Strings and Schemes

Chapter 14

"Here are the keys to your flat, Ms. Addams," says the letter, holding them out gently for me to take from his hand. "Congratulations, I hope you'll find yourself at home here." How long have I been waiting to make home a place and not just a daydream?

I walk to the elevators, and hit '11'. The feeling is unmeasurable. I am about to walk into my first adult apartment, my own place where I can be myself, where I can exist without the pomp and circumstance of my parents work. I never thought I'd be out from under their thumb. The past 48 hours have been nothing short of a roller coaster, between being offered up as political tool to a man I've never met, to hooking up in the back of the Limo with Louis, to Liam finding out about our multi-year affair, to being out in the public with Zayn, living my life the way I want to.

My apartment is everything I've ever dreamed of - beautiful views, wide open spaces, tall ceilings and skylights. The perfect places to display art I'm proud of, and art that makes me feel things. A bedroom that is cozy and large, with a moderate walk in closet and the perfect bathroom for getting ready - with heated tile floors, as if the apartment was made perfectly for me, with my hatred of socks. I can't help but feel overwhelmed with joy, knowing that I'm getting out of the mess that has been my life. All thanks to a little encouragement from some overpriced champagne, and the best friend in the world whose schemes could rival a small nation.

Louis looks out the floor to ceiling windows, turning to me, a grin on his face. "Raina, you have outdone yourself."

"I really can't believe this is my actual life right now," I gush.

Louis smiles back at me, "I'll take a thank you any time, luv."

I crack open the new bottle of tequila, mixing Louis and I Queen Bee's, a tequila forward cocktail with citrus and honey. The perfect mix of afflicting our souls and calming. My apartment feels exactly like what I expected it would feel like, homey and dishevelled - like the perfect place for a girl dinner and a Diet Coke. The perfect place to wake up late, wearing my make up from the night before, with sparklers and streamers on the floor, and empty bottles of tequila.

And this right here, with my best friend is the perfect start.

I throw on "Louis is obsessed with Raina, vol 24" and ignite our own dance party. Music blasting through the speakers, setting the scene for the beginning of many sleepless nights.

"Fuck the neighbours!" I say, Louis following my lead. Jumping on couches and throwing cushions at each other. Pure joy in our faces.

As we sipped our drinks, The sky erupted in a blaze of fiery oranges, electric purples, and deep blues, a breathtaking finale to the sun's daily performance. It's performance only second to mine and Louis'.

"This is so much better than I imagined," I smile, opening the fridge to grab more mix.

"It's exactly what I knew would happen, one day, babe." Louis says, giving me a vote of confidence.

Louis joins me and sips directly from the bottle, pouring it down my throat, too. I swallow hard, my throat burning slightly.

"Good girl." He smirks, I give him a knowing look, he laughs. "God, get your head of our the gutter!"

I shake my head, "Says you."

He laughs, "eh, never heard you complain before, luv."

I feel an awkward tension arise between us. With the looming feelings of Liam in my mind, and the unspoken words remaining between us. Normally, I'd dive into all of that, but I'm tired of taking others feelings into consideration ahead of my own. Normally, I would be begging for forgiveness and making reparations, but not this time. This time, I am having my own Independence Day Party.