3.20 Life’s like this

I didn’t sleep much that night. I kept seeing Maira in flames and replaying the scenario with alternate endings where I wasn’t a punk and saved her before the firefighters got there. She called me her hero and threw her arms around me. Sometimes, she’d kiss me. One time, the kiss escalated to other things. Not gonna lie. It was not an unpleasant thought, but where did it come from? Is that something I want from her deep down? I never denied I was attracted to her, but… I didn’t think I was ready for all that. So instead of continuing the fantasy, I got up very early and swam laps.

After I had my fill of the pool, I came back inside and made a cup of tea because I was going to need caffeine to make it to the end of the day. I heard Mama come out of her room, but it was douche face who appeared in the kitchen with her right behind; I almost spilled my tea.

“Good morning,” he said and got my leftovers from the fridge.

He took the food and sat at the dining room table.

“Hey, buddy,” Mama said. “Dwayne is gonna be here for the weekend, okay?”

Dwayne. So that was his name. He didn’t look like a Dwayne. I didn’t know what he looked like, honestly, but Dwayne was definitely not at the top of my list.

“You couldn’t tell me that before?” I asked with a hint of attitude.

She snorted. Even though she was behind me, I felt her snarling at me.

“When would you have preferred I do that, sir? Before or after you brought your girlfriend home in the wee hours of the morning?”

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“That’s what you think,” she said and walked away.

I should have known not to get smart with her. But how did she know Maira was here? Hell, how did she know every time I got home late? Did she spy on me? Sure, okay, it was her house, and she didn’t owe me anything. But a heads up text would have been nice because running into him half-naked every morning was not what I wanted. At least he had the decency to be dressed.

The rain started, so I had to cancel my jog with Tofu. Would Mama consider getting us a treadmill? Was that even a reasonable ask? I didn’t know how much those things cost. That would have been better than being holed up in my room thinking about why Mama thought I was dating someone. It’s not like I was gone all the time or came home late every night. No. She just jumped to conclusions because that’s what she wanted for me. It would happen when it happened, but at the moment I was fine by myself. I got tired of thinking about all that, so I changed my clothes and worked out in my room.

The rest of the day was kind of boring. I scrolled Social Bunny on my phone, watched livestreams on Simtube, and checked up on Maira. Finally, it was time for my yoga class. I had sent texts to a few sims, inviting them to come out. Both Maira and Jasmine from the gym said they’d come, and I looked forward to seeing them. Dad said he’d come too. If everyone who committed showed, my class would be half full!

Dad arrived first, of course. After waiting as long as I could stand for the others, I started about 10 minutes late. I was bummed my friends didn’t show. I could see Maira canceling at the last minute after what she went through, but what was Jasmine’s excuse? No sooner than I thought that, she appeared.

She chose a mat in the front row. I didn’t mind, of course, but I hoped I could stay focused on the routine with all that beauty in my face. She spun into her workout gear, but a sadness from nowhere overcame her, and she turned around and left! What happened? I hoped everything would be okay because I couldn’t stop my class to find out. I’d have to call her later.

After the routine, I hugged Dad and thanked him for coming. He tried to put some money in my hand, but I refused it.

“Luca, this is your business,” he said, forcing the money back into my hand. “I’m a paying customer just like everyone else.”

“It’s weird taking money from you.”

“I know you’re not in it for the money, but you need to make money, son. Don’t make exceptions for friends and family because of your relationship with us.”

“Okay, okay.”

“Good. Now, was that the girl who is complicating your life?”

“Jasmine? No, I met her the other day. Maira said she’d come but…well, she had a rough night, so I’m not surprised she didn’t make it.”

He grinned.

“Two friends. I see.”

“Ugh. You and Mama.”

“What? I’m just making an observation. But let me make a suggestion. Consider hosting these classes somewhere public, like a park or something. You never know who you’re letting into your house.”

“Hmmm…not a bad idea.”

“Speaking of friends, she’s back and coming this way.”

She walked over to me, looking timid and uncomfortable.

“Hey, ummm…I’m sorry I ditched your class. Thanks for inviting me, though.”

“It’s cool. Are you okay?”

“Uhhh… Well…no, not really. I don’t want to talk about it right now, but I’m going through some things. I thought I was ready to be out and enjoy stuff, but…”

I reached out and tried to comfort her.

“I’m so sorry you’re having a rough time. If there’s anything I can do, let me know. And don’t worry about paying for the class.”

“Thank you. You’re so nice.”

“I’ll see you around,” I said.

She gave me a tiny smile and left.

Dad watched her leave with a look of concern on his face.

“You wanna grab dinner with me?” he asked. “I want to talk to you about something important.”