A Little Time to Get to You

count on me

I was exhausted from the day, but one quick glance at EJ who was sitting on my couch with me in my living room (supposed to be watching the movie that he had picked) had me assuming that he was even more exhausted.

I smile at my sleeping friend before reaching for the TV remote to pause the movie.

I pull my legs up underneath me on the couch and snuggle into the couch cushion. Thoughts of my day wouldn't stop running through my mind, even as I tried to focus on absolutely anything else. I was suddenly frustrated with my moms being out of town and my unconscious friend because it was truly me and my mind. It was truly me and my thoughts of Ricky.

Holding him today felt so entirely right, and I know he felt that sense of rightness too. The way his heart sped up when I adjusted myself in his arms and the way he swallowed hard when he was helping me clean up today's wounds were clear signs that he still felt something towards me.

But it wasn't love. Because he was still the guy who left me in my bedroom just minutes after I confessed to have fallen in the deepest way for him. He was still the one who started going out with other girls before he even verbalized an ending to our relationship.

I had thought we were just going to take a quick break over the summer just like he had told me, but when Kourtney had told me there were other girls getting involved, I just felt like a complete idiot. I told him I loved him and he left, pretending like the words meant absolutely nothing.

Sighing, I shake my head and stand up from the couch. I stretch and glance at the clock, noticing it's nearly 10:30. Yawning, I lean down to shake EJ awake to tell him that he had to leave. Tomorrow was a school day for me and I wasn't going to sacrifice my sleep schedule for the guy that fell asleep at 8:30 after fighting me over what movie to watch.

EJ groans quietly but his hands reach up to rub at his eyes and he begins to stretch. "Did I fall asleep?" He asks and I laugh, shoving at his shoulder. "You're annoying. Now get out, I have to shower and go to sleep." I tell him and he grins, standing up. "You're annoying all the time but I don't throw you out." He says, reaching for his sweatshirt and throwing it on. I roll my eyes and push him towards the door, laughing as he begins to ramble about the fact that I don't have a welcoming personality. "Oh shit my phone." EJ says, patting his pocket and I scan the living room, unable to find the device. "Might be in the kitchen." I say, turning around and heading towards the room.

"Nini someone's knocking on the door!" EJ yells but I'm too focused on finding his phone to really process what he's said.

When I walk back into the living room, EJ's phone in my hand, I stop dead in my tracks. I'm not the only one surprised either. In fact, EJ looks pretty shocked too. 

"Ricky?" I barely whisper, slowly approaching the boys standing at my front door. I take in his disheveled appearance and his bloodshot eyes, the ones flicking between me and EJ to try and survey what he walked in on. Ricky looks completely torn up. I watch as he drops his skateboard and runs a nervous hand over his curls. "I'm sorry, I should've called. But I didn't know where to go and my parents..." he rambles, unable to look me in the eyes. I feel my expression soften and I reach a hand forward, pulling on his wrist so that he's fully in my house before dropping it back down. "Oh uh, here's your phone." I say to EJ and he gives me a smile, taking it from me before shoving it in his pocket. "I'll try to keep better track of it next time." He laughs before glancing at the very silent Ricky who's staring at the ground. "So I'm gonna leave you two to it. Goodnight you guys." He says and I give him a little wave before he salutes me and walks out my front door.

Once the door is shut, I turn my attention back to Ricky. "I should've called. I'm sorry I intruded and-" I cut Ricky off and shake my head, pulling on his wrist again so that I could lead him to my couch. He's surprised because he resists for a second, before following me and sitting down next to me. "I know I shouldn't be dropping by anymore, I know you're with someone-" I shake my head again and cut him off softly. "EJ and I... we aren't dating anymore. We realized that we're better off as friends." I admit and Ricky's eyes finally meet mine. I immediately frown when I take in how upset he truly looks.