"Do you have everything?"
Looking down at my full arms, I juggle my extra clothes lying around and a stray shampoo bottle from the shower. After this weekend, Damon and I decided that it was time for me to move back into my own apartment. Both of us feel more secure and safe in our relationship and in the incident from a week ago. We are both still on guard, but in order for this to work, we each need our own space and time apart from each other.
"You do know that I am right across the hall, right?"
His eyebrows furrow, "Yes?"
"So, you do realize that if I forget anything here right now, I can just come back and get it tonight."
His eyebrows straighten and a smile tilts his lips, "I am well aware. What if I didn't want to see you later?"
"Then… then Brandon can open the door and you can close your eyes as I pick up anything I missed."
He laughs, pulling me into his arms. Everything I'm holding spills onto the floor near our feet.
While I'm glad that I'm getting my own space back, I don't know if I'm ready to leave his arms yet. Despite the bumpy morning, the rest of the weekend was two rings short of a honeymoon.
When his arms start to let go, I press him into me. I'm not ready to let go yet. As odd as it seems, it feels like the moment I let him go and walk out the door something is going to change or be lost.
His chest shakes with laughter as he wraps his arms around me, encircling my waist. "Are you alright, love? Are you scared to be alone in your apartment? You know you can stay here if you want, I definitely won't object."
A breathy laugh escapes my lips and I slowly step out of his arms. "I'm fine. I had a great time this weekend, and I don't want it to end."
He looks down at me, his face soft. "Baby, this weekend never has to end. The days may change and we may go through serious things, but at the end of the day we are the two weirdos in the water splashing each other while underwater."
My mind drifts back to the exact moment that he is talking about. There was this huge wave and never of us saw it until it was basically on top of us. In our panic, both of us ducked under the water to avoid the big hit. I remember it crashing into me, I was underwater a second too late, and another wave came. I was starting to freak out, I couldn't breathe (I didn't have time to take a big breath before going under), and all of a sudden he came out of nowhere and brought me back up to the surface.
Once I had my breath back, I was still shaken up. I don't know how many waves passed over me or how long I was under there, but I thought I was going to drown. Seeing my state, Damon went back underwater and seconds later, there was a light pressure against my swimming legs. As it turns out, Damon was splashing me underwater to see how easy water is moved and to ease my slight fear of being underwater by pulling me under and splashing me again. From that point, we splashed each other and when we both came back up, we were hysterically laughing and the people around us, more towards the shore, were giving us strange looks. His method worked, for the rest of the day, we continued to maneuver around the waves and had many more underwater water fights.
His voice saying my name brings me back. "Where did you go?"
"I was thinking about it. Thank you, I love the water and I can't imagine never going in it again because of one experience."
"You know I will always be there to support you or push you when you need it."
"I know."
Hugging him one last time, I bend down and attempt to pick up everything that fell. He helps me and seconds later, I am walking out of his door and into my own. Luckily, I left it open a crack so I didn't have to get my key and attempt to open my door. It's not the safest thing, but no one comes down the hallway this far and I was right next door so I would have heard anything or anyone.
Gently placing everything on the bed, the urge to flop down on the floor and forget about unpacking is strong. But I know if I don't do this now, I will have to do it later and I want a quiet night in with some Chinese takeout and rom-coms.
Grabbing all the bathroom items first, I place them all in my mirror cabinet or the shower before going downstairs to start a load of laundry. Putting the quarters in the slots, I load the machine and leave my hamper there before going upstairs to finish clearing off my bed.
Unlocking the door, I barely get two steps inside before my phone starts ringing. Digging it out from my pocket, I check the caller ID and smile when Amelia's picture pops up on the screen. I remember when she grabbed my phone and took the picture, demanding it became my lock screen. It was the first time we were hanging out. We went to the bar together and towards the end of the night, right before we were planning on leaving, she wanted us all to take a group photo. We asked a random guy who was passing us and I was so nervous he was going to spill his drink on my phone. Surprisingly, the photo came out really nice, and not blurry as I expected. Anyways, after we took that one, the boys wanted one of the three of us. Amelia offered to take it, but instead of getting us, she took a picture of herself, not realizing it until the next morning when we looked.
She decided that even though it is candid and her tongue is poking past her lips, as she always does when she's concentrating, it is a really good shot of her… and it needed to be seen by the whole world by being on my lock screen. It didn't make it, but it is her caller ID.
Hearing the final ring, I quickly swipe the green button across the screen and keep the phone away from my ear when Amelia's high-pitched squeal comes through the speakers.
"Girl, my house at 7. I want you to meet someone. I can't believe he's back! Omg!" Her voice is excited and she's talking a mile a minute. I'm about to say hello when there is a long pause over the line, but then her somber voice fills my ears and I know that I have to be there before seven. "Wait, I'm not ready. He's coming here. Today. I have so much to do. I-"
"Amelia," I attempt to stop her rant about her long to-do list to prepare for tonight, but it lands on deaf ears. "Amelia," I try again. Finally, having tried a couple more times, I shout her name and the phone call is silent again. "I will be there after my laundry is finished and help you set up. Stop worrying. Whoever it is will be so excited to see you, not annoyed because the couch isn't vacuumed or there aren't four chip choices. Take a second and breathe. I will be there at 3."
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! You're a lifesaver. Alright, I need to brush my teeth and," there is another pause, "definitely take a shower. Call me on your way here."
"Go shower, take your time. There is nothing to worry about. Everything will be fine."
"I know, but I'm just so nervous. I haven't seen him in over a year! What if he doesn't like me anymore? What if he cut his hair? What if he has a girlfriend? Oh… my… god. He probably has a girlfriend. What if he brings her here and she doesn't like me and forbids him from seeing me?"
I'll admit, I have not known Amelia for a very long time, but I know her well enough to realize that this behavior is completely abnormal. She is usually so confident and prepared for anything that this guy, who she has never mentioned to me before, has to be a big deal. She definitely has a crush on him. Who is he? When she starts to panic again, I focus back on our conversation. My questions can wait for later.
"Amelia, honey, you need to calm down. Everything will be fine, trust me. Plus, I know you. I don't think you would let another girl take your" I hesitate, unsure of what to call him, "take him away from you."
"You're right. Okay, I can do this. Breathe in, breathe out. We have got this! First things first, I need to go take a shower and eat something."
"I will bring Chinese with me, worry about getting ready."
"Once again, you're my lifesaver. I'll see you at 3. Please don't be late, I really need you."
"I'll be there."
The phone line clicks and I rush into the bathroom to start getting ready.
Stepping into the shower, I think aloud while the water starts to soak my hair, "the washer will be done in an hour so I need to be dressed and all ready to go by the time I put the clothes in the dryer. After that, I'll finish straightening up and order Chinese food right before I take out the clothes."
Two and a half hours later, I check my watch. It's 2:30 pm. If I leave now, I can pick up the Chinese food and make it to her house with ten minutes to spare. I blow my hair out of my face. My laundry is folded and put away, my apartment is straightened up and I picked out an outfit perfect for both, helping her set up and the small party/get together tonight. I feel accomplished but starved.
Grabbing my keys, I head to the garage to start my drive. Two questions continue to nag at me since she called me almost three hours ago: who is he? And, why has Amelia never mentioned him to me?