"Oh shit." I shot straight up, realizing where I was. Sunlight was streaming through the windows, telling me that I was fucked. I didn't even know where my phone was, but I had obviously missed my alarm. I quickly got up from the couch that I had fallen asleep on and headed upstairs in search of Arthur. I knocked on his bedroom door, but after no response, I opened it to find he wasn't there. I jogged back down the stairs and called out.
"In here." There was a response from the dining room. I walked in to see Arthur on a laptop, fully dressed.
"What time is it?"
He pulled his watch around and surveyed it. "Around ten."
"Shit." I shook my head as I cursed. "I already missed my first class."
"Sorry, Malia." He looked over at me sympathetically. "I figured you needed your sleep."
"It's not your fault." I shook my head. "I shouldn't have fallen asleep in the first place. I need a ride back to my dorm. Are you free?"
"Yeah." He stood up. "I'm ready when you are."
"Do you know where my phone is?"
"Over here with your purse." He walked back into the kitchen, motioning to where I had left it on the counter.
"Thank you." I grabbed it before realizing I wouldn't have time to change.
"Do I look alright?"
"You look fine." He smiled softly. "I can get you a washcloth for your makeup if you'd like."
"That'd be nice." I nodded.
Arthur left, giving me enough time to check my messages and respond to Chani, who was worried about me. I explained to her what had happened. She responded almost instantly, saying she was glad I was okay, and that it was too bad about me missing class, but not to worry about it too much.
Arthur returned with a warm washcloth. I removed my makeup the best I could and made amends that I would have to wear my clothes from yesterday to class. We made our way out of the apartment and to where his car was. Thankfully the drive wasn't too far to campus.
We arrived, and I said my goodbye to him, before leaning in for a kiss. It wasn't the same as with Chani. Not nearly as passionate, but it was a kiss nonetheless, and I seemed to surprise him.
"Have a nice day, Malia." He smiled at me as I moved back.
"You too." I smiled back at him, before crawling out of the car. I needed to go back to my room. I didn't have any of my things. At this point, I might as well change and get some lunch, rather than get to my class late.
----
Alice had texted me and asked me to get some dinner with her. We settled on a place a bit off campus, that wasn't too far of a walk.
"Hey." I smiled at her as I sat down.
"Howdy do." She smiled widely, watching me as I did. "How are you?"
"Fine." I sighed, taking a sip of the water that was already at the table. "I missed two of my classes this morning because I fell asleep at Arthur's."
"Your sugar daddy? Look at you! You really have changed."
"Not really…" I rubbed my arm nervously. "He's a good guy, though. He had to drop me off afterwards."
"But did you two have sex? Did you finally lose it?" She bounced in her chair slightly.
"No, Alice. Not yet. We're taking things slow." I rolled my eyes.
"But are you and your new goth girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend. Not yet, at least." I shook my head.
We ordered our food and talked about my relationship a while longer until the topic of her missing recently came up.
"I've been hanging out with some girls from a sorority house I'm doing. We've been doing pledges. " Alice shrugged causally.
"That's…good, I guess." I wanted to be happy for her, but just couldn't muster it, feeling like I was being left out once again. "Do you think we can hang out together soon? Like maybe get our nails done or something."
"Sure."
"Okay. what about next week?"
"I don't know. Maybe. I'll have to see." I worried that meant she wouldn't actually get back to me.
"Oh, okay." I nodded slowly.
"Cheer up, Mali." Alice pouted.
"Sorry." I looked down at the table, guilty, not wanting to ruin the mood. I couldn't help it, though. It made me sad to see her become distant once more. I sighed. I should just enjoy the time with her the best that I can rather than pouting about the time I don't get the spend with her.
I looked back up to see food being brought to us and Alice smile.