Backlog: I think I need less of me, and more of us.
Who: Eli and Tina
When: Monday, January 24, 2019
Where: Tina’s New York apartment
What: Will you tell me again the story about how I'm not alone?
Eli got out of the cab and paid the driver. He looked up his destination. Tina’s apartment building. He hadn’t really thought this thing through. He didn’t know how he was going to get inside the building. All he knew was that he had to get back to Tina.
These days without her had been worthless. He missed her badly. He had been angry and hurt when Tina told him about the flash. He had time to think about it and he realized how badly he had fucked up with her. But by then it was too late. She wasn’t taking his calls. So here he was trying to make it up to her.
But he didn’t know how to get up to her apartment.
“Haven’t seen you around in a while.” One of Tina’s neighbors waved at him. It was a man with a black lab. Eli was unsure of his name. Tina had said it each time the four of them crossed paths, but he couldn’t remember if it was the man’s name or dog’s. “You going up?”
“Hey Oscar.” Eli tried. When the man didn’t look at him strangely for greeting his dog first, he answered the question. “Yeah. I’m hoping to surprise Tina.” It wasn’t a lie. Him showing up at her front door unannounced would surprise her. And most likely piss her off.
Oscar nodded and got the door open for three of them, letting the dog in first. Then they got onto the elevator together. He thanked Oscar, and said bye to Franklin, having remembered the dog’s name when the pair got off on their floor. Eli then got off on Tina’s floor and went to her door and rang the bell. He couldn’t believe this was happening again, waiting for Tina to let him in. This time he hoped things would go better.
“Yvette, I can’t find your flash drive anywhere...” Tina adjusted her phone against her ear as she rummaged through the magazines on top of the coffee table. “Did you check your purse?”
At the sound of the doorbell, Tina went to answer it. “So you need those files today? I already looked and I didn’t see--”
Her sentence was cut short at the sight of Eli standing in front of her. Her first instinct was to smile, but as the shock wore off, she caught herself. Her mind replayed the memory of her practically begging him to stay and her expression hardened. He had left her behind.
“Hello? Tina? Girl, are you still there?” Her attention snapping back to the phone in her hand, she quickly brought it to her ear again. “Hey. Sorry. Let me call you back.” Ignoring her roommate’s protests, she hung up the phone and looked back up at Eli. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you.”
She crossed her arms, her expression unwavering. “Why?”
“Because this thing, this being without you thing is a really screwed up situation. And because I’m a big idiot.” Eli could understand why Tina was giving him a look that was unforgiving. He was the one that left.
Tina didn’t know how to respond. It’s not that she didn’t have a few choice monologues already swarming through her head. She did. Most of which started with agreeing with his admittance of idiocy or a string of angry Hangul words, but as she looked at him now, she couldn’t help but keep quiet and guarded. As if the less emotion she showed, the less vulnerable she’d be. The less she’d get hurt. She knew it was kind of a lie, but she did it anyway.
“You’re the one who walked away. I didn’t--” Tina trailed off abruptly as a neighbor passed by with a curious look. She bit her lip, knowing they’d have to take this conversation inside lest they start a scene or something. “C’mon,” she sighed, stepping aside to let Eli pass.
Completely grateful that a neighbor chose that moment to walk by, Eli went inside. It was some sort of progress, right? It wasn’t a door getting slammed in his face.
Tina shut the door and turned so her back was leaning against it. She eyed him carefully for a moment, keeping in mind their distance. “Look Eli, you...you said you couldn’t deal. You left.” She took a deep breath, willing her voice to remain steady. “And then you show up here after a month and I...I don’t know what you want me to say.”
Eli stood there in silence. He didn’t even know what he wanted to say. “You don’t have to say anything uh... I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just left like that. I did everything wrong.” It was up to Tina to come to a decision based on his apology. Hers was the next move.
“You’re right. You shouldn’t have.” She refolded her arms, shifting a little against the door. “I know I hurt you, but you didn’t let me explain. You just bailed. I mean really, you just finished telling me how you got mugged and then you run off? No phone. No wallet. No way of reaching you. Do you have any idea how fucking worried I was?”
Tina could hear her voice raising in emotion and she looked away, trying to reel herself in. When she looked back at him, her eyes narrowed and her jaw set. “You know, I thought we dealt with things together. That we’re a team. But at least I know better now, right?”
Eli couldn’t answer any of the questions Tina was throwing at him. When she said it out loud like that, he actions that day were unmindful of the consequences. He knew that leaving would hurt her, and part of him had hoped to. But now he knew he was hurting without her. “If I thought we weren’t worth saving, I wouldn’t be here.”
Tina’s glare only worsened. “Maybe we wouldn’t need saving if you didn’t leave,” she snapped. Okay, so that wasn’t really true considering she kissed Artie, but Tina was done crying and begging. Now she was angry.
“I shouldn’t have left. And I should have let you know that I got back okay. I don’t know what else I can say.” Eli was getting frustrated. He just wanted her to take him back. He just wanted her.
Tina was quiet for a long moment after that, her scowl diminishing to an unreadable expression. “Thanks,” she murmured finally, her voice soft. “For telling me that, I mean.”
Part of her wanted to accept it and walk up to him and hold him and tell him she missed him, but the other part, the part used to parents fighting and shouting and leaving, reminded her of the days when it was just easier to cut your losses and push everyone else away to protect yourself. They’d all end up leaving and hurting her anyway. And Eli already showed he wasn’t an exception.
As if her body was moving on its own stubborn accord, she lightly pushed herself off the door before turning towards it. Tina grasped the handle. “But maybe there’s just nothing else to say then.” She pulled on it while simultaneously stepping aside, opening the door just wide enough so he’d get her indication. Her gaze wasn’t really meeting his.
Eli got Tina’s hint, but he wasn’t going to take it. He pointed outside the door. “That’s what you want then? Tell me honestly. And I’ll go.” He stepped in closer to her. “But if there’s just the slightest chance for us, I’m going to stay.”
Tina felt her resolve crumbling as he neared her. She didn’t really want him to go and knew she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she let him. Willing her pride and string of issues to not interfere with what she really wanted, Tina stared intently at the floor as if the right words were etched into the wood.
When she finally spoke, her tone was still soft, but there was an honest edge to it that was both strong and delicate. “What happened on Christmas...I need you to know that it didn’t mean anything.” She shook her head a little in frustration at this whole situation. “I drank because I was worried about Mike and you and...I drunk-dialed Artie. I know that I shouldn’t have even put myself in that situation and I’m sorry.”
She finally managed steady eye contact, her disposition growing more firmly as she spoke. “But if this is going to work, you can’t put me on this...this pedestal. I’m not perfect. And you can’t just leave when things get hard. I need to know that we’re in this together. I can’t have another person in my life who just leaves.” Especially not him. Especially when she’s never felt this way about anyone else. “It’s too much.” Tina heard her voice waver and she took another deep breath. So much for not crying.
“Hey.” Eli pulled Tina in for a hug. After awhile, he gently lifted her chin. “I’m sorry.” Tina needed someone that wouldn’t up and leave at the slightest sign of trouble. She had enough of that in the past. And he should have known better. Eli’s father hadn’t wanted to raise a kid on his own after his mother died so he was left to be raised by his grandmother. He hated that he hurt her like that. He cupped the right side of her face. “I’ll be there. I shouldn’t have left in the first place. I should have heard you out.”
Tina felt her anger diffuse at his touch. She couldn’t even begin to explain how much she’d missed it. “I do get why you did.” She could chastise his actions all she wanted, but she rationally knew his reaction wasn’t exactly uncalled for. She doubted anyone would really want to stay after being kidnapped only to find out your girlfriend had kissed someone else.
After a moment she stepped back a bit, taking a seat on the edge of the couch armrest with a sigh. “So where do we go from here?” Tina looked up, hating the gust of timid uncertainty that crept into her voice. “...I mean we’re still a ‘we’ right?”
It felt like so much had happened to them in small amount of time and she felt drained just trying to wrap her mind around how to deal with iit all. What she did know, though, was that her feelings about Eli hadn’t changed. And it’d really just be a shame if a mistake she didn’t remember making with a boy she hadn’t had feelings for in years would be their undoing.
“Yes. I still want us to be.” Eli looked into Tina’s eyes. He really meant it. He just had to prove it to her. “When we first met on that flight, saving you from luggage assassins, planning for a zombie apocalypse and talking favorite movies, I fell for your smile. I was pretty glad we were both going to New York, thinking, hoping I’d get a chance to see you again. And if you let me, I want to see you every day for the rest of my life. I want your smile to be the first thing I see when I wake up, and the last thing before I go to bed.”
Tina sat there staring at him; it took a moment for his words to wash over her. And it took another to realize that she had risen from the armrest and pulled him down towards her, kissing him soundly. “I love you,” she breathed, her arms winding around him to pull him closer. She took a calming breath, her smile faint but true. “And I’m really glad you stopped my suitcase from killing me.”
“I'll save you every time." Eli couldn't help but smile. He had Tina again. That missing part of his soul was back and he felt complete. He hadn't known he was half a person until Tina was gone. "The world would be a miserable place without you in it. And I'd be lost. I love you."
Tina held him close, a warm sort of happiness drifting over her. This must be the feeling people base novels and ballads on that she may or may not have made fun of. Granted, some were unbearably tacky and eye-roll worthy, but she understood the gist of it. To be in love and know that person still feels the same, that they weren’t leaving anymore...
Unfortunately, she couldn’t help cheesy replies from entering her brain now, so she instead responded the only way she could think of: she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
~
It wasn’t long until they found themselves sprawled beside one another on the living room floor.
“So maybe next time we’ll make it to the bedroom?” Tina let out a breathy giggle as she sat up and dragged the blanket from the couch, haphazardly draping it over them before lying back down. She cast a hazy smile towards the ceiling, trying to catch her breath.
Eli propped himself up using his elbow. “Glad to know there’ll be a next time.” He traced random patterns onto Tina’s shoulder, and then kissed it. “I’m all for a repeat performance. But the bedroom, the kitchen, or the shower. Doesn’t matter to me. Damn, I wouldn’t mind hitting all those rooms.” He gave Tina the biggest grin.
“That’s very ambitious of you.” Tina laughed, her hand wandering up to rest along his side. “I’m all for any place that limits my amount of rug burn. And furniture casualties...” She cast an amused glance at the nearby lamp and framed painting they kinda-sorta knocked over.
“Well that seems to be the worst of it.” Eli looked around. “Maybe next time.” He chuckled, but then his expression became serious. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Tina simply looked at him for a moment before turning towards him and scooting closer. She knew now that even if she had been angry or sad or hurt, she didn’t want to be apart from him for that long again. Gently pushing him back down, she leaned over him and pressed a kiss to his lips. His hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer.
They didn’t hear the front door unlock.
“You know what, girl? I think I just give up on--” Yvette swung the door open, stopping short as she took in the state of the living room. “Uh, Tina?”
“Shit.” Tina buried her head atop Eli’s chest. They were currently blocked by the sofa, but she could hear Yvette’s footsteps nearing them. She scrambled to secure the blankets better around them in vain. “Um...you might want to stay where you are?”
The question had the opposite of its intended effect. “What the hell? Are you on the floor?” Yvette craned her neck peer in the direction of her roommate’s voice. She hastened towards her. “Did we get robbed again because--OH MY GOD.” She backed up and turned her head, her hand stretched out in front of her as if that would block the image away. “The living room floor? Are you serious? This is public domain!”
“Sorry!” Tina shrieked, but as she took in how startled her roommate had looked, she couldn’t help but laugh a little. Which only made Yvette scowl. Just as she considered chucking something at them from where she now stood on the other side of the sofa, she paused. “Wait. Does this mean you guys are back together?”
Tina looked down at Eli and smiled. “Yeah, we are.”
“Good. At least I don’t have to kick his ass now.” Yvette allowed a smile to cross her face. Tina sounded happy. Which was a lot more than she could say for the past few weeks. “Aw, I missed this.”
“...Walking in on us?”
“No, you dork. I mean you smiling. But hey, a free show is a free show.”
“Yvette!”
“What? I find you naked where I watch my television, I get a free pass at the jokes...So I take it you stopped looking for my USB?”
“Well, actually...”
“Ew. I don’t wanna know if you found it. It’s tainted.” Yvette scrunched her face up in half amusement, half repulsion. “So...I’m gonna go catch a bite over on Henry Street. Text me when the coast is clear.” She adjusted the strap of her purse before backing towards the door. She paused, her hand on the doorknob. “You know, I’m really happy for you guys,” she called, her words genuine. “But seriously, at least try to make it to the bedroom next time. That’s what they’re for, bitches!” And which that she shut the door behind her.
Tina heard the door close and hid her face against his chest again, still a little amused. “Tell me that didn’t just happen.”
“Well, looks like it just did.” Eli laughed, enjoying the feel of Tina against his chest. He appreciated Yvette just taking everything in stride. Glad she wouldn’t have to kick his ass. Of course, Tina’s friend Mercedes probably had first dibs. Then the Chang brothers. Then Jae Chang and Tina’s Uncle Stephen. Dodged a bullet there. And possibly some actual bullets too. He was sure Jae Chang owned a shotgun. He wouldn’t put it past Tina’s father.
But Tina answered Yvette’s question. Eli still felt the need to ask for himself. “So we’re back together then?”
Tina raised her head. “If you want us to be.” She peered at him intently, crossing her arms over his chest and leaning her chin on top of them. “I mean, I don’t get naked where Yvette watches her television for just anyone.” She grinned.
“I hope not.” Eli smirked. “But yeah. I want us to be.” He put his arm around her.
Tina covered his smiles with hers. “Good,” she murmured against his lips before leaning back again. “But we should probably move before Yvette comes back. I don’t wanna die.”
When: Monday, January 24, 2019
Where: Tina’s New York apartment
What: Will you tell me again the story about how I'm not alone?
Eli got out of the cab and paid the driver. He looked up his destination. Tina’s apartment building. He hadn’t really thought this thing through. He didn’t know how he was going to get inside the building. All he knew was that he had to get back to Tina.
These days without her had been worthless. He missed her badly. He had been angry and hurt when Tina told him about the flash. He had time to think about it and he realized how badly he had fucked up with her. But by then it was too late. She wasn’t taking his calls. So here he was trying to make it up to her.
But he didn’t know how to get up to her apartment.
“Haven’t seen you around in a while.” One of Tina’s neighbors waved at him. It was a man with a black lab. Eli was unsure of his name. Tina had said it each time the four of them crossed paths, but he couldn’t remember if it was the man’s name or dog’s. “You going up?”
“Hey Oscar.” Eli tried. When the man didn’t look at him strangely for greeting his dog first, he answered the question. “Yeah. I’m hoping to surprise Tina.” It wasn’t a lie. Him showing up at her front door unannounced would surprise her. And most likely piss her off.
Oscar nodded and got the door open for three of them, letting the dog in first. Then they got onto the elevator together. He thanked Oscar, and said bye to Franklin, having remembered the dog’s name when the pair got off on their floor. Eli then got off on Tina’s floor and went to her door and rang the bell. He couldn’t believe this was happening again, waiting for Tina to let him in. This time he hoped things would go better.
“Yvette, I can’t find your flash drive anywhere...” Tina adjusted her phone against her ear as she rummaged through the magazines on top of the coffee table. “Did you check your purse?”
At the sound of the doorbell, Tina went to answer it. “So you need those files today? I already looked and I didn’t see--”
Her sentence was cut short at the sight of Eli standing in front of her. Her first instinct was to smile, but as the shock wore off, she caught herself. Her mind replayed the memory of her practically begging him to stay and her expression hardened. He had left her behind.
“Hello? Tina? Girl, are you still there?” Her attention snapping back to the phone in her hand, she quickly brought it to her ear again. “Hey. Sorry. Let me call you back.” Ignoring her roommate’s protests, she hung up the phone and looked back up at Eli. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you.”
She crossed her arms, her expression unwavering. “Why?”
“Because this thing, this being without you thing is a really screwed up situation. And because I’m a big idiot.” Eli could understand why Tina was giving him a look that was unforgiving. He was the one that left.
Tina didn’t know how to respond. It’s not that she didn’t have a few choice monologues already swarming through her head. She did. Most of which started with agreeing with his admittance of idiocy or a string of angry Hangul words, but as she looked at him now, she couldn’t help but keep quiet and guarded. As if the less emotion she showed, the less vulnerable she’d be. The less she’d get hurt. She knew it was kind of a lie, but she did it anyway.
“You’re the one who walked away. I didn’t--” Tina trailed off abruptly as a neighbor passed by with a curious look. She bit her lip, knowing they’d have to take this conversation inside lest they start a scene or something. “C’mon,” she sighed, stepping aside to let Eli pass.
Completely grateful that a neighbor chose that moment to walk by, Eli went inside. It was some sort of progress, right? It wasn’t a door getting slammed in his face.
Tina shut the door and turned so her back was leaning against it. She eyed him carefully for a moment, keeping in mind their distance. “Look Eli, you...you said you couldn’t deal. You left.” She took a deep breath, willing her voice to remain steady. “And then you show up here after a month and I...I don’t know what you want me to say.”
Eli stood there in silence. He didn’t even know what he wanted to say. “You don’t have to say anything uh... I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just left like that. I did everything wrong.” It was up to Tina to come to a decision based on his apology. Hers was the next move.
“You’re right. You shouldn’t have.” She refolded her arms, shifting a little against the door. “I know I hurt you, but you didn’t let me explain. You just bailed. I mean really, you just finished telling me how you got mugged and then you run off? No phone. No wallet. No way of reaching you. Do you have any idea how fucking worried I was?”
Tina could hear her voice raising in emotion and she looked away, trying to reel herself in. When she looked back at him, her eyes narrowed and her jaw set. “You know, I thought we dealt with things together. That we’re a team. But at least I know better now, right?”
Eli couldn’t answer any of the questions Tina was throwing at him. When she said it out loud like that, he actions that day were unmindful of the consequences. He knew that leaving would hurt her, and part of him had hoped to. But now he knew he was hurting without her. “If I thought we weren’t worth saving, I wouldn’t be here.”
Tina’s glare only worsened. “Maybe we wouldn’t need saving if you didn’t leave,” she snapped. Okay, so that wasn’t really true considering she kissed Artie, but Tina was done crying and begging. Now she was angry.
“I shouldn’t have left. And I should have let you know that I got back okay. I don’t know what else I can say.” Eli was getting frustrated. He just wanted her to take him back. He just wanted her.
Tina was quiet for a long moment after that, her scowl diminishing to an unreadable expression. “Thanks,” she murmured finally, her voice soft. “For telling me that, I mean.”
Part of her wanted to accept it and walk up to him and hold him and tell him she missed him, but the other part, the part used to parents fighting and shouting and leaving, reminded her of the days when it was just easier to cut your losses and push everyone else away to protect yourself. They’d all end up leaving and hurting her anyway. And Eli already showed he wasn’t an exception.
As if her body was moving on its own stubborn accord, she lightly pushed herself off the door before turning towards it. Tina grasped the handle. “But maybe there’s just nothing else to say then.” She pulled on it while simultaneously stepping aside, opening the door just wide enough so he’d get her indication. Her gaze wasn’t really meeting his.
Eli got Tina’s hint, but he wasn’t going to take it. He pointed outside the door. “That’s what you want then? Tell me honestly. And I’ll go.” He stepped in closer to her. “But if there’s just the slightest chance for us, I’m going to stay.”
Tina felt her resolve crumbling as he neared her. She didn’t really want him to go and knew she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she let him. Willing her pride and string of issues to not interfere with what she really wanted, Tina stared intently at the floor as if the right words were etched into the wood.
When she finally spoke, her tone was still soft, but there was an honest edge to it that was both strong and delicate. “What happened on Christmas...I need you to know that it didn’t mean anything.” She shook her head a little in frustration at this whole situation. “I drank because I was worried about Mike and you and...I drunk-dialed Artie. I know that I shouldn’t have even put myself in that situation and I’m sorry.”
She finally managed steady eye contact, her disposition growing more firmly as she spoke. “But if this is going to work, you can’t put me on this...this pedestal. I’m not perfect. And you can’t just leave when things get hard. I need to know that we’re in this together. I can’t have another person in my life who just leaves.” Especially not him. Especially when she’s never felt this way about anyone else. “It’s too much.” Tina heard her voice waver and she took another deep breath. So much for not crying.
“Hey.” Eli pulled Tina in for a hug. After awhile, he gently lifted her chin. “I’m sorry.” Tina needed someone that wouldn’t up and leave at the slightest sign of trouble. She had enough of that in the past. And he should have known better. Eli’s father hadn’t wanted to raise a kid on his own after his mother died so he was left to be raised by his grandmother. He hated that he hurt her like that. He cupped the right side of her face. “I’ll be there. I shouldn’t have left in the first place. I should have heard you out.”
Tina felt her anger diffuse at his touch. She couldn’t even begin to explain how much she’d missed it. “I do get why you did.” She could chastise his actions all she wanted, but she rationally knew his reaction wasn’t exactly uncalled for. She doubted anyone would really want to stay after being kidnapped only to find out your girlfriend had kissed someone else.
After a moment she stepped back a bit, taking a seat on the edge of the couch armrest with a sigh. “So where do we go from here?” Tina looked up, hating the gust of timid uncertainty that crept into her voice. “...I mean we’re still a ‘we’ right?”
It felt like so much had happened to them in small amount of time and she felt drained just trying to wrap her mind around how to deal with iit all. What she did know, though, was that her feelings about Eli hadn’t changed. And it’d really just be a shame if a mistake she didn’t remember making with a boy she hadn’t had feelings for in years would be their undoing.
“Yes. I still want us to be.” Eli looked into Tina’s eyes. He really meant it. He just had to prove it to her. “When we first met on that flight, saving you from luggage assassins, planning for a zombie apocalypse and talking favorite movies, I fell for your smile. I was pretty glad we were both going to New York, thinking, hoping I’d get a chance to see you again. And if you let me, I want to see you every day for the rest of my life. I want your smile to be the first thing I see when I wake up, and the last thing before I go to bed.”
Tina sat there staring at him; it took a moment for his words to wash over her. And it took another to realize that she had risen from the armrest and pulled him down towards her, kissing him soundly. “I love you,” she breathed, her arms winding around him to pull him closer. She took a calming breath, her smile faint but true. “And I’m really glad you stopped my suitcase from killing me.”
“I'll save you every time." Eli couldn't help but smile. He had Tina again. That missing part of his soul was back and he felt complete. He hadn't known he was half a person until Tina was gone. "The world would be a miserable place without you in it. And I'd be lost. I love you."
Tina held him close, a warm sort of happiness drifting over her. This must be the feeling people base novels and ballads on that she may or may not have made fun of. Granted, some were unbearably tacky and eye-roll worthy, but she understood the gist of it. To be in love and know that person still feels the same, that they weren’t leaving anymore...
Unfortunately, she couldn’t help cheesy replies from entering her brain now, so she instead responded the only way she could think of: she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
~
It wasn’t long until they found themselves sprawled beside one another on the living room floor.
“So maybe next time we’ll make it to the bedroom?” Tina let out a breathy giggle as she sat up and dragged the blanket from the couch, haphazardly draping it over them before lying back down. She cast a hazy smile towards the ceiling, trying to catch her breath.
Eli propped himself up using his elbow. “Glad to know there’ll be a next time.” He traced random patterns onto Tina’s shoulder, and then kissed it. “I’m all for a repeat performance. But the bedroom, the kitchen, or the shower. Doesn’t matter to me. Damn, I wouldn’t mind hitting all those rooms.” He gave Tina the biggest grin.
“That’s very ambitious of you.” Tina laughed, her hand wandering up to rest along his side. “I’m all for any place that limits my amount of rug burn. And furniture casualties...” She cast an amused glance at the nearby lamp and framed painting they kinda-sorta knocked over.
“Well that seems to be the worst of it.” Eli looked around. “Maybe next time.” He chuckled, but then his expression became serious. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Tina simply looked at him for a moment before turning towards him and scooting closer. She knew now that even if she had been angry or sad or hurt, she didn’t want to be apart from him for that long again. Gently pushing him back down, she leaned over him and pressed a kiss to his lips. His hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer.
They didn’t hear the front door unlock.
“You know what, girl? I think I just give up on--” Yvette swung the door open, stopping short as she took in the state of the living room. “Uh, Tina?”
“Shit.” Tina buried her head atop Eli’s chest. They were currently blocked by the sofa, but she could hear Yvette’s footsteps nearing them. She scrambled to secure the blankets better around them in vain. “Um...you might want to stay where you are?”
The question had the opposite of its intended effect. “What the hell? Are you on the floor?” Yvette craned her neck peer in the direction of her roommate’s voice. She hastened towards her. “Did we get robbed again because--OH MY GOD.” She backed up and turned her head, her hand stretched out in front of her as if that would block the image away. “The living room floor? Are you serious? This is public domain!”
“Sorry!” Tina shrieked, but as she took in how startled her roommate had looked, she couldn’t help but laugh a little. Which only made Yvette scowl. Just as she considered chucking something at them from where she now stood on the other side of the sofa, she paused. “Wait. Does this mean you guys are back together?”
Tina looked down at Eli and smiled. “Yeah, we are.”
“Good. At least I don’t have to kick his ass now.” Yvette allowed a smile to cross her face. Tina sounded happy. Which was a lot more than she could say for the past few weeks. “Aw, I missed this.”
“...Walking in on us?”
“No, you dork. I mean you smiling. But hey, a free show is a free show.”
“Yvette!”
“What? I find you naked where I watch my television, I get a free pass at the jokes...So I take it you stopped looking for my USB?”
“Well, actually...”
“Ew. I don’t wanna know if you found it. It’s tainted.” Yvette scrunched her face up in half amusement, half repulsion. “So...I’m gonna go catch a bite over on Henry Street. Text me when the coast is clear.” She adjusted the strap of her purse before backing towards the door. She paused, her hand on the doorknob. “You know, I’m really happy for you guys,” she called, her words genuine. “But seriously, at least try to make it to the bedroom next time. That’s what they’re for, bitches!” And which that she shut the door behind her.
Tina heard the door close and hid her face against his chest again, still a little amused. “Tell me that didn’t just happen.”
“Well, looks like it just did.” Eli laughed, enjoying the feel of Tina against his chest. He appreciated Yvette just taking everything in stride. Glad she wouldn’t have to kick his ass. Of course, Tina’s friend Mercedes probably had first dibs. Then the Chang brothers. Then Jae Chang and Tina’s Uncle Stephen. Dodged a bullet there. And possibly some actual bullets too. He was sure Jae Chang owned a shotgun. He wouldn’t put it past Tina’s father.
But Tina answered Yvette’s question. Eli still felt the need to ask for himself. “So we’re back together then?”
Tina raised her head. “If you want us to be.” She peered at him intently, crossing her arms over his chest and leaning her chin on top of them. “I mean, I don’t get naked where Yvette watches her television for just anyone.” She grinned.
“I hope not.” Eli smirked. “But yeah. I want us to be.” He put his arm around her.
Tina covered his smiles with hers. “Good,” she murmured against his lips before leaning back again. “But we should probably move before Yvette comes back. I don’t wanna die.”