Right Round >> PHOENIX

[MIKAELA JHENÉ MENENDEZ]

As promised, Mikaela brought over some Chinese takeout and some beer to Phoenix’s place to help him unpack and settle in. She’d gotten two six-packs of Yuengling from the grocery store then stopped at Momma Chao’s on the way to the new house. When Mikaela moved into her new apartment, she didn’t have anyone to help her. It was right before the holidays and money was tight. In order for Mikaela to make the trip back home for Christmas, she had to pass on buying a ticket for her mother to help her move to LA. She didn’t expect people to be friendly and they weren’t. So when it came time to unload all of her shit into her new place she pretty much did it by herself. At the time it didn’t even really faze her. She was so focused on getting some auditions under her belt and finding a manager that she just did what she had to do to get it done. It seemed like everyone hated the moving process, whether they were doing it themselves or doing a favor for their friends. But Mikaela would use any excuse to hang out with her good friend Phoenix.

Her new puppy, courtesy of the man himself, was fast asleep in a crate in the corner. She was too young to be left alone in the apartment just yet so Mikaela found herself bringing the baby chiweenie everywhere. It was a bit of the hassle but she didn’t mind because she loved the small dog and enjoyed the extra company in her apartment. Her pig, old enough to stay home alone, had taken a liking to the dog too though it had taken him some getting used to. Mikaela used her chopsticks to put some Beijing beef into her mouth. “I should probably stay at home with Trina so she can be properly trained…” She shrugged as she chewed then swallowed. There would be time to leash train the puppy, she hoped. “Sorry for all of her accidents. She was so much better at home.” The truth was that Mikaela didn’t know a whole lot about dogs, though having to care for Tim wasn’t easy either. The pig was leash and litter trained, though at one point she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to accomplish either. “I think I cleaned them all up though,” she said before taking a swig of her beer.

shitty and short. but the next one will be better.

[phoenix]

Phoenix was excited to be in his new house with his best friend. They both needed a new start and moving across the country to the industry capital of American was the best idea that the two ever had. Phoenix had been loving the Los Angeles lifestyle so far, but he could never disregard his New York City roots. He was born and raised in the big city. He was use to heavy traffic and taking a step out of the building his loft was in and being greeted with restaurants and people. The LA suburb that he opted to live in was much different. His motorcycles were definitely being utilized more, but he never had realized just how convenient his New York life had been, everything was in walking distance and that wasn’t the case anymore. But now he was going to be where his friends were, and that included Mikaela. The wild card had been gracious enough to visit him in his new home, bring him nourishment and help him unpack, and they had made good progress, even between their antics.

The time was coming though that she would want to leave, and he had to admit that he didn’t want her to. It had been a while since he had seen her, and with her acting career he knew that she wouldn’t always be in the city at his disposal. He was sitting and eating the Chinese food that she had brought him, rather impolitely, but that was Phoenix when it came to food, he just shoveled it all in. Ladies and men alike still found him to be fairly attractive anyway. He waved his hand after he swallowed, ”Don’t worry about it! She’s a puppy, they do those types of things. Easy to clean up” He took a drink of his third beer of the night. ”You’re not leaving me though, you’re staying here forever.” He joked, then smiled. ”I’ll get bunk beds and we can room together. I get the top though.” He winked and then laughed at himself.

[MIKAELA JHENÉ MENENDEZ]

Grace and poise weren’t things that Mikaela could usually be associated with. The only times when she strived to be graceful or poised was when dancing or acting required that of her. Mikaela was typically more vulgar and brash with a bit of humor and a ton of attitude. Ironically, it’s what she said was all a part of her charm. To credit her mother, she was raised well. Mikaela could be polite and well-mannered when she wanted to be but those instances were rare. So it didn’t bother her at all that Phoenix was stuffing his face with unhealthy Chinese food in front of her. It was his house and he could do what he wanted. Besides, she was doing the exact same thing. And the food was too good for her to care. Mikaela smiled after she finished off another beer. At this rate she was likely to finish off an entire six-pack on her own. They’d done some unpacking, some cleaning, and some organizing all while joking and fooling around. They probably could have saved some time if they’d been a bit more serious and focused, but what’s the fun in that? No matter, the things got done anyway.

It was starting to get a little late, but Mikaela had no one to go back to other than Tim and he could do fine for a several hours on his own provided that she left fresh water and food for him. There weren’t a whole lot of people in Los Angeles that she enjoyed spending time with. Her best friend lived in Brooklyn and her mom, who also doubled as a best friend, lived in Miami. Friendships with people in LA were slowly starting to develop, but the one she had with Phoenix was going strong and definitely at the top of her list. She popped some Crab Rangoon in her mouth, chewing as she spoke. “Deal. But I like being on top.” She giggled at the lame sexual joke. Phoenix set it up so perfectly that she couldn’t resist, even if it was a bit corny. “Though I guess I’m pretty flexible. Being on the bottom works for me too.” Mikaela reached for the beer and grabbed another. If she wasn’t careful, she’d land herself too drunk to go home anyway. “Though I don’t think your roommate would take too kindly to me moving in.” Desiree and Mikaela seemed to have a bit in common but their altercation got in the way of what had the potential to be a wild friendship.