Chapter Four
Awkward
"Mordecai?"
Mordecai groan as he shifted his body while hearing a small faint of music in the background. He felt a hand running through his hair follow by a small kiss on his forehead.
"Hey, Loser it's time to wake up." He heard CJ whispered.
He finally opens his eyes and noticed that it was still dark outside. He rubs his eyes and looks over at CJ, who was resting on her stomach with a sheet wrapped around her body. She was smiling, he can tell even though half of her face was covered up with her fluffy hair. That was on thing he loved to see after a night of passion was the way her hair run wild in the morning.
"What time is it?" He asked.
"It's 6:30" She said, showing him her phone.
He groans again and covers his face with the thick comforter. "Why are you waking me up so early since you didn't fall asleep til four"
She giggles, "I figure I try to get out of here before everyone else wakes up"
"What?" He asked in a cocky tone, "And let everyone miss your walk of shame"
CJ frowns a bit, "You really think I would be ashamed of what we did"
He can tell she was being serious this time and took the blanket off his face. "No, I mean, I don't know, should I even ask if we're getting back together?"
CJ sat up, sheet still wrapped around her body and rested her head on her knees. She sighs and looks at him, "I don't know, relationships are too messy and I don't want to end on bad terms again like the last time. To be honest, I really don't want to be in a relationship again."
"Sooo, should we stop doing these little Hook Ups" He asked. In his mind, that seems like a bad way to ask if sex was off the table since he was enjoying her female companionship too much.
He looks over at her and notices her cheeks were red again. "I'm just saying until we figure out what's going on between us I don't see why we can't have a little fun in the mean time"
"I see what you mean" He said, a little unsure about the whole thing. It felt like Margaret all over again with yet another girl not wanting to deal with the drama he always cause. She probably still doesn't trust him after everything that happened.
"I just don't want to get hurt again so maybe it will be less drama if the word "relationship" wasn't involve." She said.
"Ok," He said, getting up, "Pops should be waking up soon, he serves candy for breakfast if you want to stay"
"No, I'll pass thank you very much." She laughed.
She got up, showing off her naked glory and started to put on her clothes. After everyone was set and the room was clean up, Mordecai opens the door and looks around before walking out with CJ following him. They passed his room and can hear Rigby's snoring so the coast was clear. They walked down the stairs only to stop at the bottom when Mordecai saw light coming from the Kitchen.
"Shoot, I think Pops is already awake-"
"Mordecai!"
The two nearly jumped out of their skin when they spotted Pops coming in from outside. With a big smile on his face and a cup of coffee in his hand, he said "How fancy to see you and your friend up early"
"Pops, what are you doing here" Mordecai said, sweating like he was caught stealing.
Pops laughs, "I live here, of course. It was so nice and cool this morning I decided to enjoy a cup of coffee outside."
"Oh, I see"
CJ, who was hiding behind Mordecai, taps his shoulder, "Mordecai, I need to get going"
"Oh, don't mind me" Pops said, reaching into his vest pocket and pulling out two lollipops. He handed one to each of them before heading back into the kitchen.
CJ stares at her lollipop then at Mordecai. "Don't worry, he's not the type that gossips and if he does a lot of people don't believe him."
"Gotcha, still that was a little awkward" She said.
Mordecai opens the door to let CJ out. She turns around and looks at him with a small smile.
"You going to call me this time" She asked.
He smiles back, "Yeah, I'm already looking forward to seeing you again"
"Naughty, you better go take a cold shower" She said, taking off.
"See ya." He said before shutting the door and leaning against it. He felt like he couldn't breathe for a second before shaking his head to wake himself up and headed upstairs. A shower did sound refreshing after moping around for a few days. With a happy tune he was whistling to himself, he showered, shaved and groomed himself up and headed back down stairs for some much needed breakfast.
Pops was still in the kitchen this time reading the newspaper while eating a small bagel with cream. Rigby was sitting across of the table eating a bowl of cereal while reading the back of the cereal box.
"So what kind of mood is the big baby in now?" Rigby asked without much care in his words.
"Shut up and pass me the cereal" Mordecai said, grabbing himself a bowl.
"Whoa, you're actually going to eat something, how long has it been like four days now" Rigby said, sarcastically.
"You're lucky I'm too hungry to hit you in the arm right now" He said, munching down on the cereal.
"Well, somebody's happy again"
"I bet it was thanks to his little friend he had over this morning" Pops said, folding up the newspaper.
"Say what now?" Rigby asked.
"Yes, quite a nice little flower." He said, getting up and heading out of the kitchen. "Enjoy your day off boys"
"What was that all about?"
Mordecai chuckled nervously, "Oh, you know Pops and his crazy stuff."
Rigby eyed him very suspiciously, but shrugged. "Whatever. So are you going to be OK about tonight?"
"What about tonight?"
"Really? I've been telling you about it for the pass couple of days. Eileen bought a monster movie box set for me and we were going to watch them tonight with junkfood and drinks."
"As much as I like the idea, I'm not going to play third wheel while you two make-out." He said before putting a spoonful of cereal in his mouth.
"Well if you would have been listening you would know that Margaret is showing up too"
A mist of milk sprayed in the raccoon's face follow by Mordecai coughing up a storm. "What!"
"You never listen to me!" Rigby shouted, wiping his face and pointing his spoon at his friend.
"Geez Rigby, do you have to make my life any harder."
"Me? You two said that you guys are just friends now. Nothing more. It's not that hard. Get over it and move on."
"I did move on and to prove it I will be at this little movie night tonight" Mordecai said, with his chin up high and his wings crossed.
"Sure man, whatever." Rigby said, dully.
Mordeci groan before placing his head on the table. It was too soon to see Margaret in his mind. He was hoping at least a week or even a month would pass before talking to her again.
"Man, I love cereal" He heard Rigby say.
Later that day, CJ was shopping at the local market while humming a happy little tune to herself. Best part about living by yourself is the cost of food and personal ideas are low. One can live off ramen and cereal for weeks before getting tired of them. CJ laughs at her own sarcasm as she turns down the next aisle and bumps her cart with another one.
"Oops, sorry about that." CJ said, til she froze.
"CJ?" Margaret chuckled nervously, "It's been a while. I haven't seen you since..."
"Starla's Wedding." CJ said, coldly.
Margaret clench her teeth, "Right..."
There was complete silence in the air while they were looking at everything, but each other. CJ felt out of date compared to the red bird. She was out shopping in some sweat pants, a common tank top and a messy bun style hair while Margaret had on a professional blue suit that looks like it cost half her rent and shoes to match. Of course she didn't know if being a News Reporter bring in the big bucks or not, but she was sure it was better then working odd jobs at the town's elementary school.
"So...how have you been?" Margaret asked.
(She doesn't know) CJ thought, "Oh, you know, work and hanging out with friends. The school I work at are facing a lot of budget cuts so I'm doing more jobs out there than usual."
"Oh, that's sad to here, but I'm sure you're doing it for the kids right?"
"Right. So how's Mordecai these days" CJ had to ask.
"Mordecai?"
"Yeah, I haven't seen him since the wedding." She chuckled nervously.
"Oh, yeah, he's doing alright now. I know he took the break-up pretty hard since he disappeared for a while and it took Rigby to get him out of his funk. We haven't really talk much since I came back because of what everything that happen and all." Margaret said, sadly.
She didn't feel right telling CJ that, but it might help her see that she wasn't just toss aside so heartlessly like Mordecai did at the wedding. The guilt was hard to bare sometimes since it started with that kiss at the Christmas Party. She could understand why CJ didn't like her as a person that much.
"So are you guys back together now..." CJ asked, looking into her cart. She was hoping that Mordecai wasn't two-timing her and Margaret. Sure he did tell her they were just friends, but she had to make sure. The shock on the bird's face told her everything.
Margaret rubbed her arm nervously, "No, I have so much going on with my career and he said he had some issues he needed to work out to be dating right now. We are just friends. Which is good since there's been a lot of tension."
"I know that feeling and the drama that follows it" CJ said, looking at her cart full of stuff again.
"What about you? I know it's been a year, have you been seeing anyone?" Margaret asked, hoping CJ had moved on and is happy now.
CJ blushed a little bit, "Kind of." She said, "Just here and there, I'm taking things slow with dating, but there is this one guy."
"Well, that's wonderful." Margaret said, cheerfully. "I'm happy for you"
CJ felt her mood change quickly. She didn't like the way Margaret said that. If Margaret was really happy for her then maybe she wouldn't have interfere with her relationship or admit that she still had feelings for Mordecai only to reject him again after he became single.
"I better go, I have so many errands to run today" CJ said, quickly.
"Oh, ok. I guess I'll see you around-" Margaret said only to be interrupted.
"Sounds fun, bye" CJ said, walking off a little too fast away from the bird, but she didn't want to be around her. She still didn't like her that much. She knew it was immature to blame Margaret for her relationship failing, but she couldn't help it since she still had some sort of feelings for Mordecai.
Margaret frowned. If she would have known CJ would be at the market she would have sent Eileen to get the food for tonight.
Later that Night...
Mordecai looks at himself in the bathroom mirror like he normally do when it comes to getting himself into the groove. He hasn't seen Margaret in like five days after the "Just Friends" thing, he didn't know how to react around her. After all, his first and second reaction led him to share a bed with his ex a couple of times.
"Stop acting so weird, I don't want this Monster Movie night to be lame." Rigby said, leaning against the door with his arms crossed.
"I'm not and shut up" Mordecai said, calmly, but nearly jumped out of his feathers when the door bell ring.
Rigby ran down stairs follow by Mordecai, who was taking his time, while telling himself that everything is going to be alright. He stood there at the bottom of the stairs while Rigby open the door only to be greeted by Eileen in a bear hug. Rigby blushed and gently push her off, but Eileen understood since he doesn't like PDA especially in front of his friend.
"Hey guys, how's it going?" Eileen asked, "Hope you guys are hungry for snacks
"A little help here, Eileen" Margaret giggled while walking into the house with two paper bags full of food.
Mordecai stared at her like it was the first time seeing her again. Dressed in simple blue jeans and a yellow shirt, her feathers shined from the only lamp light in the living room. Margaret looked over at Mordecai with a big smile and bright eyes. He suddenly saw CJ in Margaret's place causing him to shake his head to get her out of his muddy mind.
"Hey Mordecai" Margaret said.
Mordecai knew it's going to be one of those nights...
Author's Note: I love the reviews I'm getting and yes, yes, I know my grammar isn't the best there is. I grew up more of a Math whiz than reading and writing. Much to learn. Another thing I like to point out is the mystery of CJ's job. I noticed throughout the series she always mention working somewhere, but never said where. At the end of Rigby's Graduation episode, you can see her briefly working as a cross guard for kids so I figure she works for some Elementary school.
Other than that, see you next time.
