Vintage Vera

I saw James, who sat in his truck, waiting by the mailbox. He looked out through the tinted window to me as I stood by my door, arms crossed. He lowered the window down exposing the soft music he played.

“Get dressed!” He declared as I took short steps to his truck, passing Avery's car. “You’re going to the grocery store with me.”

When he said grocery store, I knew what he meant. It meant that he had a one-night-stand and for some reason, the girls he sleeps with, always go to the grocery store the next day. Weird, right? Why does he go then? He likes to act and make it obvious that it was just a one night fuckeroo. He takes me with him, every time, so he could pretend I was his girlfriend. This would make the girls think twice before making a scene and, in his favor, not call him back. The other reason he seems to take me is because he has a phobia of going to the grocery store alone. I have no idea what might’ve triggered such a phobia from him…

I crossed my hands over the empty window frame and sighed, “Fine, but you’re buying me breakfast and something, from the store, of my choice.” I eyed him as I waited for his response.

“Like always,” he chuckled, “it depends on how well you act. Now go get dressed! Shoo!” He flicked his wrist, shooing me away. When I didn’t move he raised the window, so my arms would fall off. I heard him laugh while the window completely shut.

I ran back into the house to get dressed.

~*~

“Do you need chips?” I asked as James pushed the cart into the next aisle. One side of the lane was filled with bags of chips and the other refrigerated alcoholic beverages. I surveyed the grocery list he handed me.

James nodded with an exaggerated rhythm, “Yes! What else are you going to eat when you get the munchies?” I shook my head laughing to myself. He doesn’t really do drugs-he’s just saying that to say it. “And beer. That sounds good too!”

We parted from the cart in opposite directions. I snatched the bags of chips he penned on the list and he grabbed a 12-pack of Michelob Ultra. I neatly organized the bags in the cart. James goes bonkers when his grocery cart’s a mess. It’s another one on his infinite list of pet-peeves.

“Vera?” James said pushing the cart as he leaned on his elbows.

“Yeah?” I uttered, too entertained by his list.

“Why are you always so dressed up?” He pulled on my skirt after I didn’t answer.

“Hey!” I slapped his hand away playfully and fixed my ruffled beige bohemian maxi skirt.I wore this skirt that hit the bottom of my ribs, a black bralette, and dainty jewelry.“I just am,” I looked at him as we still walked out to the next aisle. “I like to feel dressed up and, I guess, I got used to getting dressed for everything. Get used to it.”

He laughed at my remark and turned into the next aisle. As we looked at what the aisle portrayed, we saw two young women browsing the shelves. One had her dirty blonde hair pulled into a tight pony-tail while the other had her black hair in a loose braid. The one with the black hair looked a lot like Venus Williams, the tennis player.

“Shit!” James grunted silently as he remembered on of their faces.

“Which one?” I whispered.

“Action!” That was the signal to initiate the pretend girlfriend persona. James pushed me in front of the cart to push while he stood behind me, pushing as well. I thought about which girl it could be. It was most likely the blonde since James can be an intense racist. Yes, he’s racist. I butt-heads with him constantly.

He kissed the back of my head as we walked passed them. They didn’t really care to look back at us. So far so good!

“James?! Is that you? Weren’t you going to cal-” The blonde stopped mid-sentence when James turned around revealing me. I turned, as well, to face the ladies wearing yoga fitness clothing.

“Umm… Hi, Olivia.” James’s voice shook pretending to show fear. He forced a smile.

She smiled thrilled at the fact that he remembered her name. Although James was a player, he always cared to remember who he slept with. Her smile quickly faded as she noticed James wrap his arm around me.

“Who’s this?” She smacked her, now obvious, minty green gum.

“Olivia, this is Scarlett, my fiancée. Scarlett, this is Olivia.” He swallowed the fake lump in his throat. By Scarlett, he meant me. He always changes my name and the relationship status to make it better than the last time we played this game. The way he came around to this idea was, I think, Yahoo. He was bored and wanted ideas to get rid of one-night-stand girls. It’s quite fun, actually.

“Scarlett, your fiancée?” She scoffed. “Well, hello Scarlett. James failed to mention you last night.” She grabbed my hand a shook it giving a mighty squeeze to my hand.

I looked up at James, “Weren’t you at Bob’s last night, sweetie?”

Olivia elbowed her friend’s elbow and smirked at me. She crept closer to me and whispered in my ear, “Yeah... He obviously wasn't there. Although, he never mentioned your pretty face before drilling the fuck out of my whole.”

James rubbed his face, as if completely stressed out, when he heard that last part. I quickly shut my eyes and mouth to keep from laughing because, honestly, that was very graphic.Unmentionable graphic that’s meant for fantasizing rather than saying out loud.Both women stood with their hands on their hips.

I opened my eyes and stared at Olivia viciously. I thought of what to say. I’m so not good with comebacks, but here goes nothing, “Honey, he not only fucked you. He fucked you over. Do me a favor and go fuck yourself with the curling iron!” I spat at her. She opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off. “Save your breath, dear.” She gasped and her eyes swelled.

I faced James and slapped him. He cowered lower catching his throbbing cheek. “If your things aren’t out by tomorrow, I’m burning it!” I saw him smirk, but quickly hid it.

“Maybe she can buy you your groceries with the money she made in her corner last night!” I began to walk off, but ran back and fished out the keys out of James’s pocket. “And ask her for another ride since she’s so good at them!”

I stormed out of the aisle and waited in the next. I heard squeaky laughing, a slap, and then laughing disappearing into the opposite direction.

The wheels on James’s cart rolled, audibly, to me. I stood there smiling as I watched him make his way between his hardcore laughter. I ran to meet him halfway and hugged him. “Oh my goodness!” I stared at his blistering red cheek, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to slap you that hard… Although, I personally, think I played a really good Scarlett.” We both laughed for a bit.

“You win! You did a better job than I did,” he smiled, “But seriously! Oww! Where did you learn to slap like that? Olivia slapped me too, but it was nothing compared to yours.”

I shrugged my shoulders innocently, “I didn’t mean to hit you that hard, I swear.”

He laughed, “Whatever!” He pulled the list from my small brown messenger bag. “”Let’s finish up, so I can take you to that well deserved meal.” He wrapped his arm over my shoulders, hugging me, and read the remainder of the list out loud.

~*~

“Hello! My name is Alba, and I’ll be your server for today. What would you guys like to drink?” The quirky waitress asked. Her eyebrow and lip each had a silver piercing that wrapped the skin.She wore an all-black outfit with a black waist apron, just like the other waiters and waitresses. Her pink hair pulled into a tight bun.We sat in a booth deep into the restaurant.

“I’ll have an unsweet iced tea,” James spoke first.

“Virgin strawberry daiquiri,” I smiled at the waitress as she caught up, “with extra whipped cream.” Alba winked at me as she wrote the last of my drink down on her notepad. She closed it and walked away.

“Did she just wink at you?!” James’s eyes went wide then to a squint of the inner edges.

“No! Her eye twitched,” I sighed honestly. I thought her eye twitched. It happens.

“She winked, Vera! That was a wink. Not a twitch.” He be-littled my innocence. I stuck my tongue out at him and unfolded the menu before me.

A minute later, Alba walks up to our booth holding our drinks on a black tray. “Unsweet tea for you,” she placed his drink on the corked coaster, “and the daiquiri for the beauty.” James chuckled to himself as she placed my drink on the table.

“Have you decided on what to eat, darling? “she looked at me and waited for my response. Maybe she is flirting….

“I’ll have an 8-oz sirloin steak, medium well, with green beans and mashed potatoes.” James noticed my discomfort. Alba rolled her eyes and shot him a look, writing his order down, all the while.

She turned to me and smiled. “Umm… I’ll have the chicken fried chicken,” I refolded the menu. “Make it to-go please.”

“You sure, babe? You are at a restraunt…” She lingered her smile as she collected our menus.

“I’m sure, thank you. With broccoli and fries please.” I added. She wrote the last of my order and walked off.

“You don’t give off the lesbian vibe, so why is she flirting…” James contemplated to himself.

“James! She’s a waitress! She’s literally paid to be friendly.” I spit at him. He choked on his drink and laughed.

“Haha! Think what you want, babe! But she’s flirting…” James wiped his mouth of the tea that slipped out as he laughed. “Why to-go?”

“I don’t eat in public. You already know that. Don’t ask questions you know the answer to.” I rolled my blue eyes, dramatically, completely annoyed. I don't like that. When people ask questions they already know the answer to, that is. I shifted myself on the cushioned seat and sat Indian style. I coated my finger with whipped cream and slid it in my mouth. I noticed James staring. Oh, it’s on!

I slid my finger out slowly, sucking the last of the cream, and released it with a pop. James shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “What?” I asked.

“Stop it. You know what.” He pulled on his trousers making more room for his growing member. In fact, I did know what. This man has the weirdest gift of all… he gets horny from everything. From a bird flying into its nest to his sister folding laundry, it’s weird. And times like these, I use it to my advantage.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I coated my finger and did the same thing I did before, ending with a pop. “What?” I smirked as he shifted again. He tilted his head to the side while his face asked, 'really'.

“I know what you’re doing, Vera. Stop it, because it’s working.” He grinned.

I pouted my lips giving up my game. “I had to. You’re too easy.” He opened his lips to say something, when Alba came with his plate. She positioned white dry rags in her palms and grabbed James’s plate. “Be careful. The plate is hot.” She sat the food down. She quickly faced me.

“Your meal is being prepared and should be ready by the time you’re ready to leave. Enjoy your meal!” Alba smooched me silently and walked away. Ummm... Okay?

James clapped his hands together and rubbed them excitedly, not noticing her gesture. “Will do!”

~*~

“Thanks for taking me out today, James,” I kissed his cheek, opened the truck’s door, and jumped out. Avery's car isn't here anymore. She left without saying goodbye? Hmm..

“You’re welcome,” he nodded sliding the white to-go box toward me. “Thank, you, Scarlett.” We laughed as I grabbed my packaged food. My phone began to buzz in my bag. I scrambled for it and answered.

“Hello?” I waved James goodbye and shut the door. He sped off and in a second he was far gone.

“How’s the bruise?” Michael’s smooth voice came from the other side of the phone.

“Fine, thank you,” I smiled. “Did you carry me to bed last night?”

“Yeah. You fell asleep,” Michael continued, “you’re cute when you sleep. Your face is so serious, like if you were concentrating on something.” Michael chuckled.

“That’s great to know!” I joined in the laughter and walked to the porch slowly. I sat on the domed chair next to the door and conversed with him.

All of a sudden the wall behind me shook. I heard a groan. I jerked from the chair and away from the wall. I scanned the area for an explanation, but it came from inside… “Michael… I think there’s someone in the house.” I whispered trying to keep my shaky voice low.

Not only my voice shook, but my body shook with fear of a stranger violating the walls I called home. Another bang came from the wall. I gasped sharply as my adrenaline rushed through my fast pumping heart. “Michael, I’ll call you back.”

“Vera, wait. Don’t-” I hung up on him.

I then heard glass crash onto the floor and felt the glass shatter. I felt every piece break off of one another. Then Morgan yelled. My breath caught. My heart descended to my feet like a roller coaster flying off to its next obstacle. I dug my nails in my collar bone, breathless, as I whimpered. Morgan yelled again. I flipped through my bag while tears fell on the back of my hand.

I ran to the door and struggled silently with the doorknob. The knob just wasn’t turning. The tears in my eyes only fogged my vision. My hands twisted the knob constantly trying to win it over. “Open… Please…” I sniffed the snot threatening to soak my upper lip. Morgan cried. “Agh,” I grew impatient, but finally the knob twisted.

“Ahhhh!!” Morgan hollered very high pitched-a lot higher than usual.

I ran desperately to the kitchen. I pulled the white drawers in and out trying to find a suitable weapon. I decided on the sharpest knife we owned.

“Oh, baby! Faster!” Morgan called out. What? Oh my goodness… I feel like an idiot! Wait…. She’s bleeding from her fucking uterus! Her vagina is literally a dripping faucet! Is sex even possible? If it is, isn’t that like one of the hugest turn-offs ever?

“Ahhh… Tell me, baby!” A husked man’s voice moaned deeply. Ewww…… Should I walk in or leave them alone? But who’s the guy with the strong stomach? Morgan hasn’t told me anything about a guy. I walked out of the kitchen, still clutching the knife, into the hallway facing her room.

“Fuck me! Harder, babe!” Morgan growled. Well she’s obviously enjoying herself… In response I heard clapping. Was he praising her for her telling him what she wants? Wait…. Oh my goodness gracious! This is so not right, man!

I turned facing the living room and started walking away. My ignorant curiosity stopped me in my tracks. Who is she doing it with? I realized my nose was only centimeters away from her door.

“Oh! Fuck me, Mason!” Mason?!?!?!?!?!

I kicked her door open and watched it bang into the wall. “Oh dear Lord Almighty…” I stuttered at the explicit sight.

“Vera!” The both gasped as they adjusted themselves behind the sheets. Mason got to wrap his waist with the teal cloth and Morgan zipped the back part of her onsie.

I dropped the knife, not caring if it stabbed me or not, and cupped my face. My eyes now shielded, my head shook rapidly side to side, honestly trying to shake the image out.

“Sweetie?” Morgan whispered questioningly.

I turned away and struggled to find my words. “Ummm… Ha! Don’t mind me. Have fun!” I shut the door and zoomed to my room. I guess it is possible to do it…

I threw myself on the floor and laughed. Yes, laughed. I do that when I get really nervous or scared and right now, I’m more than both of those emotions. Why am I on the floor? Good question. I have no idea. I guess that’s part of the occasional anxiety attack, right?

“Vera?” Morgan walked into my room.

“No!” I crawled under my bed clawing my fingers into the floor boards. I yelled with all the air my lungs allowed me to exhale. That, I do when I’m overwhelmed with sudden stress and have no way of sweating it out. In this case, it’s not only because of the spontaneous stress, but because I don’t want to hear what Morgan has to say right now. Slight tears rolled down my flushed cheeks.

“Vera!” I heard Michael’s voice call from the front door in between my squealing. Was it Michael or Mason? I gasped for air refilling my lungs and began to wail again.

I opened my eyes when I lost all the air to my screaming and saw Michael lying on the floor next to me. I buried my face in the ground and plugged my ears with my index fingers. Did he come because he was worried? Point two for Michael.

I felt his hand caress the small of my back. I looked at him, unplugging my ears. He looked so handsome just watching me. Those eyes, man. Those eyes of his are so alluring. He shuffled himself under the bed and pulled me into an embrace. My cheek fell on his chest. His cologne intoxicated my nostrils with his wooded aroma. He combed my loose waves with his digits, comforting me. And my, oh, my- was it working.

“Vera?” Michael mumbled.

“No.” I said as simply as I could.

I felt him nod, “Okay.” I snuggled in closer and thought of how to react to Morgan and Mason’s rendezvous.

~*~

Three sets of worried eyes stared at me as I sat in the corner of the couch with my knees to my chest. Michael sat next to me leaning his back on the couch. Morgan sat straight with her arms straightened on her lap. Mason sat the same as Michael. I didn’t know what to say or how to pass through this dead silence.

“Vera?” Morgan broke the awkward silence.

I shook my head and told her to be quiet. Not in a rude way. “It’s cool. It’s all good. I thought you were being murdered,” I gathered some courage and said what I thought over a million times. “Next time, either leave a damn sock on the door or tell me you’re in a fucking sexually active relationship!” I raised my voice, angrily at the last of my rant.

Turns out they hooked up at the party. They exchanged a few drunken words and did the doing at the party as Michael and I got to know each other. After their making of luscious love they went looking for me, so they could inform me of their newly found relationship. But then they forgot because Mason face planted and getting distracted for that long of a while, made their drunken minds lose grasp of the need to tell.

“I’m sorry, Vera.” Morgan got off the couch and kneeled in front of me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you and sorry you had to see and hear what you did…” Thanks for the reminder, Morgan…

“Stop! Okay? I’m going to forgive and God help me forget.” I got off the couch weaving my way around Morgan. I stopped in the middle of the living room and giggled. It slowly got louder.

“Why are you laughing?” Mason asked, very uncomfortable.

“Look at you guys!” I laughed. They looked at each other trying so hard to see what I saw. “I mean I know I panicked, but can you blame me?”

Morgan looked up at me and smiled, “I’m so- we’re sorry, Vera. I hope we didn’t traumatize you much.”

“What exactly were y’all doing?” Michael dug his elbows into his knees and rested his chin on his palms.

Mason opened his mouth, but I waved my open hand at him, “Please, don’t answer that.”

Okay, guys:D I have realized I'm leaving to many

cliff hangers and I have so many chapters when

it doesn't seem like much. I am going to try my

hardest on prolonging my chapters! Like above:)

How about it? XD The con to this is, it might

take me longer to update:/ So please, bear

with me fans.. :3 Make sure to comment

and click the LIKE button:D I enjoy them very 'mush'!

They mean the world to meC:

~CarlsC: