the socializing street
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to observe / verb
notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant
His place feels familiar as if I already walked pass these walls and felt the floors with my bare feet, touched the surfaces and scraped my knees after a fall. But not in real life, yet in some strange faded dream. Like the weakest of memories, that’s sewed to your skin, your muscles, and your being. I turn around towards him and my thoughts stop. I feel like I was grabbing on to something special but lost the connection. My eyes gaze up at him and the memory slips away as if dissolving into thin air. I watch the space around me and snap out of it, not understanding what just happened. Déjà vu? Perhaps, all was possible in my case. I smile at Charlie and attempt to act like a normal person. Well, I try anyway.
Nice apartment. Clean and organized ...
I say, but don’t really focus on my own words. I ask him for some orange juice, tease him a bit and disappear into the hallway. Third floorboard on the left, next to the window squeaks - a sudden thought runs through my head and I frown. I walk in the bathroom and shake my head in frustration, feeling foolish. The morning pains must have been stronger than I assumed. My eyes wander to the mirror and I forget everything else. I groan so loudly that my reflection in the glass starts to shake. He’s there in just a moment but I quickly brush off the whole thing. He leaves and I use the time to get back to anything that might help me resemble a human being again. I looked so worn out. The bags under the eyes, pale skin, hair in a mess - a true sight for sore eyes.
I return after some time, and we talk in the kitchen. I start to relax when our conversation is quickly brought to a halt. I hear a key in the lock and turn my head to see who it is. My mind always expecting the worst possible news; by now it’s a habit, an almost involuntary reflex that I can’t control. I hear amused voices and the door finally opens.
My gaze is carefully set on a young woman as she walks in, smiling and chatting with the guy that opened the door first. My eyes narrow and scan her as fast as any woman’s eyes would when judging another woman. She has long red hair that goes past her waist and appears to be around my height, but a tad shorter. She’s slim, wearing black leather leggings and a long green sweater, it looks soft and good quality. She has dark red sneakers and a big bag hanging from her shoulder. I judge her at being around 20 years old. Less than three blinks of an eye and my eyes wander to the guy - similar height to Charlie’s if not higher. It must run in the family, good gene pool. He’s well-built with impressive shoulders. Short brown her and blue eyes, a big smile that suddenly turns into shock and disbelief.
Mmm, my keeper really must be a loner if a woman in his apartment causes such a reaction. I look at the key in his hand and then at Charlie’s unhappy face. Obviously, the famous brother that I heard so little about. There is a moment of awkward silence and finally, the girl breaks it.
Hi, I’m Jenna. And you must be...
She walks over and outstretches her hand; I smile and take it.
Eleonore, Charlie’s nuisance and the reasons for his thrills.
Oh, really?
She doesn’t seem to bother by my words, on the contrary, she seems to be interested in what I had to say. Hmm, I might just like her.
Yes, though I think he prefers to spell it as ‘friends’. He chooses to be in denial about my bad qualities and focuses on saving me from the big bad world, and sometimes I even let him.
Jenna’s face twitches uncomfortably, and she can’t hold it for too long. We all hear her delicate laugh fill the room. Like listening to wind chimes and feeling the warm sun’s rays on your skin. My laugh probably sounds like a hyena on drugs next to her’s. Mmm, it probably does. I get up and outstretch my hand again, walking up to the brother.
Robert, I think you can snap out of your shock state now. Yes, in fact, I am a woman in your brother’s four walls. Would an explanation that I invited myself in calm down your suffering nerves? Charlie, maybe you should examine him, where is your black bag these days?
Exactly, where it should be. Rob, come on. Just shake her hand, otherwise, she will be standing there all day, digging you deep into the ground.
I send Charlie a dark look and just grab his brother’s hand, shaking it. That finally breaks the charm. In less than a second, I am pulled into a big bear hug. I am so shocked that I don’t even struggle or try to pull away. After a moment I tap him on a shoulder with a free hand, as I’m having trouble moving. Were all the Evans people so open and kind-natured?
Ehm, Rob? Could you let go now...? Few more seconds of this closeness and you’re going to have to marry me.
He laughs wholeheartedly, and I can feel his laugh vibrate through my entire body with my teeth banging against each other. It’s like hugging a power drill.
I would listen to her; you wouldn’t want your nose to get broken again.
Robert finally releases me from the intense embrace, and I can once again breathe with a full chest. I stare at Charlie.
Again?
It’s a long story. Let’s just say he’s a hugger and not all the girls enjoy it.
I hear a deep sigh and turn to the girl.
I did apologize for that like a million times, Charlie. Besides, his nose is all healed, and he looks as handsome as ever. No foul, no harm. Don’t you agree, Elle?
I stare at Jenna and try to control my face muscles.
Absolutely, he had it coming. First, test the field, and then lock a girl in a lovable yet a tight and bone-cracking embrace.
See? I told you that was common knowledge.
Alright, I will give you that. But you know, even though I liked seeing the damage you caused, I was still the one, that had to put that nose back together.
She grins and walks up to her evident boyfriend. She stands on her toes and kisses him on the lips. He starts to put an arm around her but before he can do anything she slips out with a mischievous smile.
Need to freshen up, order some food. I bet Elle is starving. Look at her, just skin and bones, I’m so jealous.
The corners of my lips lift slightly.
I’m working on it, but he doesn’t feed me enough.
I point at Charlie, sit comfortably by the kitchen table and cross my arms accusingly. He just shakes his head.
Would have to be with her 24/7 to keep this one satisfied.
A wide smile spreads on my lips, I did always enjoy some wordplay.
It’s not your fault, Mr. Evans. No one can, I’m very high maintenance. Always left unsatisfied.
In the corner of my eye, I see Jenna stop in her tracks and watch the exchange with fascination. Robert looks confused like he just missed some vital information and Charlie just gives me a meaningful stare - he’s used to this, the other two not so much. I gaze at everybody and just shrug my shoulders.
Pizza would be great for me but order anything you want, I ’m not picky, will eat pretty much anything as long as it falls in the food category.
Jenna reluctantly disappears into the bathroom, Robert heads to his room and orders the takeout while Charlie crashes on the sofa, looking exhausted. I look concerned at him and decide to sit next to him. I touch his forehead; he seems to have a fever.
You need rest, tons of it.
I know, I think I caught some kind of bug.
Hmm, well you can just sit and relax here, and I will make you some tea. Then you can experience some home cooking, delivered in a box by a kind and hopefully very handsome delivery guy. No, no, save your voice. You’re too sick to throw heavy invectives in the air, far too sick for that.
I look amused at his expression and make him some hot tea. I investigate the kitchen cupboard above my head and find everything I need without trouble as if I spent every morning in this place. A small part of me is freaked out by this but the bigger part just shakes it off. I walk over to the living room and watch him stare at the TV. I throw a blanket at him and hand him the tea. He looks at it suspiciously.
What is this?
Just drink it, it’s good for you.
He takes a sip, then another and relaxes.
Chamomile.
Yes, with honey. Kills the germs and soothes the throat.
And how do you know that?
From being sick very often and having a mother that cares.
He gives me a funny look but then closes his eyes for a moment, his fingers still wrapped around the cup. I take it away from him and make him lie down, he doesn’t even protest. I walk to the front door and wait out in the hallway for the delivery guy, so the doorbell doesn’t wake him up. I hear footsteps behind me and turn around. It’s Rob.
What are you doing out here?
Waiting for the food, I’m very impatient.
His stare wanders off to the sofa and his brother that’s falling into a deep sleep, he gives me a small smile.
Ah, I see.
He hands me $40 and heads back.
Nora?
Yes?
Good to know that you are actually real. And, that my brother has someone to save, he’s great at that.
Depends on who you would ask... but thanks.
Besides, he really needs as many friends as he can, he sucks at socializing.
He makes an impression of a rather open person, to begin with.
Yes, but he concentrates all of his powers on his work.
Powers?
I ask surprised for a moment thinking about the healing powers that he has on me, but it can’t be that. I see Rob start to grin.
Yeah, you can call him a friendly Captain America but without the tights or a shield, just colorful scrubs instead.
My laugh is a bit nervous but I hope that he can’t hear it, and in fact, he doesn’t seem to notice. The door closes behind him and ten minutes later the food arrives. I pay for it, take it to the kitchen and gaze into the plastic bag; feeling my stomach cling to my back. Inside there are two medium size pizzas, a lot of garlic bread and some Cesar salad. The aroma drags Jenna out of the room. I watch with amusement as she grabs the bigger part of the food, winks at me and then quickly disappears back to the room. Just a couple of seconds later I hear giggles coming from across the hall. I try not to roll my eyes and then enjoy the pizza, its contents quickly vanishing - I mercifully leave some behind, just like a decent savage would.
For the next three hours, I amuse myself with TV; watching some bad soap operas and listening to the news. Eventually, I get bored and start to walk around the place. My mind lazily going through the events of today. I step closer to the window and the floor makes the most dreadful sound. I stop breathing as the same exact words, turn around in my mind on a constant loop. Third floorboard on the left, next to the window squeaks. I look at the window and then start to count, a loud moan escaping my lips. Déjà vu can be such a bitch sometimes. I hear a groan from the couch and turn around. He gives me a tired smile, I return it and sit down next to him, putting the thing that just happened in another tiny box called denial.
Did the nap help?
A little, I’m still feeling off.
You’ll get better when you eat something.
Maybe, if I can keep it in... Nora?
Yeah?
I was meant to ask before. How was your day?
I think you already asked me that, and it was very dull. Just some gossip from your adoration circle. Nothing new, really.
Of course. And then? I’m sure there was more.
I’m a boring person Charlie. I spend 4 hours tucked away in the hospital’s closet-size library and read my book. You know the drill... she has too much pride, he is full of prejudice, an idyllic balance if you ask me.
Sure, and that’s all you did.
I notice his doubtful face and sigh. Something that Joan told me earlier bouncing around in my scull, and floating up to the surface before I can stop it.
Fine, let’s say I have been doing a little volunteering work.
Is that so?
Yes, assisting one helpless old lady, who has a lot of character even when she doesn’t speak.
Mrs. Wilson.
I stare at him a bit shocked, arms crossed defensively. For a second, I feel like protesting and manipulating myself out of the situation but eventually, I just ask.
How did you find out?
A lucky guess, and years of observation. Besides, I asked around before living work.
Oh?
Yes, after seeing Mrs. O’Reilly, which I recognized from her visits at the hospital. She was in a bit of a state today. So I mentioned, I thought I would ask around.
My eyes narrow.
Joan?
Yes, though all she really told me is that Mrs. Wilson has the most exceptional guardian angel that you could ever imagine.
Oh, I see.
Care to share anything?
No, not especially. I won’t go into the details, but let’s just say I behaved myself and did everything according to the protocol. Don’t give me those stares, I have been in a true angelic state today, I swear.
My eyes and body language turn into a state of pure innocence, but he doesn’t seem very convinced. Slowly my thought shifts to this morning and I decide that things could have been much worse.
To be continued...
Last 3 chapters
13. https://theprose.com/post/262107/remembrance
14. https://theprose.com/post/268834/captured-moments
15. https://theprose.com/post/270473/living-arrangements
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