Chapter 1: Wingwoman
Chapter 2: Guys and Galentine’s Day
Chapter 3: Slippery Dreams
Chapter 4: A Friendly Get together
Chapter 5: ROAD TRIP!!!!
Chapter 6: Sickbed
Chapter 7: Divorce
Chapter 8: Dorm Sleepover
Chapter 9: Alone
Chapter 10: Babysitting
Chapter 11: Ginger v Vin
Chapter 12: Birthday Wishes
Chapter 13: Amsterdam
Chapter 14: Truth or Dare
Capitol Viewers I can tell you it wasn’t “for the cameras” (well not all of it)
Saw a comment pointing out how tall Katniss’ shoes were in my last drawing and It gave me such a giggle because I hadn’t even realised!! Oh no!! It’s ok tho because she has Peeta to carry her around 😉😉 we’ll just say Cinna is an amazing wingman
We KNOW Cinna shipped everlark!
The way I really need a fic of slightly evil Spider-Gwen tearing apart the multiverse to find a Peter Parker who lost their own Gwen.
Ke Huy Quan and Harrison Ford in INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM and at the 95th ACADEMY AWARDS after EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE wins Best Picture
It's Joanne's fault! Fanon over Canon!
The club was in full swing, when we left. Those people dancing must not have jobs or livers. I collapse into the booth before Peter and Gwen. Liz and Harry slide in on my other side. And MJpulls a chair to the booth. The waiter came by and took our orders. Harry tries to fight us on the third pizza but me and MJ knew Peter would inhale one on his own. “Okay,” Harry claps his hands together. “We’re all sufficiently drunk now. Let’s play truth or dare.”
“What?” Asks MJ.
"Isn’t that game for children?” Gwen asks, matter of factly.
“Please don’t get him started,” Liz begs.
“Not if you ask interesting questions,” says Harry.
“Uh oh,” I slur.
“Oh yes,” says Gwen. She’s already got a question lined up. I hope it's not for me.
“Come on,” Harry insists. “No one else has a burning question for someone sitting at this table. Or wanna embarrass somebody.”
“You make truth or dare sound so sinister,” I say.
“Let’s play,” declares MJ. Oh no.
“Why am I so scared now?” Asks Peter.
“You got something to hide, Parker?” Chides Harry.
“You have no idea,” I giggle.
Peter and MJ give me a harsh look that appropriately sobers me. Harry looks between us than at Gwen. “Do you know what that was?”
“Okay,” Gwen concedes. “Fine I’m in. If only to find out what that look was.”
I have to turn away from the heat of Peter’s glare. Peter shrugs. “Let’s play then.”
“Great. Who should go first?” Liz says.
I know that everyone was hyper focused on Peter so I said, “Me. Dare.”
Harry looks me up and down. “I wanna see your phone.”
“What?”
“I dare you to Unlock your phone and let us look around.”
Instant regret. I pull my phone out of my purse, try to think of all the things in there I didn’t want him to see. Harry holds out his hand. I unlock my phone and give it to him. “Have fun.”
Gwen and Liz lean towards Harry. Peter tries to look uninterested but his eyes flit towards the screen. While Gwen seems genuinely uninterested. MJ has no chance of seeing the screen so Gwen narrates for her, “He’s going into her gallery.”
My heart pounds as Harry swipes until he finds something interesting. Peter’s eyes go wide as he takes my phone from Harry. “It’s fine, Peter.” I laugh.
“Ginger-” Peter starts.
“Relax,” Harry tugs the phone from Peter. “There tasteful.” He flips the phone to show everyone the picture of me in my white lacey panties. Liz starts clapping. Peter’s jaw clenches.
“I took those,” MJ points at the phone.
Liz nods, “You did a good job.”
“Thank you,” responds MJ.
Harry hands my phone back. “Okay. I think you definitely earned next pick.”
“Harry, truth or dare.”
“Dare.”
I’m delighted. I didn’t really have a question. I look down at my little black dress. “I dare you to switch clothes with me. Heels and all.”
“Jokes on you. I’ll definitely wear it better.” Harry slides out of the booth. MJ hops out so I can follow him.
Harry’s bachelor look is much more comfortable than it looks. Probably because it was designed for a much taller man than me. I had to button up a few more buttons so the shirt wasn’t open to my navel. His belt hangs around me like a hula hoop. The gang chuckles, when I leave the bathroom but they full on howl when Harry does. I slide in at the edge of the booth now. “This is much more comfortable.” Harry rolls his eyes. Harry kinda looks like a giant in my small clothes. My dress is basically a shirt and if he wasn’t still wearing his boxers he’d be completely exposed. It’s just overall uncool.
The three other people in the restaurant are interested but too drunk or sleepy to give it anymore attention. He can hardly sit down. I’ll never be able to wear it again with him stretching it out. “I can’t breathe.”
“You wanted to play this game,” I say.
I hand Harry back his shoes and jacket. Harry snarks, “And they say chivalry's dead.” He slides my heels back to me under the table. Like I want those back.
“Liz,” Harry snaps and points at her. “Tell us a story.”
Liz complains, “You didn’t even ask me truth or dare.”
“Do you wanna do a dare?” Harry asks.
Liz looks between me and Harry. “No.”
“Tell us the weirdest hook up you ever had.”
“The weirdest,” Liz says to herself. “There was one guy that was really into belly buttons.”
Gwen says, “That’s not too weird.”
“You weren’t there.”
“That’s lame,” Harry says.
“That’s all I got,” Liz says.
“What was he doing? How long?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” she laughs
“Oh my gosh,” I rub my hand down my face.
“Peter,” Liz says. “Truth or dare.”
“Dare.” That was really his only option.
“I dare you to put your underwear on your head.”
“But we’re in public,” Peter complains. Gwen chuckles. Like she was anticipating his humiliation.
MJ shrugs, “You picked dare.” Now Harry and Gwen had to slide out of the booth to let Peter make his way to the bathroom.
I can’t believe he would do it until he showed up. Boxers on those luscious curls. I would be sad if I wasn’t laughing so hard. I do feel bad, when the remaining two people see Peter and start laughing. He stands in front of the booth waiting. Harry scoots down so Peter can sit on the edge. “Now it's your turn to be on display.”
“Who do you want to ask, Peter?” Asks Gwen.
“I don’t really have a question.”
Gwen perks up. “Oh! I wanna ask Ginger something!” Peter acquiesces. “Pick truth. Pick truth.”
“Uhh.” I don’t know if she would ask me anything about Peter. Better be safe. “Dare.”
“I dare you to let me draw on your face,” She says.
“Just don’t put anything-”
“I’m drawing a dick.”
“Nooooo,” I whine.
MJ eagerly digs through her bag. “Ma’ma. Miss! Can we please get a pen, please?” MJ eagerly swings her hands in the air for the waitress’ attention even though we’re the only people in here now.
“Gwen, come on.” I whine
“I’m sorry, Ginger. My hands are tied.”
“You started this!”
Our waitress comes by with a pen, handing it to Gwen. “And now I have to finish it.”
Everyone snickers at me, except for MJ, who doesn’t look up from her phone. “Okay its my turn. MJ, truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“Hand over your phone.”
“What?”
“I dare you to let me text the last person you did.”
She clenches her phone in her hand. That can't be good. I hold out my hand until she drops it in mine. I see the lock screen. “Unlock it first.” I thrust it back at her just as a text slides across the top of the screen. MJ makes a grab for the phone but I see the name. “Oh my god!” MJ lunges across the table at me.
Gwen and Harry are laughing. “Guys,” Peter tries to reign us in.
To my surprise she doesn’t stop when I wrench the phone out of her grasp. She follows me over the table, landing all her weight on top of me. I shriek. I roll her off the bench and onto the floor. The table tips over in MJ’s attempt to stand. Everyone lifts their feet to avoid the crash. “What the fuck, dude?”
Peter moves the table out of the way.
“Shut up!” MJ pulls my hair and I tumble to the floor after her. I squirm in her grasp as she tries to shake the phone off me.
Peter picks me up out of her grasp. “Give me my phone.”
“Come on, Ginger. This isn’t funny anymore.”
MJ stands up. Peter pulls me behind him but doesn’t let me go. I look him in the eye. “She’s talking to Sally again.”
Peter fully turns to MJ forgetting to hold me prison. “MJ.” His voice is an olive branch but MJ pushes past him to snatch the phone out of my hand.
“Who’s Sally?” Gwen asks.
The silence that night is unbearable. I stare into the darkness, sure MJ is still awake too.
Apparently presence was so offensive, MJ had to leave our room before I even woke up. I couldn’t sit with myself and my thoughts so I leave the room too. I wonder the halls of our hotel until I end up at the laundry room. No one would never look for me in here.
But when I open the door, I find Peter crouched on the floor. “What are you doing in here?”
“What are you doing?” Peter asks.
I just close the door behind me. Peter is still in his pajamas. His three shirts in the laundry.
“I’m sorry Harry told everyone about Vin.” I sit down next to him.
“It’s fine.” He looks me over. “You know maybe embarrassing MJ like that wasn’t the way to go.”
“I wasn’t trying to embarrass her-”
Peter cuts me off with a look.
“I just don’t know what to do. She just keeps going back for more.”
“It’s different for her. I mean there’s just less options and you know how hard it is for her to open up to people.”
“We live in New York. Where is there a better dating pool?” Peter doesn’t respond to me. “If I had done half the stuff to her as Sally, she’d never speak to me again. She just shook me like a soda over her phone.”
Peter is quiet. I know he thinks I’m being unreasonable but he’s just gonna let my denial crash over me. Nope. “Say something!”
Peter sigh, watching his clothes spin in the washer. “What do you want me to say?”
That is unexpectedly dour. Now I’m quiet. “Is everything okay with you and Gwen?”
“Yeah.” Peter’s voice goes up about five octaves.
I give him a look. I take his hand but say nothing. Peter leans his head on my shoulder. I run my thumb over the back of his hand. Peter clears his throat. “I don’t think its gonna work.”
I turn to him. “What’s wrong? One fight isn’t gonna end everything.”
“Gwen’s suspicious. She knows I’m hiding something.”
“Peter?” It hadn’t even occurred to me that Peter hadn’t told Gwen about Spiderman. “It’s been months. How have you not told her?” “She’s a cop,” Peter defends.
“What?” How did I not know that? No, I knew that. Maybe.
“You don’t...no of course you wouldn’t know that.” Peter lifts his head. His hand slips from my grasp.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’ve never made an effort to get to know Gwen. Ever since I started dating her you’ve been avoiding me.”
“No. I haven’t.”
“Ginger, come on. Just because I haven’t said anything doesn’t mean I didn’t notice.”
Shit. I turn away. I’ve experienced too much humiliation in the last twelve hours to expend any energy on this. I can’t confess my love right now. I just can’t.
“What’s going on? Do you not like her? I thought you two got along fine.”
Peter offers me an out and I take it. “I can’t do anything about it if she gives me a bad vibe.”
“A bad vibe?” Peter asks, incredulously.
“I'm a woman. I can’t ignore my intuitions about things.”
Peter rubs his face. “Okay. So, these past months you’ve been avoiding me over a bad feeling.”
“Jesus Christ Peter, not everything is about you. Sorry I can’t revolve my life around you every single day. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but in the last few months my entire life has gone up in flames. I was going to a prestigious school, double majoring, I was engaged. I was gonna be everything I was supposed to be and now I’m sitting here hiding in the laundry room with you of all people. Fuck you. Fuck your laundry. I’m glad that guy stole all your stuff because you’re an asshole, self-righteous, self-obsessed jerk.” I get up and walk out.
Everyone changes into something nice for dinner, except for Peter. I chuckle to myself. Peter frowns. “I know your laughing at me.” I cover my mouth with my hand. “No. I’m not laughing at you.”
Harry says, “Oh my gosh Ginger, the man was robbed.” But he’s laughing too.
Holly lifts her head from MJ’s shoulder. “Wait what happened to Peter?” Asks Holly. Harry recounts for Holly and Liz what Vin did.
“You guys suck,” Peter says.
“Oh my gosh Peter,” Liz says. “I’m so sorry.”
Peter smoothes out his features. “It’s okay.”
“Wait that’s not the only shirt you have is it?” Asks Holly.
“Just this one and two others,” Peter says. And I’m laughing again. No wonder why Peter didn’t want to tell me about it.
MJ shakes her head at me. “What is wrong with you?”
“I was born like this,” I lament through giggles. I look Peter in the eye and say very seriously, “I’m sorry.”
“Should we hit the clubs?” Gwen asks, practically vibrating in her seat.
Harry leans back in his chair. “I’m turning in early today.” Liz nods.
MJ yawns “Me too.” She lays her head on my shoulder. “My vaca buddy says no.” And if the group splits up I can’t be caught dead on Gwen’s side.
“Oh, come on guys,” Gwen laments. She tugs on Peter’s shoulder.
“I’m tired too, babe.”
If I had a date here, I’d wanna snuggle with them too. Tonight, I was perfectly content to spread across the bed myself and go right to sleep.
Our rooms were all in the same hallway. Peter and Gwen were our neighbors while Harry and Liz were across the hall. The room I share with MJ is cozy despite being quite large. There is wood flooring, warm toned color scheme, and two beds with white comforters and mauve blankets. “This is nice.”
MJ groans flopping face first into her mattress. “I can’t believe she tried to get us to go out tonight.”
“Right? Like don’t you ever get tired?” I insist.
“Yeah, but tomorrow its on. Spring Breaks only a week.”
Peter and Gwen are late to breakfast. Peter’s neck bares several hickies and I think I’m gonna be sick. I would get on a plane and go home right now, if it meant I’d forget ever seeing that. I take a swig my mimosa. “Excuse me.” I wave over our waiter. “Can I get something a bit stronger?”
“Ginger, it’s literally ten in the morning.” MJ says.
“You're the one who wanted to get up this early,” I say. The waiter hands me the wine menu. “Thank you.”
Peter, Liz, and MJ were resting in the shade with a different book in each pair of hands. I should’ve stayed over there with them. I wanted to let the waves carry me on my intertube but now Harry and Gwen decided to toss me between them. “Guys, stop.” I whine. Harry tosses me to Gween and throws me off my floatie. I yelp, hitting the water. My foot hits something soft. Eww. I swim back to the surface.
Harry is holding his gut laughing
I splash him in the face. He splashes me back. Gwen joins in, when a pain shoots up my foot. “Ow!” I shout. Harry splashes me again. My foot is burning. “Ow!” I try to grab my foot.
“Wait stop,” Gwen wades closer. “What’s wrong?”
“My foot burns,” I moan.
Harry and Gwen pull me onto the sand. I gasp. The pain is so much worse out of the water.
“Oh.” Harry gasps.
Liz, MJ, and Peter rush over. Liz has a towel. Peter lifts me and the girls spread it under me. “What happened?” MJ asks.
“Are you okay?” Liz asks.
“No,” I whine. “It’s worse now.”
My shin is turning purple. “Was she stung by a jellyfish?” Liz asks.
“Fuck. That’s what I stepped on.”
“What do we do?” Asks MJ. “Pee on her?”
“What!?” I shout.
“That’ll make it stop burning,” Gwen says.
Everyone looks at Peter and Harry. Peter shakes his head. “No. I can’t.”
Harry sighs. “Fine.”
“No.” I try to stand up. The pain shots up my leg.
“Hold her down,” MJ says. Peter crouches down behind me to wrap his arms around me.
Gwen and MJ take each leg. Liz looks on with pity. Gwen and MJ try to hold back their laughter.
“No!” Peter grabs my elbows. “Just cut it off,” I moan. But I know fighting Peter is useless and most of me just wants the burning to stop.
Peter puts his hand over my eyes as Harry pulls his pants down. A warm liquid runs down my leg. The smell hits my nostrils. I choke on bile and screaming.
I sulk in bed. The stinging subsides after a good bath but I’m in a sour mood for the rest of the day. All the couples split off to go have dinner by themselves and eventually MJ gets dressed to leave too. “Where are you going?” Her underwear is matching.
“Uh nowhere.” I groan.
Why does everyone make such a big deal about getting back with your ex. That shit fucking slaps. “Good morning.”
Only Liz and Harry reply. Peter and Gwen both seem determined to not to look up from their plates. What’s going on? You know what that’s none of my business. I turn to Liz and Harry. “I like your shirt.”
Liz and Harry both look down at their tops. “Oh thanks.”
“Oh.” Liz looks over at Harry’s shirt. Although something tells me she knows I was talking about her.
“You both look good,” I assure.
“Good morning,” MJ sings.
“What’s got you so happy?” Asks Harry.
I chuckle to myself.
“What?” Asks Liz.
“Nothing,” MJ says, trying to repress her smile. “You guys doing anything before we go out?”
“No.” Liz shakes her head. “I am exhausted. I’m going right back to sleep.”
“Same.” Gwen reminds us her and Peter are still sitting there. Although I believed her way more. Gwen looked loathed to be here and her comment turned Peter’s ears red.
Everyone looks horribly uncomfortable. Liz saves the day with a change of subject. “How’s your leg, Ginger?”
A chill runs up my spine remembering all the things that touched my leg yesterday. “It’s better now.”
“I don’t remember you thanking me for yesterday,” Harry says.
“You peed on me!”
“I exposed myself in public for you.”
“Oh, please you loved an excuse to show off your stuff.”
Liz only lets one of the corners of her mouth to rise.
I can hear MJ’s cajoling through the walls. “Peter, please talk to her.” “She says she doesn’t wanna go.” “I don’t know she won’t tell me.” There’s a knock at our door.
I smile. “Come in.”
“You’re not coming to the club with us?” He walks over and stands over me. I was looking for an outfit and I’m just sitting on the floor.
I shrug. I’d rather stay home on the phone.
“Why not?” Peter sits down next to me.
“I don’t know. I just don’t think I want to go out and get black out drunk right now.”
“Well, we are on vacation.” Peter says.
“I thought you’d agree.”
“I mean you do drink a lot but I don’t wanna be the person weighting down your fun.”
“We can like different fun. We still have fun together.”
“So,” Peter thinks. “I don’t wanna encourage you to get black out drunk. But I want you to come with us.”
“It’s kinda of an either or,” I admit.
“If you don’t wanna go, I’ll handle MJ.”
I sigh. “I do.”
“What if I don’t have anything to drink either.”
“What about three drinks?”
“Three,” Peter agrees.
Me and Peter chug are third water. I don’t even think I’m tipsy. “I’ve been to the bathroom three times.” I shout over the music.”
“Four.” Peter shouts back.
“We are such light weights.” I wanna ask where Gwen is but I vehemently do not.
MJ is talking... no flirting with a woman. Peter’s eyes move across the room. “What’s MJ-?”
“Peter, where’s Gwen?” Peter’s head rolls back to me before placing his face in his hands. I instantly want to take it back. “Maybe we should have our last drink.”
“No. I should go look for her.” Peter sulks off.
I turn back to the bartender. “Can I have another drink?”
Career Woman masterlist: https://amtcurlyq.tumblr.com/post/682372906131570688/wingwoman
Louie: Happy Birthday
What the fuck? I throw my phone across the room. “Harry!”
Bernard pops his head in the open door. “He’s out, Miss.”
“Where?” It’s my birthday. I mean not really but...
“It is my understanding he’s been at Ms. Alan’s since yesterday.”
“Oh.” I look back at my phone. “Thanks, Bernard.”
“Happy Belated Birthday, Ms. Grant.”
I unlock my phone. I swipe away the latest notification.
Gwendolyn
Louie just texted me Happy Birthday
No answer
MJ
Hey you won’t believe who texted me today.
There’s no way she could resist a mystery. I lay back in bed to wait for her reply.
I wake up two hours later. Still no reply. Peter texted Happy Birthday. I say ‘Thank you’. I could probably start getting ready. If I take my time, I’ll finish around when it’s time to go.
Everyone’s at Nuts and Bolts, when I get there. “Happy Birthday, Ginger!”
“Hey!” I hold up my arms. Everyone surrounds me in a big hug.
“You look hot!” MJ says. They lead me to the table they had been standing around, where a girl with short blue hair is waiting.
I trip on my high heels. MJ keeps me from falling. I grip her arm. “Someone’s been pregaming without us.”
I lean against the bar. Peter downs another shot with me. I laugh to myself as I sway back and forth. “You’re not even a little tipsy, are you?”
Peter chuckles with me, putting out a hand to stop my swaying. “It’s your birthday we’ll keep trying if that’s what you decree.”
I sit up straight. “I am the Birthday Queen.” Liz and Harry were grinding on the dance floor. I turn back to Peter. “You know could’ve brought Gwen if you wanted.”
Peter shakes his head. “Gwen’s my girlfriend. I didn’t wanna invite anyone else to your party.”
“I like Gwen. She’s nice.”
“I know you like to be the center of attention.”
I smile to myself. “You get me.”
“We’ve known each other for a long time, Ging.”
I smile to myself. I have to be careful. I should change the subject. “Why didn’t you tell me you lost your job?”
Peter sighs. “I don’t know. I knew Harry would try to lend me the money and I guess I just wanted you to think I was alright.”
“What does that even mean?” I slur. Peter pushes my hair behind my ear.
“Gwen doesn’t know why I lost my job.” I sigh. “I already knew what you’d say.”
“Drunk Ginger may have something else to say,” I muse.
Peter laughs. “All these years later, I’m still trying to impress you.”
The warmth spreads through me warmer than the alcohol. “You know I’d never judge you. And I’m certainly in no position this year.”
“I think it's really brave what you're doing, Ging.”
“I don’t feel brave. I’m actually really scared like all the time.”
“It may not go the way you want. But you didn’t want to be a doctor. You’ll always regret it if you never tried. And if acting doesn’t work, I promise that we’ll still be here. You’ll find what’s for you. It might be something you never expected.” Peter is just trying to calm me down but I know he would never lie to me.
“I wish MJ didn’t have to leave.”
“Yeah. Who’s gonna insult our intelligence?”
“You know your gonna have to take me home all by yourself.”
“I’ve got practice. I can stay over watch some Audrey Hepburn or Gossip Girl.” I try to push away the memories of us laying on Aunt May’s couch, sneaking kisses when she left the room.
Sending Peter away at my door, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I cry. I don’t care if he can hear me down the hall. I can’t choke it down anymore. The pain chipping away at my heart everyday, worsened everyday. I’m just so alone. And the thought of trying to fill that void hurt worse than the solitude. I lay my hot face against the cold counter. It felt good to just let it out. Finally.
I open my phone and remember the text I received this morning.
Louie: Happy Birthday
Me: Thanks. It’s nice to hear from you.
“He hasn’t texted you back,” Harry asks.
“No. I’ll call him.” I call Peter but he doesn’t answer.
“Okay. We’re going in.”
We crawl out of the town car and into Peter’s dodgy apartment building.
“I don’t know why he won’t just move in with us,” Harry says.
“Most people don’t like to live with their ex-girlfriend,” I say.
I call the elevator.
“You’d like it though,” He smirks.
The elevator opens. Harry looks skeptical. “I think we should take the stairs.”
“Absolutely not,” I point to my heels. “He’s on like the seventh floor.”
“What if it gets stuck?”
“It’ll be an adventure,” I suggest.
We knock on Peter’s door. Peter answers the door almost immediately. “Hey guys.” He stands in the doorway and doesn’t invite us in.
“Are you ready to go?” Harry asks.
“Shit. I totally forgot. I’m sorry just one second.” Peter closes the door and leaves us in the hallway.
“Absolutely no home training,” Harry says, opening the door and walking in.
Peter disappears into his room. His roommate, Vin, sits at the kitchen table looking irate. “Hi Vin,” I say. Harry waves.
He perks up. “Hey Ginger,” he smiles. Harry walks into Peter’s room. “You look nice.”
“Thank you, Vin.” I look around the room. “The place looks nice. Did you do something?”
“I cleaned up. We had visitors.”
“Ginger!” Harry calls. He opens the door and sticks his head out.
I hear Peter objecting behind him. “No Harry, don’t.”
Harry holds Peter back as I walk into the room. “What?”
“It’s nothing,” Peter assures.
“Nothing,” Harry spats. “Look in his closet.”
I tentatively open the closet. Its empty. “What the fuck, Peter?” I turn around to face him. “Did you get robbed?”
I look around. Peter’s laptop is still on his bed. His phone. I look through his drawers. They’re all empty.
“Did you sell all your clothes?” I ask.
“I didn’t,” Peter says looking down.
I look at Harry. We both walk back into the kitchen. “No wait,” Peter calls.
“You stole Peter’s clothes?” I am truly perplexed.
“He didn’t have rent.”
Harry turns to Peter. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“What that means you can sell all his stuff?”
The door unlocks. Gwen walks in. My heart drops. She has a key. I take a deep breath.
“What’s with all the yelling?” Gwen asks.
My brain is completely resetting and I can’t remember what I was saying.
“This guy sold all of Peter’s clothes.” Harry laughs.
“Harry,” Peter groans.
Gwen’s mouth falls open. “What?”
“He didn’t have rent,” Vin defends himself.
“That doesn’t mean you steal people’s clothes,” I say. “What the fuck?”
“I thought you said everything was under control,” Gwen says.
“You told her about this?” Harry asks.
“I was short this week but I started my new job last week and I’ll be good next month,” Peter explains.
“You lost your job?” I exclaim.
Peter looks thoroughly embarrassed and my heart feels fit to burst. “Never mind.”
I close myself back in the Towncar. I don’t take my sunglasses off and just close my eyes. Why wouldn’t Peter tell us he was in trouble? I mean maybe Harry wouldn’t get it but he was the first person I told when my mom cut me off. But now he has Gwen.
Harry crawls in the car with Peter behind him. I slide over for him. Peter sat in the seat across from us. He closes the door. “Where’s Gwen?” I ask.
“She just came by to get something she left the other night.”
We’d reached the point where Peter didn’t feel he had to tip toe around us seeing other people. I used to relish that closeness. I’ve taken a few steps back since then.
I lean back against the seat. Peter looks up. “Are you okay?”
I nod but don’t raise my head off the seat.
MJ was waiting for us at the coffee shop. Peter sits next to them. Me and Harry sit on the other side of the table. I smile. Our waiter comes by to take everyone’s order. She turns to me.
“I don’t want anything,” I say. “Thank you.”
MJ gives me a look but says nothing.
“These exams are taking everything out of me,” Harry says. “I can’t wait to go to Amsterdam.”
“Your just excited to smoke weed where its legal,” MJ.
“I don’t think Harry worries about going to jail for marijuana possession,” Peter says.
“I’m excited to take a week off of school,” Harry says. “Aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” Peter sighs. He lays his head against his hand. “I could use a break.”
“Me too,” MJ says. “I’m excited to smoke weed too.” She admits.
“You better get your fill because I have an entire week to find your stash in the apartment,” I say
“Ginger, are seriously not gonna come with us?” Harry pleads.
“I don’t get a break anymore,” I remind her. “I have to go to work.” I pout.
“I told you just take off,” Harry insists.
“I just took off for our Valentine’s Day. What if I get sick? It’s flu season.”
“But that was last month-” Harry starts.
“She can’t play hooky,” Peter cuts in. “It's not school, Harr-.”
“Please don’t speak for me,” I say. Peter always talked over me like he knew best. He apparently didn’t even have a job right now.
Peter looks taken aback. “I’m agreeing with you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“You’re right.” Harry amends. I turn away but I still feel Peter’s eyes on me.
“Yeah, you’re gonna need that extra cash for next weekend!” MJ says. “Our baby is turning five!”
I roll my eyes at her. That joke never gets old.
Career Woman masterlist:
“Nia looks good,” I say.
“Yeah. I’ve been trying to keep up with her since she told us about what happened. She seems okay.”
“That’s good.”
“So where were you last weekend?” I shake my shoulders at her, hopefully in a casual way.
MJ looks up from the stroller and shrugs. I imagine her sitting at home, seeing my name on her screen, and flipping over her phone. What was happening?
I turn to Tommy and pinch his cheeks. “Hey!” He swats my hand away. I poke and pinch under his arms and his tummy. He yelps and twists. He bends his head away from me until his head is out of his stroller so I pull back.
“What did you do last weekend?”
I texted you. Do you not remember? “Nothing.”
We turn onto the trail. You can see the park now. “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!” He’s squirming in his seat. “Let me go!” I lean down an unbuttons him and he races off into the woodchips.
“I went on a date,” MJ blurts.
I turn to MJ. “What?!”
MJ rolls her eyes. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal?! Tell me everything! I knew you were hiding something. I thought maybe you were writing something for the Bugle.”
She shakes her head. “The internship is really just temp work. They haven’t really given me anything to do.”
“I’m sorry.” I know how excited she was, when she got the internship. I’m not super invested in the inner workings of the subway system but her story on them was well researched. No one deserved it more. “Lets talk about good things. Did you like...?”
“Holly. She’s nice.”
“Come on. She’s more than nice.”
MJ honest to God giggles. Oh my gosh! “I just... I really like her. She’s heading the Mutant protest on campus.”
“I like her already.”
“I think you’d like each other,” she agrees.
“Bring her to my birthday party.”
Chapter 1: Wingwoman
Chapter 2: Guys and Galentine’s Day
Chapter 3: Slippery Dreams
Chapter 4: A Friendly Get together
Chapter 5: ROAD TRIP!!!!
Chapter 6: Sickbed
Chapter 7: Divorce
Chapter 8: Dorm Sleepover
Chapter 9: Alone
Chapter 10: Babysitting
Chapter 11: Ginger v Vin
Chapter 12: Birthday Wishes
Chapter 13: Amsterdam
Chapter 14: Truth or Dare
“Ginger.” Georgie’s voice comes through. “Ginger.” She shakes me until I open my eyes. Georgie has the curtains drawn and the lights off but I can tell by all the sun peaking around them that it's probably midday. She hands me an aspirin.
“Thank you.”
Georgie nods. “I gotta go. I’ve got some designs due in a few weeks.”
I smile. “When did you become the responsible one?”
She shrugs, her smile becomes heavier. “When you left home, I realized it was time to grow up.”
“I’m really proud of you, George. I hope mom says that.”
Georgie runs her hand through my hair. “You know she doesn’t.” She gets up. My head spins as I stumble to walk after her. Georgie puts her hands on my shoulders and pushes me back down on the bed. “That’s okay I’ll let myself out.”
I feel like a wino mom. “Has Harry come back?”
“No.”
“Text me when you get to campus.”
“Okay.”
I pull out my phone and call Harry. He answers after three rings. “Hey, Ginger. How was Georgie?”
“I don’t know. Where are you? You’re not still at Peter’s are you?”
“I’m meeting Liz.”
“What? Does Peter know you’ve been talking to her?”
“No. Just you. And I’d like to keep it that way.” My heart clenches. Too late for that. I’ve been a total fuck up.
“Are you coming home tonight?”
“Do you need me too?”
I just don’t wanna be alone. I blink the tears away. “No. I’m finally going to finish Grey’s Anatomy in the living room?”
“Seventeen seasons are too many,” Harry argues.
“How can you just give up on our show?” “Uh Ginger I have to go. See you tomorrow.” He ends the call.
I look at the time stamp. That was eight minutes. I’ve got the rest of the afternoon and evening to go. MJ is at work and I can’t hang out with Peter alone again.
Mugo hops onto the bed. “I guess it’s just you and me.” Sometimes it was hard to look at Mugo and not think of Peter.
I scroll through my contacts list. Georgie was right. I hadn’t talked to Gracie in a while.
“Hello.”
“Hey Gracie, what’s ya doing?”
“Homework.”
“What kind?”
“Biology.”
Perfect. “You need help?”
“Not from you.”
“What?”
“You haven’t called in months. Mom was really worried about you.”
If she’s so worried she has a good way of hiding it. I roll my eyes but bite my tongue. “What’s going on between me and mom doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“I gotta go.” I can’t believe she hangs up the phone.
Mugo rubs his head against my thigh. What’s happened that he’s my biggest fan now?
Series playlist: https://amtcurlyq.tumblr.com/post/682372906131570688/wingwoman
Harry’s driver takes us to Queens. Driving over the bridge, I realize how long it’s been since I left the city. I look out the window the whole way so I don’t have to look at Harry. I feel like the car could run out of air at any moment.
We pull up to MJ’s house and I spring out of the street. A taxi honks right behind me. I scream and am swept up off my feet.
Instead of flattened on the street. I’m laying on the sidewalk with a panicked Peter crouched over me. His grips my face in his hands. “Are you okay?”
I look back at the street then at Peter. I nod. Peter smiles in relief and gives me a hand up.
Back on my feet, Peter looks me up and down. “Are you sure?”
Harry grabs my elbows. “Oh my gosh, Ginger. Are you okay?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”
“Dude, how did you do that?” Harry says. “You came out of nowhere.”
“I was just walking here and I saw the car coming,” Peter says.
“Are you guys ready?” Ms. Jones calls from the driveway. She’s watching our driver take our things into the cars.
“Mom!” I engulf Ms. Jones in a big hug.
She pulls back with a big smile on her face. “How are you? How are things at Harry’s?”
“Good,” I say. “I’m doing better.”
“You know you can always come here if you need anything. It’s been quiet since MJ’s been gone. You’re my daughter too.”
“I know.”
She looks behind me. “Peter,” she pulls him into a hug. “And you must be Harry. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Harry tries to hold out his hand but Ms. Jones pulls him into a hug. Harry is hilariously flustered. I’ve never seen him this off kilter. But damn it’s also kinda sad.
MJ walks out the house. “Hey guys. It’s about time to hit the road.” I don’t want to have to talk to anyone on this trip right now.
“Shotgun,” I call.
“I think the tallest person should get shotgun,” Harry says.
“The person who calls “shotgun”. Get’s shotgun.” I say.
“The rules are pretty well established,” MJ seconds.
“Of course, you would take her side.” Harry lets himself fall into the backseat and we all follow suit.
MJ puts on her playlist. Peter and I knew better than to suggest out own music but Harry was new. “Why do we have to listen to your music?”
“Because I’m driving.”
“Well shotgun usually is in charge of music,” Harry says.
MJ looks over at me, daring me to challenge her.
“I relinquish my playlist rights to the driver,” I say. No more talking.
“Thank you.” And then she pulls off.
The car sits in silence for a good hour. I can hear Peter snoring in the back and Harry’s put his headphones in.
MJ sighs like she’s been holding her breath for a long time. “Are you okay?”
I stop to think what she’s referencing “Yeah. Why?”
“I don’t know last year your life kinda went underwater. I just thought I’d check in.”
Eloquent as always. “Well thanks. I’m alright. Being a struggling actress feels a lot like being a bartender so that’s not great.”
MJ nods. “I’m fucking lonely.”
I turn my body towards her. “What?”
MJ keeps her eyes trained on the road. “I just…after Sally I just can’t see a reason to do that again but I can’t lie to myself that I miss the good parts.” She turns to me. “Ya know?”
I nod. A knot unwinding in my gut. “Me too. I’m trying to focus on work but you know that’s shit too.”
“Have you thought about going back to school?”
“You have to have money to go to school.” I think back to high school. The sentiments that Peter and MJ had expressed to me a million times. I had been sympathetic but I hadn’t truly understood. “I’m not like you two. School’s not for me.”
MJ sighs. “I can’t believe we’re fucking driving here.”
I smile. “Take it from me. Burning this bridge is something you can’t take back.”
“It least you parents are rich. This will probably cost me money in the long run.”
We chuckle despite ourselves. “At least we’re lonely together.”
“Until you find someone else,” MJ laments.
“Or you do,” I counter.
“Naw,” MJ shakes her head. “You’re lovable. You have this thing that just makes people wanna be around you.”
Something in my stomach twists. “I just realized I’ve never really been by myself before and I’ve discovered thats because myself fucking sucks.”
MJ laughs. “You don’t suck.”
“And your lovable.”
She’s quiet.
“I guess we’ll just have to brave singledom together.”
The sun goes down just as we pull into motel we booked. MJ’s phone starts ringing almost as soon as we park. “…the sun started to go down so we had to stop at a hotel.” MJ steps aside to talk to her mom.
“How are we gonna split the rooms?” MJ asks.
“Guys and girls?” I suggest.
“Peter and Harry don’t know each other,” MJ says.
“It’s fine,” Peter says.
“Let’s pick a room to hang out in and figure out the sleeping arrangements later,” I say.
MJ goads me and Harry into throwing our stuff in the second bedroom before coming into the next room.
Peter’s sitting on the foot of one bed and MJ’s spread out on the other. The pink wall paper is absolutely atrocious. The TV looks like it’s from 1965 and the covers on the bed somehow look dusty. Harry lays against the pillows of Peter’s bed and I lay on top of MJ. “Get off me.”
“Noooo.”
“I have to pee.”
I groan as she rolls me onto my face to escape my weight. I hear the door shut before I roll back over.
Harry pulls a baggie full of gummy bears out of his coat pocket. “Edibles anyone?”
“Harry-” I start.
“How do you always have drugs?” Peter asks.
“Edibles are legal,” Harry assures us.
“Not in Pennsylvania,” I say.
“We’re not in Pennsylvania yet,” Harry says.
“Yes, we are.” Peter says. “We passed the border an hour ago.”
“Better get rid of the evidence,” Harry pops one in his mouth.
“We’ll only be in Pennsylvania for one day,” Peter says.
“Did I hear gummy bears being passed around?” MJ says bursting out of the bathroom in her pajamas. She holds her hand out.
“Ginger?” Asks Harry.
“Gotta get rid of the evidence,” I say.
Me and MJ won one for the Trekies when we wear Peter down to turn on Wrath of Khan but we hardly turn on the movie before Peter is passed out on their respective beds. MJ’s hasn’t seen a second of the movie, glued to her phone.
“I guess we should call it,” MJ says.
“It’s been like ten minutes,” Harry complains but he stands up. “Come on, Red.”
I glare at MJ, who just waves at me. These bears were not strong enough. I though back the last handle full and stand up. Harry has to steady me before we walk across the hall.
Harry makes a big show of opening the door. Our room is just as hideous as the other. Harry takes the bed closest to the window and lands face first on the comforter. “You know people say that’s the dirtiest place in a hotel room.” People being MJ.
Harry quickly picks his head up. “What?”
“They don’t think they need to clean them as often as the sheets but when people have sex, they just do it on the comforter.”
“Eww,” Harry scrambles off the bed. “How am I supposed to sleep in here now.”
“Another edible?” I suggest, leaning against the wall.
“You ate them all.” I suspect he’s pouting. Or as close as his face will come to it. I could kiss it off. I press my hand over my mouth. “We better go to sleep.” I throw back my covers.
Harry rolls his eyes. “You can’t be done yet.”
“I’m very high, Harry.” That’s why I had so many gummy bears in the first place. I lay down in bed before realizing I’m still in my traveling clothes.
“Bullshit. I’ve seen you smoke down a whole joint by yourself.”
I groan jumping out of bed to rifle through my things. Where are my pajamas? I pull every article of clothing out of my bag, holding them all in my hands because I can’t put them on the comforter. Then I put them all back. This can’t be real. I reach for the door. I’ll borrow something from the girls. I’ll just ask someone to wash it when we get to her cousin’s. “You can borrow something from me,” Harry offers.
I shake my head. “No. Thank you.” If I went to bed smelling like him, I’d surely dream of him. What if I said something in my sleep?
“Why not?” Harry asks. “Why are you being so weird?”
“Weird?” No one had ever accused me of that before. I suppose it was only a matter of time.
“Yeah. You’ve been avoiding me for weeks.”
I try not to roll my eyes. It’s been like two.
Harry scoffs. “Don’t act like you’ve been subtle.”
I’m completely taken a back. Harry is always so fucking direct. Why couldn’t he just say nothing like a normal person? It’s hard enough trying to ghost your roommate.
“Why what did I do wrong?”
“Nothing, Harry.” I assure him. I don’t know how he thinks me being an asshole is his fault.
“Well, that’s obviously a lie.” He counters. “So just tell me.” Maybe he’ll think it’s funny. “Is it about Peter?”
“What?”
“You’ve been hanging out with me to make him jealous? But now it’s worked too well and your done with me.”
“No. How could you say that?”
“You avoid me like the plague at the drop of a hat. What am I supposed to think?”
“I’m just going through something,” I insist. “It’s not about you.”
“Then let me help.” He doesn’t know the kinda help you want. “Christmas break you said we were family. Did that actually mean anything to you?”
“Of course, it did. You took me in when I had nothing.” I sigh. “I just don’t wanna mess it up.”
“And what do you thinks happening right now.”
I test the weight of my head on my shoulders. Testing the idea out in my head. Of telling the truth. Concocting a lie. “I’ve been thinking about you,” I whisper so he won’t hear.
“What?”
I stare at the door stopper. “I’ve been having dreams… about you.”
“Wet dreams?”
“Harry!” I scald. He smirks at me. “Could you not be so forward all the time?”
“Seriously?” He asks, eyebrow raised.
I nod.
“Hey ya know I’d do anything for you.” He looks me up and down. “It wouldn’t be much of chore for me either but things with Liz are actually going good.”
“No. No. I know. I didn’t expect… That’s why I didn’t say anything.”
Harry walks across the room to grab my elbows. “So, you thought a better idea was to never speak again.” He’s grinning from ear to ear.
I look up at my roommate. It always irks me how tall he is. Being tall was my claim to fame. I almost don’t say, “I’m sorry.”
“You are dumbest smart person I know.”
My cheeks hurt from grinning, “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to.”
“What are you making?” Asks Peter.
“Etouffee,” I say. I’m bent over the stove, stirring the pot.
“Mmm I’m gonna have to come back here, when you’re done.” He picks up Mugo. I walk across the kitchen to see them out.
“Yeah, I’ll make you some to take home.” I scratch behind Mugo’s. “Be nice to the vet.” He purrs, leaning into my hand.
“Thanks, Ging.” Peter’s quiet for a moment. “Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.” I’d make a joke if he wasn’t being so serious. He knew he could ask me anything.
“I’ve been saving up to buy something nice for Gwen but I don’t really know what she’d like. She’s really practical doesn’t like jewelry or anything like that.”
“You might be better off asking MJ then.”
“I know but we haven’t really hung out since you moved in with Harry. I miss you.”
I couldn’t keep that stupid smile off my face. He always knew just what to say. I have no choice. “You’re right.”
Me and Peter are traversing through the long list I’d prepared for our outing. Actively avoiding Peter meant I didn’t know much about his girlfriend. I had to cast a wide net. “Are you doing anything for Valentine’s Day?”
“Yeah. I guess me and Harry are going on a date.” I wasn’t sure if that was a joke or if that was actually happening.
Peter’s eyebrows press together in what I’d call disapproval. “What’s going on there?”
“What?” Did everyone think there was something going on between us? “Nothing. It’s just a friend thing.”
Peter nods but he doesn’t say anything else.
Harry walks into my room with a steamy cup of joe. “A beautiful man bringing me coffee in bed,” I say. “I’ve had dreams that start like this.”
“I’m flattered.” Harry perches himself on the edge of my bed before handing me the mug.
“What’s all this about?”
“It’s Valentine’s Day.”
“You said we were going to practice dating.”
“I just wanted a date to the spa.”
I take a sip of my coffee. I nearly choke it’s so bitter. “Fuck, Harry. Have you ever made coffee before?” He makes a pathetic face. “Oh, you absolute man child. How were you allowed to live alone?”
“That’s what I have you for.”
“That’s Peter’s job. I refuse to take responsibility for you.”
“Oh, Peter texted me last night. He wanted to know if we were free for lunch with him and Flash.”
I place the poison on the night stand. “Do we have time?” We had a lot planned for today.
“Dinner reservations aren’t until eight so if we push our movie back, we can meet them at two.”
“Okay.” I shrug.
A man is digging into my shoulders, beating my knots into submission. “You have a lot of tension in your shoulders.”
“Yeah, I’m a college drop out.”
Harry laughs but I can’t see him or the woman massaging him.
“This feels strangely intimate,” I say.
“We can’t even see each other.”
“Yeah, but I’m naked and I know your naked.”
“Speaking of naked-”
“Oh my gosh no.”
“We have to talk about it.”
“No, we don’t. You could certainly mind your own business.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Ginger. Who are you hiding us from, if you’re not pining after our resident genius?”
There it is again. “Why’s it so hard for people to believe I’m just taking some time for myself?”
“Okay that’s no reason to go celibate.”
I am hyper aware of the other people in the room. “I’m taking a break from that too.”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t had any since Louie. It’s been like six months.”
“Some people don’t live off sex, Harry?”
“That’s why you’re such a horrible wingman.”
“What!? I’m a great wingwoman.”
“You only point out women I’ve already been with.”
“Because I know your type.” I point out. “It’s not my fault you’ve slept with the entire eastern seaboard.”
“Are you slut shaming me on our Valentine’s date? I brought you coffee. I took you to the spa.”
“You virgin shamed me first. Why are you so focused on me? What’s going on with you?” I gasp. “Are you seeing Liz again?”
Silence. Got him!
“Oh my gosh. How dare you keep this from me! Tell me everything.”
Harry sighs. “It’s nothing yet.”
“Did you even go home with that girl we were entertaining?”
“Well…”
“Oh my gosh. You liar. I can’t believe I didn’t see this sooner. When did this start up again? Were you with her last week?”
“I didn’t lie. Liz wants to take it slow. Things didn’t go so well last time. She texted me over break.”
“Oh my gosh. That was two months ago. You liar! What’ve we even been doing all this time?”
“Don’t tell anyone okay.”
“What? This would totally make people get off our case about dating.”
“You set me up with another girl last night and Gwen and MJ still think we’re having some weird tryst.”
He’s right. “This date probably isn’t helping.”
“Who cares what they think?”
I attempt to shrug against the table. My masseuse says, “Please remain still.”
“Sorry.”
“Are you trying to leave?” Asks Harry.
“Hell no. Henry is working magic over here.”
“He’s the best male masseuse in Manhattan.”
Henry finally gets the knot out of my neck. I whine. “You’re a really good friend.”
Peter and Flash had already found us a seat at the dining hall by the big window.
We sit down across from them in the uncomfortable chairs. “I don’t miss this,” I say.
“Yeah, this place is kinda gross,” says Harry, looping his arm around my chair.
“You guys are so bougie,” says Flash.
We all give him a look. “If me and Harry are the bourgeoisie, you’re the Russian King.”
“Was that supposed to be an insult?” Taunts Flash.
“Somewhere it just got lost,” I ponder. “I love you too much.”
“Aww,” Flash gives an exaggerated swoon.
“How’s your date going?” Asks Peter.
“What?” Asks Flash.
“Me and Ginger just got back from a massage.”
“That she had to take off work for,” Peter slides in. Okay that’s petty as fuck.
Flash thankfully jumps in. “Oh, that’s why Ginger’s so relaxed. I was wondering.”
I raise my hands in exasperation. “I literally can’t even breath without getting bullied.”
“It’s the truth,” Flash shrugs.
“Yes, which is why I think she needed a break.” Harry says.
Peter opens his mouth to respond. “Please,” I interrupt. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here. I decided to take off.”
“Let’s get in line.” Flash says, standing up.
Flash went straight for the pizza. Me, Harry, and Peter get in line for the subs. “Anything you want,” he points up the buffet, “on me.” Harry winks.
“Shut up.” I push him down the line.
Peter grabs my wrist. “Ging, I’m serious. Are you anywhere close to paying your mom back?”
I slouch. “Do you have to bring that up, right now?” I pull my hand away. “This day’s salary wasn’t gonna put dent in the tens of thousands of dollars I still owe her.”
Peter rethinks his words. “I’m sorry.” But my mood is already soured.
We sit back down. Flash is already devouring his first slice, cheese hanging out of his mouth.
“My goodness,” I pull out a napkin from the dispenser on the table and wipe his face.
“You’re such a mom,” Harry comments.
Flash swallows his last bite. “Thank you. So how was the massage,” before stuffing more pizza in his mouth. The cheese and grease I wiped away immediately replaced.
“I’m pretty sure our masseuses think we broke up during our couples massage. You won’t believe what he said to me-”
“No. No!” He wraps his hand around my mouth. “You might not wanna be divulging secrets right now.”
I swat his hand away. “I hate you.”
“You told me you loved me this morning,” Harry argues.
“Don’t be fooled, Harry.” Says Flash. “She says that to everyone. She’s for the streets.”
My mouth falls open.
Peter’s eyes harden. “Flash-”
“How dare you speak against our Virgin Queen,” says Harry.
I press my face into my hands.
Flash places his hand on mine. “Hey, I was just joking,” he apologizes.
“No. I know.” I assure him.
Harry flashes me an apologetic look.
Flash turns to Peter. “Casanova, what are you and Gwen doing today?”
Peter smiles to himself. “We’re gonna go ice skating and go to the coffee shop she likes.” Peter is so attentive.
“Aww how sweet.” Flash playfully mocks.
“Shut up, Flash.” I say.
“Are you going to any of your classes today?” Asks Peter.
“We haven’t even gone to our movie yet,” says Harry. “We pushed it back to see you guys.”
Peter rolls his eyes.
“Oh my gosh!” Exclaims Flash. “You two have planned a whole day.”
“Yep, and we have dinner plans after,” I say.
“This is a lot of foreplay,” Flash says.
“Yep,” I chime. “We’re both going to sleep with blue balls tonight.” Me and Harry high five.
We pull up to Bagatelle right in front of the door. Paparazzi are waiting outside like it’s a red carpet. I can’t believe I’m about to go inside. Harry reaches across me and pushes the door open. “Their waiting for the big celebs.” I step out but don’t move further. Our car drives off. I grasp Harry’s hand. He starts to pull me forward, when we’re swarmed by flashing lights.
“Oh, you mean like you.” I shield my eyes as we push through.
“Harry, what do you think about your dad’s new plan to expand overseas?”
“Harry who’s the new girl?”
“Is this your new girlfriend?”
“Does she go to ESU with you?”
“How’s your Valentine’s Day going?”
“Did he buy you something expensive?”
I don’t realize that I’m in the restaurant until after a few blinks and we’re already being seated.
“You could’ve told me that was gonna happen,” I say.
“Sorry. Sometimes I forget everyone’s not used to that.” Harry pulls out my chair and I sit down. I still see the lights, when I blink. “I could’ve told you to wear glasses though. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t know if that’s the best movie I’ve ever seen or the worst,” Harry ponders.
“I loved it,” I say.
“Of course, you would.”
“I told you that Cyber Love would be a special kind of trash.”
“A Sci-fi love story because that worked out so well for Luke and Leia.”
“Eww why would you say that. You sound like Peter.”
“You know when people tell Harry Potter fans to read another book.”
I giggle. “You know Peter’s an old movie buff.”
“I was shocked, when I saw his collection. You’d never know he’s ever seen another movie.”
I took a moment to catch my breath it had been such a fun day.
“Seriously Ginger. I won’t tell Peter.”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“He’s had girlfriends before.”
“This time is different. He’s been distant. He’s never… She’s more important than me.”
“Peter’s my best friend. No one’s more important to him than you. He almost bit my head off at lunch.”
“He loves her.” I wipe my eyes. It hurt physically to even think. What if they got married? I felt bile in my throat.
“Maybe. But we live together. Peter isn’t the one I’ve seen being distant.”
“I can’t see him with her. Or know that he’s with her.”
Harry looks at me with concern. “You need to get out. You’re too in your own head. You’re making yourself miserable.”
“What else should I think about? My none existent acting career.”
“I think you should hook up with a stranger and let him or her sort that out.”
I sigh. He’s not even the third person to give me that advice. “I can’t. I don’t like it.”
“Sex?”
“Hooking up. I’m demi I guess.”
“You have to get emotionally attached first?” Harry asks.
“Yeah.”
Now Harry sighs. “Well, that is a different problem.” He leans back. “I could help you with that if you want.”
I’m not sure if he’s joking or not. “What makes you think you could?”
“You don’t have to act like you don’t want to. It’s just biology.”
“Slow your roll, rich boy. I was the bio major.”
I certainly did go home with blue balls that night.
There’s a knock at the door. I rush to yank it open and I’m met with a squeal in delight. Georgie jumps into my arms. I yelp nearly buckling under the weight as she wraps her legs around my waist. “Let go. Let go!” I shout.
We crumple into a heap on the floor. Lay out on the floor. “Ow,” I moan.
“You’re so dramatic,” Georgie leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “I missed you.”
I sit up and hug her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Harry walks into the living room. “I heard screaming.”
“Hey Harry,” Georgie says. She stands up.
“Hey Georgie,” Harry’s got his glasses on, looking very studious. He turns to me. “I’m leaving.”
“You and Peter, have fun.” I tell him.
“We always do,” he winks at me and closes the door on his way out.
“And you're sure you're not fucking him?” Georgie asks, pointing to where Harry was standing.
“Yep. Sleeping with your roommate is messy. Don’t do it.”
“If I lived with a dude, mom would cut me off faster than she cut you off.”
“True.
Another girl comes around to offer me a shot. I turn her down. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” I try to stop pouting as she walks past me.
Georgie takes both shots. “I’ll take one for both of us.”
“How’s Gracie?” I ask.
Georgie shrugs. “I haven’t been home since Christmas. You’ve probably seen her more than I have.”
“I don’t see her. She doesn’t answer my texts anymore.”
“Have you really not been home since summer?”
“Mom was pretty clear.”
“But Gracie doesn’t deserve to be there alone with her.”
“Oh my gosh, Georgie!” A guy comes out of the crowd to grab my sister. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Before I can fully turn around, they disappear into the darkness.
“Wh... wait.” I yell.
“You look like you're having a great time,” the guy next to smirks.
I sigh. “Feel like I’m on babysitting duty.”
“You haven’t had enough alcohol.”
“I’m here with my younger sister.”
“What’s your major?”
I’m not gonna tell this stranger I’m a college drop out. “I’m a biology major.”
“Science major? Shit. You wanna be a doctor.”
“If you ask my mom, yes.” I put a hand up to whisper yell, “But I’m totally not doing that.”
He laughs.
“What’s your major?” I ask.
“I’m a biz major.”
“Shit. Now I feel like the idiot in this conversation.”
“Did you think it was me before?” He chuckles.
“I wouldn’t take it personally.”
“At least I’m not an art major.”
The laugh dies in my throat.
I push through the crowd. I can’t hear the music over the pounding in my ears. Georgie is sitting with her friends on the couch, sharing a bottle. I pluck it off the table and chug about half. “Woah,” Jeff says.
“Something happen?” Roman asks.
Flop down next to Georgie. She gives me the side eye. “I thought you said you weren’t drinking tonight.”
“I thought you said we were having fun tonight,” I shot back.
Georgie drops me on my bed. “What’s going on with you?”
I shift on the bed, squinting at her. “Nothing.”
My phone buzzes.
Tiger
Harry’s staying at my house
OK
I should change Peter’s name in my phone.
“This is not nothing. You drank an ocean tonight.”
I can’t speak before the darkness takes me.
Chapter 1: Wingwoman
Chapter 2: Guys and Galentine’s Day
Chapter 3: Slippery Dreams
Chapter 4: A Friendly Get together
Chapter 5: ROAD TRIP!!!!
Chapter 6: Sickbed
Chapter 7: Divorce
Chapter 8: Dorm Sleepover
Chapter 9: Alone
Chapter 10: Babysitting
Chapter 11: Ginger v Vin
Chapter 12: Birthday Wishes
Chapter 13: Amsterdam
Chapter 14: Truth or Dare
I lay across the couch as Peter and Harry sit in the chairs across from me. “Ginger, what’s three examples of active transport?”
“The Sodium-Potassium pump, Exocytosis, and Endocytosis.”
Harry and Peter write it down.
“Ginger, what are the steps of active transport?”
“Harry,” Peter scalds him.
“I thought you came in here to help us,” Harry complains.
“I’m just waiting for MJ to pick me up. We’re going to see her sister.”
“MJ has a sister?” Asks Harry.
“They’re not close,” I say.
“I wish I could come with you but I’ve got so much homework to do,” Peter says. He does look a little frazzled. Mr. Negative was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
There’s a knock at the door. I hop up. MJ looks even more displeased than usual. “Ready?” I’m not sure if she’s asking me or herself.
“Yep.” I turn back to the couch. “Bye Boys, text me if you need any more help!” I push MJ down the hall before she can think better of it.
We stand at the door. “I change my mind,” MJ says. “I don’t want to do this.”
“We’re literally here. We didn’t come all this way to Queens for nothing.” I knock on the door. MJ grabs my fist but it's too late.
I let her hold my wrist until Nia opens the door. Then she drops it. “Hey,” she says rather quietly. “Come in.”
We walk in. The house looks different then I remember it. Maybe there’s different pictures on the wall.
“Aunt Michie, Aunt Binger.” The cutest three-year-old ever comes barreling down the carpeted floor.
“Tommy!” I shout as I hoist him into the air. He shouts in glee. I swing him around. “When did you get so cute!” I pretend to eat his face. He shouts, flailing his arms around. He’s giggling with delight, when I pass him to MJ.
She smiles quietly, holding him close.
Nia leads us into the kitchen. “So, how’s ESU?” She asks.
MJ shrugs. “It’s fine.”
“How’s the salon?” I ask.
She really smiles for the first time. “It’s good. I’ve built up a lot of regulars. We’ve actually had a pretty good Christmas.”
“That’s wonderful,” I say. We all sit down. Nia has prepared some vegan monstrosity for MJ. “I’m sorry I didn’t send anything this year. My year was a little less great.” Tommy squirms and MJ lets him run across the table back to his mom.
“Please,” she waves her hand to dismiss the thought. “Tommy’s still driving that car you bought him last year. I wish he wouldn’t but he just won’t stop.”
“Sorry,” I drawl as I smile at her.
Nia rolls her eyes.
“You made Spaghetti Bolognese,” MJ says.
“Yeah, it's your favorite,” Nia says.
“Thanks,” MJ says, surprised.
Nia scoops some out for each of us. Despite the way it looks, it tastes great. “I’m glad you decided to visit.”
“Where’s Tim?” MJ asks.
Nia takes a deep breath. “He’s picking up more hours at work.”
“I thought you said money was good,” MJ says. “Tommy’s only three. He should be at home helping you with him.”
Nia holds Tommy close to her. “Me and Tim are getting a divorce.”
MJ’s eyebrows shot into her hairline. “Oh.”
I grasp Nia’s hand across the table. “Nia, I’m so sorry. What happened? Does your mom know?”
“No,” Nia shakes her head. “No one knows. We haven’t discussed anything really. He asked me for a divorce two weeks ago.”
“What?” I ask. “Right after Christmas? What the hell is wrong with him?”
“We’ve been growing apart for a while,” Nia wipes a tear from her eye. “He was just the first one to admit it. We’re not the same people we were in high school. Nothing could save us not even-” Nia looks down.
“Even what?” Asks MJ.
Nia takes a deep breath. “The baby.” MJ’s face screws up, confused. Tommy hops out of her lap.
“Your pregnant.” I gasp. Tommy crawls under the table to play with a toy he left down there.
Nia nods.
“Yep,” MJ quips. “Nothing fixes a marriage like a baby.”
Nia slams her hand down on the table. “Do you have to make everything into a joke?” Tommy starts to cry.
“This marriage was a joke. I could’ve told you getting married at eighteen wasn’t gonna go well.”
I kneel under the table and pull Tommy into my arms. He clings to me, wailing. “Please make him be quiet,” Nia groans in exhaustion.
“Me and Tommy are going into the living room. You,” I point to MJ. “Be nice-”
“But she-,” starts MJ.
“Be nice,” I state more firmly and walk off into the other room. The shouting doesn’t stop all together.
Tommy is showing me his toy train, when MJ and Nia find us in his room. Nia’s eyes are red with tears but they stand rather close together. “Everything okay?”
“Not everything,” MJ says, squeezing her sister’s arm. “We’re gonna go but if you need anything you call.”
Nia nods, turning to me. “Thank you for coming. I’m sorry I wasn’t very hospitable.”
I stand up to pull Nia into a hug. “Don’t you dare apologize. Everything’s gonna be alright. If what you said is true, it’s for the best.”
Nia nods. “I know.”
Back on the subway, MJ’s face is pressed against the dirty window, watching the plain dark tunnel go by.
I pull a wipe out of my purse. She recoils as I grab her face. I wipe the place where her head laid and then her face. She rolls her eyes before laying her head back. “So,” I ask. “What happened?” I take her hand.
She shrugs. “She might have to move back in with mom.”
“That’s awful. At least they get along.”
“Yeah,” MJ replies deadpan. “Good thing.”
Chapter 1: Wingwoman
Chapter 2: Guys and Galentine’s Day
Chapter 3: Slippery Dreams
Chapter 4: A Friendly Get together
Chapter 5: ROAD TRIP!!!!
Chapter 6: Sickbed
Chapter 7: Divorce
Chapter 8: Dorm Sleepover
Chapter 9: Alone
Chapter 10: Babysitting
Chapter 11: Ginger v Vin
Chapter 12: Birthday Wishes
Chapter 13: Amsterdam
Chapter 14: Truth or Dare
I wake up to incessant ringing. Someone is blowing up my phone. I groan, pick it up. Harry’s face pops up on my phone. He looks pale.
“Ginger,” his voice is hoarse too. Oh no. “Can you bring me some tea?”
“Where’s Bernard?” I ask but I’m already climbing out of bed.
“I gave him the week off.”
Harry couldn’t scramble an egg by himself. Getting sick is the best thing that could’ve happen to him, when Bernard is gone. “That’s very nice, sweetie, but what did you think was gonna happen all week?”
I pull a teapot out from the cabinet and fill it with water. “It’ll be done in a sec,” I say.
“Wait don’t hang up,” Harry pleads.
“What?” I put the pot on the stove and trifle through the pantry for some tea packets.
“Just stay on.”
“What do you want? Jasmine?”
“Is there another option?”
“Nope.”
Harry’s laying face down in bed, when I walk in. I look at my phone, Harry’s video is just showing the ceiling now. I hang up and shove my phone in my pocket. I place the mug on the bedside table and sit on the edge of his bed. “Harry,” I coo as I shake him awake. “Harry.”
He just groans back at me. I feel his forehead. He’s warm but his duvet is rather thick.
“I brought you your tea.”
Harry sits up, hair sticking up at all angles, looking dazed. I position his pillows so he can sit up comfortably. “Sit back. Do you want your tea now?”
He nods.
Harry puts a hand to his head. “Uh, I feel like shit.”
“That road trip did not agree with you.”
“I told you we should’ve flew.”
“This’ll build up your immune system.”
“Whatever.”
“Do you want me to take you to the doctor.”
“Why? It’s just a cold.”
“You shouldn’t go to class. And you need a doctor’s note if your gonna miss class?”
“I’ll just take the points off.”
“But you don’t have to.”
“Ginger, please.”
“Okay.” I stand up and go into his bathroom. I look around his medicine cabinet and find Dayquil. A nap is exactly what he needs so I grab nightquil instead. He doesn’t have a thermometer in here.
I hand Harry his medication. “There’s Dayquil in there.”
“You should just go to sleep.” I walk across the apartment to go get my thermometer.
When I walk into the room, Harry says, “I don’t have a fever.”
“We’ll be the judge of that,” I say, waving the thermometer in his face.
I sit down back on his bed. Harry looks at me defiantly. “Don’t be difficult.”
Harry opens his mouth for the thermometer.
We wait in silence for the beep. I take it out and thankfully Harry is right.
I get a call from Peter, when I’m walking out of the house. “Yes,” I answer.
“Do you know where Harry is?” Peter asks. “He wasn’t in class.”
“He’s sick. I gave him Nightquil and he just fell asleep about an hour ago so I wouldn’t expect to hear from him.”
“Oh okay. Just wanted to make sure he’s okay.”
“He’s good.” And that’s about the end of that.
I press my face into the elevator wall and pray Harry’s still zonked on Nightquil. I should’ve married Louie. What does it matter what rich guy’s apartment I live in.
I’m gonna throw up. It might help my nausea but I’ll still be a failure afterwards. The elevator opens and I hear the smoke alarm. Every step I take a little bit faster as it seems to get louder towards my apartment. Oh no. I force open the door.
Through the clouds of smoke. Harry is sitting on the couch with a hooka stacked next to him.
“What the hell is going on here?” I try to cough the dryness out of my lungs.
Harry doesn’t even turn around. “What does it look like?”
“Oh my gosh. You’re sick, you freak.”
Harry takes a big hit. “I took another Dayquil and now I feel fine.”
I walk around the couch to face him. “Did you eat something?”
I met with silence while Harry thinks.
“Okay. I’m gonna make us some soup.”
“You look stressed,” he offers me the Hooka.
Against my better judgement, I get high with Harry. “Where did you buy this?” I have to ask.
“I know a guy,” Harry says. Harry takes a hit and then passes it back to me.
“Okay Al Capone. Take another sip of your soup.”
Harry does as told. “So, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on. I didn’t go to class today. I’m sick. I’ve got nothing else going on. Audition not go well?”
I lean over and dump my soup into my lap. “Owww!” I can’t even bother to sit up.
“It’s okay,” Harry placates.
“It’s not okay.”
“It’ll be okay.”
“Say something else.”
“I...can’t.” I turn around and Harry falls into the couch in slow motion.
I laugh despite myself.
“You ever been to rehab?” Harry asks.
“Are you calling me an addict? Because you started this,” I accuse.
“No. You’ve always given me a vibe.”
What vibe!? “Is this the high talking?”
“It’s okay. I went to rehab a few times in high school.”
“For smoking weed?”
“Pills,” Harry says rather flippantly.
“Yeah. Me too.”
Harry sits up. “Really?”
“Yep. What do you mean ‘I give you the vibe?’”
“There’s no question you can’t answer with sarcasm. Whatever happens to you at parties. Bad relationship with your parents.”
“You have to see them to have a relationship.”
“I-”
“I thought that you were trying to make me feel better.”
“Sorry my brain is both cloudy and cold.”
“What’s going on with you and Liz?”
“We’re going out next week?”
“Yeah? You’re not ashamed to be seen with her anymore?” I ask.
“I was never ashamed to be seen with her. I just... if my dad’s gonna disappear. I can see whoever I want.”
“Sorry.” I push closer to Harry on the couch. Harry tries to lean on me but I have to catch his soup before he spills it too. I lay it on the coffee table before I let him lay his head on my shoulder.
