The space between us

Crossroads

Days after multiple texts, phone calls and voicemail, Rachel finally responded to Jordan. She explained that she had to fly to her hometown in Seattle after a family emergency arose. Her mother and younger brother suffered a death scare after being involved in a car accident which initially had them unconscious, but the diagnosis had progressively gotten better. She was to stay there for the rest of the month with Vicky, to take care of them. Relieved Jordan was, that their condition did not escalate, but this had him in a choke-hold because he knew it was inappropriate to talk about their relationship in a situation like this, and boy!! Was that all he wanted to talk about. The longer they didn't say anything, he knew it would become more uncertain if their relationship was going to continue after he leaves for California.

It was New Year's Eve and Jordan had initially planned to go watch the countdown with Rachel at Times Square, but since she was in Seattle, he went with Tyrese and David, who was also one of his old friends from high school. it was 9:00pm so they still had loads of time. They went by David's car and settled in one of the local pubs in Manhattan. David, who was 21, was able to gain them access to the pub, showing his ID, and the security pretty much assumed Tyrese and Jordan were legal too.

" Hey handsome." A light-skinned brunette wearing a tightly fitted red dress that revealed her cleavage approached the boys. Tyrese turned his head over to Jordan and David with a smile on his face, and proceeded to say, "This new year might not be so bad after all, "he said with a chuckle, looked over at the woman and said, "You're talking to us sweetheart?" And she responded, "Nah, I'm talking to him darling," she said with an accent that almost sounded southern with her fingers pointing at Jordan. David and Tyrese coughed up the liquor they had in their mouths and wouldn't stop laughing. Him? He's got a girl, and he's practically obsessed with her," David said. Yeah, you could lock this nigga in a brothel for days, and he still won't do a thing as long as it's not his girl. Ty followed up David's statement. "I'm not obsessed," Jordan said as he stared at Ty before he reassured the woman with another "I'm not obsessed" statement. "But I'll have to pass though," he continued. "You're pretty and all but..... i have a girl," Jordan said to her, kissing his teeth as he did. "Kay, it was nice meeting y'all" she said as she attempted to walk off. Ty said to her," I'm single, in case you're wondering," he said playfully, biting his lips to display a flirtatious gesture. She looked at him with irritation before walking off. The guys laughed at him, with Jordan saying he's got zero game, that's why he hasn't dated since high school. After trips down memory lane fueled by six rounds of beer, it was officially minutes before New Year's Day, and they left the pub to gather with the rest of the crowd in Times Square. It was snowing already, and the cold felt almost unbearable, but everyone was strapped in their winter coats, head warmers, and gloves. The population, being tens of thousands of people, made it feel warm, some with family, friends and loved ones. He thought of Rachel again at that moment, and separated from the boys in the crowd to phone her. After prolonged ringing, and a second trial, she picked up. This was when the countdown had already begun for the annual iconic ball drop, and distant chatters from the background suddenly synchronized into the countdown of the new year: "Can you hear that in the background?" I'm at Times Square," Jordan said, excitedly. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there," Rachel said, sounding disappointed. "Don't be, it's not your fault, it's nobody's , what matters is they're fine, they're going to be okay, Jordan said with reassurance before he got interrupted by fireworks. Is it starting already? Rachel said, trying to sound more audible. Jordan replied," Yeah, we're officially in 2026. "Too bad I have like three more hours until I get there? "How's 2026, is it any better? "Are they flying cars yet, Rachel said jokingly, which elicited a laughter from Jordan. "You're so cute, you know that, right?" he said, trying to hold his laughter in. "I know," Rachel said sass. "I came with Ty and Dave." I better go before they start looking for me, I love you, Jordan said. "I love you too, Rachel replied. Not too long after he hung up, Dave and Tyrese phoned him, asking for his whereabouts as they were about to leave. When he found them, he received a reception he wasn't expecting. Nigga, where the f**k were you? Tyrese said, looking a bit frustrated. You should have at least told us you're going somewhere before leaving in a place filled with thousands of people. Your calls weren't going through, and we finna thought about leaving your ass behind. "You're thankful, Dave pleaded for your sorry ass. "Yo, chill. "I think you drank too much, "Jordan said," Where were you anyways? Dave asked. I was close by, I was talking to Rachel. Jordan replied. Dude, we're not mad. You walked off to talk to her," Who gives a f**k, it's your girl, but you should have at least told us. I understand. My bad, are we cool?" Jordan asked. Ty and David replied, "Yeah, we're cool," before they proceeded to dab him up. Who's sober enough to drive? "I'm wasted," Dave said. "I'm out too," Tyrese said. "Obviously, you downed like 6 bottles of beer bro, Dave said to Ty. "I didn't drink much, I can drive, "Jordan said, "Cool with me, let's get out of here, it's too loud," Ty said as they proceeded to get into the car before heading back to their apartment in Brooklyn. The drive back was surreal, besides the heavy traffic along the bridge that exhausted their patience. The city was aglow with vibrant lights and fireworks that illuminated the sky. It was indeed a beautiful sight to witness. Jordan was definitely glad that he came, it wasn't Rachel, but the boys still made it feel wholesome.