The silence in the apartment is loud after he leaves, and I don’t like it. I quickly turn the TV on and connect it to my phone. I play “Rocket Man”on the TV and sing along to ease my mind. I play the song loud enough to drown out my own brain and feel relieved when it starts working. Ever since I was little, this has worked for me. Singing along makes me forget what I am thinking about. It helps me focus on the lyrics rather than my own thoughts.
I decide to unpack the rest of my clothes while I let the music play on the TV. It’s a mix that jumps from Ella Langley to ABBA, and I love every single song.
Chapter 5
Lisa
I can’t help but laugh at my own reflection when I look in the mirror. I’m wearing my fuzzy bunny slippers, a pink robe, a messy bun on top of my head, and a light green face mask. This would be a great Halloween costume.
I unpacked my suitcases and lined my collection of shoes along the wall by the window. The view outside is pretty. The city is glowing with lights, it almost feels like Christmas.
The music on the TV is still playing loudly, and it’s now a mix between Cher and The Midnight.
In the living room, I close the pizza box and put it in the fridge. I ate way too much of it and can’t even stand the sight of pizza right now.
I let myself fall onto the couch and put my feet on the table.
This is the life, I whisper.
I grab the remote to pause the music and scroll to the list of available movies. Zane has always been a movie freak, and I think he has every subscription out there. I’m ten minutes into my search and am feeling frustrated when I finally see the movie I want to watch.
Dumplin’.
Dolly Parton’s music, Jennifer Aniston, and Danielle Macdonald all in one heartwarming story. This can’t go wrong.
I’m drinking a beer of Zane’s I found in the fridge when the best part of the movie comes on. I’m halfway through when the pivotal makeover scene plays, andBetter Get to Livin’by Dolly Parton plays loudly. Immediately, I turn the volume up, and I get up and dance.
The scene, the vibes, the movie, the music, it’s making me laugh, and I can’t help but feel like an idiot, but in the best way.
The scene is about to end when I hear a noise in the background. I turn around and let out a scream.
“Who are you?” I yell at the stranger frozen in the hallway.“I’m calling the police.”
He immediately throws his hands up.
I can feel my heart beating in my throat. I quickly look around to see if there are any weapons close to me.
“I’m a friend of Zane’s. I’m just here to pick something up, I swear,” he says, still standing there with his hands up. He is muscular and has brown hair. I notice how my panic has turned into suspicion. The guy’s arms are covered in tattoos. It somehow suits him.
“Prove it,” I say, planting a hand on my hip. The soft fabric of the robe reminds me of how I look, and I feel immediately mortified.
“He likes movies?” the man says, questioning, like he’s unsure of what to say. “And who are you actually? Maybe you’re the intruder,” he counters me, and I’m not sure how I feel.
“Would an intruder look like this?” I ask, gesturing wildly at my robe, slippers, and face mask. The man smirks, and it looks way too cute on him.
“My name is Blake. I promise I’m a friend of Zane’s. I have pictures on my phone to prove it. We’re on the Grizzlies together,” Blake explains, and I’m surprised. I remember a friend of Zane’s when we were teenagers, a blonde kid named Blake. He was so tiny.
“You’re Blake Saxon?” I ask, surprised, and he immediately nods.
“Do I know you?”
“You used to be blonde,” I tell him, and Blake chuckles.
“Who are you? It’s not fair to hide behind green face paint. I have no chance of recognizing you.” Blake runs his fingers through his hair.
“Oh god,” I say as I remember the face mask on my face and feel absolutely embarrassed. “I’ll be right back,” I say quickly as I run toward the bathroom.
I turn the water on right away and start washing off the green face mask.
