Page 1 of Pillow Talk

Chapter 1

Alexa

The sound of birds chirping causes me to stir, so I pull my quilt around me, not even bothering to open my eyes and doing my best to ignore the sounds of morning. A couple hours of sleep is not enough to live on… good thing I have no life. I merely need to function until I make it through finals, I remind myself as my body relaxes back into a dreamlike state.

The delicate chirps drift to chiming, and I squeeze my eyes shut so tightly, in fact, it’s possible that I popped a blood vessel. No! It can’t be time to get up! Sliding my phone under my pillow, I roll over, attempting to ignore the digital sound reminding me that time waits for no one.

Just when I’m winning the war with myself about staying in bed, a blaring sound jars me awake. The final alarm is equal parts battle cry and war siren, and that atrocious noise means I’ve slept through the other two alarms. Shit!

In the process of scrambling to find my phone to check the time, I knock it under the bed and end up tumbling after it. Cold hard floor…meet thigh.

“That’s gonna leave a mark,” I groan, rubbing my tender skin.

“Shut that damn thing off!” a familiar voice grumbles, simultaneously giving me the chills and boiling my blood. He sounds like he had a buffet of broken glass and cigarettes for breakfast, washed down with a fifth of cheap tequila.

My mind blanks, forgetting about the obnoxious blaring and the fact I’m obviously late. Taking about three steps forward, I yank back the shower curtain that divides my sleeping space from that of my roommate, Kami. Sure enough snuggled up thicker than thieves are Kami and her Ex, Spike.

His name leaves little to the imagination. Emo, asshole, druggie. Check, check, check. I love guy liner as much as the next girl, but this guy is trouble with a capital T.

As if sensing my obvious disdain, he glares and turns his back to me, pulling my friend closer into his chest. He might as well hike his leg to mark his territory.

I haven’t even had my coffee, so it takes everything in my power to avoid addressing him before this situation goes from bad to worse. If an eye roll could cause a concussion, I would be passed out in the floor. “Kami, what’s he doing here?” An angry whisper scratches my throat. She lifts her head from his chest, her auburn hair sticking out in all directions.

“Hmmm?” She stifles a yawn, cracking open her eyes. “Dude, what?” As I open my mouth to tell her what, and then some, she cuts me off.

“Just please don’t make a scene.” At least, she has the decency to look half-way embarrassed. We've been through this, but before I can say more, she mouths a silent, “Please.” And that single word speaks volumes.

I nearly give myself whiplash, spinning on my heel to grab the still blaring phone. Whatever. Doing my best to shake off all the words hanging on the tip of my tongue, I head to bathroom to shower. A quick glance at my phone tells me a shower is a luxury I won’t be afforded this morning if I want to actually make it to my final on time. Messy bun and leggings it is. Again.

Remembering Captain Asshole is here, I circle back to my make shift dresser to grab a quick change of clothes so I can dress in the bathroom. Kami climbs out of bed and follows me.

Her skinny frame leans against the bathroom door that she's pulled closed behind her, watching me in the mirror while I pull my hair into a messy bun and wash my face. The chill of the water is a welcome shock to my simmering mood. I can tell she wants to explain. Sucking in a deep breath, I turn and face someone I barely recognize.

“He stopped by my work last night,” she offers. “And I, well… He said he was sorry.” Voice trailing off, her shoulders rise and fall in a pitiful shrug.

“We talked about this. You could do so much better. And what about class? Do you not have finals this week?” I try to be supportive and not judgmental, but I want to grab her and shake some sense into her. So, I busy myself going about getting ready as well as I can in the cramped space.

“I guess I was lonely. And school isn't going so hot for me; my professors all seem to have it out for me. My final project in art got rejected because it was late. But I had to wait to buy the supplies that I needed.”

“Why didn't you tell me that? I could have helped.” I try to be reassuring, but I'm a little annoyed with the woe is me act.

“You're already covering most of the bills right now as it is.”

“That's what friends are for. We will figure this out. Speaking of rent, the money for this month is in the oatmeal container on top of the fridge. Can you pay it today as soon as the office opens? I don't want it to be late.” Taking one last look in the mirror, I grab my stuff and prepare to leave.

“Sure.” She nods.

“Thanks, and hey, don't worry. We will figure the rest out. Let's talk tomorrow when I get home. I've got the graveyard again at the diner tonight. But maybe we could grab breakfast before class tomorrow.” She looks like she wants to say more but doesn't. “Okay?” I ask.

“Sounds good.” Kami says, opening the door and stepping just outside the tiny space.

“Are you okay to be here alone with him?” I question, searching her eyes for a sign she’s in trouble.

“Yeah, he's not like that. He's a little rough around the edges I know, but he really does love me.” She pleads, and I wonder which of us she's trying to convince.

My expression must give away my doubt because she turns defensive. “If you think he's so bad, why did you make a pass at him last time he was here?” My jaw nearly drops, and I realize this must be what's been on her mind. “What? Didn't think he would tell me? Is that why you don't want him around anymore? You were afraid I would find out?”

“You have got to be kidding me. Look, Kami, I think we both know that's some crock of shit story Spike concocted to drive a wedge between us. And obviously, it worked because here you are accusing me. And if you must know, there was a pass made, but it was the other way around.”