The door rattled when she slammed it in my face.

"Fine!" I yelled, banging my hand against the door. My hand instantly reddened. I shook it out and blinked till the tears went away. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

She locked the door and pulled the curtains shut, muffled shouting echoed out onto her small slab of concrete porch.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

"I should've known," I rubbed my clenched jaw, closed my eyes and breathed.

It was going to be fine.

I stormed to my car, throwing my things into the back before falling into my seat. You'd think the more something happened the less it would hurt, really, it hurts more.

A petal from the violet bouquet softly danced in the air till it fell onto my floorboard.

No. I shouldn't.

But, I do.

I grabbed the bouquet and walked to her door, tapping my forefinger against my thigh. I raised my hand to the door. Should I? I thought back to the first time, clothes- Yes. I pounded on the door till she opened it again.

"Get the fuck out of here, how many times do I need to say it!" her short hair showed off her defined collarbone, her crescent lips pursed.

"Happy anniversary Alice," I pulled out her hands and sat the flowers and small box into them. Her lips parted. Eyes widened, "Hope you had a good time," I smirked and walked down her driveway back to my beat up Geo Prizm, feeling the smallest bit better.

I turned the engine off, returning to the same home I always did. Crumbling brick walls, overgrown bushes, and broken doored home.

I sat in the car, images of her intoxicated my mind. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. I forced my hands away from the steering wheel, laying my head back against the seat.

If only things were easy.

I stepped out of my car and reached into my pocket. My fingers wrapped around the same familiar square box it had many times. I pulled it out and pulled out a cigarette, placing it between my cracked lips. The butt was slightly damp compared to the rest of the mostly untouched cigarettes.

I ignored the feeling that filled my chest and looked up at the gathering clouds in the sky. The sun hid. What was it hiding from?

"Jay Jay!" I turned to see Jamie running out towards me.

"Hey careful there," I laughed. She wrapped her small arms around my legs and buried her face into my thighs.

"I missed you," she clenched onto my pants.

"Careful deary, don't wanna be pulling those down now," Robert chuckled, watching us from the doorway. His shaggy brown hair hung over his eyes. "What are you looking at?"

"Oh nothing," he walked down the steps, throwing his arm around my shoulders. I rolled my eyes despite the smile my lips held.

"Go on, get out of here."

He chuckled, "I'm going, I'm going," he walked back with his hands up.

Once he rounded the street corner to his car, the weight on my chest returned.

"Come on!" Jamie pulled me inside by my hand.

I laughed, "Don't make me tri-"

I grabbed onto the rusted railing. Fuck. I had to go and jinx it.

"Wasn't my fault!" Jamie giggled. I really needed to fix that step.

"Yeah, yeah, get inside before I start tickling you."

She squealed and ran inside, "You can't get me!"

"Oh yeah? Watch me."

I followed her inside, lifting the door off the ground and closing it tight. A loud thud echoed from Jamies room followed by more giggles. I tiptoed down the hallway to the first door on the left. Jamie's closet door was closed besides for a small crack, her toe sticking out.

"Oh where could she be? Hmmm," I lifted her covers, looked through her stuffed animals and pulled back the curtains. "I don't think I can find her," I looked around the dollhouse next to her closet. "It's like she's invisible," I reached down and grabbed her toe.

"Jay Jay!" she squealed.

"Found you," I opened the door and pulled back the fairy dress that sat on her head.

Her lip puffed out, "I thought you surely couldn't find me here."

"Your toe gave you away," I wiggled her toe and booped her nose, her smile not returning.

"Hey sissy?"

"Yes, deary?" I swallowed. Let it not be what I think it is.

"When is Mommy coming home?"

I tapped my forefinger against my thigh, looking at the tan carpet, "I don't know, deary."

"I miss her," she held her teddy bear close, moving his paws around.

I tucked her hair behind her ear, lifting her chin, "I know you do. Won't be long, okay?"

"Okay Jay Jay."

"Now who wants ice cream?"

She smiled, "Me! Me!"

"Have you had lunch yet?" I raised my eyebrow, my hand on my chin, my lips puffed out.

She laughed, "Maybe."

"You're lucky you're cute, come on let's go."

I stood up and walked after Jamie who ran into the kitchen like a bobcat was chasing her.

The pile of bills and junk mail only grew higher on the counter. I sorted through as she made herself a bowl, looking for one thing. It wasn't there.

I repositioned myself for the seventh time in the last ten minutes, the rough fabric of the couch cushion rubbing against my face.

An aching knot inhabited my stomach, only growing more as the night continued. Why did Alice have to do this to me again? Why did I believe she wouldn't?
I groaned and rubbed my forehead, trying to erase the image. I pulled out my phone and headphones, putting on my music.

"I kissed a girl-" I skipped the song without hesitation.

"I look outside my window,

It's so dark I feel my eyes begin to close,

Seasonal depression got me sleeping off the day," that's better. Well, since she won't be eating it I can eat the Twix I grabbed for her.

I sat up and slipped on my shoes and lifted up the door to open it. The cold breeze eased the tightness in my chest and cloudiness in my mind.

I looked up at the clear sky, the moon not hiding like the sun did. So many stars looking down on the quiet town of Oakridge.

"Camille Line Presley," a voice snapped.

I jumped, covering my head with my arms.

Wait. Camille?

Across the street Camille ran out of her door, her mascara running with her. Her auburn hair a mess, skirt tattered. Her eyes met mine, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Her father moved sluggishly behind her, reaching out for the door frame as if it was the only thing keeping him up straight.

"Camille, get back here!"

Her eyes met mine again. She tried to wipe away her makeup and pull herself together. It didn't last long. Her father began down the steps and then... she was gone.

He shouted out after her. Wherever she went she left fast. He eventually gave up, kicking a gnome before he returned inside.

Camille's parents' shadows danced in the window. Hands were waved around, voices carried out onto the street. Things did not seem happy.

Why was Miss Perfect Camille's family fighting? It struck me as odd, maybe it was over which dress to wear to the pageant, or which college was best. No, the way he acted was not the typical Presely family behavior.

I looked up at the popcorn ceiling, a thousand thoughts crowding my head. The girl who everyone loved. The girl who had straight A's. The girl who was perfect, was really.....not. But why? Why pretend? She seemed so happy, so authentic.

Why do I keep coming back to this? It's not my problem nor my business. Maybe it was just one out of the ordinary fight. Or maybe not?

I shook my head and rubbed my clenched jaw. I needed to stop this. But, the only thoughts to take its place was of Alice. Well, and if it will ever come in the mail.