Rekindling

“Alright, I’ll take a look at the profiles in the morning.”
>”Please do, Anon. Some of our clients are a little frustrated.”
“See you tomorrow.”
>The gruff voice on the other end acknowledges and the line goes dead.
>You slip your phone back into your pocket.
“Not my fault they can’t figure out how to retrieve files in a fucking server.”
>You return your attention to the stove, where placed inside a skillet are four beautiful cuts of pork.
>The meat sizzles nicely in mixture of garlic butter and it’s own fat.
>You flip the pork chops over, admiring the sweet smell that emanates from the skillet.
>Satisfied with the seared crust, you take the skillet off the flame and let the meat rest while the oven heats up.
>As you’re cleaning up, you feel your phone vibrate once more.
>The vibrations send waves of frustration through you.
>Can’t have one hour to yourself.
>It’s very rare that you have an evening to yourself without playing IT to some dumbass who can’t google their problem.
>The buzzing continues as you decide to let it ring.
>Next morning you can just chalk it up to not having your phone on you.
>You always tell yourself that they’ll leave a voicemail if it’s important enough.
>The vibrating abruptly stops and you breathe a sigh of relief.
>Only for it to begin again a few seconds later.
>A heavy sigh escapes your lips as you decide to answer it.
>You prepare yourself to answer whatever inane tech questions will come spewing out, only to stop and read the name displayed on the screen.
>...
>Huh.
>That’s a name you haven’t seen in awhile.
>Last time you even saw her was graduation.
>Better find out what she wants.
“Hello?”
>”Wow, you don’t sound like you’ve changed much.”
“Two years isn’t THAT long, Sunset.”
>”Sometimes feels like it is. How you doing?”
“Pretty good, pretty good. In the process of making some dinner.”
>”Nice, Nice. Hey, listen, this may sound weird but....I need a favor.”
“Ok.”
>”Like...A really big one.”
“Uhhh….Ok?”
>”Like, a really really REALLY huge favor.”
“Sunset, the last time I heard someone say that I had to bail them out, so if it’s that, the answer is no.”
“What? No no no no, it’s-well-kinda-It’s...look, can I come talk to you? It’s better if I explained it in person.”
“Uhhhhhh…”
>You hadn't really anticipated (or wanted) to cook for another…
>But it must be important for her to just call you out of the blue after several years.
>You mumble “Sure” as you bring out another plate and set of silverware.
>”Great. You still living in that apartment?”
“Same place, yep.”
>”Awesome! We’ll see you there. Bye!”
“Bye.”
>...
“Wait...we?”
>...
>...
“No.”
>”Look, Anon. I know that the two of you have some...history, but-”
“No.”
>”I told you he wouldn’t agree to it.”
>”Hush. Anon, please just listen to m-”
“I did. And I said no.”
>”No, you just saw her and immediately went sour. Please hear me out.”
>You cross your arms but say nothing, your gaze fixated on Sunset
>You would rather not look at the girl sitting next to her.
>Sunset shifts uncomfortably under your stare, but continues.
“...I’m listening.”
>”I understand how you feel Anon, I really do-”
“No you don’t.”
>“-But believe me, we wouldn’t have come here if there wasn’t another option.
“I can think of one…”
>”I’m not sleeping in a cardboard box outside, jerk.”
>”Stop it! Anon, please, it won’t be for that long.”
>You rub your temples in an effort to dispel the headache you have.
>But the headache is sitting right in front of you, cross-legged and staring at the wall.
“Can’t she stay with you? Please?”
>Sunsets lips twist into a frown as she shakes her head.
>”My studio is only big enough for Adagio and I. Sonata is with Pinkie Pie, but-”
>Aria decides to cut in again, her tone dispassionate and rude.
>”But none of the other Lamebooms want to take me in. That prissy one said I’m too-”
>Aria takes on a high and regal sounding voice, one you assume is meant to mock one of Sunsets friends.
>”Abrasive and uncouth!”
>You fold your arms over your chest and stare at the girl.
“Gee, no one wants to take you in? What a shock. Wonder why.”
>Aria glares at you before kicking a leg up onto the couch arm and turning her attention back to the riveting wall that had captured her attention previously.
>Score one for Anon.
>Sunset mutters something under her breath before looking back to you.
>”Anon can we step outside for a moment? Just you and me?”
>She’s really persistent about this.
>You glance at the timer you set for the porkchops.
>7 minutes.
“Fine.”
>...
>...
“This is a lot to put on someone, all things considering.”
>”Yes.”
“You KNEW I was gonna say no.”
>”I-Yes.”
>You throw your hands up.
“And yet you still brought her! If it was ANYONE-LITERALLY ANYONE-else, I would have said yes.”
>”But..here we are.”
“Yeah, here you are.”
>You clasp the bridge of your nose between your hands and let out a long sigh.
“God damnit, Sunset.”
>You feel a twinge of shame as you vent out your frustration on Sunset.
>She did put you in this situation, though.
>And brought Aria here.
>An involuntary scowl contorts your face.
>You didn’t want Aria to see how she gets to you.
>Imagining her taking some sort of pleasure out of this makes you cringe.
“Why couldn’t one of the others have stayed with me? I would much prefer either of them.”
>Sunset looks thoughtful for a moment.
>”I had thought of having Adagio stay with you. But…”
“What.”
>Sunset shrugs. ”She was...weirdly insistent on staying with me. Something about being really comfortable with me.”
>How fitting.
>You’d laugh if you weren’t still really pissed.
“And Sonata?”
>”She had already moved in with Pinkie before I had asked.”
“She can move again. I’ve got space for her stuff”
>Sunset gives you an incredulous look, as if you had just pulled down your pants.
“What?”
>Sunset shakes her head. “No you don’t. Trust me. Took them the whole week just to move everything in.”
“It sounds like you’re trying to convince me that there’s no other choice in the matter..”
>Sunset stares into your eyes briefly before speaking.
>”I came here with Aria to ask you if you could. Not make you take her in.”
>You narrow your eyes at the girl.
”You came here with her bags.”
>Another shrug. “We don’t have anywhere else to put them.”
“...Uh huh.”
>”And...I was hoping you...would agree.”
“God...damnit, Sunset.”
>Sunset runs her hand through her hair before turning away.
>”Look, you can...say no, Anon. Like I said, I’m not forcing you.”
>You chew your lip as you turn to look over the railings of the landing that your apartment is on.
>Being on one of the higher levels of the complex offers a more scenic view.
>The town is warmly lit by streetlights and open businesses, beckoning the nightlife in to enjoy an evening of food and drink.
>Out of the corner of your eye, you see Sunset lean onto the railing and look out.
>”You’ve got a nice view up here.”
“Don’t usually notice it too often.”
>”...”
“...”
>”I know it hurt.”
“...It did.”
>The two of you stare out at the landscape, not a single word uttered between the two of you.
>You take in every detail of the surroundings, hoping that you can either distract yourself from this or the answer would somehow appear from the dark.
>You want to say no.
>Even though you already did.
>You want to laugh straight in Aria’s smug face and kick her to the curb.
>Every fiber of your being is telling you to say no.
>...
“How long.”
>Sunset almost slides off the rail, but catches herself as she turns to face you.
>“Anon, y-”
”How. Long.”
>Sunset blankly stares at you for a moment before coming back to reality.
>”I...uhhh….a couple of months I suppose, Anon are you s-”
>You cast a sidelong glare at the girl.
“Sunset, if you keep asking me, I’m going to change my mind.”
>Sunset seems to realize her mistake and bows her head, and stammers out an apology.
>”Right right right....Thanks.”
>You’re met with a tight embrace as Sunset wraps her arms around you.
>”I know how hard it must be. Thank you so much.
“No problem, I guess. But I’m doing this for another reason.”
>She gives you a confused look as she steps away.
>”Huh?”
“It’s...difficult to explain...Let’s just go get her bags.”
>As you make your way towards the stairs, you hear a dull groan.
>Sunset stands there with a sheepish look on her face as she places
>”S-sorry. Haven’t eaten in awhile.”
“It’s alright. I was just getting dinner ready when you ca-”
>Your brain suddenly sends out the equivalent of an air raid siren ringing through your head.
“MY FOOD!”
>...
>...
>”You’re welcome.”
“...”
>”You’re. Welcome.”
“I already said thanks, what more do you want from me?”
>“A little more gratitude?”
>A grumble is all you can muster in response.
>Aria slides down from the countertop, making her way towards her bags.
>Credit where it’s due the girl did help you avoid setting fire to your apartment by taking out the meat.
>5 minutes after they should have been pulled out.
>Now here you are, left with dry pork, and scrubbing the rest of it off the skillet.
>You’re disappointed with her and yourself, but you’re too hungry to start anything.
>So you resign yourself to your quiet brooding.
>Your front door swings open slightly, and opens more as Sunset pushes her way in, overburdened with several bags.
>Sunset grunts in effort as she drops one of them onto the floor, and flings a smaller one onto the couch.
>”Whew-Well there’s just a couple of bags left, Aria. They’re in the trunk.”
>Aria just stands there, and slowly nods.
>The two just stare at each other for several seconds before Sunset coughs and speaks up.
>”The trunk’s already unlocked, Aria.”
>The purple girl stares at her for another moment, seemingly confused at the situation.
>”Oh. You...I...Okay.”
>Aria slowly trudges out the door, leaving you and Sunset to watch her leave.
>”Are you sure you’ll be ok?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve already made up my mind. You gonna stay for dinner?”
>Sunset lets a bag slide off her shoulder as she shakes her head.
>”No, I’ve got to get back home. Adagio has dinner for me.”
“Awwwww”
>”What?”
“Aren’t you two so cute.”
>Sunset shoves your shoulder, a blush streaking across her cheek.
>”Sh-shut up…”
>You pat Sunset on her bacon head, earning you a small pout from the girl.
“Ah, you know I’m just messing with you.”
>You wrap your arm around the girl and pull her close.
“Despite the reason for your being here, it’s good to see you again Sunset.”
>Sunset sighs happily and returns the embrace.
>The girl pulls away and hums contently before turning your eyes to your work.
>”Burnt in pretty good?”
“Yep.”
>You give a patch an extra deep scrub to emphasize your point.
>”...At least she got them out.”
“You’d think she’d know what burnt food smells like given her track record.”
>”Well…”
>Sunset just glances at the floor and shrugs.
>Picking one last chunk out, you admit defeat and decide to throw some warm water into it.
>”You wouldn’t mind if I checked up on you every now and again?”
“Not at all-”
>You turn to face her, leaning your arm on the counter.
>-because I’m sure you don’t see anything about a murder on the news?”
>The girl just rolls her eyes.
>”I know you wouldn’t do anything like that, Anon. Plus, I’m sure it won’t be that bad”
>”CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME HERE?”
>The yelling is accentuated by loud thuds coming from the doorway.
>You turn to see Aria propping herself against the door, her ample chest heaving with each breath she takes.
>Several bags were strewn in front of her, spilling their contents about the floor.
>Aria takes another deep breath before she gestures at the mess.
>”Well?”
>It might be that bad.
>”Yes, we’ll help you. Could you get the bigger one Anon?”
“Sure, I gu-”
>”NO.”
>The purple girl immediately moves to scoop up the bigger of the three and clutches it closely to her, her eyes darting between you two.
>”It’s my...my underwear.”
>Aria quickly darts in between you two and vanishes down the hallway, leaving the two of you at the doorway.
>You and Sunset stare at each other for a moment before exchanging a shrug.
>”I guess I should actually head out now.”
“Gonna leave me with all of this?”
>“I’ve kept dinner waiting too long.”
“You mean you’ve kept Adagio waiting too long?”
>Sunset scoffs and lightly slaps your chest.
>”You’ve always been such a charmer with your humor, huh?”
>You bend down to pick up a box, cradling it underneath your arm.
“I’d say it’s one of my better qualities”
>Sunset chuckles before she heaves a heavy sigh.
>”Anon?”
“Hmm?”
>A short silence follows your response, before she wraps her arms around you.
>”Thanks again.” Her head rests on your shoulder. “I understand its must have been hard to agree.”
“Yea well...I’m nice like that sometimes.”
>”I know...I always admired your kindness.”
“...She knows she’s not staying here for free, yea?”
>”I told her she would most likely be paying some kind of rent, yes.”
“Good. Helps me out in the long run anyway.”
>Sunset looks at you inquisitively, but before she is able to press further, a small chime sounds from her pocket.
>She pulls her phone out from her coat, and scans the screen.
“Adagio?” You wiggle your eyebrows.
>Sunset sighs.
>“She’s wondering why I’ve been gone so long.”
“Guess I-well-we won’t keep you any longer.”
>The girl nods, and she picks up her bag and jacket before she turns to look at you.
>”If you need anything, Anon...I’m only a phone call away.”
”I know. I’ll… let you know if anything comes up.”
>Sunset smiles and hugs you one more time “Take care, Anon. I’ll check up in a couple of days.”
“Drinks?”
>”Only if they’re on you.”
>You rest your hand on your hip and raise your eyebrow.
“That’s how you thank me?”
>Sunset grins sheepishly.
>”I was just joking. My treat.”
“There you go.”
>...
>...
>”Where’s the egg salad?”
>You turn from your food to see Aria foraging your fridge, rummaging through everything at her leisure.
“The...the what?”
>Aria continues to root through your food, not even turning to look back.
>”Egg salad! Or a side dish! You can’t JUST have this meat!
“I...have some rice and beans…”
>You gesture your fork towards the two bowls.
“Help yourself.”
>Aria grumbles as she closes the fridge.
“If you don’t like what I’m having, you’re free to go out and get your own damn food.”
>”...”
>Aria looks at you blankly, seeming to be lost in thought.
>A quiet rumbling coming from the girl seems to affirm her decision.
“Shut the fridge and come sit down.”
>”Fine.” The fridge is shut with a slam and she sits down across from you.
>You lift your head to see Aria already in the process scooping generous portions onto her plate.
>Aria is looking at you with an indifferent expression on her face as she starts to eat.
>The two of you eat in relative silence for awhile, the only sound being the soft clink of silverware.
>Neither you or Aria speak or look at the other for the duration of the dinner.
>Once you finish, you take your plate and the leftovers back to the kitchen, storing the leftovers and proceeding to clean the plates.
>Aria is the first to speak,her mumbling heard over your shoulder.
>"That was good."
"Thanks."
>"..."
"..."
>"Where'd you learn to cook?"
"I've told you before. My grandmother."
>Aria grunts in response, but doesn't say anything.
>Another silence ensues, this one more uncomfortable than the last.
>After a minute, Aria mumbles something about changing before standing up.
>Aria retrieves some things from a bag and makes her way down the hall.
>Several minutes later, reappears, her hair completely let down, sporting only lavender pajama pants and a dark purple bra.
>You cock an eyebrow at her choice of attire.
>Aria sees your staring at her and shrugs.
>"I get hot at night. You know that."
"I know. But you could have waited to change."
>"Nothing you haven't seen before."
>She dives onto the couch, grabbing the TV remote and flipping
"I don't have cable. Just internet."
>Aria turns to look at you, dumbfounded.
>"Why not?"
"Don't really watch TV anymore."
>Aria seems to take a moment to digest this information before turning back towards the TV
>"Whatever. Netflix?"
"Still have it."
>"Same password?"
“Yes."
>You stack the last of the plates and dry your hands.
>Aria seems to have figured out the TV, as some crime show has started to play on the screen.
>You stretch your back and answer the beckons of your bed.
>Aria notices you out of the corner of her eye.
>"Where you going?"
"My room."
>Not even stopping to say goodnight.
>Not worth it.
>...
>...
>Night class.
>There’s never a time during the day where you want to be home more.
>Instead here you are.
>Waiting for a professor who doesn’t want to be here anymore than you.
>She seems to take rather perverse enjoyment out of taking attendance.
>Your gaze drifts towards the doorway, were the occasional student trudges through the door.
>Each one looking as drained as you imagine you appear to be.
>You glance at your phone to check the time, but it only serves to remind you how long you’re here for.
>Maybe you can just watch something on your laptop.
>You fish your laptop out from your bag and flip the screen up.
>Can just connect to your NAS and-
>”Anon!”
>Or not.
>You lower the screen to reveal a grinning blue face staring straight back at you.
“Hi Sonata.”
>You push the screen back, blocking her from your view.
>"Soooooooooo, Anon~"
>Her ponytail rises into view, slowly before her eyes peer from the top of your only protection.
>Guess it can’t be avoided.
"Hmmmm?"
>Sonata leans over her chair and rests her elbows on your desk.
>”I know a little secret about-”
>>Sonata leans in closer, putting more weight onto the back of her chair.
>”-you”
>She punctuates her statement by lightly tapping your nose with her finger, causing your nose to twitch at the touch.
>You sigh as you scratch the feeling away and stare back at her.
”Oh yeah?”
>”Do ya know what it is?”
>You roll your eyes.
“Is it that your chair is gonna tip over?”
>”No it-what?”
>The girl leans forward a bit more, causing her chair to totter with the imbalance.
>Sonata yelps and grips onto your desk to keep herself from falling over.
>You chuckle as you flip the screen of your laptop back open, only for it to be slammed shut by the blue girl.
>The look she has is one of betrayal and hurt, her bottom lip quivering into a small pout.
>”How could you do that, Anon!”
>A shrug is the only response you can come up with.
“Do what?”
>Sonata opens her mouth as if to speak, but closes it.
 >Several other students were watching you two, but the rest were just slouched in their seats.
>Being a night class, everyone is running on proverbial fumes.
>The lecture hall is not even half full, but it’s to be expected of classes like this.
>The seats surrounding the central podium are sparsely populated with exhausted students, waiting to go home.
>Sonata sits back in her seat, crossing her arms over her perky chest.
>”I guess you don’t want to hear my secret.”
“Guess not.”
>”Hey!” Sonata stares at you in shock. “You’re not supposed to agree!”
“Oh. Ok.”
>”Wh-I-You-” Sonata attempts to stammer out a response but it’s stopped by your finger placed on her lips.
“She’s here, Sonata.”
>You nod your head towards the direction of the door, from which the professor emerges.
>Her beady eyes scour the hall, forming a mental list of who she decided to spite during tonight's lecture
>The professor locks eyes with Sonata and she locks in on her first victim.
“Ms.Dusk. Take your seat or I will mark you absent”
>”Yes, Ms.Cinch. Sorry Ms.Cinch.” She slides back into her seat and tries to make herself a smaller target.
>”Now then, I will be taking attendance. I hope by now you are all aware as to why.”
>Because you’re a cunt.
>”Now then-” Cinch takes a brief moment to clear her throat and adjusts her glasses. “Green Apple”
>”Here.”
>Gotta wait a bit before you can tune Cinch out.
>She loves saying how much she hates repeating herself.
>”Silver Dust.”
>”Here.”
>”Sonata Dusk.”
>Sonata quickly raises her hand and exclaims “Here!”
>The girl immediately returns her attention to her desk, scribbling furiously on a small slip of paper.
>She puts her pencil down and looks up towards Cinch as she folds the slip in her hands.
>”Flash Fire.”
>...
>”...Ahem. Flash Fire?”
>...
>”Very well. If Mr.Fire does not choose to put in even the minimum effort to pass this class, he must face the consequences.”
>Cinch turns back towards the teacher's desk and begins to jot down something.
>”This generation must learn to properly understand good discipline if they are to give this department and this school a good name in the future.”
>With Cinch’s back turned, Sonata quickly flings the slip of paper behind her.
>The paper flutters onto your keyboard just in time for Cinch to turn back to face the class.
>”Now then. Hopefully the rest of the class is more exemplary. Ever Glade.”
>”Here.”
>You stare at the small scrap in front of you as you hear Cinch call off names.
>It seems small enough to where it’s not long winded.
>Sonata probably doesn’t have the attention span to write anything longer than a paragraph.
>You take the folded paper in between two fingers and fiddle with it.
>What secret could she be talking about?
>You feel your heart rate rise and fall as you think of different possibilities.
>”MISTER ANONYMOUS!”
>You slap your hands down on your desk in shock.
“What?”
>Cinch is standing at the end of the row, her hands on her hips.
>Her eyes peer at you behind her glasses in such a way that it makes you feel like they’re burning holes right into you.
“Mister Anonymous. When you are in this class, I demand your undivided attention. I will not tolerate any daydreaming in this class. You should understand this by now.”
“Yes, Ms.Cinch.”
>Cinch turns around and makes her way back to the podium, making marks on her clipboard.
>”Since you did not respond when called, I will be counting you as absent. If you leave I will count you absent next class.”
>’WHAT??????’
>You make to stand up and shout in protest, but stop yourself.
>You sink back further into your chair, realizing that whatever you say would go in one ear and out the other.
>Fucking cunt.
>People around the class exchange looks with each other and you, casting their pity onto you.
>The whispers of several nearby catch your attention.
>”Marking him absent?”
>”Can she even do that?”
>”I can’t believe her.”
>Sonata briefly turns to face you and leans in to whisper.
>”Sorry, Anon.”
>You wave your hand dismissively and point towards the front of the class.
“Don’t get in trouble because of me. Pay attention.”
>Sonata anxiously looks down at the paper in your hand and turns back towards the front.
>Whatever.
>Let’s see what she knows.
>You fumble around with Sonatas note and flip it open.
>On the note are six words that make your heart skip momentarily.
>’I know you like my sister.’
>...
>...
>You sigh inwardly as you stare at the disarray laid out before you.
>Palettes of makeup cast about on the countertop, spewing their chalky contents across the tile.
>Brushes of different shapes and sizes are scattered, leaving a small pile of dust and stray fibers around.
>Clumps of matted purple hair sit at the bottom of the sink, a comb sitting on the edge that was more hair than teeth.
>Pulling a single strand from the drain reveals a much larger and horrific truth than originally thought.
>Nothing about this scene is unfamiliar to you however.
>You run your hand through your hair and place it on the counter.
>However, a large smear of some makeup greets the palm of your hand and leaves a bright purple stain.
>You pull a large swath of toilet paper of the roll and clean your hand, tossing the tissue in the garbage.
>It’s something that has plagued every single one of your dorms bathroom back in college.
>It was a serious point of contention with all your roommates over the years, leaving you to clean it to avoid any further conflict.
>When you tried to bring it up with Aria, she would just shrug it away and state that “it wasn’t that bad.”
>And in a fucked up kind of way, she was right.
>Which was why you always took a shit before you would go visit Aria at her sister's place.
>You involuntarily shutter at the memories.
>Your instincts are yelling at you to wipe everything down.
>Must make everything pristine and clean again.
>But the clock on your phone is also telling you that you need to get to work.
>You pick your bag back up and sling it over your shoulder.
“Just try not to think about it.”
>Just close the door.
>Out of sight, out of mind.
>You turn down towards the hallway.
>Out of sight out of mind.
>Aria sidles past you, pulling her hair into her ponytails.
>However, her usual punk attire has been traded in for what appears to be a uniform for the local movie theater.
>You can certainly see her 3 years at college paid off well.
“Hey.”
>”What.” Aria doesn’t meet your stare, as she continues to shove her things into her own bag.
“You know what. Pick up your shit. The bathroom is a mess.”
>”Can’t. Gonna be late.”
“Clean it when you get back then.”
>Aria lets out one of her exasperated sighs before she mumbles “Fine.”
“Good. I'll be back around 9.”
>You close the door behind you and head out for the day, leaving behind any lingering worries about what you might find when you come back.
>Out of sight, out of mind.
>She did agree to clean it up.
>Whether she actually would is another matter entirely, but it’s progress.
>No worries are in your mind as you press the ignition of your car, hearing it’s engine roar in response.
>Only sweet thoughts of the money you’re saving.
>...
>...
>”So Red Hat really put in his two weeks, huh?”
“Yea, guess he finally got fed up with us.”
>”Not like we’ll be missing him here.”
>You take a long gulp of your coffee. “He must know that none of us like him.”
>Your coworker shrugs. “Well we weren’t exactly discreet about it.”
>You raise your eyebrows.
“Some more than others, I’d say.”
>”Yeeeeeeeeeeeh, y’know, I….”. He trails off for several seconds before giving you another shrug.
“Either way, I’m glad we’ll hopefully get some better management.”
>”Or we’ll be without a manager for a while like PV04.”
“The dream.”
>The buzzing of your phone pulls your attention to the screen.
>The display shows a number instead of a contact name.
>”So what do you think we should store in that office?”
”I dunno-”
>You swipe to decline the call and turn to look over to the main office, which is currently occupied by a pudgy, balding man with a 5 o’clock shadow and a sweat stained button down.
“-booze?”
>”Sounds good to me. Or you could take it.”
“I’d rather quit.”
>Power Pull leans onto your wall and peaks over his beaked nose over.
>”Don’t want to be manager? Can’t imagine why.”
“Simple-”
>Your phone resumes its enthusiastic buzzing once more, with the same number displayed on the screen.
>Couldn’t be Sunset.
>You saved her number last night.
>They can leave a voicemail.
“I took this job to be as far from the customer as possible.”
>”What, you DON’T want to be the boss of everyone? Tell everyone what to do and be the big man?”
>Your phone buzzes once and indicates that you’ve gotten a text.
“A good day for me is not interacting with customers and clients at all in any way, shape or form.”
>You tap your passcode into your phone and open your messages.
“Plus I don’t want to be a glorified babysitter to everyone.”
>Upon reading the contents of the text you immediately realize who the sender is, breathing a sigh of relief that you didn’t answer.
>’Hey asshole, answer your phone. I’m locked out.’
>Oh, such a shame.
>You forgot to have a spare key made.
>What a shame, indeed.
>”I dunno maybe I should take over that office. Be the new overlord.”
“You do you, Power Pull. Just leave me to my work. I got other shit to deal with in life.”
>Power Pull leans back in his chair and rests his arms behind his head.
>Trouble in paradise?”
“Just have some stuff I need to deal with back home. Got a new roommate.”
>”Oh?”
>You drag your thumb over your phones keyboard and review the message.
>’At work for another hour. I’ll get you a key tomorrow. Go find somewhere else to be in the meantime.’
>Send.
>Change the subject.
“Red called me about the ticket from that Canterlot account.”
>You hear a bark of laughter from next to you.
>”Did he really call you about that too?”
“Yeah.”
>”Last night I went to take a shower; 0 missed calls. As soon as I step out-”
>The lanky pale man mimics an explosion with his hands.
>”7 missed calls and 3 texts.”
“Sounds like Mr.Mircomanage.”
>”He just doesn’t want to get in deep shit with the board before he leaves.”
“No doubt about it. He’s already run a record of how many departments he’s pissed off.”
>With no further talk from either of you, the both of you turn back to your workstations.
>Another buzz from your phone and you swipe open the screen.
>’Nevermind I got in.’
>...
“I’m gonna take my lunch.”
>...
>...
“Just count yourself lucky that my neighbors weren’t here to call the god damn cops on you.”
>Aria sits in the chair across from you, arms crossed and legs thrown over the side.
>”I said I was sorry.”
“Yea, you say that a lot. But is sorry gonna fix-”
>You point towards the door hanging listlessly open with a small hole where the knob should be
“That?”
>The doorknob is sitting between the two of you, accompanied by several screws that once held it in place.
>Her expression betrays the notion in her head that she was the one wronged here.
>”You didn’t give me a key.”
“Oh well excuse me for not having the clairvoyance to have spare key made for my ex, how silly of me.”
>Aria shoots you a glare before turning her attention to the tips of her boots.
>A response seems to escape you for a moment before you finally collect some words.
“How did you even...I mean, there’s no way to-?”
>Your question earns you a shrug.
>”Just some skills.” Aria responds, her focus not taken away from the ceiling. “Picked em up duri-”
>You wave your hands in the air as you rise from your chair and pick your bag up.
“It doesn’t matter. Nevermind. Point is, I want this thing fixed before I come back home tonight.”
>Aria returns your demand with a grimace, but says nothing.
>You grab the door by the hole and swing it open.
>Just as you’re about to step outside you hear Aria pipe up.
>”Why can’t you just call some repair guy?”
>Your foot stops you in your place, and immediately pivots you back towards the girl.
>Before you know it, you’re standing right over the chair, looming over her.
>Aria has shrunken into the chair, but the look on her face doesn’t betray any timidity.
>But deep down, she knows what a thin line she treads.
>It was not very often that you ever had the dominant position in your interactions.
>It feels good.
>In a twisted kind of way.
>Her lips are pursed as she stares at you and awaits whatever action you’re going to take.
“I can think of more reasons than I can count, let me list a couple for you, AND state them clearly enough for you to wrap your head around.”
>You jab your hand out in front of you, quick enough to make her flinch.
“One.-”
>You extend your middle finger.
”Because this is MY place and I say so. Two, Be-”
>You almost lose your train of thought as a subtle scent catches you off guard.
>Lavender.
>It’s her.
>She’s still using the same shampoo.
”...Because I don’t want to have to pay for some greasy balding fat man to take 2 weeks to come put screws in my fucking door. Three-”
>It’s the same one you would buy her.
>You swallow a lump in your throat.
>You fell asleep to that smell every night.
>The memory, while bringing some sense of familiarity, only serves to open up a wound that continues to widen.
“Because while you live under MY roof and eat MY food and sleep in one of MY rooms, you’re gonna do what I fucking say or I’ll be more than happy to escort YOU-”
>You jab your fingers right in front of her face.
“-and your shit to the nearest homeless shelter. Got it?”
>Content that you got your point across, you step back and allow the uncomfortable silence to grow between you two.
>Aria’s face is scrunched up, but her hands are balled so tightly that they’re shaking.
>Obviously wanting to say something, Aria instead opts to bite her tongue and stare into her lap.
>So deciding that you’ve gotten your point across, you shrug your bag back onto your shoulder and not escalate things further.
>Even though you seem to hold the cards now, Aria has been known to get...physical when provoked.
“I’ll be back around eight.”
>You slam the door shut before a response can be heard.
>You check your phone, silently pleading to yourself that this gave you some time to enjoy a meal.
>And then loudly cursing as you see you have 10 minutes left.
>While you may not have time to enjoy your leftover dinner, you still can claim some small sense of satisfaction.
>Aria may be a stubborn bitch, but she’s not Sonatard.
>There’s no real concern in your mind that the door won’t be fixed.
>It’d be a lose-lose situation; she’d be out of a home, and you’d be left with a broken door and full rent.
>She’ll definitely have to be more agreeable if she doesn’t want to find herself out on the street.
>Perhaps you need to sit down with her and lay down the rules.
>Or leave passive-aggressive post-its on her door.
>You slam your car door closed and sit there for what seems like hours, as you recall the smell of lavender and cast your mind back to better days.
>And...
>Why did she still use that shampoo.
>Why did it make you feel so conflicted?
>Just thinking about her made you feel disgusted and angry.
>...
>Maybe this was a bad idea after all.
>Was an extra couple hundred bucks really worth putting up with this?
>You pull out your phone and tap on Sunsets contact.
>Your thumb hovers over the call icon, unmoving.
>A million streams of thoughts roll around in your head, overwhelming your head with thousands of voices.
>Eventually, they all begin to say the same thing.
>’Why are you doing this?’
>...
>...