“Okay.” I slipped off my shoes and put them by the wall.
From this morning, I knew that he’d forgotten what today was, which was fine. I hated my birthday, and I’d prefer to be on my own anyway. Last year’s wasn’t this bad, but that was because I forced myself to forget. I had worked way too many hours and kept as busy as I possibly could, I was nearly dead on my feet.
Although last year, Noah was too far away, we had talked on the phone where I mentioned my crappy day, and he’d felt bad for so long afterwards. This year, he’d be happy and got to do something fun.
“I should be back tomorrow after work.”
“I work the later shift,” I reminded him.
“Right,” he nodded to himself. “You have this weekend off.”
“Correct.” My schedule was on the fridge, but I highly doubted he looked at it all that often. “Saturday I have to head to Scarlett’s place. Family thing.”
“What time do we leave?”
“Ten. But you can hang out with your....Beckett. You don’t have to come.”
“And miss all the food? And Silas? No thanks. I’m coming.” He lifted his chin, looking at me like I was crazy.
I couldn’t help but smile. Noah really was a part of my family. He fit in perfectly, but almost everyone did. So many of us were strays and misfits, different than what a lot of people thought we should be like.
“When will Beckett be here to pick you up?” I asked, peeking into the fridge. I made a mental note to go food shopping. That’d be an easier task to do without an extra helper this time around.
“Anytime, I think.”
Great, I thought. Seeing that man one too many times in one day was more than enough for me.
“Cool. I’m going to go wash off. Let me know when you’re leaving.” I’d take as long as I could in that bathroom so I didn’t have to come face to face with the man again so soon.
It was bad enough that the munchie hadn’t seemed to ever end. It did, but to me, it felt like it was an all-day thing. I could feel Beckett’s eyes on me off and on, but I dutifully ignored him to the best of my abilities.
Which was harder than it should have been.
A few of the others who knew me, or at least of me, came to chat a little before they left. Some thought it was cool that I worked there. One wanted to know if I enjoyed the demo from last time, and that I was handling it okay afterwards.
I guess the word newbie had been plastered to my head after that.
I lied. I lied some more and made small talk.
Now, all I wanted to do was ignore the world some more and pretend I hadn’t had a freak out at work over something stupid.
Thankfully, while I was under the warm spray of the shower, scrubbing soap over my head, Noah peeked into the bathroom to let me know he was leaving.
“Have fun,” I called. I did want him to enjoy his time, even if I was left with a hollow feeling in my gut.
I’d get over it.
I still took my time in the shower, making sure that Noah had indeed left, and decided not to call it off. I could see him doing just that. By the time the water began to run cold, I turned off the taps and stepped out. I grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my hips.
Like I did lately, I didn’t pay attention to my reflection as I combed my hair. I ignored the scars that dotted my body, too.
Leaving the bathroom, I found the apartment to be empty. No signs of Noah still here. Even his shoes were gone.
Good.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
