Sweep Me Off My Feet

Chapter 19: Girl Talk

“We’re homeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

I lugged my suitcases wearily into the condo, glaring at Ray tiredly. We had taken the lastest flight back to Cali so it had be around 4 AM. I, personally, was jetlagged while Ray’s happy a/ss was bursting with energy.

“Aren’t you tired?” I asked, as I peeled off my mitts and coat. “Nahhhhh.” I heard his voice say as he walked into the living room. I was exhausted, I just wanted to sleep. “Well I’m going to bed, alright?” He appeared at the side of the stairs, with a bowl of fruit loops in hand, as I went up. With a mouthful, he grinned. “Alright beautiful, sweet dreamsssssss.” I rolled my eyes at his extreme loudness.

Reaching my room, I collapsed on my bed, dressed and everything. Many thoughts wanted to flash in my mind, but I was beyond tired to entertain them.

Quincy. My parents. Ray.

My lids fell heavily, as my head sunk into my pillow. I’ll think about those another time. But for now, SLEEP.

*

I woke up to find sunlight rudely shining in my eyes. The sun was high in the sky as I blinked several times at the light streaming from the balcony window. I sat up slowly, sore from sleeping in one spot. I had the momentary stupor where you don’t even remember your name.

I stretched, rubbing my eyes as I started to realize my surroundings. Now that was a good nap.

I forced myself out of bed, running a quick, cold shower, trying to wake up my senses. Clean and dressed, I descended the stairs, my stomach growling like crazy. “Let’s see what we’ve got.” I said to myself. The kitchen looked untouched. Looks like either Ray wasn’t up yet or he was out. I checked the time on the stove. 3:37 PM. Damn.

I opened the pantry finding nothing but an assortment of cerals. I opened the fridge finding all sorts of juice, soda, junk food— but no real food. I sighed, settling for a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch; I need to teach him how to grocery shop.

I sat at the bar stool counter, eating my ceral, thinking about what I had planned for today. Nothing. But I didn’t want to stay in the condo all day today. Just then, my eye chanced a upon a bright purple sticky note with a hasty message written on it.

I read it aloud: “Hey Loser, I’m out with Craig, we’re working on a song. Don’t wait up for me, we’ll be out all day. But don’t worry, I’ll be thinking of you ;). P.S., We need food, might wanna work on that… – Ray”

I blushed at his stupidness, calling me a loser, when he couldn’t even keep his own condo stocked with food, this kid. Just for that, I won’t go grocery shopping. If I can live off ceral, so can he. But I blushed mostly at the fact that he’d be “thinking of me.”

I spun around in the bar stool chair, thinking. Well if Ray is gonna be out all day, what I am gonna do? I was secretly looking forward to be hanging with him…as a friend or..? Now that I think about it, what are we now? I relived the memory in Louisiana a couple of times in my head.

I’m pretty sure that night, that night he kissed me, he was being serious with his feelings. Pretty sure? No, I know for a fact. He had to have been, because I had never seen him so…real before. Sure he jokes around, but I swear I saw sincerity in his eyes. The extra week we spent in Louisiana was magical. Treated me out to dinner every night, I took him every where I loved to go…we spent almost every moment together, and shared just a few— okay, a lot more kisses.

What does that mean? Do we date now? Am I his…girlfriend? I found myself smiling like an idiot to myself.

“Hi, I’m Shai Asher, Ray’s girlfriend.” “Who am I? Oh, I’m Rayson’s girlfriend.”