That's not mine is it?

"That’s not mine is it?"

Rosetta’s mouth fell open with small pop, as she stared at me incredulously.

“What?”

She stood at my door. Her black wispy bob tousling in the hallway draft with large black eyes boring into mine. Although she had to lift her head a bit to do so. I glared at the elevators at the end of the corridor and cursed these apartments for not having stairs. A couple more seconds and I’d be on my way to the bar, in the company of a beautiful Frangelico Cocktail. Not standing at my door, facing-

How on earth did she find my address? I didn’t tell anyone, so how the hell did she...

Her small hands slowly turned to trembling fists.

Must mean she’s angry. Wait, maybe she’s cold.

It actually was pretty cold out tonight. Damn, I hope she didn’t walk here. I resisted the foolish urge to warm her hands with mine, shoving my hands into my denim pockets for good measure. I was in enough trouble as it was, the fact that she was here was trouble enough.

“What did you just say?” she croaked, eyes fluttering the way they did whenever she was surprised or nervous.

Odd that she would chose to wear the deep blue chiffon dress with her reddish brown leather loafers. Especially because... well, it was ‘the’ dress.

Unsuccessfully I tried to shove the steamy images out of my head. Complimenting the dress wouldn’t help me either. I eyed the loafers with distaste. Rosetta loved heels, just as much as I loved watching her fall in them... so there must be a reason- Ah. I clicked. My eyes spotting very well blended criss-crossed Band-Aids on her knees and right ankle. It took all my strength not to smile.

But I’m pretty sure it helped when Rosetta slapped me.

Her palm cracked across my left cheek like a fly swat. I blinked stars out of my eyes. First time being hit by a girl... wasn’t actually that bad. As if to prove me wrong Rose heaved her hand back again for another swing, possibly meaning to draw blood, until I caught her hand halfway.

It was a bad idea; considering the moment I touched her felt like touching an open flame. I yanked my hand back and took a step back into my apartment. She followed me in, her eyes shut tight. Was she burned too? She kept her hands at her sides, still trembling. While the hand that caught hers began to sting. Her breathing was sped, like one slap –that I received- had aged her somehow. Her tiny shoulders lifting and dropping, making the tiny bulge in her stomach all too clear.

Her eyes flashed open. The flood gate broke.

“WHO DO Y’THINK THIS BABY BELONGS TO!? And DON’T GIVE THAT-It’s been WHAT, three weeks since we last-It’s YOUR’S you tall, dumb, incautious, inconsiderate, perverted, pigeon-pooping, no good, frustratingly, perverted, dorky, cloud-watching, idiotic bundle of BRICKS!!” she screeched, bound to have sent that sexy voice and message to all my neighbours on the same floor. Doesn’t matter, they hate me anyway. She started shaking.

I shifted uncomfortably, as the cold began to seep into my apartment. Sweeping in between me, Rosetta and the uh... little monster. I wanted so badly to close the door behind her, but if I ended up touching her again...

“So? You getting rid of it? Want me to pay?” I replied coldly, ignoring the roar of the guilt beast inside. Really, Rosetta, did you do this on purpose? I was being careful at least, not that that matters now.

She hung her head.

"N-no." was all she said.

All was silent.

At least I was smart enough not to break it this time. Did that before and I’d paid for it. I almost smiled again as I recall how she’d used perverted twice in her little rant and how the rest of it was just filled with stuff she didn’t like... Pigeons eh?

I let my eyes wonder behind her, down the corridor, out the window and the night sky. Wasn’t much of a view to be honest, no stars, but I could see the moon at least. Half of it anyway. Was it a moon or a street lamp? I looked to my left. Distracting myself as I examined the small hub of a kitchen I rarely used with unnecessary precision. It was when I saw the stainless steel clock that I remembered a troubling detail.

It was 10:45pm. Maria was probably five minutes away from- Oh no.

I cursed. Rosetta’s head snapped up, the exact moment I started pushing her out the door and back out to the hallway and elevators.

“Sorry Rose. I really am, but you have to go. Like now. Maria’s gonna-We’ll talk la-“

Rosetta wasn’t listening. She was busy wiping tears from her cheeks, sniffing and shaking her head as if to shake off the tears too. She saw me stare and shoved me weakly.

“Shut up! It’s a pregnancy thing.” She sobbed, rubbing her hands over her arms, turning away from my stare. Still bawling.

...Uh. This is so unfair. Why does she do this every time? More importantly, why do I let her?

Numbness left me for a bit to make room for pain, a lot of it.

I knew I’d regret it when I started wiping her tears for her, when she unconsciously leaned her head into my shoulder and when my arms wrapped around her automatically. As if she belonged there...

Suddenly she seemed to realise this was wrong and squirmed, but only a little bit.

The elevator chimed.

“Um... maybe I should go-“

“Too late for that- Stay still.” I murmured, eyes following Maria as she got out of the elevator, placing a few steps in our direction.

Just before her eyes lifted to see me- I tilted Rose’s head and leaned down to kiss her, closing my eyes so I wouldn’t have to watch it happen all over again. I hate this part.

Rose’s fingers clutched round my shirt, but nothing else. Intuition flickered.

Was she here because she knew this would happen? Was she counting on it? Her lips moulded to mine.

Of course she would, I thought bitterly. Aw, well ain't that just sick and wrong...

So why am I happy about it?

Though Rose was pretty much a statue, after a long beat of silence I heard footsteps retreating the way they came with an agonising sobbing noise followed by a loud ‘Ding!’ and elevator doors shut. I relaxed. Another draw added to my guilt chest, I’ll cry later... maybe. It’s finished. One less pretence to deal with... Yay.

We were done.

But Rose and I weren’t.

Oh my... What the hell was she doing?

The statue had suddenly come to life as Rose’s right hand had come up to cradle my cheek, though she barely touched it. Her other hand seemed snagged in the collar of my black leather jacket, only just pulling me closer. Her hand as slow as spider crept into the back of my dark blonde hair, lips more urgent then before. “I told you so.” My conscience chimed smugly.

This is wrong, I kept thinking as I kissed her back hungrily, moving my hands wherever I could just to bring her closer, to keep her here. This is bad, I thought as she leaned into me even though I’d already trapped her between a wall and still pressed against her though I’m pretty sure it hurt.

Can somebody stop me... please? Anybody? This wasn’t supposed to happen.

I’ve gone back for another hit, even though I swore I’d quit cold turkey. I’ve just opened my own jar of wallowing guilt and inhaled. I should know by now that the girl I love just loves killing me.

None too gently, she shoved back my jacket and her hands began creep under my grey tank top, across my stomach, inching higher. Reeking havoc on my insides.

I wanted to stop her, but my hands were trapped stroking her hair and caressing her cheek. I tried to stop but her skins so soft, like priceless russet-coloured silk, or velvet...

Suddenly, as if heaven sent, another ‘Ding!’ sounded and we both sprang apart. I shrugged my jacket back on and tried to get myself back in order to face whatever Maria was going to lash at me. While I was coherent, I also made a ‘note’ to make sure Rosetta goes home.

But it wasn’t Maria to greet us. It was Daniel.

His brown hair was dishevelled, like he’d run his fingers through it too many times. His face was anxious –gee, I wonder why- when he turned the corner, but upon seeing me and Rosetta his face lit up like you wouldn’t believe. As if we hadn’t seen each other in years and this was a reunion, he almost sprinted toward us. He beamed at me, just before his arms folded around Rosetta, planting a kiss on her little black head.

“There you are.” I heard him murmur, as he clutched his treasure to his chest apologetically like he was sorry to have let it out of sight in the first place.

Love some more, until it hurts no more. Try saying that to my face, Will.

I had the satisfaction of watching Rosetta duck a little the moment he kissed her. Sorta like trying to duck a kiss from your parents at school.

She was uncomfortable. However, not uncomfortable enough it seems to leave my best friend. Nor tell him she’s pregnant or even acknowledge what almost happened... again. Proving me right, she leaned into him, clutching his arms around her and sighed. But her eyes spoke legions. Why couldn’t she ever stay gone? Why come back? She had everything... she was everything. Daniel made a face. My eyes had been on her the whole time that I hadn’t realised Dan was waiting on me.

I blinked. “Sorry, what was that?”

“Are you coming?” Daniel chortled, still beaming, eyes expectant.

“Huh?” I asked, confused.

Daniel chuckled again, a heart-warming sound that stuck needles in my chest. Rosette shivered.

“Well, are you coming to my wedding or not? I mean you refused being my best man, right? So you can’t just ditch-”

“I’ll come.” I snapped, a little too harshly. Rosetta flinched. Her wide eyes finally looked at me and away. How could someone look innocent and sly at the same time? But Dan was oblivious.

“Great. You can sit next to Matt’s family- unless you’re bringing your sister- Oh! Wait. My bad. Your bringing Maria, I forgot you two were-“

“She won’t be coming.” I almost whispered, jadedly.

I felt for Maria, I honestly did. Now that Maria wasn’t all over me. But out attempts at a something more than friendship were beyond feeble and I didn’t like how easily the lies came out. At the tone of my voice, Rose’s eyes met mine again. If they were supposed to be sympathetic, I couldn’t tell anymore. Daniel raised his eyebrows, clearly not getting the hint.

“Oh? She busy or something?” he asked.

Rosetta clawed at her soon-to-be husband, reaching on her toes to whisper something in his ear; probably a break-down... or an escape route.

Daniel flushed red. My eyes softened at the comical expression on his face.

“Oh. Hey sorry about that, I didn’t know that um- Awwwww never mind Jake. You’re a stud, bro. Blonde hair. Blue eyes...” He imitated a smouldering James-Dean look. I laughed, it hurt and sounded funny.

Dangerously near a sob.

He clapped a hand on my shoulder and I found I had a hard time refraining from ducking under it. Almost in the same manner Rosetta had.

“Get some rest. Just be there, okay? It’s all that matters to me. You can invite any girl you want.”

Unwillingly this time, my eyes flickered to Rose’s, just before she decided to study the cream carpet.

Cheeks flaming red, eyes fluttering like they always did. Dark lashes caressing her cheeks with the speed of butterfly wings. Hands instinctively folded over her stomach as Dan pulled her away, smile still on his face. Not knowing about the package deal literally in his arms.

“Promises, promises.” I mumbled.

I shut the door.