The week went by so fast I hardly noticed.

I didn't see Lana that much either. She leaves every morning before I even wake up. And even though she's home in the evenings she usually just makes something to eat and by the time I get home she's already in her room where she spends the rest of the night.

I can't really explain it, but something changed after our Saturday talk. Maybe it was the easy acceptance of the nonexisting explanation for my need of a roommate from her. Maybe it was the fact that I found out she is indeed quiet and keeps the house somewhat clean. Maybe it's the fact she always leaves something tasty for me to eat. I really don't know, but I found myself not minding her being in my house, in my space.

I decided to tell her that much tonight. That there is no need for her to be hiding in her room every night. That she really is welcome to use the living room-kitchen area. Not just to cook for us, but to really make use of it. To watch TV or whatever.

When I get back from work, she's standing in the kitchen by the stove. The food smells delicious and she's making herself a plate. I go to the fridge to take a beer and notice a glass of wine standing on the corner.

She gives me a brief smile as a greeting but it looks somewhat strained. Then she grabs her plate, the wine and she turns to head to her room, again.

"You know, you don't have to eat in your room every day. There is a table in the kitchen."

She stops in her tracks and turns to me, plate and the glass still in her hands. She glances at the table next to her. "Do you mind me eating in my room?"

"No, not really, I'm just saying, that you don't have to."

"Okay," she says while putting everything on the table. "I just assumed, that the 'you do your things, I'll do my things' meant that you want as much privacy as possible. I didn't want to intrude..."

"You are not." I cut off the rambling before it even starts. I'm still leaning against the counter, drinking my beer, her eyes move from me to the stove and back.

"Did you want me to make your plate?"

"Sure," I agree with a nod and go to sit down at the table.

She puts the plate in front of me with a quite "enjoy," and sits across from me.

I eye the wine when I remember something. "I thought you didn't drink?"

She doesn't look up from her food. "I usually don't."

It's her only answer. Okay then. I start to shovel the food down. It is as tasty as it smelled.

"It's good. Everything you cooked so far was great."

"Thanks." She gives another forced smile and continues to eat quietly. She doesn't even glance in my direction. Well, this wasn't what I had in mind, where is that easy going comfortable mood I expected?

I take a swig of the beer. "You know, you don't have to sit here with me either. You look like I tied you to that chair against your will or something."

She looks at me then. "Sorry. I'm just in a shitty mood today."

Should I ask her why? Do I want to know why? But then my phone saves me from making that decision.

It's Wade, who wants me to go with him to another party at the quarry. Here we go, another 'let's keep Jackson occupied and watched over' mission. Whatever helps him sleep soundly at nights. So as always I agree to pick him up.

-"Hey, what about the girl, she's home?" I glance in Lana's direction.

"Yeah, she's here."

That makes her look up again.

-"Take her with you, we'll have something pretty to look at if nothing interesting happens." Meaning 'if I won't find a girl drunk enough to let me fuck her I can always try to pursue her.'

"No, I told you to stop that shit."

-"Oh, come on, I won't try nothing with your special girl. Share the beauty a little."

Would she even wanna go with us? Despite her saying Wade makes her uncomfortable, she did ask him if he's staying for a dinner last week after the fragile truce that been made. He, of course, wouldn't refuse a homemade meal and complimented her through the whole dinner.

She however still seemed unsure of him. On that note, maybe it's not such a bad idea. If she went with us, she would see that Wade is all talk, harmless where women are concerned. Sure he fucks anyone who gives him an okay and doesn't mind them being comatose while doing it, but he knows Lana's not interested. And he wouldn't cross that line.

Could help her with that shitty mood too. So I wave at her to get her attention.

"Hey, you wanna go to the party at the quarry with me and my brother? Might help to cheer you up."

And to my surprise, she actually seems to be contemplating it. But after few moments of thinking, the answer is no.

"I'll pass. I think I'll just watch something and go to bed early. But thanks for the offer, really." She gives me a first real smile that evening.

I nod and go back to talking to Wade.

The rest of the night goes like it always does. I find myself thinking once again why am I even here? Right, Wade!...

_______________________________________________________________________

When I wake up the next day I see that I slept through all day because the reddish sun says it's late afternoon already. I came home late in the night, more like early morning and I passed out instantly.

There is a coffee in the pot but no Lana. I look outside and her car is gone as well. Well, looks like there will be no dinner for me. But one can always hope. I look into the fridge and yes, there are some leftovers to heat up. So I do just that, sit my ass before the TV and relax.

Later on, I hear a car approaching and not long after it's parked the door burst open and very angry Lana storms inside. Her bag hits the floor, her keys are thrown at the table so forcefully they drop to the floor, she curses "Asshole", kicks the chair before her and surely immediately regrets it because it looks like she hurt herself as she hisses painfully and sits down to examine the tip of her foot. It's actually kinda funny watching her.

A laugh erupts from me and her eyes snap to me. She looks startled and surprised for a moment like she forgot I live here. But the angry look comes back quickly.

"What's so funny? Are you laughing at me because someone made me so angry I obviously don't even notice who's around me and am making a fool of myself? Or is it the fact I probably lost my toenail, that you find so amusing?" She snaps with a glare.

Okay, not so funny. I glare back. "What the fuck is your problem? I didn't do shit to you!" I snap back, making her jump.

She flushes even more. I don't know if it's because it made her angrier or because she's embarrassed. I won't ask either so I turn back to the TV.

There is only silence after that as she takes off her shoe and the sock to look at said nail. I suppose it's nothing serious because after a minute she puts the sock and the shoe back on and shuffles to me. I move my head to look at her again to see what she wants.

She clears her throat. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you, it's just..." Looking around her, she seems to search for the right words that never come because from the outside we hear a roar of a bike, it's Wade's bike. The bitch is the loudest damn thing I ever heard.

It doesn't take long and we can hear the banging, which I don't know why he even bothers with since he always comes inside right after he does it.

He doesn't pay attention whatsoever to the thick atmosphere in the room and goes instantly for a fridge to take one of my beers.

"So, I thought we could go to the Luis's tonight, play some pool, have a beer..." He looks at me expectantly.

I fix the beer in his hand with my eyes. "You have a beer! Why are you drinking my beer if you want to go to the bar anyway?"

"Whoa, what got your panties in a twist, Jackie?" He then looks at Lana as if he didn't even notice she's there before. "Ooooh, I get it. Trouble in paradise already?" He asks as he moves to greet Lana. "Hello sweetheart, is he giving you hard time? Don't you worry, you can always stay at my place."

She, on the other hand, doesn't look like she wants to be greeted because she takes a few steps back, until her legs and then her ass hit the couch. She yelps as she lands beside me and glares at Wade.

"No thank you. I'm quite content where I am."

Wade looks between us with a huge grin. "I bet you are." And before either of us can react he continues. "So, about the bar, we going? You are more than welcome to join us, sweetheart."

I stand up, why not. "Yeah, let's go." I glance back at Lana and raise an eyebrow in a silent question.

Wade, however, doesn't give her time to think, he bends over, grabs her by a wrist and is dragging her outside before I can even react.

"It's Saturday night. We are not leaving anyone behind, right sugar?" He turns to Lana but doesn't stop.

She's at a loss for words as she just looks back at me.

By the door, she tugs at the hand Wade is holding and he lets go. I'm thinking she's going to tell us to fuck off, but she only reaches for her bag and keys then returns to Wade's side. His grin the biggest I've ever seen.

Okay, guess she's going.

She starts for her car but I tap her arm.

"We'll take my truck. If you'll wanna leave, just say so, I'll take you."

"Alright, thanks." She falls in steps with me and we see Wade already by my truck with the door open, waiting for her.

What is he playing at? Everyone knows he's no damn gentlemen, what a bullshit. I think as we get to the truck and leave.

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