Lunchbox Friends | Aaron Hull

27

Alexa's Point of View

I sat in the waiting room with Tarver by my side.

"I need to go call someone," I said standing up.

Tarver nodded his head, "Go on ahead."

I walked over outside and FaceTimed Hamzah.

"Hey Alexa," Hamzah smiled, but his smile quickly fell. "What's the matter?"

"It's Kathy. She-She might be.. dead," I tried to keep it together but broke down into tears.

"Wait what?" Hamzah asked. "Seriously. What happened?"

"Well Tarver and I-"

"Tarver?" Asked Hamzah.

"My boss," I said.

"Your boss. You talk like that?" He asked.

"Hamzah now is not the time for that!" I lectured him. "We went to go find her because she was late and the other day she called out and she's just been acting really weird. I found her in Delilah's room with a needle."

"Fuck," He breathed out. "Alexa. I'm sorry. I wish I can be there for you right now. I'm sorry I can't be there for you. What about Aaron?"

"He's uh.. I don't know," I said.

"You guys are good though. Right?" Asked Hamzah.

"Yeah, yeah," I nodded my head.

"Okay that's what I thought," He smiled.

"Huh?" I asked. "I didn't know you and Aaron are.. friends?"

"We play pc together now," Hamzah shrugged.

"Actually?" I questioned. "Wow. You two couldn't have gotten along while you were home?"

"I guess not," He shrugged and laughed.

"Whatever Hamzah," I playfully rolled my eyes. "Talk to you later."

"Alright," He smiled into his camera. "Text or call whenever you need something."

"Of course," I said winking before hanging up.

I texted Aaron to let him know what was going on.

Me: at the hospital with my boss. kathy od'd. gonna have to cancel for tonight i think.

Aaron: i'm on my way.

I weakly smiled at his text. I walked back inside the hospital and sat next to Tarver.

"You okay?" He asked.

"I don't know," I shook my head. "I don't think so."

"I know that must've not been so easy to see," Tarver said. "Kathy's going through a lot. But I'm sure she will be okay."

"I hope so," I said staring down at my feet.

"How are things at home?" Asked Tarver. "When your dad came a little while ago.. things seemed so tense. Is everything okay?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "We had just found out he was having an affair. It's sent my mom into a bender. I can barely be home. I can't stand being around her or her beer bottles and crushed cigarette butts."

"I own this little cottage home near the high school," Tarver said. "A family rents out most of it. But there's a basement apartment. Fully furnished and was just renovated. It's nice actually. If you need a crash pad, that's one for you."