Tied to Our Fate

“Zack?” I hollered through the house.
“In the living room!” I heard.
Brian had followed me in from the patio and had taken a seat on one of the bar stools. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a long drink. It was quiet in the house, only the faint sound of the TV from the other room could be heard. Hopefully my breathing couldn’t be head. I admit, Brian made me a little nervous and the way he was trying not to look at me made it worse. He didn’t make me nervous in a creepy way, more like an excited way. Those big brown eyes looked over at me again and a smile spread across his face.
“So what are you going to do the rest of the night?” Brian asked me.
“Probably just watch TV till I fall asleep.” I shrugged.
“What about you?”
He took a sip of his beer before answering.
“Well, I have had entirely why too much too drink tonight so I’m sleeping on the couch.”
“There is a guest bedroom upstairs. That bed is way more comfy than the couch.”
‘Thanks.” He smiled.
I smiled and looked down at the feet.
“So how have you been? We haven’t talked much since we’ve been home.”
“Uhm, good. Just working, nothing much.”
“You know what I meant….” He raised an eyebrow at me.
Sighing deeply I placed my bottle of water on the counter and leaned against it.
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
I nodded.
“I can tell there is something different about you now.”
“What do you mean?”
“You are way too cautious and on edge than you used to be.”
“Do you blame me?”
He shook his head.
“No, I don’t. If I saw that little fuck again, I’d kill him.”
“I don’t think you will. I heard he was long gone.”
“He better fucking be.”
We sat there in the quiet for a moment until yawns took over me.
“Well I’m gonna go to bed. Good night.”
“I’m going too. Which room is it?”
“Come on. I’ll show you.”
I started up the stairs with Brian behind me.
“Shit!” I heard behind me.
I looked back to see Brian stumbling.
“How much did you drink?” I laughed.
“Too much.” He replied.
“Want some help?”
“Please. I might break my neck.” He snorted.
His arm went around my shoulder and I put my arm around his waist and made sure he didn’t fall up the stairs.
“Ok, this way.” I said, pointing him to the right.
I opened the door to the dark room and went to turn on the light.
“Just leave it off please.”
We made our way over to the bed where I sat him down.
“Get some rest, Brian. Good night.”
“Hey, Stace?”
“Yeah?”
I leaned against the door frame barely seeing Brian form on the end of the bed. There were clunks on the floor which I’m assuming were his shoes.
“Do you wanna hang out tomorrow?”
“Uh, well what did you want to do?” I questioned nervously.
“I don’t care. Maybe lunch or something?”
“I doubt you will be up before lunch.” I laughed.
“No, no I will be. Will you?’
“Yeah I will.”
“Ok, lunch then.”
“Ok. Well good night.
“Night, Stace.”
When I lay down in my bed, I couldn’t help but wonder what Brian was up to. Asking me out for lunch? I’ve known him my whole life, why was this weird? Was weird even the word for it? Weird? Strange? Exciting? Yes, this was exciting. I was excited to have lunch with him tomorrow. Why was I excited though? He was my friend! Butterflies danced in my stomach at the thought of tomorrow. Jeez, what was going on with me?

Notes