The Beginning of an End

The light pitter patter of rain against the steel roof of the bus stop played a lullaby as the flickering street light illuminated her tearstained porcelain cheeks. With unsure hands he reached out at her heaving shoulders, slowly pulling her into a lukewarm embrace. Her dainty arms circled around his waist as tears soaked through. 

“…” Pushing her, holding her at arm’s length. 

Bloodshot sanguine brown eyes gazed into electric callous orbs wishing, hoping, praying for something. For anything but this.

“Jem, I-“ A sob slipped through her formidable defense, alerting a brigade of tears to follow pursuit. Steven bit the inside of his cheek so hard until the salty liquid of iron told him, stop. 

“Please. Not like this. Please Steven…” Her voice howled at a moon that would never waver. Standing like a gargoyle, Steven barely even breathed. 

‘She's still holding on to promises by deaf ears.’ Echoed the winds, blowing smoke of his flaws. 

Breathe in, breathe out. “I’m sorry Jemimah.” He whispered in a short breath. His hands dropped, legs stiffened, turned, and steps taken forward. “See ya around.” Closing his eyes, tossing a light wave behind him and with that she ran.

She ran from him as fast as her shaky legs would take her in the pouring rain. Rushing by couples in town underneath umbrellas only made her heart swell with bitterness.

As quick as how we began, so should our end. Repeating to himself over and over for every step taken. Heaving a large maroon luggage onto the bus, Steven’s eyes sneak behind to where she stood. Hoping that she would smile at him once more. Under the metal sheet of a makeshift bus stop was no one but a dry little patch of pavement. A small trace of her existence that night. 

Letting her go was the most gentlemanly thing he could do. The only good thing he had ever done for her.

“Mr. Avery,” A pair of scrunched up eyebrows are now piercing through at him. 

“Yes, Professor?” Sheepishly trying to hide the embarrassment for maybe the third time today, in his thesis class, for not paying attention.

“Mr. Avery, I understand you’re new here. However, I will not tolerate daydreaming in my class.” His beady eyes stared him down, challenging him. “Understood?” A single nod of the head and he was already regretting this schedule. Wishing he could just flip the bird and walk out of here. But he can’t do anything that would expel him at the start of his last year in college. “Good. Now, moving on we have…”

The monotonous dictations of theories, queries and methods slowly drowned out the remaining memories of her. Looking out the window, Steven’s thoughts drift back to theorists and analysts. Putting everything behind him.

~

“Love you too mom. I’ll call you later tonight. Bye.” Okay Jem, relax. You’re gonna be fine. Pocketing her phone as she scanned the front of the apartment complex looking for a Cathy Peterson. 

What does a Cathy Peterson even look like? Jem thought out loud, squinting her eyes for someone that stood out. 

“Jemimah!” Facing the right side of the building she sees a tall figure dressed in a jean skirt and tank top. 

Apparently, Cathy Peterson is a bubbly brunette with blue and pink streaks. Who likes to bear hug people she’s just met.

“Whoa! Uhm, just call me Jem.” Lightly patting her on the shoulder and giving her the I’m not a hugger smile made her let go.

“Sorry. I’m just a little excited to finally have a roommate.” Her baby blue eyes seemed to sparkle for a moment. Weird, Jem’s awkward smile then morphs into a more neutral and friendly line. Cathy instantly hooks her arm through Jem’s as she’s being marched into the apartment doors. 

“Yeah, thanks for agreeing to this.” Jem quietly says amidst the sea of people weaving to and fro.

“Careful not to get smacked in the face.” Cathy chuckles as a box flies over head. “The lobby usually isn’t really this busy, but it’s barely a month into the semester so students of the nearby college are still settling.” There goes another couple boxes flying over head before the two reach the front of the elevator.

DING!

Stepping into the silver metal box, Cathy unknowingly lets go of a breath before putting back her cheery smile. Cocking an eyebrow at her new roommate who is waiting for her to press the floor number in.

“I forgot what floor the apartment was.” Jem’s rose painted cheeks deepened to a shade of a bright red tomato.

Blinking, waiting for the punch line that didn’t arrive. Bursting in hysterics; Cathy pressed number 6 on the panel while Jem silently wished that a trapdoor would open and hide her.

“Oh my god. You-“ Almost back slapping Jem, Cathy caught herelf biting back her tongue and swallowing the rest of her comment. Laying a gentle hand on Jem’s shoulder just as the elevator doors opened on the 4th floor to a couple going ham on making out. Hands hidden in god knows where as unholy sounds send shivers down Mona Lisa's spine. Letting out a little cough the guy looked up to see Cathy’s Cheshire smile and Jem’s horny college kids look. 

“We’ll take the next one instead.” The guy said as his hand reached in the elevator and pressed the ‘close’ button while the girl continued her way down.

“He has an STD!” Cathy called out just when the doors shut continuing their way up.

Snickering, giggling, laughing; Jem's awkward coat gone and is now doubled over, hugging her stomach then later looking up at Cathy’s serious expression. Wide eyed and mouth gaping she asked, “Wait, does he really have an STD?”

“I have no idea.” Cathy giggled out and Jem joined in; a spitting image of a pair of hyenas.

DING!

Cathy, stumbling and fumbling out of the elevator doors into the hallway like a drunk mid-afternoon was followed by a Jem clutching her stomach with her right hand and dragging her suitcase with the left. Lucky them there wasn’t anyone in the hall. Except for- 

“Catherine!” A guy in a pair of basketball shorts and white tee pulled up a giggling colorful mop of waves.

“Thanks Dale.” Cathy manages before she and Jem cleared their throats of chuckles. Cathy stands innocently as a school girl beside this 6’8” tanned guy looking like her boyfriend. His eyes then trail towards Jem.

“You must be the new roommate, Jemimah. I’m Dale, Cath’s older cousin.” His voice was curt and rang a sour note in Jem’s ear. However the upturned corners of his cheeks plays a different tune.

“I prefer Jem.” She shot back a calm before the storm type of melody. The atmosphere completely changed its forecast from sunny to strong winds approaching. 

“Hmm.” Eyeing and circling her carefully like a vulture watching its prey before striking-before saying, “I like you.” He finishes with a full blown toothy smile showing off a faint line of a retainer. “See you two later at the Nook!” With that he turned and walked into the elevator but not before winking at Jem as the doors closed. 

Jem stared, confused and shocked she didn’t realize that Cathy had already opened the door to the apartment and was leaning on the door frame, waiting for her. “He flirts with a lot of girls in the building.”

This snaps her back from… 

“I’m sorry Jem.”

“Huh. Sorry.” Looking at the ground she walks by Cathy into their two bedroom apartment.