roommates » jack gilinsky (#wattys2016)

six

"now, nova, is that the way you talk to your stepfather?" he questions in a chiding voice.

"nope, but that's the way i talk to the man my mother cheated on my father with."

"technically, you should be mad at your mother, not at me. it's been four years, nova. when are you going to get over it?"

"oh, you have no idea how mad i still am at her." i scowl, referring to my mom. "i also have every right to be angry with you because you just let it happen."

"you're nineteen. grow up." he tells me.

"you're a grown man going for married women and you're telling me to grow up?" i emphasize. "know your place before you try and call me again."

"i didn't mean for this to end in a fight, but your mother and i are in town for the weekend and she really wants to see you."

"then she should've been the one to call me." i say.

he sighs, "are you available?"

"i'm in no mood to see you guys and i'm on a date." is all i let him know before abruptly hanging up.

i sink down into my seat and shove my phone back into my purse. that ruined my day dry quickly.

"hey, you okay?" adrian speaks up.

"if i'm being honest, no."

"want to talk about it?" he asks nicely.

he's so considering and sweet. surely, someone i don't deserve to be with, but he likes me and i like him.

"maybe later." i bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to rudely brush him off.

i just don't like to talk about my family and i prefer not to. my dad, however, i could talk about for hours because he's a wonderful person and he's made me who i am today. oh the other hand, i try to avoid the topic of my mother.

the horrible role model who can't keep her legs shut.

*

during the entire dinner, i pick at my food, thinking about mark's words. the audacity he has to be getting on my last nerve. i look up to adrian and he watching me with concern and intent.

"my stepdad called." i speak up.

he might as well know why i'm being so distant and acting the way i am. adrian sits up and listens.

"yeah?"

"him and my mom are in town. his name is mark and five years ago, she cheated on my dad with mark and they married a year after her and my dad divorced." i spill, letting out a sigh at the end and it wasn't a relieved one.

"do you want to see them?" he asks, tilting his head.

i shrug my shoulders, "i don't know if that's a good idea."

"i'm not trying to pressure you into doing anything that you don't want to do, but i could drive you to them if you want to see them. or you could invite them to your apartment."

"where my perverted roommate lives? that's at the bottom of my list."

"well, what's at the top?" adrian asks.

"not seeing them." i muttter.

"okay." he softly smiles, reaching over to grab my hand. "then we won't go and see them."

"can we just go back to my place? cuddle and watch movies and eat chocolate? you bought me like three boxes." i laugh and his smile grows.

"indeed i did."

i stand from my chair as adrian places down the top and pays for the check. i'm not even going to bother arguing with him over paying because he already mentioned earlier that he was going to and we fought then.

he drapes his suit jacket over my shoulders as we walk out and i thank him.

"sorry for being such a bum. this date has been amazing."

"don't worry about it. i know where you're coming from."

i give him a weak smile and get into the car. the quiet hum of music flows throughout and the drive back to my place isn't long at all.

"actually, i think i might go in alone." i say to adrian. "thank you for the date. i'll call you tomorrow?"

he nods his head in understanding, "bye, nova." he says as he kisses my cheek as a farewell.

i make my way up to my apartment room, passing college students along the way up. i open the front door, knowing that jack most likely didn't lock the door. he never does and that's dangerous.

i stop in my tracks when i see jack with two other people. they all lift their gaze up to me and my mouth suddenly dries.

"what are you two doing here?" i narrow my eyes at them.

"your father gave me your address a while ago." my mom says, standing up from my couch.

what a liar. like my father can even remember my address. he can barely remember me.

"why the hell would he do that?" i raise my voice. "he hates you and i hate you."

"nova." jack tries to calm me down.

"no, don't you dare tell me to calm down." i seethe at jack and he holds his hands up in surrender.

"mark told me that you were on a date. dressed like that? you're nineteen, nova. don't dress like you're a grown woman. you have the mentality of a child and the last thing i want is for people to be calling my daughter a hoe."

"god." i shake my head. "you just reminded me as to why i hate you so much. why do people keeping telling me how old i am? i'm aware of my own age!"

"that doesn't give you an excuse to dress like that." mark steps in.

"so what if i get called a hoe? my roommate calls me cruel names on the daily! i might as well get used to it." i shout, gesturing over to jack, who's face flashes with hurt and guilt.

my mom licks her lips, opening her mouth to say something, "i came here, thinking that you've changed-"

"well, you've wasted your time." i cut her off, quieting down my voice and my eyes pooling with tears. "my roommate will show you the way out."

"nova, he has a name." mark sternly scolds me like he's my own father.

"my roommate will show you out." i repeat through gritted teeth, furiously wiping away the tears that have trickled down my cheeks.

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