Page 46 of Imperfections Seduced
“A lovable bitch. Now let’s see what’s in this bag.” She gets down on the floor and unzips my bag, sweeping her long hair over her shoulders. “Don’t you think you need to unpack? You’ve been here for a while.”
“I know. I’m hoping to get my own place before I have to do that.” I crawl down to the end of my bed sitting up with my toes drawing circles on the floor.
“Why?”
“I’ve lived by myself for two years. I didn’t have to answer to anyone, tell them where I was going or when or if I was coming back home for the night. It’s a bit of an adjustment when you have to start doing that again when you’re twenty-four.”
“Do you really have to check-in like you’re sixteen and in high school again? Your parents don’t seem like that type.”
“They’re not that bad, but I’m trying to be considerate. I’m happy to be home, but I forgot what it was like living here. When you visit, everything’s good. When you’re living here, you start to remember the things that bothered you and why you might have stayed away so long. Like my mother nagging me about finding a man, comparing me to Kate, and reminding me I could always do better, especially with my appearance. Those are the little things I did not miss when I was away.”
Ava stops digging through my bag and looks back at me. “You know you can always come and stay with me, right? I have more than enough space.”
“I know, but I’m already here, and they would be insulted if I chose to stay with you instead of them.”
“My door is always open to you; we could be roommates, like we always wanted to be back in college. Two hot chicks in the city, I could see it now.”
“So can I, you leading me astray. Wild times and even wilder nights.”
“Hell yeah.” She smiles, pumping her fist in the air, clutching one of my bras while I laugh.
Cat
We come down, and Isee the one person I didn’t want to run into.
“Hey, Kate,” I say with a smile that’s only slightly forced. She’s lying on the couch with her forearm over her eyes, still in her work clothes. She sits up, looks at me and then at Ava, before rolling her eyes back over to me.
“Hi, Cat, you’re going out dressed like that?”
“Dressed like what?” I repeat, looking down at my clothes.
“Isn’t that skirt a little short for you? It seems more like your friend’s style.”
“Ho, ho, ho, Kate. It’s nice to see you too, and her friend has a name, it’s Ava.”
“I know what your name is. I chose not to acknowledge you, because looking at you is the last thing I want to do.”
“That’s what I get for trying to be nice to you, Kate. I guess we’re done with that now?” Ava smiles down at her,patting the side of her feet with her fingers. “You’re back to being a full-blown megawatt bitch with your stuck-up ass.”
“Why don’t you shut the hell up, Ava?” Kate says, kicking Ava’s hand away with her feet. “I can’t stand you.” She props herself up on her elbows ready to get off the couch to get at Ava.
“The feeling’s mutual,” Ava says, moving closer.
I have to stop this before someone gets hurt. Ava is not above fighting a pregnant woman, especially if it’s Kate. That’s not true; anyone else would get a pass except Kate.
“Wow, let’s settle down, ladies, and act like the grown-ups we are.” I place my hand on Ava’s shoulder and stand in front of her. Kate is sitting straight up in the middle of the couch, ready to launch. I can’t remember a time when they weren’t mortal enemies; they’re like oil and water—they don’t mix.
“In answer to your question, Kate, no, I don’t see anything wrong with my outfit. It’s appropriate for where I’m going tonight.”
“And where’s that?”
I can hear the attitude in her voice as she’s staring daggers at Ava. I hear Ava whisper under her breath, “None of your damn business.” I’m hoping Kate didn’t hear.
“We’re going to a club in the Bronx with—”
“A friend,” Ava interjects.
“Why would you go to a club in the Bronx?”
