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What the fuck just happened?
* * *
Lark didn’t comeout of her room for the rest of the night, but I did hear her go to the bathroom and take a shower before going into the kitchen and getting something. She spoke softly to Clementine, who meowed back at her. I waited until I heard her door close before I ventured out and went to grab water for myself. The alcohol had worn off, leaving me parched and irritated.
I downed two glasses of water and grabbed a bag of chips to munch as I read. The book club book was getting spicy again, and it was actually keeping my attention, which was nice.
I tiptoed toward Lark’s door and listened, but there was no sound from the other side. She’d probably gone to bed. Clementine meowed and I tried to shush him before running back to my room and closing the door again.
Chapter Five
Lark avoidedme for the rest of the week, which was fine, because I was avoiding her too. When we did end up both out of our rooms in the apartment, she didn’t say anything to me. Clementine got lots of affection, which he appreciated.
This was pretty much what I’d wanted in a roommate. She did her thing, I did mine, and we respected each other’s space.
Why the fuck was I completely miserable?
“What is up with you lately?” Layne asked me as we lounged in her living room on Sunday. I’d been desperate to get out of my apartment and see my two best friends, so Layne had invited me and Joy over, and Honor was taking Lark clothes shopping again. I wasn’t sure Lark wanted more clothes, but that didn’t exactly matter to Honor. More clothes Lark would get.
“Nothing,” I said as she passed me a cup of hot chocolate she’d made. I took a sip. “Holy fuck, this is good.”
Layne leaned down and stage-whispered “the secret is heavy cream and vanilla.”
“Good to know,” I said, as if I was ever going to actually make this. My usual hot cocoa came powdered.
“But back to your mood,” Layne said, and I frowned, wishing she’d drop it. “Are things not working out well with Lark?”
“Things are fine with Lark,” I said. “I’m fine.”
Layne and Joy shared a look, and I wished my best friends weren’t such empathetic people. It made my life difficult.
“You’ve been using the f word a lot lately,” Joy said gently. I hated that tone of her voice. I knew what it meant. Joy and Layne had been talking about me behind my back.
“Well, I wouldn’t have to use it so much if you would just believe me and stop asking me how I’m doing,” I said, getting up from the couch. I didn’t know where I was going, so I ended up in the kitchen, pacing around in a circle.
“If you want us to leave you alone, just say so. If you want to actually talk about it, then we’re good with that too,” Layne said. She and Joy had stayed in the living room, giving me space.
“I want you to leave me alone,” I said, enunciating the words. “I mean, I don’t want you to ignore me, but I want you to stop worry about me, fuck. Nothing is wrong with me, Lark and I are adjusting to living together, the world is still spinning. Okay?”
My voice had gotten loud and I realized I’d been yelling.Good job, Syd.
“I’m sorry. I’m just tired,” I said, rubbing my itchy eyes. I had been having issues sleeping lately. I just couldn’t get comfortable when it was time to sleep. Work was still draining, and I was just feeling stretched way too thin, even without the Lark situation. Which wasn’t even a situation. It was a big bowl of nothing.
Layne and Joy shared another look and both nodded.
“Okay then,” Layne said, taking a breath. “If you don’t want to talk about that, I need both of you to help me because I think Honor wants to get married sooner rather than later.”
That was a hell of a subject change.
“Holy shit,” I said, coming back into the living room. “Tell me.”
* * *
When I got backto the apartment, there were a bunch of bags in the way of the door. I carefully pushed them aside so I could take off my boots.
“Lark?” I said, saying her name out loud for the first time in days.
“What?” A tired voice said from the couch. From this angle I couldn’t see her. She sat up and looked at me.
