Elliot has been gone a few days now, we talk daily, but I miss him deeply. I know I said he could live with me however, I’m glad he turned me down. Sure, it would be great to wake up next to him daily and to go to bed with him at night, but we’re still fresh, we aren’t really exclusive, and still trying to find our ways around each other. It’s still the beginning phase of a relationship and I’m not bound to ruin it with the daily life. And honestly, the past few days Elliot has been acting a bit strange and out of the ordinary. And when I mentioned it, he waves it off by changing the subject completely. I know I shouldn’t worry and I shouldn’t pry, but I can sense something isn’t right.
There’s a knock at my door and for a second I get extremely excited it could be Elliot, but knowing he’s in Rochester because we just talked this morning, that excitement washes away and I’m left with curiosity. Opening I see my landlord outside of my door, “Mr. Brown, how can I help you?” I’m pretty sure I’ve paid my rent and I hadn’t done anything I shouldn’t, I’m a pretty decent tenant, so I thought.
“Melody, the apartment across the hall will become vacant soon, if you hear of anyone in need of a place, keep that in mind, I’d like to get it rented out sooner than later, but I’d also like decent tenants this time so I thought I’d ask my favorite tenants if they perhaps knew of anyone,” he continues to talk but there’s only one person I could think of.
“Actually, Mr. Brown, there actually might be,” I’m a bit euphoric, “Can I call and ask first and make sure it’s okay with this person before I just give the number out like candy?” I smile.
“Of course, let me know,” he smiles as he says goodbye and walks away.
“Perfect,” I say out loud as I close the door and pull my phone out of my back pocket.
Dialing the number, I get super excited and hope I don’t stutter, “Hey sweetheart,” Elliot picks up after the first ring.
“Babe, I found a place for you to live,” I ramble on about the neighbors moving blah blah blah – and his only words are, “Where do I sign?”
Overly excited I pace my apartment with the hopes of seeing him soon. The paperwork is drawn up virtually and he will be officially moving across the hall from me. We’re going to be neighbors before we’ll be roomies and I couldn’t be more excited. I know this might be a little too close, what if we have problems or break up? There would always be a chance I’d run into him. But I’d take that chance in order to have him near me. To be fully honest, I’d feel a little more protected knowing he’s across the hall. Heavy Metal headbanging dude, I didn’t see him saving me if there ever was a fire or robbery.
Career wise, I’ve hit a bump in the road. I’m not sure where to go from here. I’m not as lucky as Elliot and entering the Orchestra. There was talk I might, but I haven’t heard from them, which makes me assume, they didn’t find a place for me. I’m also not sure it really is my forte. My YouTube channel is doing good, I’ve done some commercials and ads and it’s helped, but it’s not what I’d like. My father has taken me under his wing at his office and I’ve done some parts for movies, including my name in the credits, I just have to wait for someone to recognize me. I think the waiting is what kills me more than actually working. I’m also bored. I play my violin every day just to not become rusty, also to hear the tune, but since finishing school, I feel a bit empty. That world is gone and now I’m out there trying to make something of myself with the talent I possess, but so is everyone else I know. Kindly enough, Elliot keeps trying to talk me into joining him, but I just can’t.
Isabelle, my best friend, truly a best friend, tries to distract me from missing Elliot. She’s at my apartment reminding me what it’s like to be a single woman and out living life. I’m not a single woman though. I don’t want to be anymore. I’d much rather spend my time with Elliot than party it up with Isabelle.
“We should go out to a club,” she is not one to sit on the couch to watch a movie.
“Like where?” Not to seem uninterested I question her ideas.
“Like, oh I don’t know, Le Bain maybe?”
“Honey, it’s raining, do you really want to enjoy a rooftop party tonight?”
“Yeah, you’re right,” she bites her lip trying to come up with another idea, “What about the Up&Down?”
“I haven’t been there in forever,” I admit.
“I know, we should totally go and just have a girl’s night out, I promise I won’t flirt,” I about choke on my own laughter, “What? I’m serious?” I just nod and let her have it.
Dressed in some sexy dresses, she convinced me, we’re headed out to Up&Down to party it up. Maybe the distraction will have me thinking about something besides Elliot and missing him. Entering the doors of the club, the loud music hitting me straight in the face along with some big tits women, I suddenly question if this was such a good idea.
Two shots later, I’m starting to feel comfortable.
Three shots later, I’m definitely comfortable.
Four shots later, I’m a little too comfortable.
Dancing, shaking my hips, and flirting with strangers, I receive a text from Elliot and respectfully excuse myself from this sexy, with a beer gut stranger I was dancing with.
“It’s my boyfriend,” I drunkenly grin as I leave the dance floor to sit our table.
ELLIOT: I MISS YOU!
MELODY: Come here. I need you. But I’m not home.
ELLIOT: Not home?
MELODY: I think this is a club, I’m on a dance floor, and it’s hot.
ELLIOT: Are you drunk?
MELODY: Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe. Yes. Yes, I am.
“Give me that,” Isabelle takes my phone away before I could see if Elliot even texted back, “More shots,” she screams across a crowd in the direction of the bar.
“They can’t hear us,” I yell at her, “and I think we should go home.”
“The fuck we are, we’re having a good time,” her words slur.
“I’m not so sure about that,” I try to get my phone back from Isabelle, but she’s so drunk she either purposely or accidently dropped my phone into a glass of mojito.
“Fuck, Isabelle, what’d you do that for?” I scream, but it’s too late. The phone has died and even if I put it into a cup of rice, it wouldn’t work until who knows when.