The New Girl

[August] - Strictly Surprises (3)

"Can you guys just please get your shit together?" Caspar sighed dramatically, as he flopped down onto the sofa beside Dianne. "It's been two weeks."

Dianne stared listlessly at the coffee table, the numbness that had settled over her body two weeks ago not lifting in the slightest, despite her roommates best efforts.

"Can you at least talk to us?" Caspar asked, his tone exasperated. "It's creeping me out, Red. I don't think I've heard you or Joe say a word in 14 days. No lovey dovey shit, no gross kissing noises, not even any arguing over who loves each other more. You could at least talk to US if you don't want to talk to each other."

"I thought me being quiet would be your dream," Dianne deadpanned, her voice hollow.

"SHE SPEAKS!" Caspar exclaimed loudly, causing Oli to jump as he walked from the kitchen, staring at them in surprise.

"Jesus!" Oli breathed out, clutching his sloshing coffee mug to try and stop it from spilling.

"Sorry Ol," Caspar shot him an apologetic look, "But it turns out our roommate DOES have vocal chords."

"Wow!" Oli feigned surprise, sarcasm thick in his words. "I thought she was mute!"

Dianne glared at them both as she watched Oli come join them on the sofa. To be honest, this was the first day she'd come out of hiding since that first fateful night sleeping away from Joe. She'd spent full days at rehearsals, and evenings hiding out in her old room, tiptoeing into the bathroom and kitchen after she'd hear Joe disappear into his room after working late every single night. She wasn't surprised Caspar and Oli were being dramatic and sarcastic toward her - she definitely hadn't been a bundle of fun lately.

"So now that you're talking, does that mean you're also going to start behaving normal again?" Oli quirked an eyebrow. "

"Normal how?" Dianne fixed her blank stare his way.

"Oh I don't know," Oli pretending to think hard, "Maybe, you know, talking to your boyfriend? Sleeping in your boyfriend's room? Acting like you have a...boyfriend?"

Letting out a deep sigh, Dianne closed her eyes briefly, the constant pain in her chest seeming to thrum extra hard against her rib cage at the mention of Joe. She hadn't had a conversation with him since he'd stormed out during their argument about Andy.

"I know you think you're doing each other a favor by giving each other space," Caspar rolled his eyes. "But if you could both put aside your pride and --"

"My pride?" Dianne interrupted, feeling a bit of anger spike through her. Joe was the one who had stormed out. He was the one who clearly didn't feel comfortable discussing this difficult topic with her.

"Ah!" Caspar grinned, pointing at her wrinkled brow, "She has emotions too, Oli! I think I just poked them."

Oli smiled at Dianne sympathetically as she muttered a few select words under her breath.

"My pride is just fine," she added in a louder voice. "It's Joe who--"

"Who what? Is overwhelmed and heartbroken?" Caspar leaned back into the sofa cushions, quirking an eyebrow in a silent challenge.

Dianne remained quiet.

"Because he is," Caspar added, as Oli nodded. "And I know you are too."

"I'm no--"

"Oh just cut the crap, Dianne," Caspar snapped, Dianne instantly recoiling at the usage of her real name. It sounded foreign coming from his lips, and she immediately wished he'd go back to calling her Red.