All of the Above

Waking up the next day is difficult, and not just because I've adopted the position of big spoon and Elise has my arm pinned underneath her. The weather is miserable, it's cold, Ruby's barking her head off, I have double Science, and I swore to myself I'd hold off on sex until Saturday so I'm now frustrated. Today's a write-off. In fact, the whole day proves to be menial. Don't get me wrong, you need boring days to make the good ones feel extra good, but today? No.

Today doesn't matter. I'm going to pretend it didn't happen.

*

Well, what the fuck? Today's no better. I don't have double science, but other than that it's the same dull repetition. Elise always brightens up the day, but don't I talk enough about how much I love her? I fill Rouge in on my plan, I think she's still digesting it since I couldn't tell if her reaction was consideration or annoyance. I chat with Trish on the phone, her and Skye had lunch together, good for her, I guess.

Fuck it, I'll try tomorrow.

*

Nope.

When the highlight of my day is a family game of Monopoly then it's definitely not a heart-pounding blockbuster of an adventure. Me and Elise went shopping to get her more clothes, she can't borrow mine forever, and Rouge's style doesn't suit Elise particularly well. I advise her to keep Saturday free for a surprise, but I don't mention what. I think that's enough of a hint that she's stopped being so suspicious of me.

Is this how people turn to vandalism? If the alternative is this then I kind of get it. Boredom sucks. Still, today's the last day of it, tomorrow's Elise's first performance at the Free Ride, and the day after is the culmination of all my hard work... I just have to make it through school...

*

I. Am. Alive.

"You look like you've run a marathon, are you going to be okay for tonight?" Elise asks me as we sit next to each other at the dinner table. This week has been emotionally draining in how completely un-draining it's been, I've gotten used to constant excitement, parties, alcohol, sex, more sex, fuck, it's been too long since I had sex.

"I'll be fine, I've just been looking forward to the weekend, made school unbearable." I explain.

Mum's happily humming to herself as she scribbles down notes for work, while Rouge just scrolls through her phone, we'd christened tonight pizza night, so at this point we're just waiting for our salvation in dough and cheese.

Elise puts her arm around me as a show of thanks for my unwavering support in the face of mental exhaustion. "Well, after tonight I'll be able to chip in for food and stuff, I feel bad for taking up so much space." She thinks out loud, which results in my mother clearing her throat and nudging my sister. Mum has recently ordained Rouge to deliver messages on her behalf when it requires firm wording. I think she's realised we'd never dare cross the queen.

"Mum would like to remind you that you literally saved Scarlet from being beaten, abused, and mugged, and have since helped her come out of the closet, and you've done half the cooking since moving in. Based on this, Mum would like to respectfully reject your offer, and if you try to push the matter, she will literally start handing you money to point out how much she still owes you." Rouge says for my mother.

I mean, I can't argue with her, it's a brilliant strategy, no one wins an argument with Rouge... Well, most of the time.

Elise chuckles at my twin's declaration. Mum's been steadfast in refusing any money she's offered, so I'd say it's pretty much finalised, besides, it's not like we'd ever kick my girlfriend out. "You still coming tonight?" I ask Rouge, Trish said she had to work the evening for stock intake, so no chance of awkwardness... Less chance at least.

"Alcohol and listening to you play chopsticks? How could I say no?" She answers with a jab at Elise, who simply smirks as a result.

"Well, I know you're a massive fan of the Saturday band's guitar riffs, but I think you'll find something to enjoy in my style too." She retorts. Rouge hasn't told Mum about her seeing Rob so this counts as a warning shot. That being said, I don't know if 'seeing' is the right word, she hasn't seen him since that night, doesn't talk about him and when I bring it up she changes the subject, says she'll explain later. It's honestly the biggest mystery I've come across in the past week.

Elise is saved by the doorbell, me and Rouge collect the pizza and return to the kitchen. I've recently discovered the joy of vegan cheese on pizza, I'm not vegan or anything, but it means I can share a pizza with Elise, and that means she'll always get so excited when I give her an extra slice. It's so cute it's almost made this week worth it. Tastes the same to me anyway, but then I'm a girl that happily put her tongue in another girl's arsehole, maybe I'm a bad judge.

After we eat Ruby follows my mother around, desperate for the scraps, Rouge hates pizza crusts so at this point I think Mum's trying to teach the pup restraint, rather than not having any to give away. Damn furball gets her way in the end though, chowing down our leftovers. Mum takes the dog and retires for the vening to her room, leaving me an opening with Rouge.

"So... You know if Rob's gonna be there tonight?" I ask innocently. Elise seems to approve of my snooping as she leans in to examine my sister's response.

Rouge doesn't look up from her phone to meet our gazes. "I wouldn't know... I haven't spoken to him since last week." She finally reveals. Huh. That's... I mean, it's not unexpected, not exactly what I'd thought either. "It would be... Awkward." She elaborates.

Okay, I'm lost now, last I heard it was a great night. "What exactly happened?" I request. Rouge seems to cringe at being asked to recall the events.

"Fine." She decides. "But I don't want you trying to get involved, it's already a complex situation, so just... Just let me handle it." Elise and I nod in response, though we don't really know what we're agreeing to.

We really need to get up to speed.