ADDICTED

38

I sighed. "Your parents. My parents. My friends."

Well, Isabelle probably wouldn't be against it since she thought James was formed by god himself, but Ryan would think I lost my last noodle. 

Who wouldn't? I had a messy history with his brother. That spelled bad news.

"Who gives a fuck what they think?" Julia scoffed. "I mean, yeah, their opinions matter, but that doesn't mean it should stop you from finding happiness. Take it from me, who spent my entire childhood trying to live up to my parents' impossible expectations. They might think they know what's best for you, but really only you know what makes you happy."

I didn't know how to respond. She wasn't wrong and I didn't disagree with her. Some things were just better left alone, in my opinion.

Fortunately, we reached the Uhaul store and the conversation ended there. I rented a trailer compatible with my car and then we headed to the apartment complex. We filled our arms with empty cardboard boxes and headed up to the second floor where my place was. 

The dread in my chest mounted with each step. I couldn't help but feel apprehensive knowing what we were about to walk into. The reminder of what someone had to do me and my personal belongings didn't sit well.

I was relieved to see the busted door had been replaced, at least. With a deep breath, I inserted the new key from my landlord into the lock and entered the quiet, dark apartment.

Everything was just as I'd left it—an absolute catastrophe of upturned furniture, scattered items, and broken knick-knacks.

"Jesus," Julia muttered from behind me. "That fucker wrecked the place."

"Yep," I sighed.

We got to work on sorting the things that weren't beyond repair and tossing the things that were. While Julia put them in boxes, I cleaned up the soap on the bathroom floor.

After half an hour, Julia called me into the kitchen.

"What's up?" I said as I walked in.

She held up a sticky note and brushed the dark locks from her face. "Did you see this?"

My stomach sank. I reached for the note half-heartedly, already remembering the words inscribed. 

Stupid fat bitch. You ruined it for us both.

"You've seen it," she realized, pulling the note out of my reach. "Is this from the vandal or someone else?"

"Unless someone else has been here, it had to be whoever broke in."

Julia's face was severe as she appraised me. "This is a very personal insult. This wasn't a random break-in, Leah. No way."

"I know," I agreed in a subdued voice. 

"Hey, look at me," Julia said as she lifted my chin with her free hand, forcing our gazes to collide. "Do you have any idea who would say this to you?" 

"No," I told her. "I honestly have no idea."

She sighed and stuffed the note into the back pocket of her jeans. "I think we should show it to James. He'll know what to do."