Late nights

XII

- I like car rides, I like late nights, I like hanging out with friends...I miss my middle-school friends. - Emily was sitting on Tom's bed.

- What happened between you? I never really paid attention.

- I was an i***t, that's what happened. We got into an argument, they were trying to convince me that Harry was a bad person...I didn't listen, so I lost pretty much all my friends right as I finished middle school. 

- That must suck. - Tom was trying to empathize.

- Well, that makes the two of us.

- What do you mean?

- Not to sound mean or anything, but I haven't seen you with any friends.

- Oh. Yeah, sure, I'm not the one for friendships or relationships. I try to be social in hopes to have more contacts in the future, but I don't know if it always works. I have friends, they just tend to not stay around for too long.

- Hmm, I understand...I think. But you know, everyone wants to love, especially in high-school. Do you have anyone you like? There has to be someone, I'm sure of it. - Emily was trying to tease Tom and get him to open up.

- At this point, I'm not sure what love even is. I was never sure and I will never be. What do you think love is?

- Zero in tennis and everything in life. - Emily smiled. - So? Do you like anyone? Like romantically, not as a friend.

- As I said, I'm not sure, - Tom looked outside, - it's getting dark.

He turned on a small table lamp and made the room dim. The table lamp lit the room enough since it wasn't big.

- You're dodging my question, Tom. - Emily reminded him.

- I know. Let's say, in theory, that there's someone I like, what then?

- Nothing, I just wanted to know. You always seemed like a very logical person, it's weird to see you expressing emotions. Weird in a good way, of course.

- Everyone has emotions, it's kinda the nature of humans, I just don't feel like I should share them with everyone around me. If I'm close to someone, then sure. 

Emily kept asking who Tom likes, but he wouldn't give in. 

- Imagine something happens to you and I need to tell her. How would I tell her? I don't know who she is.

- In that case, she'll never know. Even my mom doesn't know.

- What about your dad?

Tom hesitated before speaking.

- ...I don't know that guy. Never met him, never want to meet him. I have no clue about his whereabouts, and to be honest, I think I'll never know.

- Oh...I'm sorry, I didn't know.

- It's okay, I don't feel sad or anything. As I said, I never knew the guy. 

The conversation steered to talents and skills.

- A lot of people have weird talents, - Tom said, - perhaps you have some?

- Actually, funny you should say that. I have two really weird ones. I can write mirrored sentences and also, I can count how many letters a sentence has, while it's being said and still pay attention.

- That's quite unique, I gotta say. How many letters did I just use?

- Including everything you just said, 50.

- I have no idea if that's correct, but I'll take your word for it. - Tom smiled. 

Tom's phone lit up - he got a message. His phone was on his bed, so Emily was the first to see the message.

- What is it? - Tom asked. 

- It's Lola, she's asking you to play chess with her.

- Oh, toss me the phone. - Tom put out his hand.

Emily gave him the phone and smiled.

- is Lola the girl? I wouldn't judge you, she's a catch.

- ...As I said, I don't know. I might just like her because she's much better than me at something logical. 

- It could be that she's smart...Or it could be because of her long blonde hair, skinny hands, and charming smile.

- Exactly, I don't know anything. I'm getting really tired, I think I'm gonna doze off. You can stay up if you want, but I fail to see why you would do that. 

Tom turned off the light and laid down on his blanket on the ground. Emily took some time to fall asleep - her brain doesn't let her sleep in unknown places.