Cosmic Jokes - Laurmani (Watty's 2018)

I. Out the Window

Normani
I walked downstairs to make myself a cup of coffee. I drank it black as I always do. I always questioned the benefits of cream and sugar.

I looked outside my window to see my neighbor sprawled out on the top of her roof. Her shirt rode up a bit, showing her pierced navel. Her eyes were closed and her hands were placed behind her head.

I never talked to her in the four years I've lived next to her. Ever since I saw her pulling and examining the weeds out of her front yard, I decided that she wasn't worth speaking to.

She was always outside, even if it rained. I came to the conclusion that she obviously had domatophobia.

A fear like that just wasn't normal, so I always keep my distance. Her and my homes were the only two in this secluded area. She never bothered me. That was the good thing.

I finished my coffee and went upstairs to shower.

I love hot water. It was always relaxing to me. I thought about what I'd do for the day. I was finished with college now. I have two psychology degrees to prove it, however I'm not too fond of having a lot of free time.

I'm not too fond of working either. I have generational wealth. It would be rude of me to take a job that could go to someone else who needs it more.

I changed into a t-shirt and shorts, I didn't plan on going anywhere today.

Just then my door was swung open.

"ManiBear!!" A tiny body crashed into mine causing me to crash to the floor.

I looked up. "Hey shorty. What's up?"

She huffed and got off of me.

"We missed you so we decided to come over. It's a good thing we did because it looks like it's gonna rain soon."

We? I looked over to see Dinah and Mila raiding my fridge and eating THE CHICKEN WINGS I SAVED SPECIFICALLY FOR TODAY.

"You bitches owe me wings!"

"Don't worry Mani we brought food to make up for it."

"So why couldn't you guys just..you know what. Nevermind. What are we gonna do anyway?" I was kind of annoyed that they were here. Well moreso annoyed at my eaten chicken wings.

"Just hang out I guess. Besides we have a whole marathon of Law & Order to watch. Now come sit with us."

Ally patted the available spot next to her on the couch.

As I walked over to her I couldn't help but glance out the window. I didn't see her anymore. I guess she went inside. She was smarter than I...nope nevermind. I saw her hanging upside down from the tree in her backyard. She had earbuds in her ears and she looked deep in thought.

"Mani you didn't sit next to- who's that?"

"Just my neighbor. I don't know much about her."

"Oh..I know! We should invite her over!"

"Ally no. She's a strange stranger with a possible mental illness if my predictions are correct. I refuse to have that in my home."

"Camila literally has the mentality of a 5 year old" I looked to see her snuggled up to Dinah in her banana onsie, eating some gummy worms "but you let her in."

"Ally I don't know her."

"But she's out in the rain. What if she gets sick?"

"Ally I don't care about her. She has her own house to drag herself into."