Page 30 of Shared Spaces

“Sorry, I’m getting tired.” I groan, faking a yawn.

“Go figure. It’s your party and you’re the first to leave,” Dwight laughs.

Technically, Gwen left first.

Dismissing myself and thanking everybody for the good time, I gather my phone and the pile of gift bags, heading out the door as quick as possible without someone trying to stop me.

I can’t believe I just let her leave like that.

As soon as I start the car, I waste no time and peel out of the parking lot. I speed through traffic with only one thing on my mind.

I have to tell Gwen everything.

Even if she doesn’t understand—she deserves an explanation at the very least.

I forgot that I gave Izzy my key, so I had to knock awkwardly on the door, hoping it would be Gwen to answer.

“Hey,” Izzy peeks her head through the chain lock before opening the door completely.

“Where is she?” I ask, tossing the bags to the floor before kicking my shoes off.

“She won’t talk to me. She’s still in her room,”

“Fuck. Is she mad?”

“I think so,” Izzy replies before grabbing her coat off the hook.

“Thanks for trying.” I say, nodding as she heads out the door.

It’s eerily quiet in the apartment. I head further down the hallway and can hear the faint sound of Gwen’s TV. She must be binge watching something again, or she’s fast asleep.

Either way, I head straight for her room, hoping the door is unlocked so I can bypass the knocking.

To my surprise, it opens.

“Gwen?” I whisper, hoping she won’t just tell me to get out.

The room is super dark, only slightly illuminated by the TV. I walk over and sit down on the edge of her bed, hoping to wake her.

As soon as her eyes flicker open, she gasps and sits upright.

“Jay…” she whispers, still slightly dazed.

“I’m sorry for waking you, princess—”

“Don’t fucking call me that—you don’t get to call me that anymore,” she huffs, grabbing a throw pillow and tossing it in my face.

It almost makes me laugh, until I notice the pained look on her face.

“Gwen, please let me explain,” I plead.

She lets out a heavy sigh, folding her arms over her chest; staring right through me.

“Explain then, I’m dying to know why I’m good enough to be your princess, but not good enough to fuck? Go ahead, Jay.” she huffs.

I take a deep breath, completely stumped now. I’ve never had to explain myself like this before. Anxiety has ridden me speechless as she sits and waits for my response.

“I might as well start at the beginning,” I begin to say.

---