Page 5 of Expressionate
I walk inside, leaving him staring after me, bypassing the girl at the front desk with her black lipstick and pentagram tattoo on her neck. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I lick my dry lips as I climb the stairs, once again, taking the long way up. The smell of my dorm room is moldy and dry and as I close the door behind me, I decide against turning on the light. My phone stops buzzing and starts ringing. Todd is calling. I block the call. In the darkness, I stare at the two empty beds before crawling into one, setting my alarm, and going to sleep, hoping at least one of us will be betteroff.
* * *
Beverly showsup in a flurry of perfectly polished nails and expertly teased hair to drop off the majority of her stuff. She directs a pair of professional movers who are obviously more interested in flirting and getting into her tiny shorts than they are with their actual job. That is until Beverly receives a call from a friend and bails. Only then do they actually get to work. I ignore them as I lug my own packages up to our floor, enjoying the quiet hallways. Already, this place is much better than thedorms.
When 5pm rolls around, and they've unloaded everything Beverly brought, I thank them and show them out. I'm left with an apartment full of boxes that make the entire place smell like it's built out of cardboard; a lot like another place I used tolive.
I ignore all the piled boxes and head to my new room. I kick a box out of the way and start to assemble the new desk that I ordered from a cheap resale place online. The instructions are simple, but it’s hot as hell and after spending the entire day in the sweltering heat of the apartment – the AC hadn't been turned on in only God knows how long and it was taking a hot minute to kick in – I stop to crack open my window and let a breeze roll through theroom.
Taking a moment to enjoy the fresh air, I find myself staring out the window, and thoughts start to take root in my mind. Did I really do the right thing with Todd? He’s been texting me all day. His calls automatically go to voicemail and I know they’re piling up. I don’t have it in me to listen tothem.
The front door bangs open and disrupts my thoughts. Setting the notebook to the side I hear Beverly giggling as she strides in, obviously sloshed. I get up and head towards the living room only to see her stumbled over herself and smack her arm into the wall. I sigh, reaching for her arm, and steer her toward the hallway, not realizing that there's someone behindher.
"Come on in, sweetie!" Beverly callsback.
I blink. It's the young girl from the day before; the one with long, golden hair and big, doll-like eyes. She stands just in front of the open door with her arms crossed over her chest like she's holding herself together, or she's just really cold, because in the hallway of the apartment complex the AC is blasting, and her thighs are pressed tightlytogether.
"Hi," she saysquietly.
"Can I help you?" I ask, blinking inconfusion.
"I...um," she looks to the side, toward the door to apartment 7101, "I'm sorry to ask this, but, one of our bathrooms isn't usable, and the landlady isn't sending anyone out until tomorrow. My brother's friend is in the other bathroom and I really have to go." She blushes and leans forward. "I think I um...I think I started myperiod."
"First time?" Iask.
Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head with an embarrassed smile. "No, it's not my first one, but I live with my older brother and his friends. It's – theydon't–"
I hold up a hand to stop her and give her a gentle smile. "Say no more," I reply. "Comein."
I point the girl toward the hallway bathroom, and then make sure Beverly made it to her room, which she has. She stands at the end of her bed with her shirt off as she struggles with undoing the button on her jeans. I close the door and leave her to do her thing. From the glittery tube dress I spotted on her bed, I know she won't be staying inlong.
My phone goes off in the bedroom, and I hurry to grab it before whoever is on the other end hangs up. But as I pick up the phone and the screen flashes, I know this person wouldn’t stop until I picked up. It's Trish. I answer on the nextring.
"Hey–"
"Love..." Trish says. Her voice is tired and watery. I sigh and peek over my shoulder at the open door. I don't want to close it in case the girl comesout.
"What's wrong, babe?" Iask.
"It's Lawrence," she says with a hiccup at the end. "We – it’s hard to explain – you won't –Idon't even understand." She can’t even make coherentsentences.
"Where are you?" Iask.
“In my car.” Trish’s quiet sobs shock me. She breathes hard, trying to be silent, but I hear the tears in hervoice.
“How far away are you?” I askcalmly.
“Around the corner,” she hiccups. “I can’t believe how bad I’ve messed thisup.”
"You know my new address?" I doublecheck.
"You texted it to me," shereplies.
"Okay, babe, I'll see you soon. Come right up. Don't worry, we'll talk aboutit."
"Thanks, Love," she says with a deep sigh. "I love you, see yousoon."
"Hello?" I hang up as the girl's voice sounds in the hallway. I head back into the common area of the apartment, and she stands awkwardly by the bathroom door. "I found a tampon under your sink," she says uncomfortably. "I didn't have any because I wasn'texpecting..."
