"Oh, so you're finally picking up my call." a voice over the phone snarled.
"What could you possibly want me for, now, Ace?" Rachel receives her call.
Rachel is sitting on her bed. The shade of evening dismissed the brilliance of the day, and Rachel was preparing to go out. The summer dusk contrasted with her light skin and the outlines of her physique.
"Don't give me attitude, you're the one that missed two of my calls."
"I was in the shower. You shouldn't be talking, I barely hear from you for about three days if I am not the first one to text you."
"The problem is you're too goddamn insecure, and I don't have the time to deal with that." Ace responds sourly.
"How is me checking in on you being insecure? If anything, it's you lacking communication."
"I told you, I'm busy with work."
"You're always busy. Out of the twenty four hours of the day, you can't take two seconds to say something? Not even a "hi"? A busy man you are. You're not the only one with a personal life, I hope you realize that."
"Whatever. Anyway, I'm gonna send you about four hundred dollars in a second. And, maybe we can meet up in about an hour?"
"Babe, I don't care about the money, I want you. You're always sending me money, or buying me things, but you're what matters to me most. It's really nice that you do these things, but you're what I want. What I need."
"Damn, at least be grateful I'm giving you something."
Rachel closes her eyes, lets out a deep sigh.
"Ace, I can't do this with you right now. I have somewhere to be in about five minutes." the girl states.
"Where are you going?"
"My neighbor's. They're inviting us over for dinner."
"I see. You jus' be doing your own fuckin' thing."
"I'm so tired of you!" Rachel shouted, a film of heat entering her cheeks. "You only want me around when it's beneficial to you. I'm getting sick of all of the phases you are putting me through of wanting me whenever you feel like it. But when I make up my mind that I can't put up with your crap anymore, and revolve my life around your half-assed plans, that's a problem!? You can miss me with that shit, to be honest." Rachel ends the call with a click of her finger.
She exhales again, walking over to her mirror which was lit from her night lamp.
Rachel sports a grey, bodycon dress, under a black, leather jacket that stops right above her knees. She has on fishnet stockings, and black combat boots.
She tucks her short, violet hair behind her ear, right behind her bar piercing. She applies a few strokes of mascara to her lush eyelashes. Rachel finishes her natural makeup look, and hopes that will be a decent facade to hide the hell she's living through.
Within a short while, Rachel and her parents arrived next door.
The house had a dark green door, one that was unique in the complex. The door opens, and a young man appears.
His complexion is tanned, and his eyes were a tealish-green. His long, brown hair, which had dark green highlights, was coiled back into a man bun. A thick-jagged scar runs from the middle of his forehead, to the top of his left eyebrow. His muscles tone through the fabric of his graphic t-shirt, and to follow are dark jeans and a pair of Vans. Additionally, a few tattoos were etched on his arms.
His mouth is bent into a kind smile, "Good Evenin', name's Garfield. Garfield Logan. Nice to meet ya."
"Hello, I'm Mrs. Roth, but you can call me Arella. A pleasure to meet you." Rachel's purple-eyed, gentle mother shook Garfield's hand.
"Mista Roth, I go by Tony." the ravenette, hearty father addressed with a handshake.
"And I'm their daughter, Rachel." her amethyst gaze scrapes against his teal.
He feels tension as Rachel greets him, but doesn't mind it much at first. Maybe she was just shy.
The Roth's greet the other residents of the household, who are Marie, Garfield's mother, and Graham, Garfield's older brother.
Marie has blonde hair, warm, blue eyes, and was average height. Graham, was about six feet tall, with a close resemblance to his brother.
"Here, have a seat and make yourselves at home. Thank you for spending the evening with us." Marie's mouth angles into a charmed smile as she escorts the guests to the dining area.
The Logan's interior was comfortable, yet elegant. Chandeliers, paintings on the walls, freshly mopped wooden floors, marble counters, delicately expensive furniture.
On the dining area table were portions of appetizers, the main courses, desserts, and drinks.
"No, thank you," Arella grins, sitting down. "Thank you for having us."
"A pleasure." Marie responds.
Everyone starts to put food on their desired plate, eat, and a discussion begins.
"So, how do you guys like Jump City so far? I know it's only been a couple of days, but hopefully you all have found something nice about it." Mrs. Logan laughs lightly.
"Over here is a lot better than the last town we lived in. Big space for a small sales price." Mr. Roth asserts.
"That's how we like it." Mrs. Roth chimed in. "The last place we had, we had hostile landlords, always had to hustle for parking, the houses were so packed on top of each other. Plus, the neighborhood wasn't all that friendly, so it was a tough place to like. But, this, we've liked a lot more so far. We're gonna love it here."
Marie states, "I am so sorry to hear about that experience you all had. I really hope you do enjoy your new home and what the town has to offer. If you need any help with anything, like finding stores and things like that, we are more than glad to help."
"What she said." Graham lazily joins.
Rachel and Garfield happened to be sitting next to each other. Rachel was left handed, and Garfield was right handed. He accidentally nudged his hand against hers while gathering a forkful.
"I'm sorry." he whispered shyly.
"It's fine." came Rachel's bothered reply.
He sighed.
"Do you mind passing me the lemonade?" Rachel asked.
"Sure thing," he stretches to the jar, hands it over to Rachel.
"Thank you."
"No problem." he pauses before continuing, "I'm not a big fan of lemonade, so knock yourself out. Even if I was, it's only etiquette for you to have as much as you want."
"How come you don't like lemonade? It's sweet and refreshing, and perfect for the summer."
"I don't really like juices with pulp in them. Lemonade, orange juice. Well, if I drink orange juice, it'll be pulp free." he declares.
"Fair enough."
"Mhm. So, what's got you all the way on this side of town?"
"We needed bigger, and better. Plus, my dad got a new job, and this area was suitable for the distance."
"Gotchya," Garfield's tone was friendly.
"Hope you have a blast. Don't be like me and get tired of everyone on the block. I mean, I've been here for years, so it's only fair, right?"
The corner of Rachel's mouth arches up, "Give or take."
"Got any plans for the summer?" he questions, gulping down some iced fruit punch.
"Settling in. I applied for a job, which I am starting next week. Hopefully I can find a library to hang out in on occasion. Nothing much besides that. How about you?"
Slowly but surely, Rachel was becoming less tense.
"Ah, I'm chillin'. Just knocked out another year of college, fixin' up cars and motorcycles per usual."
"Oh, so you're a mechanic?"
"Not quite. I just kinda have it as a hobby, but I'm hopin' to turn it into a career."
"That's valid."
After several more minutes, the families finish their meal. They all engaged in a hearty conversation with one another while having a scrumptious meal.
The Roth's get ready to leave, having a fond sensation for their new neighbors.
"It was a pleasure having you all, and you are always welcome to come back if you'd like." Marie opened the green front door for the Roth's.
"Please, Marie, thank you for dinner, the advice, and the hospitality. Your sons are sweethearts, too." Mrs. Roth says.
"That apple crumb pie was delicious, you have a strong baker's hand, Marie." Tony states with a bellowed chuckle.
"Oh, it's no biggie."
"Thank you for everything, Mrs. Logan, Graham, and Garfield." Rachel waves.
"No prob, Rachel. It was nice havin' ya over, you're good company." Garfield's face softens, and he smiles faintly at the girl.
Rachel tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, her shy eyes trace away from his.
"You, too. Have a good night." Rachel begins to walk away.
"Wait, Rachel." Garfield calls to her.
"Mom, Dad, I'll be behind you in a second." Rachel says to her parents, who are already next door.
The other Logan's retreated back into the house.
It was just Garfield and Rachel at the door.
Garfield pulls out his phone, then glances at Rachel.
"Can I have your number?"
Rachel is thrown completely off guard by the question, and tries to hide her hesitation.
"Just to keep in touch, is all. I promise I'm not a freak or anything." Garfield gently reassures.
The compassionate twinkle in his smile suggests to Rachel, that maybe, she should take his word for it. He didn't seem to mean any harm.
Rachel takes out her phone, and they begin to exchange.
In mid-transfer, Rachel's phone rings in Garfield's hand.
"I'm sorry, hold on." Rachel takes the phone in her hand, answers the call.
"Ace?" her disposition changes, she melts into a vulnerable, almost terrified state.
"It's been an hour, and I'm ready to go out." Ace abrasively snarls.
"I told you that I can't tonight, my neighbor's invited me out to dinner."
"I don't care. I want you, and I want you now, you understand?! Tell me your address so I can pick you up."
Rachel shakes her head, highly irritated, and ends the call again.
"I've gotta go."
She gives Garfield his phone back, and when she leaves with hers, she only has half of his number.