Reckless Mind Read Free

go. “You're brother lives over here?”
    “Yeah, he doesn't go to college here anymore though. He got his associates and told my parents they'd have to deal with the fact school just wasn't his thing.” She let out a sad laugh, probably remembering the conversation. “He's a pretty intense person, but he means well. Most of the time anyway.” Emma shrugged it off wanting me to think all thoughts of her brother vanished, but I could tell by the sad pull in her eyes when she spoke about him that intense was probably one of many dark words she could use to describe her brother.
    We walked into my place, and since I left the blinds and curtains open, the mid-afternoon sun was streaming in lighting the rooms up. The living room and kitchen were the first things seen walking into my apartment because I'd picked one with an open floor plan.
    The beige suede couch and oversized chair sat facing a small flat screen TV mounted onto the far wall. Every shape, size, and color of pillow sat on both, with an end table and lamp sitting between the two, and a couple framed pictures up on the walls. I didn't know the artist, but when I was in one of the local shops I thought the scenic landscape was so serene.
    The kitchen had a counter wrapping around dividing it from the living room, so I just had some bar chairs pushed up against there, no actual table and chairs. Candles were placed on a section of the counter, dishes sat in the cupboards. The extent of my decorating and personalizing those spaces stopped there. The extremely short hall off the kitchen led to my bedroom and the bathroom, which sat directly across the hall from each other.
    Sky blues, light and dark purples, and white made up the décor in the bathroom. It was a decent size considering this was a one bedroom apartment, sitting longer than it was wide, but more than enough room for one person. My bedroom was muted purples, off white, beige, and a minimal amount of the lightest sky blue. No family pictures adorned the walls, no books or a bookshelf even though I adored reading, no music because I had no stereo, nothing. Just a bed, a side table with a lamp, and a dresser.
    I studied Emma as I gave her the small tour of the apartment, watching as her eyes took it all in. She definitely noticed the lack of personal anything in the place, I could tell by the way her eyes moved quickly over each inch of the room she entered, but she didn't mention or question it. I assumed she would, but was relieved when she didn't but curious why she let it go. Maybe Emma had skeletons in her closet she didn't want me figuring out too.
    “So yeah, that's pretty much it,” I smiled shyly at her, hoping her thoughts of my personal space were high enough that she would come hang out again sometime.
    “Kahlen this is awesome, you did all this by yourself?” I nodded not wanting to elaborate, but she didn't speak either, just waited for me.
    “Yeah, I did. I moved out here the day after I graduated in May, and slowly over the summer turned it into what you see now.” Why? Why did I just tell her that? I roughly ran my hand through my hair frustrated with myself.
    “Where,” she looked at me as she spoke, I felt like I couldn't swallow. I knew the questions were coming, and soon enough she would be ashamed she ever took the time to talk to me. The blood drained out of my face taking any color or sign of life with it. “Um, where do you work again?” She shook her head a little as she asked. “I know you said you work at a music store, but which one? Campus Music, Red Records, or one farther away from campus?”
    “I wanted to get off campus a little, so I went to Red first and they were hiring, so I start there this afternoon. I'll mostly be working late afternoon to close during the week. Every now and then maybe a Sunday, but they have other college kids who want the weekend hours, and I'd prefer to be there when it isn't so busy.”
    “Sweet, that means you're all mine on the