The Nuisance Across The Hall

Three: Crap is a Bad Word

     "Well he wasn't to me, or Sophia." She added.

     "I don't care. He's an ass and I don't want him near Sophia anymore." I told her. "Which means no more visits."

     She pouted and defended him. "Oh come on! He's a good guy when you get to know him."

     "I don't want to get to know him. He's proven to me that he isn't worth our time." I said.

     "You're just cranky. Go take a shower and go to sleep." She told me, standing from the couch. "I gotta head home. I have to be at the office at twelve."

     Sky worked at some major business company. She was the IT department's head leader. If there was one thing Sky could do, it would have something to do with computers.

     "Fine. I'm working tomorrow again, same hours. You good to come here again?" I asked her.

     "Of course." She said. "You know I'm always here for you and Sophia." She told me.

     "Thank you for that," I said to her.

     I gave Sky a hug before she left and told her to stay away from Zack. She just laughed and said goodnight.

     After I took a quick shower, I cleaned the dishes in the sink. Once everything was clean, I walked into my room and fell on my bed. Before I could do anything else, I was asleep.

     I was woken up by Sophia jumping on my bed and screaming.

     "Wake up, Mommy! Wake up. We're gonna be late!" She squealed, landing on me with her final jump.

     I shot up, Sophia still on my lap. I looked over at my alarm clock and saw that it was already seven fifteen.

     "Crap!" I yelled, pushing Sophia onto my bed and running to my closet.

     I heard Sophia yell from the bedroom "That's a bad word!"

     "Go eat breakfast!" I yelled back.

     I grabbed the closest pair of jeans and a random shirt. I quickly stripped off my pajamas and left them on the floor.

     I pulled on the dark denim skinny jeans and an old yellow ASU shirt. I threw my brown hair into a ponytail and ran to the kitchen.

     Sophia was sitting on the couch eating an apple when I ran to the pantry. I grabbed a granola bar and went to the fridge to get a water bottle.

     "C'mon Sophia, we gotta hurry," I called as I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

     Sophia put on her bookbag and ran to the door next to me.

     We charged out the door and towards the elevator. Someone else was already on the elevator and the doors were beginning to shut.

     "Hold the elevator!" I yelled, hoping the person inside would keep them open.

     Instead of being nice and helpful, the person inside let the doors close. I had a good feeling who was inside those metal doors.

     Not wanting to wait for the elevator to come back up, I picked up Sophia and ran to the stairs.

     After plowing down three flights, thankfully not tripping, we ended up entering the lobby at the same time as the elevator.

     Zack and some old lady walked off the elevator. Not slowing down, I shot a glare at the annoyance in a body and ran out the lobby door.

     I somehow managed to drop Sophia off and walk into my class right as it started.

     My professor went on and on about random stuff I couldn't bring myself to care about. Without realizing it, I found myself zoned out and thinking about someone I really didn't want to think about.

     Zack must actually have to try and be that rude. There's no way he's that mean by nature. I mean, doesn't he have a family? Maybe he doesn't, but someone had to raise him. Sometimes I wish I could just choke him until his pretty green eyes popped out of his stupid head.

     I forced my thoughts to focus on class. Daydreaming about Zack wasn't going to help me start a career. The class was going over yesterday's papers and revising them. I had already completed mine and was pretty much done for the day. Sadly, I couldn't just walk out and leave, though I was so tempted to. The professor had it out for anyone who walked out of class early.

     A century later, my class finally ended. Looking at the clock on the outside wall, I was surprised to see I had three hours before I had to pick up Sophia.

     I went back home and decided to finish unpacking what was left. It wasn't much, so maybe I could get study time in before picking up Sophia.

     I entered the apartment and threw my book bag on the couch. After grabbing a pack of saltine crackers to snack on, I began unpacking the last few boxes.

     Happy with myself, I was done in thirty minutes. I set up my laptop and took out my notes, ready for schoolwork when there was a knock at my door.

     I unlocked and opened the door to reveal a smirking Zack. Why the hell was he here? It was bad enough he was in the halls. I don't need him irritating me in my free time too.

     "Can I help you?" I asked him, trying to be nice so a fight wouldn't ensue.

     He snickered and said, "Bet you say that a lot, huh?"

     Already annoyed, I rolled my eyes and slammed the door in his face. I didn't have the nerve for him.

     "That was rude!" He called from the other side of the door.

     "I don't care!" I yelled back. I went back to my spot on the couch to start my work.

     "Oh C'mon! Why's the baby momma mad?" He asked with a hint of arrogance in his voice.

     "Don't call me that!" I yelled back, anger in my voice.

     "Okay. I'm sorry, Hot Stuff! Will you open the door now?" He called. How dense could he be?

     Frustrated, I stood up and opened the door again.

     "What do you want?" I asked him, clearly peeved.

     "Why are you so uptight?" He asked me, crossing his arms and putting a genuinely confused look on his face. I went to slam the door again but his foot kept it from closing.

     "I'm busy," I told him. Short and simple, maybe his brain can actually comprehend this.

     "What time do you pick up Tiny Tot?" He asked, leaning against the door frame.

     "Who?" I asked, confused.

     He rolled his eyes and clarified. "Your child, Sophia."

     I wasn't sure to be surprised or worried he remembered her name. Yet he still managed to forget mine.

     "About two hours, why?" I asked him.

     "Good, then we have plenty of time." He spoke easily.

     "Time for what? What do you want?" I asked again. What was he going on about?

     "Just grab your keys." He told me.

     "No," I replied. "I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me where. Actually, scratch that. I'm not going anywhere with you, period."

     "Can you not be so stubborn for once and just come with me?" He complained. If he wanted to spend time with me, he had a funny way of showing it.

     I crossed my arms and demanded, "Tell me where and I might go."

     He rolled his eyes again but complied. "A park a few blocks away. Now, do I have to drag you there too?" He finished with a huff.

     I was about to decline but a thought stopped me. Sophia loved the outdoors and the chances of her loving this park would be high.

     Even though every bone in my body was against the idea, I grabbed my keys and went with Zack. I really hope I don't regret this.