Chapter – 14

“I am sorry, my room’s a little messy.” Eric nervously laughed picking up a stray sock from his bed.

“It’s fine, really.” Eric’s room was almost the size of mine and that was really something. His walls were deep blue in color and strangely, empty. He neither had pictures nor posters up. Apart from a few clothes that were lying around on his bed, the room was fairly neat.

Eric invited me to sit on the bed, I took off my shoes and folded my legs. Eric sat beside me and only then did I realize what a stupid thing I had done. I didn’t even know Eric we had barely even talked and now, I was here in his bedroom, imposing on him.

“I am sorry for imposing on you too much.” I said dreading the hours that were about to come.

“Are you kidding me? You saved me from that god awful place.” Eric smiled at me, the tips of my ears turned red. Eric sensing my discomfort decided to break the silence.

He leaned towards me and said, “Before we start studying, what do you say we get to know each other a little.” I nodded my head with hopeful eyes.

“Okay, I’ll start. As you already know I am a senior and your designated mentor. I like to read, watch TV shows and waste my time.”

I gave a chuckle and said, “I like watching TV shows and reading too!”

Eric quirked his eyebrow and asked me, “Favorite TV series?”

“FRIENDS!” I claimed enthusiastically.

“Well, then Jake, I think we’ll have a great time together.” Eric said flashing his teeth at me.

Eric proceeded to ask me more random questions. His welcoming demeanor allayed my insecurities. We talked about things like old friends who had headed down different paths and just now, reunited.

I was lying on his bed, facing him as if I had been here a million times before. I had exempted from the troubles Hayden had put me through and I wondered what a mess would I have become if hadn’t been for this brown eyed stranger.

“I am really glad we met, Jake. You may not know this but I really have trouble making friends but with you, I think I connected from the first instance.”

“I am too.” I smiled to myself at this foreign feeling of having found a friend.

My eyes unconsciously went to the clock in his room, my eyes widened in shock. I immediately sat upright and rubbed my eyes to get a clearer look at the clock.

It was 2 a.m.

“It’s so late!”

“Want me to drive you?” Eric asked me.

“That would be great.”

Maybe it had been just my imagination, but I saw a flicker of sadness in those bright brown eyes.

“Do you think you could stay?” Eric asked me after a moment had passed. “It’s okay if you don’t want to.”

“No, I can! It’s not a school night and my Dad isn’t home anyway.”

Eric’s joy was evident in his actions. His smile broadened and he got off his bed and asked, “really?”

“If your parents won’t mind.”

“They are never home.” Eric said.

It may have not been a big deal but to me it was one of the happiest days of my life. I hadn’t been invited over to friend’s house, ever. I was just giddy at the thought of having a friend.

The night lived up to its expectations, we made popcorn, watched movies and did everything I had ever wanted to.

My eyelids got heavier with each passing second of the last movie and before I knew it, I fell asleep on the couch.

I woke up with someone shaking me vigorously.

“Man you’re a heavy sleeper.” Eric said to me.

“I made breakfast, eat up. You have to go home, right?”

I rubbed my eyes and lazily got off the couch. After I had had breakfast, Eric drove me home.

I walked to the door realizing that I didn’t have keys with. I rang the doorbell leaning against the wall, still finding it hard to keep my open.

My sleep at that moment and I believe for many years to come abandoned me when Hayden opened the door.

His eyes were red and his hair tousled.

“You little…”

300+ Subscribers! It wasn't long ago when I was celebrating 25 subscribers. It feels great!