Double Lines

SEVEN MONTHS AGO

I’m sitting at the dining room table with all my books out. I have some Science and Mathematics readings, so we can discuss them in class on Monday. I’m busy highlighting critical areas of information when the front door opens.

“Hi!” I smile, calling out. Noah and I both work on Saturday, but he finishes later than I do. My smile drops when a familiar petite female walks in after him.

“Hello, Mikaela,” Andrea smiles.

“Hi,” I reply less enthusiastically. I look at Noah, noticing that he is holding Andrea’s hand.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“We’re going to my room,” Noah replies, refusing to look at me.

“Why?”

Andrea looks at Noah for reassurance, and he replies by kissing her on top of her head.

“What about your boyfriend?” I ask as I watch them walk toward the room.

“Oh, we broke up,” Andrea says, smiling sadly in my direction, “Noah’s been helping me feel better,” she adds. I dumbly nod at her answer.

Turning towards my work, tears build up in my eyes. Quickly, I gather my things and put them all in a neat pile. Running to my room, I pick up my handbag and throw in my keys and phone.

I walk out of my apartment blindly, trying hard not to cry and failing. Because the apartment building is close to the university, it is also close to bars and clubs that earn their living through college students. It’s only a fifteen-minute walk into the Water Grotto, our university slang for the street where the nearby pubs, bars and clubs are.

Ignoring the first few establishments, I walk into a busy bar. The air is noticeably warmer, and I’m glad. Although it’s not quite five, it is surprisingly full.

“Hello. How can I help you?” the handsome guy at the bar greets.

“Uh,” I say, looking behind him at the screen for the menu.

“Do you have chocolate cake?” I ask. To his credit, the guy smiles.

“We have a volcano cake. It has a chocolate top, and when microwaved, it falls into the centre, making it gooey,” he smiles.

“That sounds perfect,” I reply.

“Anything to drink?” he then asks.

“Uh, coke?” I ask. I know I’m in a bar, but I’m not a drinker.

“Just coke?”

“Actually, can I have a rum and coke, please?” I ask.

The barman nods his head and starts to get my food ready. As he does, I observe him chatting with one of his colleagues, and I blush when I realise he works in the bar, not on the food side of the counter.

“I am so sorry; I didn’t realise I had to go there to order food. I wasn’t thinking,” I apologise.

“That’s okay. Anything for a beautiful girl like you,” the guy replies, giving me a wink.

“I bet that attitude gets you into trouble a lot,” I speak without realising. The guy laughs.

“It does, actually. I’m Declan,” he greets, offering me his hand.

“Mikaela,” I reply, shaking his hand. Declan smiles again and pours me a drink. Thanking him, I take my glass and plate and find a small table for one to sit at.

“For you,” Declan says, coming over with a clear glass of liquid.

“Vodka and lemonade. Try it. Don’t worry, it’s clean,” he assured me when I gave him a quizzical look.

“Thank you,” I replied. I had finished my volcano cake; it was delicious, and now I was nursing my rum and coke.

“I’m on a break,” Declan says when I raise my eyebrows at him as he sits opposite me.

“So, what brings you here?” Declan asks.

“Why do you care?” I reply.

“Well, when you came in, you looked sad, and I felt it was my duty as the sexy, hot barman to see if you were alright.”

I snort and laugh when he describes himself as the sexy, hot barman. Um, yes, he is, but to go ahead and describe himself as such is funny.

“Hey! Your laughter makes me sound like I’m lying,” Declan grins. I shake my head.

“I’m sorry, Declan. I’m not interested in a relationship right now.”

“Dam. Have I been friend-zoned? That’s okay, I’ll live. But tell me, why is a beautiful girl like you so sad?”

I push my empty rum and coke aside and grab the vodka and lemonade he brought.

“My boyfriend is cheating on me,” I admit, playing with the straw and ice in the glass.

“Seriously?” Declan asks, sounding shocked. I sadly nod.

“How are you sure? He might not be.”

“He is. He brought her home while I was there. He’s been coming home late with marks all over his skin and clothes. He’s cheating on me,” I say. I feel worthless. How can Declan see me as beautiful because I’m obviously not.

“You both live together?”

“Off-campus. But yeah.”

“Have you considered moving into the dorms? I work in the Administration building also. You could visit the Dean of Students first thing Monday morning and see if you could move into a dorm. I know there are places available still,” Declan tells me. I look up at Declan, thinking. He might be right. Moving out might be a good idea, so I don’t have to witness Noah at home with Andrea.

“I’ll think about it,” I tell him.

“Do that. I have to get back from my break. It was nice to meet you, Mikaela.”

“You too.”

\\||// //||\\

PRESENT…

I sit in the passenger seat beside Melina as she drives to Pinnacle. I haven’t been back since the school holidays, and since the university has wrapped up for the year, I’ve been helping Melina in her bakery. She’s also been paying me, which has been nice of her. I’m unsure if she’s been employing me because she needs another staff member or feels pity for me. But I’m grateful because I can help her pay the bills and food while saving for my little boy or girl.

I decided not to find out the sex of the baby. I’d like a girl, and I can imagine brushing her hair and doing it up. I would still be happy if I had a boy, although a girl would be ideal. As long as she or he is happy and healthy. That’s the most I can ask for.

Melina parks her car, and I help her carry one of the boxes to the floor where David works. Melina and David have continued to date these past three months, and he’s stayed the night a few times. Melina also spends the night at his house but prefers her own home to his.

“I need to go to the bathroom again,” I complain as we exit the elevator. Bloody pregnancy, I feel as if I can’t go out outside my house without using a bathroom while I’m out.

“Put the box on top of mine and go ahead. I’ll meet you back at the board room,” Melina laughs. I shoot Melina a grateful look and ask the first person we see where the toilets are.

“Uh… down the hall and to your right,” the woman smiles, looking at my stomach.

“Thank you,” I reply gratefully.

“Act like you work here! I know what it’s like being pregnant, but…”

“You don’t want to get in trouble for telling me where the staff toilets are,” I state. The woman, who looks about twenty years older than me, nods.

“Thanks again,” I smile, waving as I run off.

Walking back from the bathrooms, I’m surprised when I see Willow, the receptionist on this floor, smile at me when she notices me walking down the hallway.

“Hi again! How are you? I’m Willow, remember?” she asks, stopping as we reach each other. I chuckle in acknowledgement.

“I remember, hi,” I greet.

“And your name again was?” she asks, looking sheepish.

“Mikaela,” I grin.

“Well, Mikaela, you look like you’ve been busy,” she smiles, looking at my stomach. I rub my belly.

“Yeah,” I say.

“When are you due?”

“March.”

“Cool. Well, after that, I’ll have to take you out for a drink to celebrate,” Willow smiles. I return her smile. Willow has always been friendly towards me, but this is the first time I’ve had a conversation with her.

“Hey, can you help me set up the drinks table?” Willow then asks.

“Sure,” I reply. She thanks me and tells me how David has been much happier the last three months. I agree with her; I’ve noticed Melina smiling more often. I know I don’t know my aunt well, but she does seem much happier than when I first met her. And I’d like to think it was because of David.

Willow leads me into a medium-sized staff room, which I immediately notice is all white walls and no windows.

“This is… nice…” I begin.

“Yeah, this is the closest staffroom to the boardroom. Most staff prefer the break room on the east side of the building. It’s bigger and cozy,” Willow smiles.

“I’d like to see that,” I comment.

“I’ll make you and Melina a tea and take you there afterwards if you like?”

“That would be nice,” I agree.

I help Willow bring the cups from the cupboard, placing them on a tray.

“There’s already an urn in the boardroom with hot water; the girl who usually sets it up went home early,” Willow complains.

“That’s okay, I don’t mind helping,” I smile.

“Th…” Willow begins when a wolf whistle cuts her off.

“Well, if it isn’t my two favourite ladies,” a familiar voice speaks. Willow quietly groans, making me smile and chuckle at her.

“Just ignore him,” Willow seethes under her breath. I nod.

“Girls, girls, girls, please don’t all fight over me at once,” the man, who I think is named Daniel, quips.

“Ready?” I ask Willow as she hands me two containers of sugar, one raw and the other white.

“Yup,” she replies. We both turn around only to see the cheesy grin on Daniel’s face.

“Dam, I was enjoying that view,” he says, eyeing me. I keep my face stoic and don’t respond.

“I know this is random, but Dom or Sub?” Daniel asks.

“I guess dominos. I don’t like subway that much. It’s weird that you put them in the same category, though. What about you, Will, Dom or sub?” I innocently ask my new friend, who starts laughing.

“I like my women who are quiet,” Daniel smirks after Willow’s laughter dies down.

“And I like men with big dicks. I guess we both lucked out,” I reply.

Daniel stares at me while Willow gasps before giggling again.

“Come on, Willow, let’s go,” I tell her, stepping around Daniel.

“Oh my god, those comebacks were incredible!” Willow gushes as we walk out of the room.

“I know. I read them somewhere. Hey, do we need teabags and coffee?” I ask.

“Oh, yeah.”

“Hey, little finger! Bring the teabags and coffee, will yah?” I call out over my shoulder. Daniel opens his mouth and looks at me.

“I’d like you to know I have a perfectly sized little fing… dam you!” he cries out.

I walk away smiling with Willow to the board room, where two tables are already set up with food. Willow and I put our things on the table, and I’m surprised when Daniel follows by putting the teabags and coffee on the table as well. I raise my eyebrows at him, and he glares at me.

“Daniel, thank you for helping the girls,” David says, walking toward us.

“Willow and her, uh, friend, asked me to help,” Daniel says, his cheeks going red.

“Well, good job. I appreciate that. Will you be staying for today’s meeting?”

“Oh, uh, yes. Yes, I would like that, Mr. Rosebank, sir,” Daniel answers, a look of surprise on his face.

“Mikaela, you are getting bigger! I can’t wait to hold your baby in my arms,” David grins, smiling at me.

“You can babysit him or her all you want,” I smile.

“You don’t know the sex yet?” Willow asks, surprised.

“No. I want it to be a surprise, but I think I’m having a girl,” I state, smiling down at my stomach.

“Well, my sister had a boy, and she carried low, so I think you may be right,” David tells me. I nod, smiling in agreement.

“Whatever I’m having, as long as it’s healthy and happy,” I add.

“With an aunt like yours, I’m sure she will be both. And I’ll be there beside Melina helping,” David states, making Melina blush.

“We should leave you to it,” Melina smiles, kissing David on his cheek. He whispers something back in her ear before kissing her forehead.

“Come on,” Melina says, walking towards the door.

“Is somebody embarrassed?” I sing song as we leave the boardroom. Melina nods, and I laugh.

“I’m happy for you, really,” I tell her.

“Thanks. I haven’t been in a relationship for a few years, so this is all new for me again,” she comments.

We walk Willow to her desk.

“See you both next week, and next week, I’ll take you both to the other staff room,” Willow says.

“The other staff room?” Melina asked.

“Yeah, the one we went to is only used when there are meetings, apparently,” I answer. Willow nods.

“Bye.”

“Goodbye,” Melina and I both say.

“So, tell me more about David,” I grin as the elevator doors close in on us.

- edited