PLOTTING and SCHEMING || D.R.

Chapter 2

But when I opened the door, I heard footsteps climbing up the stairs. It was too late for me to retreat now. I held the towel tight again my body as his attention falls on me. We were inches away from bumping into each other.

"Hi--you must be Donald. Sorry--" I back away, my cheeks turning a bright shade of red.

"Tierney, right?" He slowly stuck out his hand. I grasped onto the towel, freeing up my hand to shake it. There were droplets of water running down my legs. He didn't seem to show alarm. I took a deep breath. "Sorry to hear about your apartment. Nice to finally meet you."

I smiled, releasing his hand.

"Thanks," I blinked.

"I--uh, just had to stop by real fast. Still working," he moved toward his bedroom door. I receded away to lean against the frame of my room, giving some more pressure to hold up my towel. He seemed to be in a hurry. "Thatchers' working tonight?" he calls out, reappearing a moment later. He returned with his briefcase in hand and a manilla folder in the other.

"Yeah, till midnight he said." I recross one arm over the other.

"Ah, okay. I should be back in a couple hours. I can bring home some pizza?"

"Sounds great." I could drool. I was starving.

"Pepperoni?" He lifts a brow.

"I don't discriminate." I shrug, but only slightly. The action lets my towel droop a centimeter.

"Awesome," he said, distracted, rifling into his pants pocket to pull out his keys. "See you in a bit."

I smile as he descends the stairs, leaving as quickly as he came in.

Unfortunately, for my entire life, Thatcher's friends were always attractive to me. At least from what I could remember. I found Donald was no different. Conventional--blonde hair, blue eyes. Tall...and taller than me. That's all that really mattered. And he looked sexy in a suit. That was always the plus.

I wiped off the rest of my body with the towel, before stepping into my linen pajamas. This was a tale as old as time. I'm Thatch's little sis, for forever and a day. Nobody crosses over that threshold, and neither do I try. I never thought about his friends further than that, knowing the outcome every time. Maybe I only found his friends attractive because they were off limits.

However, I could still admire them, from a distance.

Without waiting another moment, I fire Prestin a text and dial my mom's number.

To: Prestin

From: Tierney

Just met the roommate.

I told her yesterday my new arrangement, until my apartment gets fixed. She's met my brother several times, and was aware of our family conspiracy of his imaginary friend. In my world, this was breaking--no, earth shattering news.

It took four rings for my mom to answer.

"Hey, girly-girl. Now is a bad time. Your father and I are watching Shark Week."

"He's real mom."

"Who?"

"Donald. Thatchie's roomie."

"Oh my god," I hear her surprise from the other side of the line. "Did you meet him?"

"Yeah, like a minute ago. He was very real."

She heaves a great sigh, one of relief.

"I was so worried about him, you know. I thought he was schizophrenic, Tierney! I even started doing research!" She covers her mouth to quiet her laughs, probably trying not to disrupt my dad's shark week binge. But I could hear him laughing too.

"Well, you don't have to worry anymore." I laugh. "I'll call you tomorrow once I get to talk to him more. Thatch has to work. Donald is bringing home pizza."

"Aw, seems like a nice guy. This is going to be so good for you, you know."

"What's good for me?"

"Oh, you know. Having some guys take care of you for once."

"Mom--"

"I'm just saying, it's good to sit back once in a while, sweetheart. Promise me you'll take advantage, have a little fun with your brother and his friends?"

"Your mom is right, T!" My dad calls, shouting from across the room. "You deserve a break."

It was my turn to heave a great sigh. There was no point in arguing with them. It was better to just let them live in her delusions. So I agreed, and we said our goodnights.

To: Tierney

From: Prestin

HE'S REAL!!!!!! Thank god. Is he cute?

To: Prestin

From: Tierney

I'll fill u in tmrw.