serendipity ☾

☾ 11: Are You An Animal?

a/n: hiii. this is a pretty heavy

❝I pushed it down but it was living in me rent-free. And then I fell into some things that were unhealthy. A place where no one heard me, asking them to help me.❞

{ ice cream man x RAYE }

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jasmine ☾

THE SHIRT THAT I GAVE CHERRY last night is folded neatly on the pillow next to me when I wake up.

There's a note on top.

I'm never far. Love you. C

I lift the shirt to my nose and inhale. It smells like him. Like sandalwood and smoky vanilla. It smells like home.

Maybe that's why I put the shirt on as I'm getting dressed.

I need to feel grounded because I still don't feel completely myself.

I check my phone as I make my way to the kitchen. It's almost one in the afternoon, but I still don't have any messages from Anthony.

I decide to give him a call to check on him.

The phone rings and rings as I pull at my bottom lip. When I think the line is clicking over, it's only his voicemail alerting me to leave a message.

I clear my throat as the line beeps. "Uh, hey, Ant." I blow out a breath. "I was just calling to check on you. See how you're feeling." I tap my fingers against the counter. "Well, um, let me know if you need anything. Okay. Bye."

He's probably feeling fine and just fucking avoiding me.

I'd like to know why, though. If it's because of the other night, then I just won't open up again.

I know Cherry said to open up but Cherry also asked me to run away with him so he's clearly fucking delusional.

Maybe I'll just call Anthony's bluff. I'll make him some soup and then drop it off at his place. If he's actually sick, then it's a win, and if he's avoiding me, then it's also a win because I can confront him and find out why.

I dial the lounge and Madison picks up. "Cherry's. This is Madison."

"Hey, Mads, it's Jay. Are you busy?"

"I'm always busy. What's up?"

"Do you think you can dig up Anthony's new hire paperwork for me? I just need to double-check his information."

"Yeah, one second." I wait while she goes to Cherry's office. "Is Boss with you? I haven't heard from him today."

"No, but I don't think he's coming in today. He's good though."

"Is it true that Juli's coming back?" I hear papers rustling.

"Yeah. Sometime soon, I think."

"Ugh, thank God." I hear more rustling. "Okay. I got his file. What do you need?"

"Just need to double-check his address."

She gives me the address of his building in Fort Greene and his apartment number. "Yeah, looks good. Thanks, Mads."

"No problem. I'll see you when you come in."

I hang up the phone and open my fridge. I don't have anything to make soup. Guess I have to run to the store.

I text Angel to see if she needs anything and then grab my keys and my purse.

My trip to the store is quick and uneventful. I get everything I need and then take the two full grocery bags back to my apartment.