I place the last piece of elongated tape down onto the creases of the box where the two flaps up top meet. This is the last box. I had been putting off with this box because it was specifically meant for the dishes I'd take to my new house. Glass plates, cups, and utensils all sit inside with nice wrapper to keep them safe from being broken on the ride there. I press it firmly and pull myself off the floor as I can hear Dacre's voice coming down the hallway, his voice echoing as he reaches the porch.

"Dios mío, mama, I'll call you back. How do you expect me to be a good helper if you won't let me leave? I'll have to hang up now". When he reaches the doorway I see him pull his small phone away from his ear. He shakes his head, his long black hair spilling over his forehead as he does so. Blinking his eyes, he sighs and looks as if he's exhausted with the phone call.

He switches his phone to vibrate, pulling the small tab on the upper left of his device, and tucks it into his pocket. He puts on a warm smile as he notices me already looking at him. He's the first to arrive today.

"Early morning, Celeste" he tells me as he steps over the threshold. I notice his big bulky boots, black and shiny. I've never seen a silver chain on the side of one's shoe but he makes it look good.

I nod, knowing well that I've been awake since five this morning. Most of my things were already packed and moved thanks to my father doing it for me, and now I just needed to get the rest of my essentials, which I thought wouldn't be much until I arrived home. I didn't bother unpacking my suitcase because it would defeat the purpose. I immediately began boxing up the dishes and lingering clothes inside of my soon to be old bedroom.

"Yes, it is a early morning, but a great one. My keys were inside of my mailbox so I'm ready to leave this place. I'll just need you to help me carry these boxes to my car" I tap the box right at my feet. It is a larger box, one bigger than the rest of them. If I had to take it to my car myself I would have just slid it across the ground until I reached my car and hoped that a big man would be willing to be a good samaritan to help a woman out.

He licks his lips, coating them with wetness as he walks towards where the box is. "My mom asked about you at dinner last night" he stalls picking the box up, opting for just looking at me.

I smile. His mother, Saylis, is a wonderful woman. She's super sweet and she makes the best blueberry pie. I hadn't even known blueberry pie was a thing until her, and I'm glad I know of it now. It's become one of my favorite treats.

"Did she?" I ask.

He nods, a blush creeping on his face as he pulls his hand to his neck. "She said that she likes you... a lot, and that she wants you over for dinner one day this week if you can. I know that you're busy a lot with your ribbon company so you don't have to- it was stupid of me to even ask, I know well that you're a busy woman" he chuckles lightly.

I want to place my hand over his mouth to stop his rambling. It's just dinner, no need to be afraid of asking. It's a light suggestion that will be taken into consideration. As long as she makes me that delicious blueberry pie.

"No, dinner sounds like a great idea. I love your family, it would be nice to come over and spend time with you guys. I'm actually honored that she likes me enough to invite me again" I smile, turning briefly to pick up the roll of tape from the floor. I sit it on top of the box that's labeled 'duty'. Inside I have things like more tape, nails, and wall stickers.

His smile rises as I turn to see him again. He lets out a nervous laugh and sighs. "Yeah, she rarely invites people. I sort of think she believes you're my girlfriend" he tells me.

I stop, tilting my head. "Am I the only woman you've ever invited over, Dacre?" I smile, my tone accusing him of only ever wanting me there.

He shrugs, now wanting to pick at the box with his feet. He softly kicks it. "I mean...yes. You're the only one I trust, to be honest. My house can be a disaster at times and you're the only one who I trust not to judge" he tells me.

His words warm my heart. It's always great when others compliment you, but compliments are usually about looks. It's best when someone compliments your personality, and how well you make them feel. It's the most cherished to me.

"Not all households are great all the time. Family members can be erratic at times and sweet another. No judgement" I say, walking across to where the couch used to be before it was moved. There's a few blankets inside of a big clear bag that I want to grab.

"You seem to be the only one to understand that. My mother invited a friend over once, and my father got so drunk that he broke a window. Safe to say she never came over and avoided my mother at all costs" his voice ends in a sad tone, making me frown.

"That must be so sad".

He shrugs. "She won't let him hear the end of it although it's a year old. She blames him for her lack of friends". Well that's not nice even though it may be true. I don't know what to say.

I say nothing, taking the large clear bag and holding it under my arm. He sees me and bends over to take the large box. I lead him down to my car and since it's unlocked he opens my trunk and is somehow able to fit it inside. I push the large bag into my backseat and crane my neck to see where the loud sound of an engine purring is coming from.

Driving into the complex is a matte black Bugatti. It's windows are tinted so dark that I am unable to see what or who is inside. There isn't a single scuff or scratch present on this beautiful car. It looks so clean and expensive. It pulls a few spaces down from where my car is and the lights turn off. I'm too deep in awe, I can't look away. I want to see who's driving a beauty like this. It's him.

Xyle.

He exits the car, his attire matching the exterior of his very own vehicle. It makes me embarrassed to know that I was watching so attentively, not having a clue of who would come outside of it. I had never seen this car. Is it new? He drove a black bmw yesterday. I roll my eyes, loathing the sight of him. I turn myself around and catch a glimpse of the boy who's skin turns pale everywhere but in his cheeks. Dacre stands at my trunk, his face as red as a strawberry. He can't look away.

"Seems like you have all the help you need already" he says, his tone showing high annoyance. It wasn't anything less than what I expected from him. He was always angry, always mad about something, and since it was very early, I gave him more of a pass than I usually do. I tried to come up with an excuse for his irate behavior.

I ignore his tone, something I've come more acquainted with in the past two dreadful days I've had to spend with him. It was like hearing the same record over and over. I knew I'd eventually grow irritated with it, but for now I remained calm.

"You're late" I say, turning back around to him.

He shrugs, stuffing the hand that holds his single car key into his pocket. "It's nine am" he says as if I hadn't known the time. I'm very familiar with windows of time, jackass.

"Yes but I've been up since five-"

"Are there anymore boxes in your apartment? I didn't come here to be nagged about what time I got here. I'm here now and I'm here to help. Again, are there anymore boxes in your apartment?" He asks. His tone makes me want to go mad. I imagine myself placing my hands around his neck and strangling him until he's gasping for air, begging me to stop so he can catch his breath.

I roll my eyes. He's so rude. He hasn't even introduced himself to my friend. I step back so that the two men can see each other. "Dacre, this is Xyle, an estranged person I know. Xyle, this is my good friend Dacre" I say, expecting the two men to at least say a word. Dacre, with blush still on his cheeks nods his head to Xyle, but Xyle doesn't respond.

I let out a light scoff as I eye Xyle. "There's more". I turn on my heel and begin to walk inside of the apartment. There are still boxes, but not as many that's already at my new house. He finds a box and walks over to it.

"You have some nerve asking me to come here to help knowing that you already have someone here" he says. Ugh. Does he have to make everything such a fuss? He makes me want to put on earphones and tune him out.

"Four hands are better than two" I say without a breath. Yes, four hands because they will be moving boxes while I have a nice bottle of water and watch them.

"Whatever. All I'm saying is that if you had-".

"Just save it, please. I haven't had anything to eat yet and I don't have the energy to bicker with you. I've been up since five and hungry and sleepy aren't a good combination" I wave a hand to get him to understand my urge of not wanting to fight with him.

He picks the box up and turns to me. "You need to eat" he grits.

I stand, gesturing to how empty my place is. "What do you want me to pull it out of my ass? Where am I going to get food if the fridge is empty and I'm working all morning?" I ask, staring at his tensed jaw.

"You'll get food. Come on, I don't want to be here all day" he turns and heads for the front door with the box in his hand.

"Why, do you have someone you want to see later? You should make sure you get checked" I say.

"I should say the same about you with the way I feel as if I interrupted something between you and your buddy" he says.

I smile. "He's not into my kind. If anything, he's into you. He blushed when he saw you exit your car" I brush past him and take a small glance, seeing as his cheeks heat for a small second. I reach my car and he doesn't even come near. He pulls his door open and sets it onto his passenger seat.

Dacre stands at the side like a non playable character, clearly unable to fathom what's happened. I glance at Xyle, taking my eyes away from Dacre, and catching him stare me down so hard that I'm sure my body is filled with burn marks.

"There's more, Xyle" I smile, batting my eyelashes. He touts his upper lip before turning away and heading back to my apartment.

I walk over to Dacre who is clearly starstruck. He licks his lips as he looks where Xyle has just gone, soon turning to look at me. "Is he single?" He asks.

Fire erupts in my veins. "No" I answer quickly, startling him to answer. My eyes widen and I want to slap my palm across my mouth. What is up with me? "No, I don't think so... well I actually think he talks to a bunch of people-women. I don't think he'd be into you, sorry" I say with a much smaller voice now.

He smiles a bit. "Yeah. He was too cute to be gay anyways".

A wash of relief courses through me. I breathe, pressing my hand against my blouse, fixing the small and nonexistent creases. My heart has sped up its pace and the aftermath of it slowing down makes me feel odd. I don't feel normal. My insides actually feel a bit queasy. Maybe I should have taken the extra mile to grab myself a bite of food. I now regret not doing so. I blink a few times, turning my body away from Dacre as I can hear his footsteps. Such loud feet. My stomach feels queasy again. I splay my hand across my belly as I turn to shield myself, not wanting any of the men to see me at this moment.

I think I'm going to be sick.

X

"Let it out, baby. Let me hear you"