Page 60 of Obsession

“Gosh, you’re so bossy,” she complains under her breath, and I narrow my eyes.

“I am your boss.”

“And you never let me forget it.”

“Are you having any problems with any of the staff?”

“What?” Her head jerks up. “No, everything is fine.”

“What about the apartment?”

“What about it?” she asks carefully.

“Is it comfortable? Are you enjoying it?”

“Yes, and yes.”

“The roommate, too?”

“Yep.”

I know that my questions are vague, but I’m feeling restless right now. All these thoughts about my mom and sister have me off-kilter, and for some reason, Megan’s presence is calming. I don’t like that she feels the need to avoid me, and I consider what I need to do to change that.

“What happened to that class of yours? The one for which you drew my picture. Did you get a grade yet?”

I see her reflection go still, and a strange expression crosses her face, “I don’t know yet.”

“Now, why don’t I believe you?”

She’s silent.

“Tell me what happened.”

“It’s stupid,” she mutters, but I can see the anger flashing behind her eyes.

“Megan-“

“Look,” she takes a deep breath. “I don’t want to talk about it if you don’t mind. Work is work, and school is school, and I’d like to keep the two separate.”

Her fingers are picking at her skirt, and I know she isn’t telling me everything, but I won’t press. It seems that every time I see Megan, she’s under some sort of duress. Giving her the apartment had been a random act, but I also hoped that it would relieve some of the financial burdens she may be dealing with. Between paying her bills, dealing with those shitty kids she goes to school with, and working here–she’s got to be stretched thin. I remember being young, broke, and struggling. It sucks.

I look at her gorgeous face and ask myself if she’s ever experienced any pure joy at all. I wonder if she’s ever just gotten on a plane and traveled. Yet even as I ruminate over that, I already know the answer.

She hasn’t.

“Go home and pack an overnight bag,” I blurt out.

“What?” She blinks at me.

“The weekend is about to begin. You don’t have any classes, do you?”

She shakes her head, confused.

“Good.” I tuck my hands in my pockets. “After your shift ends, I’ll take you home, and I want you to pack an overnight bag. Just pack a few essentials, nothing more. You won’t need much.”

“And where am I going?” she asks mockingly as if my request isn’t serious.

“A place that every art student like yourself should visit.”

---