My Ice Prince
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– Misha » I corrected. – And who are you, I beg your pardon?
– I'm Mary Smith, the lady of the house, but don't worry, I won't take too much space.
CHAPTER 3
«What is she talking about? Is she going to live here? With me?» – I frowned.
– 'But I rented your house on the condition that I would live completely alone,' I said slyly: in fact, the house was rented by Maria, and I didn't know on what terms. But I knew for a fact that my sister would never let me live in the same house with a man!
– Yes, I know, but I hope you'll get into my position» Mary said in an apologetic tone. – Oh, come in, please!
I walked into the house and took off my sneakers. My morning was ruined.
We walked into the living room.
– Where have you been? – The girl asked me.
– Running around» I answered briefly and sat down on the wide brown couch.
– Really? You're not sweating at all.
«It's Harry's sister. Just as tedious as he is!» – I thought grudgingly.
– It's just that I'm a professional runner» I lied, and only now did I realise the horror of my situation: she's going to live here? No, that's impossible! How would I hide my strange habits from her? What would she say about a fridge full of blood?
– Marsha, I want to apologise…» she began, sitting down next to me.
– Misha
– Yes, I'm sorry, Misha. Are you thinking about what I'm doing here right now? I just don't have anywhere else to go. I have nowhere else to go. – Bitterness showed on her face.
– What happened to you? – I asked politely: I didn't really care, and the last thing I wanted to hear about was her problems.
The girl moved closer to me and sighed heavily.
– The thing is… I'm supposed to be in Scotland right now, but it's boring as hell… Well, I didn't really come because I had this crazy idea to go back to Oxford, to have some fun. The thing is…» She hesitated. – Anyway, I got mixed up with some bad company there, almost became a drug addict… No, don't think! I don't do drugs and I never have. I smoke weed sometimes, but it's not harmful.
I listened to her and marvelled at my fatal failure: how did I end up in Oxford? To live next to a girl who smokes pot! It was the worst thing ever!
– Also, I borrowed a lot of money there. I can't pay it back, so it's quite possible that there will be mafia people here…» Suddenly Mary stopped talking and laughed out loud.
«'Oh, she's a psychopath! That's terrible, what bad luck!» – went through my head.
– Come on, don't worry about it! I was joking! – she said through her laughter. – You should have seen your face!
I had a terrible antipathy for that girl.
– Misha, I was joking! – Finally, the girl calmed down and looked at me seriously, but with a smile. – Don't frown, it was a joke!
– And about the pot? – I clarified.
– Yes. And about the mafia guys, too. Actually, I was just offered a job here at the orphanage, so I came here.
– I'm speechless! – I said unhappily. – I'm sorry, but I don't think we can live in the same house together. It's not really convenient!
– Why not convenient? I'm a girl, you're a girl, we'll be friends! We'll talk, we'll watch films and shows. Run in the morning!
«Running together. That would be great» I thought, remembering the two girlfriends in the park. The thought made me feel good about this strange person.
– 'I'll take the second bedroom and I won't bother you at all,' said Mary.
«Well, I don't think so!» – I grinned to myself.
Even living in Warsaw, with my family, I was always uncomfortable because I could hear everything going on for dozens of metres around me. And to live with her and hear everything she would do? No. I can't!
– Mary, let me get you a flat somewhere, okay? I think that would be better» I said, trying to avoid her intrusive company.
– But you don't know me at all! I'm not as daft as I look. Well, about the joke, I agree it was stupid. But please, just give me one chance to prove that I'm not what you think I am. Please! – She begged me, folding her arms in a pleading tone.
I looked at her: short hair dyed nuclear black, a silver flower-shaped piercing in her nose, but rather nice, discreet make-up, a pretty face, kind eyes. And her clothes were decent: a long yellow woollen jumper and tight black jeans, with soft house slippers on her feet.
«What if Mary has to hide her self too? What if she's just a victim of circumstance and I'm so adamant about getting rid of her? Could she really be something else entirely? After all, Cedric gave me a chance, and my parents gave me a chance to be myself. Cedric gave me amazing advice that set me on the right path. Maybe I should give her a chance too!» – I thought.
– Also, I'm a very good cook and I can clean the house» Mary added. – And about the piercing, I've been thinking about getting it off for a long time, so I'm going to get it off today. New life, new habits.
– Like running in the morning? – I asked with a smile.
– Yes, that would be great!
I smiled even wider: Mary's smile was so sincere that I felt ashamed of my words and thoughts that denigrated her.
And then I realised that Mary was almost my age: she was seventeen! She could have been the friend I dreamed of! But she was human, and Mary said…
'Wait a minute, Misha, just because you're going to socialise with her doesn't mean it's dangerous,' I thought, reassuring myself. – And about the fridge… I'll think of something. But it'll be fun for the two of us!»
– All right, Mary. Stay! – I said cheerfully.
She shrieked with joy and hugged me.
– Thank you! Thank you! Oh, you're so cold! Are you cold? Let me make you some hot tea. – She rushed into the kitchen.
– No, that's okay! You'd better tell me where I can make a college uniform! – I hurriedly shouted to her.