University Roommates

Heather-
When Natasha came home, things went back to normal. It seemed that the small friendship Ashton and I had formed was pretty much over. It didn't seem like he was avoiding me but I noticed he didn't really want to spend any extra time together. I tried not to take it heart and just stuck to my business. I was currently lounging the couch in a pair of baggy shorts and tanktop, eating cereal right out of the box because I didn't feel like asking Natasha to make me something.

Natasha:

I walked through the living room, on my way to the kitchen and stopped short when I saw heather. “What are you doing?” I asked in a slightly offended tone, like she had just tracked mud all over the floor.

Heather-
I looked up from the television, and spared her a glace. "Watching TV...?" I said, around a mouth full of fruit loops.

Natasha:

“Jesus, get a bowl with milk and a spoon. And sit at the table.” I snapped moodily. To be honest, she wasn’t the one bothering me, I was just on edge.

Heather-
I raised an eyebrow at her attitude and sat up on the couch. I put the box down on the coffee table and looked at her. "At you okay Tasha?" I asked, softly. She doesn't usually care that much about my poor table manners.

Natasha:

I let out a slow breath then went around the coffee table and sat next to her. “Did something happen while I was gone? Have you noticed Ash acting strangely?” I asked, concern apparent in my voice.

Heather
"Nothing happened that I know about," I said. I tried to recall seeing him acting weird and all I could come up with was the way he avoided me. "I mean, we hung out a bit but otherwise, I didn't see him. He doesn't talk to me anymore," I told her, honestly. "You think something is wrong?" I asked.

Natasha:

I sat in silence for a moment. “Did you see him leave this morning? He left like around six. You know he’s not usually out of bed before noon unless he has to be. Do you know if he mentioned needing to be somewhere?” I asked. “He never said anything did he? Am I just being weird, or is this strange?”

Heather-
I smiled softly at her and grabbed her hand, hoping to be soothing. "Why don't you just ask him if something is bothering him?" I suggested. "He hasn't said anything to me. In fact, he barely talks to me," I told her with a playful roll of my eyes. "Maybe he's just being a guy. But if you're super concerned, I could talk to him...if you wanted." I offered.

Natasha:

I squeezed her hand. “Could you? He doesn’t like when I ask him a bunch of questions… He thinks I’m snooping…” I said with a little sigh.

Heather-
I smiled and nodded before letting go of her hand. "Sure. I'll talk to him as soon as he gets home," I told her, reaching for the cereal box again. I grabbed a handful and took the time to throw one at her, hoping for a laugh.

Natasha:

“You’re hopeless.” I said and rolled my eyes as I stood up. “I’m going to make scones, want some?” I called on my way to the kitchen.

Heather-
I smiled and tossed some cereal in my mouth. "Yes please! You're the best," I giggled, tossing my feet up on the table to get comfortable.

Natasha:

While I was waiting for the scones to back I heard the front door open and close. I hurried over to the kitchen doorway to see my brother coming in. There were reddish-brown streaks on his shirt that my mind immediately assumed were blood. The more rational side of my mind said it was rust or oil. “Where have you been?” I asked with a little frown. “I thought I would be back before you woke up, otherwise I would have left a note or texted. Sorry.” He said and started to go into the hall and to his room. “Wait- Where were you?” I pressed. “Oh. I was helping a friend out.” He said.

Heather-
I looked up from my spot on the couch and watched their little exchange. "Hey, come join to party! We have cereal and shitty TV," I said, shaking the cereal box in his direction. "And maybe some scones if Tasha gets to work," I added, throwing a wink her way.

Ashton:

“In a minute. I have to change.” I said and continued on into my room. Shedding my dirty clothes from this morning, I changed into a white t-shirt and gray pants.

Natasha:

When Ashton came back out he sat on the couch close to Heather. I went over and sat next to him. I knew he didn’t like when I asked a bunch of questions, but I couldn’t help it. “I didn’t know you had any friends here.” I said watching him closely. “It was this girl I met at the diner the other night when you were gone.” He answered and his gaze flicked to Heather for a split second. “Her car wasn’t working and she needed a ride to work. Then she got me breakfast.”

Heather-
I stayed quiet on the couch while Natasha asked him whatever she wanted to know and keeping in mind that she asked me to talk to him, I playfully threw another piece of cereal at her. I hoped she wouldn't make me vacuum. "Go finish the scones!" I said. I thought for a second about what he said. He met a girl at the diner? The only time I remember him going to the diner was with me. And he was giving her rides and eating breakfast with her? I put the box of cereal next to me on the couch, on the opposite side that he was sitting on. "I'd give you some of this awesome but apparently, you already ate..." I said, looking at him sideways. "Right?" I asked, giving him an opportunity to expand on his explanation of where he's been.

Ashton:

My sister went back to the kitchen. “Yeah, at the diner. Remember that girl who cave me here number? Her.” I said without looking at her. “Her car broke down, I tried to fix it but couldn’t and took her to work instead.”

Heather-
"Oh. That was nice of you..." I said, keeping my eyes on the TV screen. I wasn't jealous... But I thought it was rude of her to give him her number while I was sitting right there. For all she knew, I could have been his girlfriend. I crossed my arms and slouched against the couch. "Hope you had fun," I said, clearly not sounding very chipper about it. "Have you been doing anything else? Tasha seems to think somethings up with you."

Ashton:

“She worries too much.” I said evasively. I glanced sideways at her. Was she not bothered that I had been talking to that girl? “I’m not seeing her you know, just talking.”

Heather-
"That must be nice. You know...talking. I wouldn't know" I said, referring to the way he's been avoiding me since Tasha has gotten home. I shook my head and sighed. I didn't know why I was even bringing it up. I was supposed to be talking for Natasha. "But anyway, maybe you can make an effort not make Natasha worry about you," I finished and got up, grabbing the box of cereal and moving around the coffee table so I could put it away.

Ashton:

“I didn’t do anything to make her worry, she just worries about me because- just cause. And I can’t keep her from it.” I said quickly. “Are you angry with me?” I asked a little softer.

Heather-
I stopped and looked at one of the paintings on the wall, purposefully not looking at him. "No. I'm not mad at you," I said. But he was hot and cold. One minute I think he wants to be my friend and the next, he ignores me for a week. So I was just working with what he was giving me.

Ashton:

“You don’t seem too pleased with me.” I stood up as well. “Is this because of Tasha? Because she was worried? Because I was gone this morning?”

Heather-
I turned to look at him. "I'm not mad at you. It has nothing to do with Tasha." I said. I'm always wearing sweatpants and ratty t-shirts and I've never once felt self conscious about it. But right now, I really wished I had at least put on some better pants. I shook my head again. "This isn't even about me. It's about you. Tasha was worried and I figured if something was up, you'd want to talk about it. That's all," I said.