Chapter 23
Cold shower
A week passed and Albel was allowed out of the hospital. He returned to his apartment and got himself a drink and some sweet stuff, heading over to the television to watch some random stuff on the television. Fayt exited the bathroom and welcomed Albel home heartily. Albel waved it away and stared at the box in front of him. Fayt laughed and walked to the kitchen, making himself a packed lunch before heading off to college.
Over at Claude's apartment however…
"I'm sorry, Claude, but I'm going to find somewhere else to live…" Ariette said, smiling. Claude tried to grab hold of her, to hug her.
"Ariette. We told you, there's enough room for you and the baby," Claude said.
"Claude…you and Rena are together now. You need your space. And besides, seeing you guys all lovey dovey, it makes me feel lonely. I want to find someone…but I'm scared. I don't wanna get my heart broken for a third time," Ariette said.
"How has that got to-," Rena started, but Claude cut in.
"Wait, who d'you fall for and when?" Claude asked. Ariette sighed. She explained to him what had happened and he sighed, shaking his head.
"But you only just met the guy," Claude said.
"I know…but there's something about him. Like I knew him in a past life or something. But…I'm not going to give up on him! He is the one for me, I know it! So, I can't stay here. I'll go find someone else I can stay with. I'm sorry Claude…it's not your fault, really. I just want what's best for you. You're my double, after all," Ariette smiled. Claude shook his head and agreed, taking her in his arms.
A knock came at the door and Albel got up and lazily strolled to the door. He opened it to find the red head there.
"Hey. Can I ask you something?" Ariette asked. Albel nodded and opened the door wider. He walked to the fridge and got a can of fizzy stuff out of it, offering it to Ariette. She gratefully took it and held it for a while, her other hand stuffed in a pocket of her baggyish trousers. She was wearing similar clothes to her brother, only the green jacket had a longer collar and the clothes were slimmer fitting. Claude and herself had found a stash of stuff in their parents' old apartment building-the apartment had not been touched since their mother had passed.
"I was wondering. Is there any chance I could crash at your place for a while, until I manage to find a place of my own? Only, I don't really wan t to stay with those other guys. It seems this is the only place where the people aren't involved with each other. Well, apart from Bowman and Noel. But they are a strange duo. The same with those two bandit friends. Please? I'll get a job and pay you," Ariette said. Albel nodded.
"Don't bother. I have enough money. But we only have the couch left. Although, if you want I'll sleep there and-," Albel said, trying to act like a gentleman.
"No no no! I will sleep on the couch. I'm fine with that. I'd sleep on the floor if I have to. I'm just grateful for a place to stay," Ariette said. Ariette bowed and left the apartment, to retrieve some of her stuff from Claude's apartment.
Fayt walked home whistling down the hall that led to his apartment and he entered, going to the kitchen to get himself a drink. He noticed Ariette sitting with Albel watching the television and walked over there.
"Hey…Ariette. This must be your first visitor, Albel," Fayt said, laughing a little. He sat down beside Ariette and took a swig of his drink.
"Visitor? She's our new roommate. Try to get along," Albel replied. Fayt froze and swallowed his mouthful.
"Roommate? But she's living with her brother, isn't she?" Fayt asked. Ariette tapped her foot.
"How would you like to live in your married brother's apartment with his pregnant wife? Not that I would know anything about that, but it can't be comfortable," Albel replied.
"Yeah, but…can't she go anywhere else? I mean, this is a guys' apartment and there isn't enough space," Fayt said.
"Big deal. She said she wanted to sleep on the couch. And she's the one who wanted to come here," Albel replied. Fayt stood up and walked away a little.
"But…oh, come on Albel. Think about this. There are all sorts of problems that might occur," Fayt said. Albel stared at him.
"Oh? This coming from the one who said that I needed to be nice to people, to treat them with respect and to help people in need. Stop being an ass, moron," Albel said. Fayt thought about what he said and sighed, apologising to Ariette.
"Where are you getting those new 'phrases' by the way?" Fayt asked. Albel smirked.
"Heh. I do read, you know. I got numerous books and stuff," Albel replied. Fayt sighed.
"I'll bet Cliff gave you a load of phrase and insult book recommendations too," Fayt said, sighing. Albel smiled, nodding. Fayt shook his head and walked into his bedroom. Ariette thanked Albel for sticking up for her and Albel just shook his head, laughing it off.
A week went by and Fayt walked in to see Ariette watching television, eating some snacks. He walked up to the couch and stood there, hand on his hip.
"Shouldn't you be getting a job rather than sitting here and not contributing?" Fayt asked. Ariette didn't take her eyes off the television screen.
"Albel said I could wait a while and get adjusted first. Plus, he said I didn't need to pay him rent, since he had enough money. Albel's a real nice guy. I can't imagine how he was before he met you guys; it seems so hard to believe," Ariette replied. Fayt shook his head and put his palm on his forehead.
"That may be so, but you still need to save up for when you get your own place," Fayt said. Ariette just laughed and repeated what she said about settling in. At that moment Albel walked in, dressed in his work attire. He walked up to Fayt and gave him a box.
"Someone gave this to me to give to you. And what are you bugging Ariette about this time?" Albel asked, sitting himself down next to Ariette. Fayt started to open the box, which was from his mother, to find some home made cakes.
"He's complaining about my lack of work. Fayt, you need to relax. I just got out of a hard time, you know?" Ariette replied.
"So did Albel and he's back in work! In fact, he was hurt way more than you and died for you," Fayt complained. Albel threw his hat at Fayt, which got him in the face.
"I told Ariette to take it easy. And since I'm the rent payer, that makes me in charge," Albel said. Fayt sighed a 'fine' and walked to his room. Ariette and Albel laughed a little and watched the television.
The next day Albel was off work and Fayt was out somewhere. Albel was sat in the kitchen reading the newspaper. Ariette walked in quietly and sat down opposite him. They told each other good morning and Albel sipped his hot chocolate.
"Albel…can I ask you a question?" Ariette asked. Albel nodded and she smiled.
"Well, it's about what we were talking about when we were in hospital, or you rather. What is it that you don't like about me?" Ariette asked, refusing to give in to his rejection. Albel looked up and stared at her seriously.
"Hmph. I told you, go find someone else. I'm not for you," Albel replied.
"But that's not an answer! I really like you, regardless of what happened to you in the past! You've changed and I like how kind you are and everything. What is it you don't like about me?" Ariette asked. Albel turned a page of the newspaper and stayed silent.
"Look, pretend the whole I'm not worthy thing isn't a problem, which it's not and tell me if you like me or not. What's wrong with me?" Ariette asked. Albel stayed silent once more. Ariette stood up in anger.
"Oh I see. Is it my chest size? I can't help it that I'm small," Ariette cried. Albel looked up.
"Chest size? Do I look like I'd care? Bah. I'm not a shallow moron like all those earthlings-and Klausian as well," Albel muttered.
"Then, what is it? Is it my personality? Am I too loud? Not loud enough?" Ariette cried. Albel balled his fist.
"It's nothing like that! I'm just not interested, alright? Now leave me alone," Albel said. Ariette froze, feeling like a sharp dagger had gone right through her heart, or a cold bucket of ice had been thrown over her. Her eyes filled up with tears and she started sobbing, running out of the apartment. She passed Fayt and a blonde girl on the way, making him turn in surprise, wondering what was up. He turned back and he ran towards the apartment, opening the door and seeing Albel sat at the kitchen counter, with his face in his hands.
"What's going on? What's up with Ariette?" Fayt asked. Fayt's friend stood at the door, a little confused. Fayt turned and motioned for her to take a seat somewhere. She sat nervously down in the lounge. Albel sighed and propped his chin on his clasped hands.
"Hmph. I didn't handle that well," Albel said. Fayt sat opposite him.
"Why? What happened?" Fayt asked. Albel stayed silent for a moment. He sighed and told him what had happened, while Fayt listened carefully and the girl just sat still in a daze. At the end, Fayt sighed.
"I guess you can't help it. I suppose you haven't had anyone like you before, huh?" Fayt asked. Albel shook his head.
"And how do you really feel?" Fayt asked. Albel shook his head.
"I don't know. This is all new to me. Dammit, are all women this emotional?" Albel asked. The girl frowned and stood up.
"You know, if you had given her a nicer answer, then maybe she wouldn't have been so offended. I guess we CAN get emotional. But can you blame us? I'm Meredith, by the way, nice to meet you. Fayt has told me all about you," she replied. Albel looked at her and sighed.
"Nice to meet you, I guess. Hmph. Like I'd know how to handle it. Anyway, I have things to do. Bye," Albel said. He went to his room and closed the door. Fayt and Meredith looked at each other and sighed. They started to do their studying together, as Fayt had invited her around to study together.
Ariette ran to the Central Park and sat on a bench, with her face in her hands. She sat there crying for hours, even when the rain poured down. It was late when she finally returned to the apartment block. She walked slowly up to the apartment and entered quietly, with no one around to see her. She lay down on the couch and fell asleep. She woke the next morning and walked to the kitchen, noticing Fayt there. She said a small good morning and retrieved the cereal from one of the cupboards.
"Are you alright? You were gone all day," Fayt asked. Ariette shook her head and smiled.
"I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you. It was my fault for getting hysterical," Ariette replied. Fayt nodded and reassured her that she can talk to him with her problems anytime. Ariette thanked him and picked up the newspaper, searching the job section. Fayt sat down with her and helped her file through what she would like to do and what she wouldn't like to do. They looked on the Internet and looked up numerous jobs and their descriptions.
"Hmmm…maybe I would make a good news reporter. The pay looks good," Ariette said. Fayt nodded and they made for the job centre. They talked to the lady behind the desk and they managed to get Ariette a job interview. Ariette was over the moon with joy and she waited patiently for her interview time to come along. When it did come along, she walked in happily and shook hands with the interviewer. They talked and he asked numerous questions and she answered, not feeling nervous at all. She came out all happy, announcing that she got the job on the spot. Fayt gave her a victory hug and Ariette thanked him immensely.
Author's note: I realise Fayt's a bit of an arse in this chapter, which is unusual for him, but put it down to…late puberty? It was put there to bring out Albel's qualities, I suppose.
Last chapter next. *Sniff.*
