I got home, and as expected, there was no one around. I should probably order something to eat but I’m not really hungry, I have eaten enough since yesterday, but I do have to find a key to the kitchen, I need to have access to the coffee maker and the stove.
I started looking around the house, on every drawer and furniture but I couldn’t find anything, the only place left to look was in parents’ bedroom. It was unlocked which was unusual, I walked in and was stunned, I’ve never been in here before, I’m not allowed to, I started looking around and I noticed a key on my dad’s bedside table and tried it on the kitchen door. Thankfully, it clicked and unlocked the door.
There were broken glasses everywhere, and the whole kitchen was a mess. There was something that looked like blood spread everywhere. I shut the door and went to sit on the couch. What the hell was that? I don’t know what happened, but it's terrifying. I took my phone out and decided to text Charlie.
“Hey, can you come over please, It’s urgent.”
“Sure, I’ll be there in 10.”
I sat anxiously at the couch and couldn’t help but wonder what happened in the kitchen, I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t realize how much time has passed until I heard the doorbell ringing, I run and opened the door pulling Charlie in.
“Bro, what’s going on? You are scaring me” She hugged me.
“I found the key and unlocked the kitchen and came across a complete mess.”
“Hey, calm down, you are shaking, It can’t be that bad, I’m sure we can clean it up”
“It’s not that, it’s just, there’s so much blood and I don’t know who’s it is. What if it’s from one of my parents’”.
“Shit, we shouldn’t touch it.”
“I can’t live in a house without a kitchen and dried blood on the floor.”
“Have you talked to both of your parents?”
“No, not really”
“Call them, NOW” I obeyed and called my mum first, to my surprise, she answered.
“Hey mum”
“Alexandra, is that you?”
“Yes, you don’t have my number saved?”
“No, do you want something?”
“No, I just wanted to know how you are doing.”
“Oh, I’m okay. Are you any better since yesterday?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Good to know, you can call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay”
“Oh, by the way I’m not sure when I’m coming back.”
“Oh, ok.”
“I’ll send you more money, bye Alexandra.”
“Thanks, bye mum”
I then dialed my dad’s number.
“What do you want?”
“To see how you are doing.”
“Cut the crap Alexandra, did your mother tell you to call me?”
“What? No, why would she?”
“Shut it and don’t call me again.”
He hung up on me, and I dropped myself on the couch.
“So, I’m assuming both of them are alive”
“Yes, they are, but I think they fought because they aren’t on speaking terms.”
“Maybe they fought, and it got physical as it was with you”
“Maybe, but we should start cleaning, it’s not healthy to leave it that way, It’s already a bit smelly.
“You are right, but I doubt we can clean this whole mess on our own”
“You are right, I’ll call for backup.”
I picked up my phone and dialed Athena’s number.
“Hello”
“Hey, It’s Alex.”
“Alex, is everything okay?”
“Can you come over, please?”
“Sure, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Charlie and I closed the kitchen door and sat in the living room, we were still processing what had happened. Soon, the bell rang, and we bothrann to the door to answer.
“Ms. Davis, is that who you called?” Charlie yelle, annoyed, and I noticed Athena took a coupl of steps backwards.
“Yes, she’s the only one I trust with this, other than you.”
“Whatever” Charlie scoffed.
I motioned for Ms. Davis to come in and we went and sat down at the living room.
“What’s going on? What is this about?” She questioned.
“We need your help.”
“About what” she eyed us curiously,
“So, I haven’t been to the kitchen since my parents left, and today, when I got in, it was a total mess.”
“You called me here to help you clean up?” She looked confused.
“Not just that, we need advice on what to do, it’s better if you come take a look” We got up and I led her to the kitchen. As I opened the door, and she walked in, she gasped.
“What the fuck?” She exclaimed and I heard Charlie giggling.
“Yeah”
“That looks like a crime scene, are you sure nobody died in here? Are both your parents alive?”
“Yes, I talked with both of them on the phone, but I think they fought and that’s why this happened.”
“Shit, that’s fucked up.”
“Yeah, we weren’t sure whether we should clean up or call the police.”
“I don’t think we should call the police, they probably fought and it got physical”
“Yes, but my dad has never laid a hand on my mum before.”
“Maybe he did now, maybe that’s why they left, he is a violent person, it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s what happened” I sighed and looked over at Charlie who nodded in agreement.
“So, Ms. Davis, will you help us clean up?” Charlie asked smiling which caused me to laugh.
“Sure, but Alex, do you have any old clothes to lend me, I don’t want to ruin my clothes.”
“Sure, follow me, Charlie, do you want some as well?”
“Yes” They followed me to the room, and I gave Charlie a plain black t-shirt and plain black pair of shorts with a pair of slides. To Ms. Davis I gave a pair of blue sweatpants and a white t-shirt with a pair of slides as well.
“You can change here, Charlie, follow me to the bathroom” I went and sat the couch waiting for them to change. Ms. Davis came in first, smiling. She was wearing my t-shirt which was a bit tight on her and the sweatpants I gave her that were baggy, since they were oversized, she had put her hair up into a messy bun. She looked cute and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Okay bitch, ready to clean” Charlie shouted entering the room” She had tucked in the t-shirt into the shorts and pulled her socks high her hair were also put up on a messy but and she walked in like an angry truck driver which caused me to burst out laughing. Charlie looked over at Ms. Davis and her face turned red.
“Oh, Ms. Davis, I..I though you were still upstairs.”
“It’s okay” she smiled trying not to laugh.
“Alright let’s get started” We got into the kitchen, and we started cleaning. We picked up the glasses, swept and mopped the floor, cleaned up and sanitized the counters and the sink, and everything that had blood on it, and we also did the dish my parents had left in the sink.” We had been cleaning for two hours and we were all exhausted, not to mention hungry.
We went to the living room and sat at the couch. I sat between them.
“I’m exhausted” Ms. Davis cried out.
“And I’m hungry” Charlie added.
“Me too” She agreed.
“We should order something” I suggested, “What do you want?”
“How about Chinese?”
“Nope, Charlie doesn’t like Chinese.” I said and saw Charlie smiling.
“What about pizza?” Charlie asked and we both nodded.
We ordered two large special pizzas. We sat on the couch in silence , but it was the uncomfortable type, I could sense some tension between Charlie and Ms. Davis, but I didn’t know what to say.
“Ms. Davis, I forgot to ask you, why did you want to see me earlier today?” Charlie spoke.
“Oh, I just wanted to tell you about your assignment in my advanced English class.”
“What about it?”
“It was amazing, the best in the class.”
“Oh, thanks” she said and shrugged. Ms. Davis looked at her for a while and then spoke.
“Why don’t you like me?”
“Who said I don’t like you?”
“Well, you don’t seem to be a big fan of me, and I’d like to know why.”
-“You’d like to know why, I’ll tell you why” She raised her voice and got up from her seat. “After Alex helped you that night instead of thanking her you made her life even harder than it already is, you stressed her out more than you could imagine, it’s partially your fault she got a bad grade and then got beaten up about it. You caused her to snap, I’ve never seen her so out of character before, she has never acted that way and you caused that.” Charlie was now up in Ms. Davis face. “I don’t like you because I saw how you acted and I don’t trust you.” Charlie was fuming and shaking a bit while Ms. Davis looked completely defeated. I got up and hugged Charlie.
“It’s okay, calm down.”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hold it in anymore, I’m scared for you” She said hugging me tighter.
“I know you are, but trust me, I’m okay, I’ll be okay, you don’t have to worry so much.”
“Okay” She mumbled, and we both turned to look at Ms. Davis, she was looking down.
“Go talk to her” Charlie whispered to me.
I walked up to her and put my hand on her shoulder, but she didn’t look up.
“Hey” She still wasn’t looking at me. “Can you please look at me?” She shook her head no.
“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry” She said sniffling. “I didn’t want to cause you problems.”
“It’s okay, you made a mistake, but you made up for it, you really did.” I looked over at Charlie who seemed to agree. I knew Ms. Davis wasn’t comfortable around Charlie.
“I’ll leave you two alone to talk.” I looked at Charlie wide eyed and she winked as if she knew what I was thinking, then she made her way to my room.
“She left” I told her hoping she’ll calm down, but she didn’t. I pulled her into a side hug, and I felt her body relax a little.
“I’m sorry, I really am, I wish I could take it all back, but I can’t.”
“I told you it’s okay, I’m over it. It’s not a big deal” She looked up at me to see if I was lying and I gave her a small smile, her eyer were red and her cheeks were wet with tears. I got up and grabbed some tissues to give her, and that’s when Charlie walked in.
“Ms. Davis I…”
“You were right, I did hurt her and I’m an awful person for doing so. But I don’t want to do it ever again, it’s not like me to hurt someone, plus I care for Alex.”
“Why do you care so much, you barely know her.”
“Because I wish someone cared for me when I was in her place, I wish I had someone by my side to help me deal with everything, but I didn’t, I was all alone. I didn’t have friends that cared about me, like she has you, all my friendships were superficial and shallow, I felt completely alone, and I don’t one anyone to feel that way again.” I could hear the pain in her voice, but she wasn’t crying. I could tell Charlie was sorry about what she said before.
“Ms. Davis, I didn’t know, I know I was harsh, but I’m worried about Alex, she’s like a sister to me and I don’t want her getting hurt.” “I’m sorry, but I can’t trust you that easily.”
“It’s okay” Ms. Davis said in a harsher tone that before.
I don’t know what I’m going to do with these two. I let out a sigh and sat on the couch next to Ms. Davis, while Charlie sat at the floor. I chose a horror movie for us to watch, the pizza soon arrived, and we decided to eat it from the box, well I decided because the other two haven’t said word. We started eating and Charlie turned off the lights. After the while Charlie left to go to the bathroom and the movie was at the scariest part.
“BOO” Charlie screamed from behind me causing me to jump and scream and throw my pizza in the air. It must have been hilarious because both were now the floor laughing.
“It’s not funny” I pouted.
“Oh, but it is” Ms. Davis said.
“Shut up” I whined and she laughed even harder.
“Alex” Charlie looked at me seriously, shocked that I spoke that way to her, but I just shrugged it off.
“You are such an ass” I said to Charlie.
“Yes, a hot round ass you want to slap” She bit her lip and I pretend to gag.
“I’d rather slap a unicorn’s ass” That caused all three of us to burst out laughing.
“Unicorns don’t really exist.”
“Neither does your ass but whatever” I laughed.
“Hey, that was mean” She pretended to be offended.
“Should I put the movie back on?”
“Actually girls, don’t you have any homework to do?” Ms. Davis asked smirking.
“Who’s the ass now?”
“Oh, shut up Alex” she elbowed me. Charlie was looking at us with an amused expression.
“Ms. Davis, I didn’t know teachers were allowed to cuss at students.” Charlie acted shocked and Ms. Davis rolled her eyes.
“As I’ve told your stupid friend over there” she pointed at me “since we are out of school, I’m technically at least not a teacher” She smirked “Therefore I can say whatever I want.”
“Sure Ms. Davis” Charlie mocked.
“So Charlie, may I ask how did you and Alex met?”
“First year of high school, we had math and English together. We started studying together, she would help me at math, and I would help her with English, but as the time passed, we became friends and then best friends.”
“So, did you know what was going on?”
“No, she didn’t tell me until this year when she couldn’t explain or hide the bruises” She turned and looked at me and I looked down. “That’s why I’m so confused as to why she trusted you so fast.”
“She thought you’d see her differently if you found out, I’m sure she was terrified that you’d start pity her or something. Am I right Alex?”
“Yes” I assured them.
“Shit, I thought you just didn’t trust me, you know I wouldn’t change the way I treat you because of that right?” I shrugged.
“I wasn’t sure, I was scared it might ruin our friendship or something, but It didn’t and I’m glad.”
“Whatever it doesn’t matter it’s old news already. Since you asked me a question now I get to ask you one isn’t that how this game goes?” She smirked.
“We weren’t playing that game, but sure, ask away.”
“How old are you?”
“Here it is again, you and Alex ask the same questions. I’m twenty-three.”
“Holy shit, you are young” She said, and we both laughed “Hold up so you are just three years older than Alex, no wonder you are so chill.”
“So now I’m chill? Because a while ago I was a heartless backstabbing bitch” She smirked.
“You are a bitch, but you are also chill.”
“How nice of you.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of these two getting along, I hope it lasts.
“It’s so weird seeing you in sweatpants swearing and making jokes.” Charlie remarked and I knew she was right.
“Yeah, I know, it’s weird for me as well, I never imagined I would be hanging out with my students.”
“Can’t you get in trouble for that?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, I can get fired if they see me at Alex’s place or if they found out we were hanging out together.”
“Shit, you should keep some distance then” I said not wanting to cost her job.
“I think you are right; we have been hanging out together a lot lately, maybe I should just go”.
“Let’s go upstairs. “ She followed me to my room, and I gave her back the clothes she lent me this morning.
“I think you shouldn’t be my TA anymore.”
“But we just started again.”
“Yes but because of the TA time I crossed a lot of boundaries and started treating you more as friend rather than a student, which I shouldn’t have done.”
“So, you regret helping me?”
“No, not at all, I just thing we should keep some distance, just to be safe.”
“Ok, I get it, I’ll leave you alone.”
“No Alex, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“No, it’s fine, I told you, you can walk away if it’s too much for you, no hard feelings, now get changed, it’s getting late, and I don’t think I want you around any longer”.
I left the room and went to the living room and sat next to Charlie.
“Are you ok?”
“I will be, I just pretty much told her to get lost after she asked me to stop being her TA.”
“She’s a bitch, but I understand where she’s coming from, it’s her first year of teaching and she has already messed everything up, she’s confused and scared”.
“Whatever.”
Ms. Davis appeared through the door to say goodbye.
“Alex I…” Charlie stood up and walked to her, she looked at her and put her hand on her arm.
“You should go.” She said and walked her to her door.