Page 30 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“So why hide that you’re hooking up with her? Trina already figured it out when she caught you buying the whipped cream.”

“That could’ve been for anything.”

“Like cocktails?” Cole laughs. “How did you even come up with that?”

“Can you just drop this? You’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

“Whatever you say.” He heads to the door. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, see ya.”

When he’s gone, I get to work cleaning up the mess from last night. It’s not that bad. Lots of empty cups and bottles and then the coolers and inflatable chairs.

Within an hour, I’ve tossed out all the garbage, wiped the tables, did a quick sweep of the floor, and deflated all the chairs. I grab a stack of coolers and take them down to my storage unit, which is at the very end of the hall next to Trina’s apartment. I unlock the unit, put the coolers in it, and head back to get more.

On my next trip, I hear a noise coming from Trina’s place. It sounds like she’s crying. I continue to the storage unit and drop off the coolers. When I pass by Trina’s apartment again, I stop and listen. She’s definitely crying, but quietly, like she doesn’t want anyone to hear. I feel the urge to knock on her door and ask what’s wrong, which surprises me because I’m not good with crying girls, or anyone who cries. Crying makes me uncomfortable. I never know what to do or say, so I usually do nothing. But the thought of Trina sitting in that empty apartment crying about who knows what is really bothering me.

Back in my apartment, I call up Jenna. Maybe she knows what the deal is with my new neighbor, like why the girl doesn’t even have a bed.

“Hey, Scott,” Jenna says in a cheerful tone. “You miss me already?”

“I do. But that’s not why I’m calling. Do you have a minute?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you know anything about that girl who’s subletting your apartment.”

“Not really. She’s just someone Sara knew. Why? Is there a problem?”

“No, I just noticed she doesn’t have much in her apartment and I was wondering why. She has a lot of clothes, but nothing else.”

“She has a degree in fashion. That’s how Sara knows her. They went to design school together. That’s probably why she has a lot of clothes.”

“If she has a fashion degree, why is she working at a grocery store?”

“I think she lost her job. I’d have to ask Sara. I could call her, or you could just talk to Trina yourself.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that. I don’t want you having to call your friend about this.”

“I don’t mind. I can ask her at work tomorrow.”

“No, forget it. I’ll just talk to Trina.”

“So how was the party last night?”

“Good. People said it was one of our best yet. It’s too bad you couldn’t be there.”

“I’ll talk to Leo. Maybe we could come to one some other time.”

“Whenever you want. You’re always welcome. I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’ve got plans with your fiancé.”

She laughs. “Stop calling him that. You’ll freak him out. He’s not ready to get married.”

He’s ready enough that he bought a ring. He showed it to me a few weeks ago. Leo’s planning to propose to her on their two-year anniversary, which is a month from now. Jenna has no idea, which is why I feel I can tease her about it. The more I bring it up, the more she convinces herself it’ll never happen.

“I’ll talk to you later, Jenna.”

“Yeah, bye!”

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