Chapter 11: Day Off
2010 Words
I did not wake up to the usual bustling noises of the city. Instead, I woke up to the sounds of a severe detoxing Jay on the toilet. He was grunting and projectile vomiting to his poor heart's content.
I shrugged at the smell and forced myself up from my bed.
"You okay Jay?" I asked, attempting to get him some water.
"Wh- urrrrrrr," he barfed and then hiccuped, "What is going on?"
"You're having a hang over it's going to be okay..." I tried to reassure him.
"Bu- urrrff," he hesitated before the next vomi-lanche commenced, "It won't stop!"
"Yes," I tried to explain, "This is what happens when you drink too much alcohol!"
"M-my Epipen!" he remembered.
"Oh," I almost burst into laughter, "That's not going to help you in this case, sorry."
"Oh man..." his mouth was slimy, "This feels worse than eating nuts!"
"It's why I don't drink," I placed a bottle of water next to him.
"I- I don't think I can drink... it's just gonna come right back out," he was now crying from the pain.
"I'm no doctor, but I believe you need to stay hydrated no matter what," I left the bathroom.
I closed the door behind me and heard Jay mumbling between intervals, cursing himself.
Tomorrow is Saturday...
Wait!
Tomorrow is Saturday!
I looked over my text messages and failed to see that Anita had sent me several unread messages!
"Oh, no!" I scrambled and began to read.
Don't forget that this weekend is Javon's turn to watch Khloe.
Hello? You haven't responded?
I need to know your answer...
Text me tomorrow. Bye!
Oh gosh... I thought to myself.
We weren't able to prepare for tomorrow because we were too busy being single adults! I wasn't sure how long a hungover lasted, but knowing how men are when they are sick...
We are doomed!
But I still wanted to keep my word on having Khloe over for a weekend every so often. I texted back.
Sorry, we weren't able to get back to you on time regarding Jay's co-parenting agreement. We would love to have Khloe over tomorrow. We will pick her up around 9AM tomorrow. Have a great day!
Great... just great!
I knocked on the door and heard Jay wheeze and cough.
"There's nothing more to come out! Why am I still trying to vomit?!" he gasped.
"It's an involuntary action," I winced at his pain, "But on the good side, we have Khloe tomorrow."
"Weerrrlll I be arlive tomorrow?" he rolled his eyes and continued barfing air.
Honestly, I didn't know, but tomorrow was a day to worry about later. I saw Jay grab the water bottle and began chugging it down.
"I'm going to give you a few minutes," I said, "If this doesn't stop, we might have to go back to the hospital."
"Nuuuurrrrr," he refused, I think...
I closed the door yet again and fanned away the smell. Maybe we outta not go out where there is alcohol involved. I don't need to be doing stuff that will get my best friend hurt. I sat down and scrolled through my phone.
Selena Gomez vs Hailey Bieber... man, what I would do to not have this on my reels. Viral cat videos... seen those. Mr. Beast videos... are never going to happen to me.
I kept scrolling, there wasn't anything truly entertaining on social media. But, I had to keep myself occupied while observing the misery of Jay. I swiped back and noticed a familiar name on my mutual friend's list.
It was Frank! My high school crush!
I know it had been years, and I wasn't even in the cast of his shadow. But I always admired Frank from a distance. He was one of those popular jock boys that had all the girls flocking and gawking at him.
Maybe even gawking something el-
EWWWW!
No! I shook those nasty thoughts away, we are not going there!
In the midst of my awkwardness, I accidentally added him!
"No no no!" I quickly clicked on his profile and tried to find the unfriend button.
Maybe he wouldn't notice!
Before I could, I received a notification that he accepted my request!
Uhhh...
My mind started racing, I could feel my stomach churning. He accepted!
Calm down... I told myself, maybe he just likes the add for numbers...
No harm, not like he is going to message m-
PING!
Wh-wha?
He messaged me!
It's probably going to say: "Who's this?" Or "didn't mean to accept the add bye!"
I flinched and opened up the messenger app.
Frank typed: Hey Katie, right?
He knows my name?! I began feeling those nostalgic fan girl emotions I felt for him back in school. But I did not need to squeal just yet, I got to find out how this goes!
Yes, I'm surprised you remember me...
Frank: Why wouldn't I?
Well... maybe because I was the high school loser, you know... not worth your breath.
I felt so embarrassed about how pathetic I was back in high school. But, I was not going to lie about it either. I did not have any friends and was always bullied by Cici and her clique. I remember my first heartbreak, witnessing Cici being all over Frank after a school game. Frank was one of those stereotypical high school jocks, captain... quarterback?
Frank: I don't remember you that way.
Wait. What?! I reread that a thousand times. I ran through the possibilities of what he meant. None of them were positive. But, I felt so nervous, as if I was talking to him face to face.
Nevermind that, how have you been? Is life treating you well?
Frank: Life has been good, I was accepted into Full Sail University here in Florida.
Oh... he's literally across the nation from me. I don't know why I was feeling down, it wasn't like we were going to meet up or anything.
That's awesome! Hope to try a video game you make next! was my response.
Frank: Sounds cool, but hey...
I planted my face closer to the screen.
Frank: I will be in LA tonight, but maybe we can do something tomorrow?
That would be great! Message me if anything.
My heart fluttered, and I could feel my endorphins rushing. Frank wanted to do something tomorrow? No way!
I clutched my phone against my chest and started swerving it around with glee. I wonder what we are going to do tomorrow? Should we head to the beach?
I remembered my body.
Maybe not!
Maybe we should go to the mall!
But Cici might be there, and Hiram definitely will shine a light on himself.
Ugh!
Why am I even planning? If he wanted to go or do something he would let me know! I need to slow down and not assume things right now!
I heard the bathroom door open.
"Ugh," Jay stumbled, "I think that was all of it... I hope."
Shit!
"I was thinking of taking Khloe to the beach tomorrow," he suggested.
Just like my first suggestion for Frank. Dammit!
"Do you think you would be okay if you carried on tomorrow without me?" damn I was so selfish!
He looked at me confused, "But you were the one who wanted to do something tomorrow?"
I shrugged, "I know, but... we have been spending a lot of time together recently that I thought I would go out on my own, just myself."
"But you were about to get in harm's way yesterday," he reminded.
"I know that," I nervously looked away, "But I won't be going there anyway."
There was a pause. The silence was killing me.
Jay spoke, "If that is what you want."
"Don't gaslight me," I grunted.
"But you do not consume gas or make light," he replied.
"That's not what that means," I huffed, "But yeah, can I have tomorrow alone?"
"I still do not think that it is a smart idea, but I am not going to dictate your dangerous path," he threw a dismissing hand.
Frank is not dangerous!
A part of me wanted to scream that out loud, but I bit my tongue. I was acting like a teenager being told "no" about hanging out with friends. Jay has been nothing but protective of me, and maybe he doesn't get human emotions quite right now, but I sincerely wanted to see what was going to happen between Frank and I tomorrow.
Jay settled himself on the couch and rested his palms on his stomach.
"You heading off to sleep?" I asked.
"I've been awake and dying since 5am," he answered and closed his eyes, "Sorry I can't cook breakfast right now."
Oh...
He apologized for not being able to make breakfast this time.
Arrgghhh!
My emotions were flaring and pitting against each other! I felt guilt and selfishness about ditching Jay. For goodness sakes, the man is sick, and he still wanted to take care of me. Not to mention he stopped an escalation the other day. But here I am, choosing a dude over my best friend.
"Some kind of friend I am," I mumbled under my breath.
I looked over at Jay, afraid if he heard me, but he was sound asleep.
I looked outside and realized we had one of those rare cloudy days, so I figured it would be safe and the best decision was to stay in today. We definitely have been zooming through eventful days since we met.
I just wanted to take a nap anyway. I have no work today after all.
I positioned myself under my sheets and enjoyed the cold air with a warm blanket. But before I closed my eyes I sighed. My laptop did not have one letter on my biography. What's it to anyone... I'm not anything special. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
I hear waves, I hear seagulls... am I at the beach?
I opened my eyes and saw a familiar setting. I was standing near the shores of the beach I was at before everything had happened! I looked around for Jay, he was nowhere to be found.
Strange.
I walked around and saw that there was no one in sight, this gave me the chills, because this was the moment where the sky ripped apart and his ship crashed nearby.
His ship...
I looked towards the direction of the projected impact, but there were no signs of any affected area.
Was this all just a dream?
"Jay!" I called out, "Jay, where are you?"
Silence.
I can't be going crazy because if it was all just a dream, then I wouldn't be calling out some man's name in a deserted beach on a sunny day... right?
"This is not funny Jay!" I huffed and looked around, feeling panic rising in my chest.
"Do you even know Jay?" a voice called out.
"Who's there?" I turned around to meet the gaze of the woman with a fedora hat.
"Detective Syrus!" I exclaimed, "What's going on here?"
"You'll find out in due time Katie. For now, let this be my final warning for you to stay away from him. You don't know him, you know what you have taught him to be, but not HIM."
"Why do you care? Why does it matter?" I asked, "I'm just helping a friend out!"
"Is he really your friend though?" she countered, "His behavior... it's like... he's not from this world."
"Oh I assure you he is," I lied, "So why don't you back off!"
"I'll be seeing you again soon, perhaps it may be the last time as well," she purred, "After all... you need to wake up now, he's cooking you dinner."
What?!
I smelled the sizzle of iron-enriched steak filling my noise. I jolted up and felt cold sweats running down my neck.
Wait... was that a dream? Or is this a dream?
"Enjoyed your nap?" Jay asked while searing his steak, "Medium rare or medium well?"
What just happened?
- Writer
