time to answer.

"See ya later Rae...VEN!" He called. I smiled, then left the apartment.