Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 51

"Julianna, there's yet another vase waiting for you on the step!" The sound causes me to groan as I push myself away from the desk in my bedroom.

The entire week, Chase has been sending flowers to me; I don't know if it's to try and apologize or what, but I can't deal with him right now because the grind never stops and I have school things to get done on top of what I already have to do at work.

"What is it that they are doing this time?" When I got back to the living room, I saw Mark holding a vase that was full of red roses. "What are those?" I asked. "Oh my goodness, why can't he at least send some nice flowers?" I let out a sigh as my irritation grew.

"Not a fan of red roses, are you?" I laugh at his jokes while removing the vase from his grasp and placing it on the countertop in the kitchen.

I despise them because of how cheesy they are. I informed him about it. "Up until now, they've all been red roses; if they were another kind of flower, I'd probably display them in my bedroom."

"Similar to what?"

"Like lilies." I confirm this with a resolute nod. They are breezy and stunning, traditional and enduring in appearance.

Do you want me to get rid of them? Kent inquires as he follows us into the kitchen and joins the conversation we are having. Because attacking another person is neither beautiful nor enduring, "because" He says it to me with a trace of irony, and my reaction is to snort a little bit.

"I'm not sure that the word 'attack' is quite the one that I'd use." I call his attention to it by taking the card out of the stack's top slot.

Julianna, please call me. I sincerely apologize, and I pray that you'll be able to forgive me.

-Chase'

If I did make an effort to communicate with you, the unfortunate truth is that I wouldn't have a clue what the hell to say. I've never been in this situation before, and none of this feels like the appropriate reaction to what he did. I've never been in this position before. This is not the kind of olive branch that a typical friend would extend in these circumstances.

"What does it say?" When Mark inquires, I sigh deeply.

"That he will call me, and he is hoping that I will forgive him." I mutter something under my breath as I pull open the lid of the garbage can in the kitchen and place the item inside.

I'm sorry, Julianna, but I had no idea he was even capable of something like this. Mark mutters something, and I shake my head in response.

"You are not to blame in any way:. I give him my word and assure him, "I am more than capable of forgiving him and everything, but I can't be his friend anymore."

You certainly have no reason to feel that way." Kent is adamant, picking up the vase and proceeding to the front door, where they are most likely going to be discarded in the organics bin.

"Hold on, let's get those back. When I go to see my mom later tonight, I'm going to give them to her." I tell him, and he smiles at me before putting them back where they were. "You know, the thing that makes me feel the saddest is that I no longer have that really good study group." They both laugh as I shrug my shoulders.

"It seems like a loss that can be lived with." It was Kent who told me, and Mark was the one who shoved him.

"Do you guys think that I'm approaching this matter with an excessive amount of severity?" I inquire while running my fingers through my hair. "What course of action do you take when something like this happens? Give it to me from the man's point of view."

"Julianna, I'm not an idiot." Mark laughs, and I find myself giggling a little bit as well. I don't make an effort to kiss girls who respond with "what are you doing" or "get off of me."

"Fair."

"And if I misread something and mess it up, I'll just send you a text message or something like that. I'm responsible for that, and now I'm moving on." He gives a shrug and then looks at the vase.

"So, are you saying that this is strange?" I will clarify.

"Julianna, you've got a stage-five clinger!" When Kyle adds his two cents from the living room, we all let out a muffled laugh.

"Yeah, you shouldn't feel like you need to fix this; the responsibility lies with him," Mark kindly reminds me, and in response, I nod and continue to emphasize the point to myself. "We were already friends with Abby, and it was only by chance that we became friends with Chase after we realized they lived together. Because of this, we have lost nothing, and there is no reason for you to compensate us in any way."

"Alright, I guess I'll just leave it alone for now," I give a shrug and notice that their laid-back attitudes towards this matter have a calming effect on me.

"When I go to see Persephone later tonight, do you think it would be okay if I stole one of those roses?" He asks while rubbing his hands together and looking at me with an apologetic smile on his face.

"Not Persephone, you should start dating girls with shorter names," the other person replied. I tell him, he just rolls his eyes at me.

"Julianna, it's a wonder that he remembers their names! If I were you, I wouldn't stand in the way of progress!" Mark sighs and rolls his eyes as Kyle gives him a call.

"Fine, Mister promiscuous, but don't make a habit out of it," I tell him while separating them and taking one out for him to look at. What makes Persephone such a special person that a flower is given to her?

"She has completely ignored me for the past few months, so my strategy is to show her that she has made a grave error by holding on to this for so long," he explains. I snort, and he shrugs his shoulders.

"Genius," I scoff and roll my eyes in response.

"Bring her a rose and tell her about my dog that passed away when I was seven years old to tug at her heartstrings before you engage in sexual activity with her. After that, I give her just enough to make her want more, and then I go home."

"If only you would put your abilities to some good use," Kent chuckles and shakes his head as he considers Mark's peculiar plan. It was always a possibility that Persephone was a terrible person, but even I had to admit that it seemed manipulative, and I was the one who had to admit it.

Who is to say that she wouldn't want more? I inquire while attempting to rearrange the flowers in such a way that my mother will not be able to tell that I have removed one of them.

"Trust me, Julianna, I'm good in bed," he says confidently, and I look at Kent, who gives me a skeptical headshake, and I try my best not to laugh at what he just said. Mark instantly turns his attention to Kent, whose expression changes, and Kent presses his lips together as if trying to suppress a laugh of his own. "You're doubting me?" When he asks us, I give him a confused look.

Kent responds with a shrug and the word "No."

"Because I'm really good at giving head," she clarified. Mark takes a defensive stance by crossing his arms.

"You're aware of what, right, man? That information is not really necessary for me to have," Kent tells him while patting him on the arm, and Kyle and I can't hold back our laughter as we lose it.

"Women to the t!" Mark is adamant, and everyone else and I end up laughing at his mistake. I even have to hold onto the counter for support because I'm laughing so hard. "There are a whole bunch of jackasses among you," he mutters to himself as he makes his way to the front door to put his shoes on.

"Is Persephone a female character?" Kyle asks. "Because we wouldn't view you any differently as a result of that, Mark, you're my friend."

"Oh, shut up," Mark says, and all of us in the room laugh it off. We all laugh as he hastily exits the building while we watch him go.

"You were probably being mean with that," I freely admit, running my fingers through my hair.

"But funny," Kent reminds me, and I nod.

"In addition to that, I'm certain that he now feels compelled to demonstrate to us that he is skilled in the bedroom. The fate of Persephone is up in the air," Kyle lets out a chuckle, and I clamp my lips together, doing my best to suppress a smile.

"I'm glad things worked out for Persephone." As I pick up the vase of roses, I can't help but chuckle. "What are your plans for tonight, guys?"

"I start work at six o'clock," Kyle informs me, and I glance at the clock hanging above the stove.

"Kyle, that's in about twenty minutes," I note.

"Oh, shit," he mumbles, quickly turning off the television. "Well, look out, Julianna," he says to me, playfully shooting me finger guns. I laugh, shake my head, and head to my room down the hall.

I need to be ready by seven, and my mother is coming to pick me up. In reality, this means she'll be here at around six forty to look around, chat, and ask questions.

I believe Kyle left for his shift because I hear the front door close. I start going through my closet to pick something to wear when I go out with my mother. Since I know she's taking me to a nice restaurant, I anticipate it'll be a pleasant evening.

"Julianna?" I turn to see Kent standing in my doorway, startling me.

"Yeah?" I respond, feeling a slight tightness in my throat. Friends, Julianna, just friends. Former adversaries who barely knew each other before that.

"Is he making you uncomfortable?" Kent asks, squaring his shoulders and leaning against my door frame.

"Which Mark? No, it's just him being him. I don't care how many girls he's dating."

"No, not Mark. I meant Chase, the one with the roses," he clarifies.

"Oh, his distance doesn't bother me at all. If it continues by the end of the week, I'll just send him a text telling him to leave me alone," I shrug, making it sound like I routinely brush off men's attempts to pursue me.

"Alright, tough girl," Kent chuckles, giving a casual shrug.

As my phone rings, I reach for it. It's in the back pocket of my jeans. "Sorry," I mutter.

"It's fine, go ahead and take it," Kent says, giving a quick wave. I didn't want him to leave; things had been going really well between us in the past few weeks.

I reach for my phone, fully expecting my mother's call. Instead, it says "Dane from Apex" on my screen. I become alarmed and immediately lock my bedroom door. I wasn't even sure if I liked him, so I considered letting it go to voicemail.

But I owed him money for the cab the other night, so I sigh, hit the "answer" button, and put the phone to my ear. "H-hello?"

"Julianna?" I flinch as I hear his voice. It's definitely Dane.

"Um, yeah, hey," I mutter quietly as I continue searching my closet for something to wear when I go out with my mother.

"Hey, I was hoping to hear from you about that date, but I haven't heard anything yet," he says, making me tense up.

Come up with an alibi, Julianna. It's been five days since the car he sent saved your ass.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were so serious," I mumble quietly.

"Yeah, you can take me seriously," he laughs, and I let out a sigh. "I still am."

"Why would you want to take me out in public, though?" I ask in a hushed voice. "I'm a bit too young for you."

"That's not how I see it at all," he insists. "You're so much more mature than your peers, and I'll say it again because it's important: Julianna, you don't look like a student." He tells me, making me cringe slightly. "How about the day after tomorrow? Dinner's on me."

"I have a shift at work scheduled for tomorrow."

"Please, have someone cover for you," he pleads.

"No, I'm the supervisor, and it's crucial for me to be there. I'm sorry," I inform him, then head to my closet to grab a pair of olive-colored dress pants to go with a black turtleneck.

"I understand," he says, a hint of disappointment in his tone. I probably owe him for the ride he arranged, and besides, he might not be as appealing as I thought. What's the harm in missing one date? "Julianna, if you'd let me take you out for a walk, I'm sure I could change your mind," he suggests.

"How about we meet up on Saturday night?" I stutter the words, biting my lip. "You can pick me up at eight."

"Eight it is, and I'll be there to pick you up."

"No, I won't go with you. I'll meet you wherever we decide." I let him know.

"Why?"

"Because I don't know you well enough at this point to rule out the possibility that you might be a serial killer," I playfully defend, and he chuckles. "Text me the address for our meeting place."

"Alright," he chuckles. "Until then, take care, Julianna," he bids me farewell.

"Bye," I mumble, feeling my heart starting to race.

I should be excited because this incredibly handsome man asked me out and showed interest in me, but I'm just not that enthusiastic about it yet. Maybe things will change once we start talking and getting to know each other better; perhaps I just don't know him well enough at the moment.

After hanging up the phone, I quickly get ready, realizing I only have about twenty minutes before I need to leave. I start by applying some makeup and touching up my hair, then I make my bed and give my room a quick once-over. After that, I take some time to tidy up my things. If there was even a hint of mess, Mom would want to inspect it as soon as she arrived, which would be a hassle if she insisted on seeing it.