Chapter 6 {Milk}

Carson’s blasting music from the kitchen while I’m supposed to be getting my much needed post mental breakdown nap. I grow even more annoyed when he turns the station from country to death metal.

“CARSON!” I yell from the top steps but, he fails to hear me. I make my way down and yank the plug from the wall. “I can finally hear myself think.”

“Hey! I was rocking out.”

“Not anymore. Whatcha making?” Carson has cut up frozen strawberries and bananas lined out across the counter along with his barely put together blender.

“A strawberry banana smoothie, wanna help?”

“Nope, I’m good.” He sarcastically clicks his tongue, “Your loss, this smoothie will go down in the history books as one of the greats.”

“Yeah one of the greatest food tragedies known to man.” I murmur.

“What was that?” He threateningly points at me with a strawberry. “Nothing.” His eyes narrow at me before turning to pour the fruits into the blender. “That’s what I thought.”

“Are you sure that’s safe Carse?” He pauses for a moment, before waving me off. “You worry too much.”

He clicks the lid on and starts up the blender. Everything seems to be going fine until smokes starts coming off the blender. A small fire appears underneath it. “Oh shit.” Carson gawks in awe before grabbing a cloth and putting out the fire. “Fuck!” He hisses.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” With his back turned, he wraps the cloth around his hand. I tug at his sleeve but he isn’t responding to me.

“Carse? Are you ok?” He keeps trying to avoid me but finally I manage to grab his hand and unwrap the towel. There’s….nothing? No burn marks, not even a little redness.. “Why did you make such a big deal if there’s nothing wrong with you?”

“Maybe I wanted to mess with you, just a little.” I want to smack that stupid little smirk off his face. “It’s true, you do care.” He purses his lips in a poor attempt to fake pout. That’s when I loose it. I swiftly pick up the blender to chase after him, bits of strawberries sliding out as I go.

“Please, my poor floors, what did they ever do to you?” Carson’s sprinting out the back patio when I try launching the blender at him. I miss by mere centimeters, hanging my head in defeat.

“How’d the interview go?” Carson’s set up new led lights in his room, lining the edges of his walls. He keeps switching them between red and blue which is making my eyes hurt.

“Well, there were no other applicants, so I got the job.”

“Woah really?”

“Yeah, the lady just wants me to photograph her dog for its birthdays.” He’s beaming in excitement. I snatch the remote out from his hands while he’s distracted, setting the lights to red. Carson gives me a half smile. “Sorry.”

“It’s not a big deal.” I launch a stuffed frog at his face but he catches it, throwing it back at me. His soft chuckles go well with his bright aurora today. “Are you happier than usual?”

A confused expression dances across his face. “Cause you seem way happier than usual.”

“Am I?” I nod. “I think so.” He goes quiet for a while. I lean over to start braiding his hair. Somehow this snaps him out of his thoughts. “What are you doing?”

“ ‘Nothing’ “, I say, mocking him from earlier. He leans back into me while I braid his hair, grabbing the remote, messing with the lights again! “Carson!”

“Ok ok I’ll stop.” He switches the lights to purple. I take the remote from his hands and fling it across the room. It lands safely on the pile of stuffed animals.

“Seriously, what’s up with you today? You’re all fidgety.” He sinks down, resting his head in my lap. “I just…you know.”

“What?”

Carson breaths out a heavy sigh. “I’m just happy to have you back after almost 3 months of not seeing you in person.”

“We called everyday Carse.”

“Mmm It’s not the same.” What’s with the sad look on his face. Now that I think about it though, “It’s the longest we’ve been apart since we met, hasn’t it?” He nods. So that’s what this is..

“Had a little separation anxiety?” He scowls which prompts a laugh from me. Carson sits up and looks me straight in the eye. “It’s not funny.”

“It’s a little funny.” His arms fold in protest. “Oh my god, I’m sorry, ok? Lay back down.” He scowls at me again before laying his head back in my lap.

“I wish I hadn’t left either. It would have been better if I just stayed.” He reaches his hand up, gently brushing against my cheek.

“You don’t have to go back there Mazz.” The mere thought of going back makes me want to puke. “Yeah trust me, that’s never going to happen again.” He pinches my cheek. “Jerk.”

“Chipmunk cheeks.”

“I do not have chipmunk cheeks!”

“You do, but they’re cute.”

“IM NOT CUTE!”

“Mhm”

“I’m not.”

“Whatever you say.” Now I’m really going to smother him. I grab a pillow and smush it in his face. He instantly retaliates by throwing his stuffed animals at me. This is my chance to get him back for earlier.

“Ow, Carson you asshole.” I place my hand over my left eye, trying to suppress a growing smile. Carson sits up and scooches closer to me.

“What happened?” He tugs at my hand but I don’t budge.

“I think my eye is bleeding.” He pauses before wrapping his arms around me, pulling me into a big soft hug. “I’m sorry. Is it that bad? Let me take you to a hospital.” His voice sounds shaky, I instantly regret trying to mess with him.

“I think they’d turn me away.”

“Why’s that?”

“Cause I’m fine, see?” Carson’s brows furrow once he sees that I’m ok.

“You’re so-“ His expression turns from mad to weirdly calm.

“I’m so what?” His gaze his fixed on me for a good 3 minutes before I start to get concerned. “Carson? Yooooo hooo earth to Carson.” His eyes flicker up to mine.

“Huh?”

“What do you mean huh. Are you ok?”

“I just remembered I forgot to buy milk.” Milk? He slides on his shoes, and heads for the door.

“Wait Carson.” He doesn’t stop at my call, before I know it, he’s already outside walking down the sidewalk. Not noticing me peeking at him from the window.

…..Milk this late, are the stores even open????