Open Up My Eager Eyes

Chapter 21

“I just- just please. One dinner is all that I am asking from you.” For the hundredth time that morning, I pleaded to Sam. Man, she could be so fucking stubborn when she wanted to.

It was 6:15 am and I’ve done my part in sending Sam countless messages, telling her about the dinner that my parents proposed last night. I took the liberty to flood her phone just to get her attention and surprisingly, she finally picked up after just my third attempt in calling her.

“Fine. I’ll be in the apartment at around 5:45.” She said with a defeated sigh.

“Alright, great. I’ll see you then.” I spoke softly. I didn’t want to leave our conversation there, though. I wanted to say so much more but it felt like my words were clogging up in my throat. None of us dared to hang up just yet, as if silently waiting for the other one to speak and hang up first. It was a silent battle between the two of us.

“I miss you.” I finally blurted out.

There was a long pause. Almost too long to be traumatizing. “I’ll see you later, Kellin.” And with her final word, the line went dead. This is too exhausting. All of this. I used to live in a simple and peaceful life and look at me now, a sleepless idiot who couldn’t decide for himself. Hell, I even got my younger sister to clear my thoughts out for me.

As for Vic, he already sent me a message about twenty minutes ago, asking if we could get coffee on the way to work. He knew that I am a huge morning person so it wasn’t a surprise when he started calling me after twenty minutes. He said that he wanted to pick me up at the apartment so that we could go together to the bar. I haven’t replied to him yet. I was so embarrassed to tell him that I have to skip today’s shift since my family paid me a surprise visit. Right when I tossed my phone on the couch and decided to stretch my muscles for a while, my phone started buzzing. I lazily grabbed it and brought it to my ear, not bothering to check who was calling because I kinda knew who it was.

“Hello?”

“There’s this new thing, it’s called replying and answering your phone.” Vic sarcastically said. It was supposed to be a joke but I could hear the annoyance in his voice, clear as day.

“Whatever. Sorry. Too tired.” I said as I closed my eyes, in the attempts of resting just for a while. “What do you want?”

“Someone’s snarky today.” He commented and usually, I would rebut but I let it slide because I surely wasn’t up for an argument. “Anyways.. I’ll be there to pick you up at around..”

“Oh yeah, about that.. Can I skip my shift today? My family surprised me with a visit last night and they made plans to hang out today. Just for one day.” I asked hopefully, changing my tone to that one that Vic wouldn’t be able to decline.

“Other people would think that I am spoiling the new guy.” He said with a sigh. “Whatever. Just for today.”

“You’re the best.” I happily said and was quick to hang up. Finally. Maybe I could get a couple more hours of sleep.

“Good morning, sunshine!” Or not.

“Ugh. Kelly, go away.” I shoved a pillow on my face, trying to block out the entire annoyingly early world. Can’t I just take a break for one minute? Apparently not because the next thing I knew, my sister pulled away the only thing that blocked away the light that has been peeping through the windows.

“Was that your boy-toy?”

“Stop calling him that. Jeez.” I said and tried to push her away from the couch. Man, my family could be so annoying sometimes.

“Oh, sorry. Was that your boyfriend on the phone?” Well, that got me swiftly sitting up straight. I looked at her as if she was a madman and shook my head as my eyes widened in pure.. Disgust? Disbelief? Annoyance? I didn’t know. I wasn’t sure. The mere word bothered me. Boyfriend. It sent me goose bumps and it literally felt so awkward, just hearing that word.