Arrangement [H.S]

09

"Easy- banana bread." The rest of the old ladies were suddenly happy because Nell always picks my baked goods when she wins and shares with them later.

"I don't play anymore, I wanted that goddamn banana bread." Rufus got up from his seat and threw his hands in the air, which made Nell giggle. Everyone always wants my baked goods, which makes me happy. Nell is always the first to win the prizes.

"Yeah, go cry about it." Nell sighed as she moved from where she stood on the way for the award. 

"Why didn't you pick the Shakespeare books set?"

"I know his tragedies, I read them once. Now I want Naomi's banana bread. It's not your business bald man." She stretched her hands out to the prize, but Rufus stepped between her and the bread.

"Come on, wouldn't you like to read one more time about how Juliet drank poison?" Rufus raised an eyebrow and smiled gently, hoping he could convince Nell to change his mind.

"I advise you to choose a set with Shakespeare you old idiot. Juliet stabs herself with dagger and it was Romeo who drank the poison. To be honest you could take an example from him. Now, get your butt, I want my banana bread."

He relentlessly stood in front of her and looked down on her because he was taller. His smirk did not leave his face, he only tried to take her hands away when she tried to move him as much as possible. Their dynamic was endearing, and I secretly hoped that they'd eventually admit their feelings for each other.

Jesus, just kiss already.

To my horror, both Rufus and Nell turned their surprised gazes toward me, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

"Did I say it out loud?" I stammered, my cheeks reddening as I tried to backtrack.

Rufus and Nell exchanged glances before Rufus cleared his throat and created a diversion, allowing Nell to claim her banana bread without further awkwardness. The moment passed, and we moved on, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I had unintentionally unveiled their unspoken feelings.

Fortunately, an awkward moment was interrupted by one of the carer announcing that it was dinner time and we could not play any more.

Nell softly said with flushed cheeks, "Okay oldie you can get a piece of Naomi's banana bread, but after dinner, come on."

They are the sweetest.

The whole group started getting ready to go to the cafeteria and I started putting on my coat because every day was getting colder. I noticed that one of the ladies was waving her hand gently suggesting that I should come over to her.

"Wilfred told me that Rufus once told him he wanted to ask Nell on a date." She said with a soft chuckle. "Bernadette told me about your bet, I think you will win any time soon." The sweet old lady grinned and approached my ear "but you don't know this from me and don't tell Nell, Rufus will ask her himself."

"I knew he would finally dare to make this move and ask her, I swear I've been waiting forever." I took my purse and hung it over my shoulder and started walking old lady to the cafeteria.

She looked out the corridor window and sighed, "Did you come by car or did you come on foot?"

"I came by car, why?"

"It's getting dark now, it's October and I don't want you to go home alone. I'm always worried about you when you go alone."She muttered with obvious worry on her face.

"You don't have to worry, I'll go by car." I tried to soothe her as we approached the cafeteria.

"Don't be surprised. It's a dangerous city, you can hear so much about robbery or attacs on the street. Recently I heard that a man was beaten up at a nearby small gas station and then robbed and ransacked. It was supposedly his own small business, he probably won't recover from this. And the perpetrator is unknown.."

What?

"At what gas station?"

"Here, not so far away, this station apparently is run by such an unpleasant man, but to attack and beat him like that? The degenerates had to do it because he had to go to the hospital. I read in the newspaper."

Oops.

 I said goodbye to everyone and started going to my car, then turned on my favorite playlist as always. 

Maybe it's stupid of me, but I decided to drive my car to that fucking gas station. I am a very curious person sometimes, it will lead me to my grave one day.

I was starting to stress because of the last time I was in this place. But I locked the car door from the inside for safety, I figured I just could see through the windows if anyone was inside or not.

After a few minutes I was at the gas station and drove as close as possible. The light was off and there was a huge notice on the door that said this place was closed until further notice.

Shit.

The events at the gas station two weeks ago still lingered in my mind like a dark cloud. That unsettling encounter with the perverted cashier, and Harry coming to my rescue, had left a mark. But as grateful as I was for his timely intervention, it hadn't done much to improve our strained relationship.

As soon as we returned to the apartment after that unsettling incident, Harry reverted to his usual cold demeanor. It was as if his act of heroism had never happened, and we were back to being two strangers sharing the same living space. For several days, it seemed like we couldn't exchange a single word without it escalating into a full-blown argument.

Our quarrels were absurd, centering on the tiniest and most insignificant things. It was infuriating how easily we could trigger each other's tempers, and I couldn't help but be exasperated by the realization that this had become my life now.

I had hoped that our near miss at the gas station might have prompted a change in Harry, a softening of his edges, but it seemed that nothing could penetrate the armor he had built around himself. The chasm between us continued to widen, and it left me feeling frustrated and isolated.

I couldn't help but wonder if Harry's indifference was my fault, if there was something inherently wrong with me that made him treat me this way. The uncertainty gnawed at me, and I found myself longing for the days when life was simpler, when I didn't have to navigate this complex and tumultuous relationship with my enigmatic roommate.

It was a stark reminder that sometimes, even in the face of adversity, people's true colors could remain unchanged. And as the days passed, I couldn't help but question whether Harry and I were destined to remain as distant and disconnected as ever.

꧁꧂

I hope you are doing well! I'm going on a short trip tomorrow with my friends and I can't wait <3

I remember the first time I wrote these chapters and Oscar was named Erin then I realized Erin is a mostly female name lmao. 

mel