Chapter 7 An Old Friend
Cedric woke up the next morning, the sunlight warming his face. Crystal was still sleeping, he smiled as he looked at her. She shifted in her sleep and groaned. He laced his fingers with hers and kissed her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him. "Morning, Baby,"
"Morning, Ced,"
"I'm gonna go send an owl to my friend, they should be home,"
"You think they'll let us stay?"
"Course, I've been friends with them for years," Cedric got up and went back inside. He quickly scribbled a note and attached it to his parents barn owl. He took out their suitcases and headed down the path to the city. His friend lived in an apartment complex in the city a half a mile from his house. He knocked on door 124 and Crystal got her first look at Cedric's friend. A young girl with long blonde hair and brown eyes opened.
"Cedric! It's been so long," She hugged him and Cedric smiled.
"Thanks for taking us in, Merenda, you're a life saver,"
"Oh, Cedric, you know I'd do anything for you," She said sweetly.
"Merenda, this is my girlfriend, Crystal. Crystal, this is my best friend, Merenda," Crystal quickly shook her hand and Merenda let them inside. "So, what are you doing these days?"
"I'm a secretary for the Ministry," Cedric laughed and said. "No way!"
"I know, Miss Party Girl's all grown up," Cedric raised his eyebrows and smiled.
"You have changed,"
"Well, I have to work right now, but I'll be back in a few hours. Feel free to do anything, eat anything. Have fun!"
"Thanks, Merenda, you rock!" Merenda left, leaving them alone. "Isn't she great?"
"Yeah, great," Crystal said. Cedric went into the fridge and grabbed them each a Pepsi. They sat down on the couch together, watching the movie, Serenity. Crystal was laying against Cedric, and he had his arms around her. He had his head on her shoulder and one of his arms slung over her waist.
"Hey, Ced, can I ask you something?"
"Anything, Baby,"
"Did you go out with Merenda?"
"Yeah, we broke up over a year ago, though,"
"Oh...," Cedric smiled at her and kissed her.
"Don't worry we're only friends," After the movie, Merenda came home from work.
"Hey, Baby, I missed you," She said as she went over to the couch. Crystal got up to take care of the trash, and when she came back, Merenda was sitting on Cedric's lap. She had her arms around his neck and was whispering in his ear. Crystal sat down away from them, trying to ignore Merenda's giggling.
"I'll be right back, I'm gonna go make us something to eat," Cedric said.
"Oh, Cedric, you're amazing," Cedric went to the kitchen, leaving Merenda and Crystal alone.
"Merenda, I'll try and say this as nicely as possible. I'm sorry you and Cedric broke up, but he's with me now. And I do not appreciate you flirting with him,"
"Oh, honey, you don't have to worry about me. I'll get Cedric back and you can move on to someone new,"
"Cedric is mine, you had your chance. Back off,"
"Girls, dinner's ready!" Cedric yelled. They sat there for a moment, glaring at each other. They continued to do so throughout dinner, Cedric was oblivious.
"I'm afraid I only have one extra bed. Cedric, you and I could share," Merenda said.
"That's alright, Crystal and I always share a bed,"
"Oh, how sweet," She said through clinched teeth. Merenda went to her room, but not before giving Cedric a kiss on the cheek. Crystal changed into a tanktop and shorts and crawled into bed with him. Crystal sighed as she looked at Cedric.
"What's up, Baby?"
"Nothing, it's nothing,"
"You sure? You seem a bit upset,"
"I'm fine, really," She said and kissed him. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. He whispered a goodnight and was soon asleep. Crystal was having a hard time sleeping, she kept worrying about Merenda. The next morning, Crystal woke up alone. Him and Merenda were in Merenda's room, talking.
"Hey, Baby," He said.
"Cedric, I thought I was your baby," Merenda said.
"Oh, but you are," Cedric said sweetly. Crystal blinked back tears and said. "Hey, Ced," Cedric smiled and asked. "Sleep good?"
"Ummm, yeah. Can I talk to you alone?" Cedric nodded and got up. "Have you not noticed Merenda's incessant flirting?"
"Flirting? No, that's just Merenda," Crystal raised her eyebrows.
"You're kissing! She's all over you,"
"Come off it, Crystal. We're just friends, I already told you that,"
"That girl told me that she was trying to get back with you," Cedric took her head in his hands.
"Please, stop, I love you. Merenda is not my girlfriend, you are,"
"I am not staying here with her. I cannot rest with that girl in the same room as me," Crystal gathered her stuff and left. Cedric sighed and went back into Merenda's room.
"What's up, Cedric?"
"Crystal left. I'm sorry, Merenda, I have to go,"
"Oh, please stay, forget about her," Cedric frowned.
"I love her, I have to go after her," Merenda grabbed his arm and pulled him on to the bed. She ran her finger up his chest and said. "Stay, with me," She leaned in and kissed him. Cedric pushed her off and said. "Crystal, was right, I can't believe you! You break up with me, and now you want me back?"
"Oh, Cedric, I've realized how wrong I was. I'll take you back if you'll have me," Cedric shook his head, gathered his things, and left.
A/N: Done! I have been so rushed with school, lately. Trying to do something about my messed up lunch, art project, my psycho teachers and my even weirder friends! So, I'm working on the next chapter, it should be up soon...
