I woke up with my room pitch black.

I looked over to the window and saw it was pitch black outside too. I grabbed my phone and flipped it on to check the time. 1:36. Great.

This is why I shouldn't fall asleep at 7.

Tomorrow was a Wednesday, or should I say today? I had school to go to in just a few hours. I probably should be well-rested.

But I wasn't tired. I really wasn't. I got like 7 hours of sleep. I didn't want to oversleep either.

This last week has been one hell of a ride. If I knew any better, I shouldn't have made the joke about joining The Connor Friendship™. I should've just wrote Evan's emails as he told me to and I wouldn't be in this state.

I sat up in my bed, going over the events that happened since I decided to be Connor's best friend.

Evan fainting, Klein the bonsai tree, dinner at the Murphys, yesterday...

Oh shit, Evan is definitely gay for me.

He made it so obvious too! Am I really just that oblivious?

He kissed you yesterday, Kleinman. No shit he likes you.

I groaned, rolling over and slamming my face onto my pillow. Evan likes me. What am I supposed to do about that?!

I can't just be like, "ok so Evan I'm gay but we're just friends." I'm not a cold-hearted person! Ok, that's kind of a lie. But still.

Texting! Texting is the easiest solution to any awkward encounter! You don't have to look them in the eye and you don't have to worry about typos! Perfect!

So um

"So um." Great going, self. Who starts a sentence with so um?!

I started to text the next line, but my phone vibrated before I got a chance to.

Why are you up at 1 am?

I stared at my phone for a second in disbelief. If Evan replied that fast, he must've been awake, too, right?

I could ask the same to to you.

Ok can't argue wuth that.
I just couldn't sleep tonight.
Ok now you're turn.

I kinda went to sleep at 7, remember?
You were there?

And?

7 hours of sleep is enough for me I guess.

There was no response for a moment, and I started to wonder if Evan had fallen asleep on me. Just as I was about to give up and put my phone away, I got another message.

Can I come over?

Of course Evan wants to come over again! Didn't he like just come over a few hours ago? He gave this whole heartwarming speech about bisexuality? Does he not remember?

And he still kissed me! He's trying to make it seem like that never happened. But I remember, Evan. I remember.

Dude it's one in the morning.

I'm aware.
My mom just got home
She says I should go to sleep

And I agree with her

And if going to your house helped me go to sleep
Then so be it.

You realize how gay that sounds?
Either way, my mom is sleeping
I feel like she wouldn't appreciate if you came over.

Please?

Really?
Bringing out the puppy-eyes on me?

Please Jared.

Stupid family-friend. Since we've known each other for 12 years, he kinda knows all my weaknesses. One of those weaknesses is the look of my own name.

Fine.

And now I officially hate myself. Good going, Jared. It's as if I can't stand going a day without Evan or something! It seems that my whole story is based off Evan! Jesus Christ.

I walked downstairs quietly as to not disturb my mom. I waited outside and sat on the doorstep, waiting for Evan, so he wouldn't knock or ring the doorbell.

"Jared?" I hear someone whisper yell from a couple feet down the sidewalk. "Why are you up this early?"

Why is Alana everywhere all the time?

"I could say the same to you." I said, recycling the retort I used with Evan just 2 minutes ago.

Alana's face lost color for a second and she rubbed her neck, "Just... eh... trying to get away I guess?"

Concerned flashed through me. Which is really weird, I'm not supposed to be concerned for Alana.

She looked across the road. "Is that Evan? Is today like get-up-early day or something? Did I miss the memo?" She laughed nervously and sat beside me on my doorstep.

"Is that Alana?" Evan yelled from across the street. "Is today like go-to-sleep-late day or something? Did I miss the memo?"

Alana and I blurted out laughing.

Evan sat next to Alana on the doorstep and she asked, "Why are you up so early?"

"Urg just couldn't sleep." Evan said, rubbing his eyes. He turned to Alana, " What about you? "

Alana sighed and looked at her lap, "Just needed some fresh air."

Ok, something was definitely up with her. I didn't want to press, though.

Evan, on the other hand; "If you ever want to talk about it, you can." He said.

Alana nodded, before standing up, "Well i should probably head out, it's kinda cold and-"

"Wait!" Evan said, before looking at me apologetically, "You can stay here for a while if you want. He's got heating!

I made a mental note to get Evan back for that one.

Alana smiled, "Sure." She said, "Lead the way, Jared."

I don't believe I'm about to lead a bisexual boi who just kissed me and a female into my bedroom.

I lead them to my bedroom and closed the door quietly, "Ok," I started, "My parents are asleep so please don't make noise." I whispered.

"Done and done!" Alana said. At full volume. I face-palmed.

"Alana!" I hissed.

"Oops, sorry!" She whispered.

Her and Evan sat on my bed and I sat at my computer desk. It was covered with papers that I haven't turned in for school, but luckily I wouldn't be needing to actually use the desk right now.

"No you're part of the group, too." Alana said, and I looked up , confused. She patted the space on the bed beside her and I understood. I reluctantly stood up and sat beside her and Evan, squeezed between to two.

There was a long pause.

"I'm sorry." Both Evan and Alana said at the same time.

I turned to Alana and saw she was staring at Evan, confused. Evan was staring at Alana with the sane facial expression.

And yet, without words, I knew what both of them were apologizing for.

Evan was, of course, apologizing for the kiss, while Alana was apologizing for dragging herself into my house.

I laughed quietly, "Guys it's fine. Just..."

I flipped my phone out and got Netflix up. I plugged in some earbuds, handing them to Evan, and connected some bluetooth headphones for me to use.

"What about me?" Alana said.

"Have you not used Netflix before?" I asked teasingly, "You and Evan have to share."

"That's so weird." She said, shaking her head but taking a bud from Evan.

"Incredibles 2!" Evan whispered excitedly, looking at the options scroll across thex screen.

"That's a baby movie!" I retorted.

"Come on Jared! I kinda wanna see it too!" Alana argued.

I groaned, "Fine." I tapped the move and propped the phone up between two pillows.

The second the movie started, I've fallen back asleep.

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Published: 7/4/19
Word Count: 1246