Wake Up Call

*Music Starts Playing*

“Someone’s calling you, Tanya”

You mumble upon waking up from hearing Tanya’s ringtone. You look to your left and you see Tanya sound asleep. You’re not sure if you’re imagining it, but she still has a smile on her face. It’s not the same smile she had earlier when you had sex in you car, having changed from euphoric to a much more content and happy smile, but you can’t help but feel happy that she’s happy even when sleeping.

You look to your right and you see Cassie with her mouth open and a bit of drool coming out on the side. Your daughter Stella’s behind her and spooning her, Stella’s face being buried in Cassie’s hair. You’re assuming that’s why Cassie might have messy hair after she wakes up when Stella’s the big spoon and she’s the one sleeping next to you.

You snap out of it as you hear Shanice begin to sing the first verse of her song before the song ends abruptly.

*BZZT-BZZT. BZZT-BZZT*

You hear from the nightstand on Tanya’s side of the bed. You rub your eyes and look up at the digital clock beside it and realize that the numbers you initially saw were correct, it’s two in the fucking morning. You knew the song was Tanya’s ringtone as it was the same ringtone that woke you and her up from your nap at the carpark earlier, after falling asleep from fucking inside your car.

Tanya’s phone lights up again and the intro to ‘I Love Your Smile’ plays again before ending abruptly once more. You decide to take Tanya’s phone and see if the person that’s calling might be doing so due to an emergency. You don’t want to wake her up yet, especially seeing her sleeping so peacefully that she’s sleeping through her phone’s ringtone.

*2 Missed Calls from V Nguyen*

Oh. What would Viv want at this hour?

You see the preview for the notifications and the first message Tanya received was:

“Hey T. Can we talk? I just need someone right now.”

“Please be awake. I tried calling Brooke and she’s not answering either.”

*BZZT-BZZT.*

“Nevermind. You’re probably tired. I’ll be better by the time you get this. Don’t worry. Luv ya, T!”

Damn. Viv was fine before you left the restaurant this morning. You wonder what happened in the time in between since you last saw her. You and the girls weren’t able to talk with Viv anymore as she didn’t drop by your apartment after her work.

When you and Tanya got home, the girls were reading the Sunstone hard copies Viv left at your apartment. You weren’t able to read the text much, but the illustrations of the comic were definitely vivid, and it was exceptionally illustrated. It portrayed BDSM in a much less darker tone than what you've seen from internet porn, even warm to an extent, which was something new to you. Nothing much happened after that. You were all actually waiting if Viv would drop by to update you on what she found out about Becca, but she wasn’t answering Tanya’s messages earlier, so you all assumed she was busy.

You put back Tanya’s phone on the nightstand, before going back to resting your head on a pillow and closing your eyes. You’re curious why Viv would need to speak with Tanya at this hour. Even going as far as trying to wake her up by calling her. Viv did say that she’ll be fine later... but you’re definitely not believing that obviously fake reassurance.

You open your eyes.

You look at both your sides, seeing your three girlfriends all in deep slumbers. You decide to inch yourself down on the bed, instead of going over Tanya’s body, as to not wake her up. Once you can bend your knees and place your feet on the floor, you sit up straight, and stand up from the bed. You quickly look back to see if you woke up your girls, but they all seem to be sleeping soundly. You can’t help but smile at how lucky you are to have all of them.

Then you’re reminded of Viv.

Even though she’s not your girlfriend...

Yet.

Although you and your girlfriends are already more than open to have her be a part of your polyamorous relationship anyway, similar to Brooke, you just decided arbitrarily that a date is necessary before making it official with either of them... or a discussion about your feelings for each other, at least.

That being said, official or not, you care about Viv. Maybe not as much as you care about your girlfriends yet, but you know you’ll grow to care for her just as much.

You decide to put on a shirt and the jeans you wore earlier, your pants still has your wallet inside and you grab your phone beside Tanya’s, before walking out of your bedroom to try to be the one to talk to Viv. She said she needed someone right now. You’re not going to leave her alone when she’s feeling that way.

You pull open the door to your apartment to leave; but before you could, you see a surprise fall inside your side of the apartment.

“Ow! what the fuck?” Viv reacts as she falls on her back on your apartment’s hardwood floors. You assume she was sitting outside and resting her back on your apartment’s door. Viv’s still wearing the outfit she had on when she carpooled with you earlier this morning, before changing into her work clothes. It seems she hasn’t even attempted to go to sleep yet.

Viv looks up at you, as you look down on her, and she puts on an awkward smile on her face. “Hey~ Junior, what are you doing up?” Viv asks you nonchalantly, as if laying on her back on your floor is nothing weird.

You decide not to tell her the truth for now, that you actually got up just to talk to her, as you feel she’ll become defensive and maybe refuse to talk with you. Instead, you decide to fib and hold onto your cards for now.

“Couldn’t sleep. Decided to go out for a walk. Maybe get some tacos while I’m at it.” You tell her. You’re not sure why you mentioned tacos, but now you’re actually craving for some.

“At two in the morning?” Viv asks, doubting your sincerity.

“This city’s not famous for not sleeping for nothing.” You answer her.

“You know what, that sounds like a good plan.” Viv answers you, still not getting up from the floor.

“What about you? Is my floor that comfortable?” You tease her.

“You’d be surprised.” Viv replies.

“Come on.” You offer her a hand to get up. “You look like you want to sleep more than I do, but can’t seem to do it just as much. Let’s get some tacos.” You add. The moment she hears the offer, she takes your hand in excitement and stands up from the floor.

“Where were you planning to get tacos?” Viv asks.

“I was just planning on some Taco Bell.” You answer her.

“You live in one of the most food rich scenes in the country and you choose Taco Bell?” Viv asks you with a judgmental tone. “I’m taking you to Dos Hermanos. You need to try their Tacos Birria.” She tells you matter-of-factly.

“I guess I need to try their Tacos Birria.” You say in agreement. You lock your apartment door from the inside and close it behind you, before heading towards the stairwell to get some tacos with Viv. “By the way, what’s wrong with Taco Bell?” you ask her to make conversation, as the two of you make your way down the stairs.

“Nothing. Taco Bell’s the best when you hate yourself and want to continue hating yourself. With how our world’s going, it’s why they’ll eventually win the Franchise Wars.” Viv answers you. You can’t help but smile at the Demolition Man reference, but also worry at how accurate you believe her statement to be.

“That explains a lot actually. I ate a lot of Taco Bell after my divorce.” You share with her, as the two of you exit the apartment building and make your way down the street walking. You guess Dos Hermanos isn’t far if Viv is deciding to walk.

“I’m not surprised. That’s why we’re getting Birria. I assume you don’t hate yourself as much since your divorce. Not with banging three hotties on the reg.” Viv replies.

“I can’t deny that. Although banging seems a bit obtuse. Dating would be the term I prefer.” You tell her jokingly, and she just chuckles at you being technical. “What about you? Are you getting Birria for the same reason, or are we getting you some Taco Bell afterwards?” you ask her in a joking tone, but Viv sees right through it.

“I was wondering why you were so nonchalant about finding me outside your apartment door. I forgot Brooke told me Tanya’s sleeping at your place regularly now. Figures why you’re awake. I’m going back to the apartment. Fuck this pseudo ‘I’m here for you’ bullshit.” Viv says before turning around and walking back.

You don’t flinch though. You stay in your spot and call out to her.

“What makes you think I’m being fake?” You shout out to her.

“Why didn’t you just tell me you were here because you saw the messages I sent Tanya?” Viv asks, having stopped walking away to reply to your question.

“Oh, maybe because I knew you’d pull this shit and not want to talk to me.” You answer immediately, and Viv is stunned at you calling out her bullshit. “There’s a reason you tried calling Tanya and Brooke but not me. I’m guessing there’s a reason why you’re not calling Celeste or Becca either. Whatever it is, I don’t give a shit. I’d rather pretend I wanted to get some tacos and get you to possibly open up to me, than accept the scenario where I’ll leave you alone to wallow in your own misery.” You tell her with the most assured voice you can. “Your message to Tanya said you needed someone. I’m someone.” You add.

“Yeah. Someone. Not just anyone.” Viv retorts.

“I’m not just anyone to you, am I?” You ask her, and Viv pauses upon hearing the question. You see her struggling with how to react to it, so you end her conundrum before she finds a snarky retort and forces herself to walk away from the conversation.

“Also, I retract what I said about pretending to want to get tacos. I’m definitely not pretending. The moment I said I wanted tacos, I started craving.” You tell her honestly, and it gets Viv to crack a smile.

“Dork.” Viv reacts. She was probably trying to say it under her breath, but as she’s been walking back to you ever so slightly since you started your speech, you were able to hear her say it.

“Come on Taco Bell, let’s get you some Birria.” You tell her before offering her your hand.

“You don’t know where Dos Hermanos is, do you?” Viv asks teasingly.

“Nope.” You answer honestly.

“Fine, Carl’s Junior.” Viv answers before taking your hand.

“Let’s go.”