Chapter Seven:

One month later

“Are you really sure you want to leave?” Liza looked on from the doorway as I shoved clothing by the fistful into my oversized maroon suitcase.

“You knew I was moving out for like three weeks, dude.” I gave a lighthearted laugh, and used my weight to shut the top of my suitcase. I’d have stayed forever if it weren’t for Max continuing to treat my best friend like shit. I just couldn’t be around that anymore. Besides, at least Liza wouldn’t have to cover for me when Katie continued to show up, unwanted. Which happened more often than either of us could tolerate. I wound up having to change my number and banned her from all my Social Media accounts, but she just wouldn’t quit. At least threatening to call the police got her to stop popping up at my work.

“I know...it just sucks I don’t want you to go, Ceen.” Liza mumbled, and I glanced over. She was staring down at her shuffling feet sadly.

“...You’re welcome over anytime, you know that right?” I rushed to her side and knuckled her freckled cheek playfully.

“Don’t say that, or I might move in!” She scoffed, making me shake her shoulders in mock seriousness. Sometimes she reminded me of a really snarky Raggedy Ann doll. All curly red hair and feisty attitude.

“Literally nobody would blame you!”

She giggled awkwardly, in a way that told me she wasn’t ever leaving Max. Fine by me. I mean, not really but it was her decision. I couldn’t make the right choice for her and it really killed me during times like these.

“I better get going.” I hurried to my former bed (now back to it being Liza’s guest one) and hauled my huge suitcase off of it. “Don’t wanna be late picking up my keys.”

“Jump in my car, I’ll drive you.” Liza chirped, grabbing my desk lamp and laptop. “No sense taking a cab. Those assholes rip people off so bad. Screw that.”

“You’re not kidding” I replied over my shoulder, walking out of her apartment and toward the forest green Sedan I knew she was dying to get rid of. It wasn’t about the cab, and I knew that. Ride share Companies like Uber or Lyft would’ve worked out fine. I got on Liza’s nerves quite a bit, but that’s what friendship was. I’d have to be ignorant to not realize she missed me already.

********************

Vasha had been messaging me off and on all day while I was settling into my new place. Well, room was probably more like it. I’d met Charlotte Ahyoka and Olivia Green at a bar and grill around a month or so ago. It’d been a fairly busy afternoon, and the staff had accidentally given me the seat they’d reserved forty five minutes in advance. Their laid back attitudes about the mix-up came as a surprise to me, especially when they insisted I didn’t have to move. We clicked pretty quickly over beers and hot wings, and the rest was history. It just so happened I’d learned they were renting out their guest room a week later, and I pounced on the chance to move in. The last straw being Max and Liza screaming at each other for three and a half hours one night while I was trying to sleep for work. What a fucking nightmare. As you can imagine, I was stoked as hell to observe Char and Livvy being a loving couple.

Once I had a chance to pull myself away from unpacking for a minute, I typed out a response to my favorite person.

SMS: I’ll Skype you tonight, Detka.

I didn’t want her to worry. She’d read the message, but didn’t respond. I figured she was probably sleepy, and I wouldn’t hear from her until sometime tomorrow.

“So, how’dya like it?” Char suddenly appeared, hitching her chin upward at the room. Despite being incredibly feminine, with her breast length hair the color of dark soil and gorgeous floral dresses, I could immediately tell it was she who called the shots. I’d learned she’d moved from Savannah, Georgia to Arizona only a handful of years ago for College, and that’s how she met Olivia. Her accent was bright, and she cheered me up every time she used that southern slang. I’d later learn she was Native American with an opinionated mouth when it came to Politics. She probably was around 5′6 with long, shapely legs and a curvy hourglass physique. Her slightly slanted brown eyes were large and almond shaped, lined with thick dark lashes.

“I’m in love with it. Thanks for saving it for me, seriously. I was ready to start sleeping on the streets to get away from where I was.” It wasn’t anything against Liza and I didn’t want to give off the impression it was her, so I left names out of my most of my stories for that reason. The less people knew, the better.

Char was about to respond, but Olive snuck up from behind and wrapped her long arms around her Fiancée.

“Boo!” She exclaimed, making Char jump slightly. I laughed and looked on with an amused grin.

“BAAABE!” Charlotte giggled, and they swayed together for a few seconds. They were such a stunning couple, and their love made my heart swell with happiness.

“We’re happy you wanted it! Now look at all of us. Some things are just up to fate.” Olive cleared her throat, and padded off to finish preparing whatever smelled fantastic in the kitchen.

She was much taller than Charlotte, and especially me. Around 6’0 ish with a lean athlete’s build. While we were getting to know each other, she told me she enjoyed playing basketball and tennis at her local gym and the results were obvious. Her eyes were this deep, vibrant blue and they sparkled with mischief often. She wore her mid waist lengthed golden blonde hair in a high ponytail, but that’s where any trace of femininity ended. She fully enjoyed her corporate men suits for work, and tomboyish attire when chilling at home. I liked Char and Olivia, they seemed like genuine folks and I couldn't wait to see what living with them would be like.

********************

Once I’d finished putting most of my belongings away, I snatched my laptop from where it was charging in the far right corner of the room, and hopped into my new bed. Turned it on, hurried to Skype.

I was surprised when Vasha answered after the second ring.

“Finally. I waited for you.” My tiny girl smiled, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

“Were you sleeping?” I asked, squinting at the time displayed on my laptop. Eleven P.M. I knew she wasn’t a morning person— but I’m pretty sure it was sometime in the afternoon over there.

“No.” She gave a one shoulder shrug and took a bite of her flaky pastry. “I went for a walk and worked a little. Mostly I’ve just been waiting until we could talk here. How was the move? Are you sad to leave your friend?”

It was nice of her to consider my feelings. A few days after we confessed our love for each other, Vasha grew increasingly jealous of mine and Liza’s friendship. We’d Skyped much more often than usual, and she always made it known that Liza was to NOT touch me during that time. Not even a hug. Seriously, her words. I think she understood while we weren’t technically together, I wasn’t about to abide by any rules I didn’t find merit for. But she also figured I’d never disrespect her right to her face, either. Which she was right about. I never wanted to be a cause for her pain or embarrassment so it wasn't the end of the world.

“Good! My new roommates are awesome. Remember I told you about them?” I'd been so ecstatic over meeting Charlotte and Olivia I couldn't help but share every last detail with my Russian love, who enjoyed hearing all about my "adventures" as she so called them every time we spoke.

Vasha nodded her head for me to continue and took a sip of the hot liquid steaming from her Galaxy speckled mug. Knowing her, it was tea. With extra honey and a squeeze of lemon. I'd never met someone who loved sweets as much as she did. It was honestly baffling how she was able to remain so petite.

“They aren’t charging me much, either. So that’s cool. I needed to move. I can still see Liza, we’ll always be super close friends. I’m not upset, my love.”

Her eyes lit up, and she blushed deeply. Tried to hide it by taking a sip from her mug, but I pointed it out and snickered.

“You’re adorable. Damn, you can get red though!”

“Shut your mouth!” She warned, but a smile threatened to break out at the corners of her lips. “Detka?”

“Hmm?” I was getting into an unopened bag of baked lays I packed in my purse earlier. I hadn’t eaten all day and was literally starving. I'm sure Olivia would save a plate of food for me like she always did, but I was too lazy to go see if dinner was finished.

“What is the English saying about butterflies in the belly?” She pointed toward her stomach and popped the last bit of food into her mouth. I thought about the bakery, where she told me she worked as a pastry chef, and vowed to try some of her baking once we met in person. To go along with her love for sweet treats, Vasha was extremely passionate about baking. Her many awards were displayed throughout her home, and I'd managed to get a good glimpse of a few of them.

“When someone is anxious, or they can’t deal with their emotions, you feel like you have butterflies in your stomach.” I explained as she stood up and ran into her kitchen. I heard her rummaging through a few drawers. She suddenly began singing along to a popular Russian Rock song that started playing on her portable radio. I was about to get up myself to toss out my empty chip bag, when she hurried back excitedly.

“I have butterflies flying in my belly. Do you, detka?” And with that, she slapped a piece of paper against the screen. I squinted, then gasped in surprise.

“...You bought a ticket?? To come see me!?” My voice suddenly sounded super high pitched, but I didn't care.

Vasha was coming to the United States! I could hardly believe it.

“They approved my Visa, detka! I’m coming in two months. I used some of my savings money, for my retirement.” She squealed with excitement and kissed the paper emotionally. Her body visibly shook as we shared our unabashed elation.

“Vasha! Why would you do that?? Don’t spend your life savings on me.” My mouth had gone dry as she shakingly showed me her Visa approval paperwork. Flipping through it with the hugest grin I'd ever seen.

“Don't say that, I wanted to spend the money. You have no idea how hard this was to keep a secret from you. I found out two days ago.” She took a deep breath, and exhaled happily with a dreamy smile. “Ember comes with. I don’t trust anyone to watch him.”

“Of course he’s coming! I’ll find a pet friendly hotel.” My heart felt like it was about to explode from happiness. “I can’t wait to see you, Vash.” I whispered tenderly, and kissed my fingertips. She did the same, and we placed our hands on the screen. I wasn’t ready for this to happen...but at the same time, I felt like I’d never been more ready to wrap my arms around this girl and never let her go for anything.

Her moss green eyes glittered with tears. "I can't wait myself..."