Leah

   I stared at Steve as he rambled on and on about which medication was which. The few strands of grey hair on his head took my interest and I wondered if it was stress or old age that caused it.

   "You are not listening to me, are you?" Steve asked and I shook my head. "Leah.." he started and I sighed.

   " You've said it like a million times already. I already know them like the back of my hand." I said and he nodded.

   "Make sure you take them." He warned and I nodded. He narrowed his eyes at me and I groaned.

   "I promise this time." I said and he nodded. His phone rang and he took his jacket.

   "If you don't, I'll bundle you to the hospital, understand?" He added and I gave him a short salute. He closed the door behind him and I sighed.

   My stomach grumbled and I went to the kitchen only to see the empty containers from last week. The memory of last week made me cringe at myself. Why did I ask him to stay? After he left, I realized how uncomfortable and embarrassed he must have felt. I was being selfish when I asked him to stay. I knew the real reason I brought it up.

   I took out the leftovers from the take out I ordered yesterday and put it in the microwave. I wonder if he's still in the bridge... Maybe it was just a one time thing. His car looked expensive so he wouldn't be homeless, right?
 
    The sound of the microwave brought me out of my thoughts and I took the plate to the living room. I went back and poured myself a glass of water. I sat on the floor with a bunch of medications on the table and my lunch. I took a deep breath and filled my mouth with water. In 3, 2, 1.. I threw the tablets into my mouth one and after the other and quickly swallowed them.

   "Yes!" I cheered and started eating my lunch. It was already 5pm and the weather began to change. The loud sound of thunder erupted and I yelped. I rushed to the balcony and took my clothes. The rain had already started and some of my clothes were wet all over again. I closed the glass doors of the balcony and turned on the fan. I spread out the clothes on the couch and table so that it'd dry quickly.

   I sat down on the floor with a sigh. The apartment looked stuffy with clothes all over and my half eaten food was almost covered with clothes. I was about to take it when I heard a knock on the door. Steve said he'd be busy all night.. did he forget something? I wondered before opening the door. I saw Aunt Charlie smiling broadly at me and I almost choked on air.

    "Hey Leah." She said and I quickly collected myself and smiled at her.

   "Hey Aunt Charlie, do you want to come in?" I offered and I remembered the clothes everywhere. " Pardon me, the rain and everything..."

   "It's fine sweetie. Tristan forgot his backpack in my place so I decided to bring it over since I was close." She said and I noticed the bag in her hands. I smiled and took the bag from her.

   "I'll give it to him once he comes back." I said and she smiled. I noticed a few droplets of rain on her coat.. she wasn't with an umbrella. I took an umbrella from the ones beside the door and gave it to her. "You might catch a cold." I mumbled.

   "Thanks dear. I forgot mine at home." She said and I nodded. She looked at her wristwatch and gave me a warm smile. "I have to go sweetie. Tell Tristan I said hi okay?" She said and I nodded. I closed the front door after she entered the elevator. How the heck am I supposed to give him his bag? I had no idea where he was and obviously, he hasn't told his aunt the truth. I should go to the bridge tomorrow and hopefully, he's still there.

   Just as I was about to drop the bag, I heard another knock on the door. Maybe Aunt Charlie forgot something.. I opened the door only to see the most unexpected person. He was drenched in the rain. He unconsciously shivered, clutching his wet jacket.

   "Is.. is um-" he started and I looked at him in confusion. His eyes wandered down to the bag in my hands and I figured his aunt must've told him she's coming. He took a deep breath before looking at me, "Is the offer still available?" He asked and I furrowed my eyebrows, what offer? He bit down on his lip and waited for a reply while I tried to understand what he was talking about. Offer.. offer.. wait a minute!

   "Is it about staying here?" I asked and he nodded. I'm not being selfish now, right? He needs a place so it's not one-sided anymore right?

  "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here. I-" he started rambling. He probably mistook my silence for rejection.

   "Come in." I said, cutting him off. He looked at me unsurely as if he was trying to see if I was serious or not. I walked back into the apartment and I heard footsteps behind me. The state of my apartment smacked me in my face and I quickly gathered my clothes from the living room.

   "Uh.. where is your stuff?" I asked carrying my clothes in my hands.

   "In the security post. I didn't want to come up with them in case you refused." He explained and I nodded. "I'll go get them." He said pointing towards the door.

   I sighed in relief and rushed to my room. I dumped the clothes on the bed and ran back to the living room. I packed my medications into the plastic bag they were in and carried my half eaten food out. The living room was covered with books which I used earlier. I started arranging them and I heard a knock on the door.

   I opened the door for Tristan as he carried his luggage inside.

   "You'll have to stay in the couch tonight. The other room is not ready now. I'll clear it out tomorrow." I pointed at the second room and he nodded slowly.

   "Do you live alone here?" He suddenly asked and I stopped in my tracks.

   "Yeah" I simply answered and he looked at me in confusion. He was probably wondering how I could afford the apartment alone or what my parents thought about it.

   "Okay." He said and sat on the couch purposely avoiding the one I told him was faulty.

   "Are you hungry? I'll put something together for us." I said trying to run away from the awkward tension in the air. I speed walked into the kitchen only to realize that the only edible thing I had was instant noodles. I decided to ask him if it was okay.

   The living room was empty and I ran to my mum's room only to see the door open. I saw Tristan looking at a picture of my mum and I and I balled my fist in anger.

   "What are you doing?" I asked calmly. He jumped in surprise almost dropping the framed picture.

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~Korisa