I was a bit slow climbing the stairs to Lauren’s apartment, both because of my aforementioned exhaustion and that they live on the fifth floor and the open staircase was absolutely setting off my fear of heights.
I don't know what I expected Lauren’s place to look like but the cramped dingy apartment I was led into was not at all it. Mia ordered the both of us away from the small kitchen behind the living area and started putting things together. It felt weird sitting across from Lauren with so much space between us, having to act like strangers until Mia called us to the table.
The meal appeared to be grilled cheese, store-bought frozen wave fries and some broccoli with a bit of butter. I have no idea how it took her an hour to prepare this but given the muffled cursing I’d caught during the process I’m guessing this was a fallback from something more ambitious that had been quietly disposed of.
It was good. Simple but effective. “Good food.” I complimented Mia pushing my empty plate back.
“So do you have any more plans before school starts back up?” Mia prodded.
“Me? Naw. I’m just going to take it easy once my sister leaves. What about you?” I turned the question back at her.
“I’m going on a camping trip early tomorrow with some friends and I’ll be gone for a couple days. I told you that earlier.” Mia giggled.
“Ah right!” I mentally kicked myself while I struggled to change the subject. ”By the way, I’m really sorry your day got derailed by my sister.” I apologize
“You’re fine. It's just nice getting to sit down with her at the table for once.” Mia smiled though for a moment I thought I caught her shooting a glare at the trash bin as if to say ‘but then there’s this asshole’.
I leaned back in my chair and tried to redirect the conversation. “I remember this one time my mom took me apple picking, we just rolled up in my dad’s pickup and she had me hold the bag while she filled it with apples.”
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Mia seemed surprised. “That sounds nice.”
“Eh it was fine. Until the owner of the orchard spotted us and started screaming and I assume the cops were called.” I grimaced. “I dunno, my mom was too busy rushing me back to the truck. Here I am like 12 years old stumbling around with a big old bag of stolen apples I can barely carry.”
Lauren snorted loudly and chuckled at that. Mia gave her a dirty look but I waved it off. “It was a long time ago and far as I can tell we got away with it.” I rubbed my temple nervously at the memory. ”My dad was pissed though.”
Mia gave me a real sympathetic look. I’d intended to try and cheer her up by making a joke of it but it really had scared me at the time and it felt like she understood that. It felt like my off the cuff joke had only made me seem more pathetic. I didn’t wanna seem like I was milking my past trauma for sympathy, and I really hoped she didn’t see me as some charity case.
I put the unpleasant thoughts aside and settled into smalltalk. All told it was a lovely dinner and after a bit more conversation, I figured it was time to let them get back to their mother-daughter thing.
“Can I give you a ride home?” Lauren asked as I pulled open the door.
“Nah I’m not going home. If I tried sneaking in now, it’d only lead to another shouting match. I think I’ll see how many free soda refills Waffle House will give me ‘til they run me out. I don’t have to worry about being up for work anymore so it's fine.”
Lauren stepped out behind me and closed the door. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” I put my hands in the pocket of my hoodie cradling my freshly charged phone. “It’s mildly safer than the streets if you keep your head down and they have wifi at least. It’s not so bad.”
Lauren sighed and looked at her phone. “If you want you can stay the night.”
“You sure?” I asked, backing away from the still intimidating top of the stairs.
“On the couch.” She warned. “No shenanigans okay? Can you be a good girl tonight?”
“Yes Ma’am.” I agreed, turning back from the stairs, I really didn’t wanna have to try and go down them right now.
Lauren pulled me into her arms and I felt her warm lips press up against mine sending shivers down my spine. I could feel her hands roaming, teasing really. She pulled back and looked me in the eyes. “I’m still mad, but if you can be a good girl tonight, we can spend the day together alright?”
“Yes, Mistress.” I blushed as she gave me a reassuring squeeze and shushed me.
