Darcy

That morning, Lizzy and I were out grocery shopping and once we returned, I realised I had not brought the house key with me. Shit. “Well?” my blonde friend urged me for an answer, when I wasn’t producing the key to open the door.

I shook my head, defeated. “Call the landlord.” I sighed and looked at her phone, prompting her to make the call.

“Why don’t you call? It's your fault,” she accused, eyebrows furrowed.

“I didn’t bring my phone,” I whimpered.

“Of course you didn’t.” She said sarcastically.

When Lizzy had finally made the call after arguing with me about it for what seemed like the good portion of half an hour, we waited around for an equal amount of time for the landlord to arrive and let us into the building. “I’m going to be late for my art class,” I said morosely.

“Well, you shouldn’t have locked us out.” She threw the words at me, again with a sarcastic tone.

“Well, it was obviously an accident.” I said back to her, a little offended by her accusations that this was anything other than an accident. Her moods were really starting to get to me. I swear she was bipolar at the worst of times.

BY THE TIME I MADE IT TO ART CLASS, I couldn’t help but admire my fellow classmates. Their passions for art were alike, yet, they all had a different take on things, and different art styles. I couldn’t help but get inspired every time I was around them.

My teacher's voice blurred into the background as I took in my surroundings, always getting so much inspiration just from being here. The smell of the old wood and dusky roof, all added to the lovely combination of the summer breeze blowing in through the 1950’s style windows of the historical studio. My daydreaming was brought to a sudden halt as my name was called, “Darcy, what do you think about what we just read?” my teacher asked, mock interest spread across his face.

“Uh, I think it was great. The author really reflected on the art piece,” I murmured, hoping I could get away with that answer.

“The author was talking about impressionism, but nice try… We will pick this up next time.” He slammed the book shut and the bustle of people began. Everyone was heading toward the door at once, and pushed past me in their hurry to get out. I picked up my books, shuffling them all into a pile and cradling them in my arms. I headed outside into the sunshine, closing my eyes and taking in the warm fresh air. I walked outside, admiring the flowers in bloom and the birds chirping. As I walked down the driveway of the studio, the local shopping center came into view. I thought about heading over there to get a coffee before I went home, but decided on the rose bushes and a memorial ground ahead of me, which presented a lovely patch of grass. People always sat here to admire the scenery, I always did.

UPON MY RETURN HOME, I spotted Lizzy sitting eagerly on her bed, watching me as I walked through the door. My curiosity got the better of me, so I asked, “What's up with you?”

“I met someone,” she said, failing to hide her excitement.

“Oh?” I askes, prompting for more information.

“I met her at work. Her name is Kattie.”

“Work? She works with you? Wait. Since when do you date anybody? What happened to ‘I take people for my own pleasure just like those bastards took me when I was a child’?” I blurted all at once, confused by this new way that had become her.

“No, she was a customer. And I'm tired of being lonely. Besides, I'm not dating her… yet.” She said, a smirk forming on her face.

Lizzy was the biggest player in the game. She had been taken advantage of so much as a child, that her ultimate plan in life was to take back what was hers, her virginity. Which obviously couldn’t happen, so instead she wanted to take other peoples’.

After sitting in silence for a few seconds, she blurted out, eyes wide, “Well? What is it?”

“I am happy for you, I am.” I said, holding in news of my own. My father had called me that afternoon to inform me that he was fulfilling my lifelong dream of going to Greece.

“Then why are you acting so cavaliere and distant?” She pressed me, her eyes deep with curiosity.

“It’s not that. My dad called today and told me that…” I paused for effect. “That he is taking me to Greece with him!” I said quickly, excitement bursting from my insides. When she didn’t respond, I continued, “He has business over there, and the inspiration I could get there for my art would be invaluable.” I said as I rubbed my leg nervously, hoping to not cause her hurt. I knew that without me here, she couldn’t afford the rent on her own, as my father was helping her out as she was my friend, and on the condition that I lived here also to make sure she didn’t mess the place up.

“Oh my God. That is so exciting, you have always wanted to go there! When do you leave, and how long will you be gone?” She questioned me. Her excitement was forced, but I appreciated the effort.

“Well, that’s the thing. I leave a week from today, and I’ll be gone for three months.” As the words escaped my mouth, I watched her face go from excitement to sadness as realisation set in.

“Oh,” she paused, “A week isn’t even long enough for me to hang out with you, before you go. I have to work almost every day this week.” She paused again, “Who will help me pay the rent?” “I'll have to pick up more shifts at the cafe.” She pondered, as she spoke off into the distance.

I could see her face processing the information and her worry growing more intense. “If this is too much for you, I can stay,” I added. “Or, I can help find someone to take my place while I’m gone to help you with the rent?” I spoke the words before realising that my father wouldn’t allow it.

“No, no! You can't stay on my account. I was just processing. We will just have to hang out every night until you leave. I can put up some flyers at the cafe- see if anyone needs a room.” She said, hopeful.

I smiled at her sympathetically, knowing I would have to talk to my father about even letting her stay, without me.

“Let's start tonight! I will go and get the chips and the movies, and you take care of the popcorn.” she says, grabbing my arm in one hand and the keys in the other, she proceeds to pull me out the door, our automatic closer shutting it behind us.

THE NEXT DAY, I was woken up by Lizzy’s alarm going off. I groaned and rolled over. She must have hit snooze because it instantly shut off. Opening my eyes, I spied her texting, and that smile was unmistakable. She was texting Kattie. Happy for her, I wolf whistled, and when she looked, I winked in her direction. She threw a pillow at my head, hitting me right in the face. I laughed, flipping my middle finger up in her direction. She threw a cheeky grin my way and rolled over, turning her back to me. “Don’t you have to get ready for work?” I blurted.

“In a minute,” she said in a snappy tone. Ignoring her, I swung my feet over the edge of my own bed and stood up, stretching my arms above my head and then behind me, each vertebra of my spine cracking in a perfect sequence.

“You’re gross.” Lizzy had a look of disgust spread across her dimple-cheeked face.

“Why?” I asked innocently, knowing exactly what she was referring to. If there was one thing I loved more than cracking my back, it was annoying her with it.

“You know why! You and your disgusting bone cracking. Your back, your neck, your fingers, where will it stop? You will have swollen joints by the age of twenty, and no one will ever come near you.” She mocked me.

“No one comes near me now.” I started laughing, knowing it was sadly the truth. I had been tragically single for most of my life.

“Exactly,” she muttered, trying to show her point by being serious, but instead bursting into laughter.

I kneeled down to get my suitcase from under my bed. “Come help me get the rest of my suitcases from the storage cage.” I suggested. The storage cage was located in the parking lot downstairs, and was more than a hassle to access alone.

“Fine, but then I really have to get ready for work.” she sighed.

I gave her a promising nod, easing her mind that she would make it back in time to get ready for work, and then we headed out the door. The automatic safety setting locking it behind us, as it always did. Standing in front of the cage, I realized I didn’t have the key for the padlock. “Lizzy, would you mind running back upstairs and getting me the key?” I asked sweetly.

“Agh!! why didn’t you bring it?” She eyeballed me before huffing up the stairs.

After a few seconds, she ran back down the stairs, disquiet displayed all over her face. “You don’t have the key do you?” she asks, though I can tell by her tone that she already knows the answer.

“Not again...” I whine dramatically.

“Great. Just great. Now I am going to be late for work, and I left my phone upstairs. Now I can't even let Kerry know.” She said, as she glared at me.

“I'm sorry, I’m sorry!” I repeat, begging her forgiveness.

“You’re so annoying, do you know that?” She continues to leered at me, shaking her blonde curls from side to side.

“I will go to the neighbours and ask if they can call the landlord.” I said, regretfully.

ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, the landlord showed up and let us in, being sure to comment on how often we got locked outside, at which point Lizzy glared at me once more. At this point, she was not happy. Not only was she forty minutes late for work, but she wasn’t even ready. On the phone, I overhear her pleading with Kerry to let her still have the shift. Hanging up, she pulled on a white t-shirt and blue skinny jeans, her typical attire. Her style was relaxed but still looked good. She always looked good, with little to no effort, unlike myself, whom no matter what I seemed to wear, always looked frumpy.

I felt really bad. Not only had I made her late, but I had put a damper on our time left together. I sighed, and went to finish getting my suitcases ready by myself.