29
Rise and shine. I wake slowly. I was dreaming about a music festival, Porta-Potties, sprinkled donuts and Melanie. I wonder what that means for a second. I decide that it’s pretty simple. I need to go pee and I’m starved. Noah is still sound asleep, looking adorable. He’s a pillow hugger.
I slip on Noah’s t-shirt and steal a pair of his boxers from his dresser. I dash to the washroom, and accidentally catch sight of myself in the vanity mirror. I’m scary; raccoon eyes and bird’s nest hair.
I empty my bladder and clean my face, finger comb my hair. I steal Noah’s toothbrush and brush my teeth. I’m sure he won’t mind. I’m presentable again, in a just-fucked smoky eyes kind of way.
I wonder why I was dreaming about Melanie. There was something I was meant to do… I can’t quite remember. I wrack my brain as I pop a bagel in the toaster. I flip open each and every kitchen cabinet door. I don’t know where anything is. Finally I find the peanut butter and reach for it.
Bingo! I remember. She asked me to give a list of expenses to be reimbursed. Gasoline, lunches and the like. Damn, I’d completely forgotten. I’ve also forgotten to head to the bank, and bring my dry cleaning in. This being-in-love thing is amazing but it does make you a little unfocused. I need to write this stuff down.
I quickly slap on the peanut butter on my bagel and pour myself a glass of milk. I steal a mandarin, and set my breakfast on the kitchen table. I need a notepad and pen.
I head to Noah’s den/studio and rummage through his desk. It’s a mess. Finally, I spot a pen, but I’m still looking for a notepad or piece of paper.
“What the hell are you doing?” he snaps.
I jerk my head round to see him standing there, at the entryway. I’m too shocked to say a thing.
“What are you doing going through my desk?” he asks, a little more softly this time.
“Uh… I was just looking for a pen and paper. I need to jot down a few things.”
“I don’t want you in my office,” he scoffs. “Ever. This room is off-limits.”
Holy shit. What the fuck is his problem?
I drop the pen, and slowly find my way out of the office. My heart is hammering as I walk past him to the kitchen. I’ve completely lost my appetite.
He follows me to the kitchen. “I’m sorry, Abby,” he says. “I’m just very private. I don’t like people in my things.”
I sit at the kitchen table. “I see that.”
What are you hiding?
“What’s the big deal, anyway?” I ask, biting into my bagel. “Are you a drug dealer or something?”
He shakes his head, and turns from me. He swings the refrigerator open. I’m irked, but I haven’t failed to notice how sexy he looks with just pajama pants on.
“Seriously, you could rummage through anything of mine… I have no secrets.” I gulp a sip of milk. “Obviously you do.”
He jerks around. “Maybe I just don’t want you in my damn business, Abby. Stop being so nosy.”
I drop my bagel, vexed. “I wasn’t being nosy. I was just looking for a fucking notepad.” I rise and leave my half-eaten breakfast. I storm out in a huff. “Later, buddy. It’s been fun.”
I head back to the bedroom to retrieve my teddy. He nips at my heels, apologizing, but I’m not hearing any of it. I dash to the front door and grab my jacket and heels.
I slam the door behind me without a word.
As soon as I step into my bedroom, I plop down on my bed. What the hell is up with him? What is he hiding? What is he involved in?
And most importantly, what have I got myself into?
* * *
My eighteenth birthdaywas the most memorable, most amazing of all my birthdays to date. First off, my dad actually remembered. He gave me a birthday card. I still have it today; a cute puppy sporting a birthday hat. It was one of those cheap dollar store cards, but I still appreciated the thought. The card came with a box of Turtles and two fifty dollar bills. It was more than he’d ever given me.
My brother Jake slapped me on the shoulder. “Happy Birthday, Sis.” And Nick asked me when I was moving out. He’d already moved out a few years before and was shacking up with some blonde in an apartment in town.
