Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

After breakfast, Roseanne got started on some house cleaning.

It had been a fortnight since the last deep clean, and the dust had accumulated in more places than she cared to admit. Before she knew it, the morning had slipped away.

After a brief lunch break, she decided to head out for some groceries. Just as she got dressed, her phone rang. It was Leda. "Hey Anne, you home?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I just... I've been craving your cooking."

Their friendship had weathered enough storms for Roseanne to immediately pick up on the unspoken heaviness in Leda's voice. "What's wrong? Something happen?"

"No, it's... it's nothing. Just been a while, missed you is all," came the muffled reply.

Roseanne paused, choosing not to press further. "Then come over. I'll cook."Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

"Awesome! I'll be there in forty!"

Roseanne hurried out to shop for groceries. By the time she returned, Leda was right on her heels.

As soon as she walked in, she clung to Roseanne, refusing to let go. "You always know just what I like."

Hearing the bitterness in her words, Roseanne guessed it probably had something to do with Nola. "Alright, go chill for a bit. I'll get dinner started. Won't be long."

Leda nodded obediently, settling down like a well-behaved student.

Fifty minutes later, dinner was served, all Leda's favorites.

"Anne, got any booze? How about we have a few drinks?"

"There's beer in the fridge, want some?"

"Yeah!"

Neither had work the next day, with Roseanne also enjoying a couple of days off.

The food was barely touched, but

they went through several

beer. Despite its lower alcohol

of

content, they just kept opening can after can.

Eventually, Leda's cheeks were flushed, her eyes glazed.

As the evening wore on and she showed no signs of stopping, Roseanne began to feel a headache coming on.

"We're out of beer. I'll grab a couple more "

Suddenly, Leda stood up, staggering towards the fridge, nearly tripping after just a few steps. Roseanne quickly steadied her. "Careful! You'll fall!"

Leda pouted. "Anne, you don't believe in my tolerance? How could I be drunk after just a few? I just tripped, that's all."

Roseanne couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "No drunk ever admits they're drunk..."

Leda, with her keen ears, caught that. "You don't believe me? I can show you!"

"...We're out of beer."

"That's easy, let's go buy some!"

Roseanne was dumbfounded.

Leda, determined, grabbed her jacket, ready to head out. Then she paused, "Wait, we can't. We've been drinking. No driving under the influence. We need someoneto drive."

Roseanne was amused by her sudden remembrance of the law, even in her drunken state. Leda fumbled with her phone, finally managing to dial out. After a few rings, someone picked up.

"Hello? I'm at the old steel factory

dorms

Academy Road. Can you... me pick me up? Need to burp... more beer."

There was a brief silence on the other end before a response came, "You're where now?"

Leda recognized the voice but couldn't place it.

Soon, the person on the other end spoke again, "Just open the door."

Leda frowned, "Why should I? Just because you said so? Where's my dignity?"

Roseanne was stunned by how quickly Leda actually made the call. Then came a knock on the door.

Opening it, she found Owen standing there, phone still pressed to his ear.