Sleep
1170 Words
"Do you want something to eat? I have frozen pizza."
"I'd like a slice, thank you."
Noah giggles and closes the door of his house once we step in before going to the kitchen. I follow him and sit on a tall chair in front of the counter, looking at him prepare the meal.
I hear fast footsteps running downstairs. It was unknown for me the fact that Noah didn't live alone. But I certainly thought his roommate was Felix and not a tall woman with blue eyes and pale skin, who I barely remember.
"NOAH, IT'S LATE. I'LL TAKE Y-" She yells, suddenly stopping when she notices my presence.
My friend starts the microwave and turns around to face her. She looks at me and then at him with confusion.
I laugh slightly. "Hannah?"
Her astonishment increases, but she smiles sincerely. "Eric? Oh my God." Noah's aunt says, walking towards me and hugging me. I hug her back. "You've grown up so fast." She adds, stepping back.
"You look lovely." I compliment with a chuckle.
"Thanks."
Noah clears his throat, interrupting our conversation. "Don't you have to go to your work or something?"
Hannah and I look at him. His face shows no expression, he's just there, taking a couple of cans of soda out of the fridge.
"Well, I-I'll better leave. It was nice to see you again, Eric."
"It was. Have a great day, Hannah."
"Thank you. Bye Noah!" She waves goodbye and runs towards the exit, stopping right at the door.
"Oh, I almost forget, I'll be a little late tonight.”
"Sure, whatever!!" He answers back.
His aunt leaves. Now I have a lot more questions for Noah.
He had never talked like that with Hannah. I didn't spend a lot of time with her, but I know for sure that they had a really close relationship.
Apparently, everything can change in three years. With or without amnesia, Noah must be the same, mustn't him?
He serves a couple of slices of pizza on a plate and hands it to me along with the ketchup. I take them, leaving the plate over the cold surface in front of me and pouring the condiment.
Hansen walks out the kitchen and sits on the counter, right next to my plate, eating nonchalantly.
"What do you want to do?" He asks with a mouthful of pizza.
I shrug. "The detective hasn't called me to inform me anything."
He takes his time to answer. "Well, we can start by ourselves then. What was the name of the man murdered?"
I swallow a bite before replying. "Paul Smith."
"Did you meet anyone close to him?"
"His best friend, Spencer Fowler. I also know Paul’s family is from Fairford."
He frowns. "Have you met them before?"
"No."
"What's the connection then?"
"A serial killer just wants to have fun, I guess."
We finish our meals without further speak. Noah leaves the dishes in the sink and walks to the living room. His house is smaller than my mine. They don't actually have a dining room.
He sits on the couch and turns on the TV, lowering the volume of Steven Universe. I sit next to him, taking my soda with me.
"Any suspect?"
"Yesterday I only came across a few people. But someone could have put the note while I was training."
"Only the football team, and the coach, have access to the dressing rooms."
"I know." I say before taking a deep breath. "But, I-I actually ran into Felix in the morning."
"What are you trying to say?" He asks, a little annoyed.
"Nothing, I'm just telling you everything that happened yesterday."
"And make Felix look bad? He can't even kill a f*****g spider."
"That was not my intention, Noah! Could you let me finish?" He nods, looking at the floor. I sigh. "I also met Spencer at the airport. He sat right next to me."
"What was he doing there?"
"He accompanied Paul’s family."
Noah frowns. "We must talk with the detective."
"I will talk with him tomorrow."
"I don't think we can solve this alone, Eric."
"I think we can." I reply, not daring to explain my words because I don’t completely understand them myself.
He could discover who was the bad guy at our school 5 years ago. Although it’s riskier now, I still think we can do better than the police.
"Will you tell Felix about this?" I ask with concern.
"No." He answers, looking at the TV for a couple of seconds and then looking back at me.
"Alright."
"Have you checked your pockets again?"
I do as he suggests, finding nothing in my jeans. "No threat this time."
"That's bad."
"Why?"
"Because we don't have more clues."
"True." I say, drinking a sip of my soda.
"Anyways, will you stay the night here? You can sleep on the couch." He offers, patting the leather seat next to him.
"Yeah, sure. My baggage is in my car."
"Cool."
I get up and go outside while he stays in the living room watching the TV.
The way he plays with me, I hate it. Nevertheless, I wouldn't mind being his toy... NO! HE HAS A BOYFRIEND, Eric...
A shitty boyfriend, but still his boyfriend.
I take out a wallet from the car and go back inside the house.
"Where can I change?"
"In the bathroom."
"Ok, thanks."
After having changed my clothes, I go to the living room. Noah has already taken out some blankets and pillows for me.
He's standing in front of the couch, drinking some of my soda, ignorant of my presence until I clear my throat.
"That is my can of soda." I inform him, his eyes opening widely.
"Is it?" He asks, lowering the can.
"Yes."
"Oh, sorry." He frowns, "I thought I had left mine there."
"No problem." I say with a smirk, walking towards my new bed.
I lie over the couch, putting my hands under my nape and resting them over a white pillow.
"Eric."
"What?" I hum, closing my eyes. My body finally remembers the lack of sleep.
"D-Do you mind if I stay here playing videogames?"
"Of course, it's your house! Just try not to wake me up, ok?"
"Sure."
Noah sits on the floor after turning on the console. My brain demands rest, but my heart wants to stay awake only to hear Noah trying to curse in a lower voice than usual. I don't even care what game he's about to play, I just want to feel like nothing has changed.
Unfortunately, my fatigue grows bigger and bigger until I'm forced to sleep.
However, I'm softly awaken by a pair of lips landing on my forehead and a whisper that makes my heart beat faster. While the pair of words are said, I don't move, fearful of ruining the moment. I just seize the tone of his voice before hearing his footsteps walking away.
"Goodnight, Eric."
- Writer
