eleven

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The next day when Benjamin had finally decided to turn his phone back on, he woke up to four new missed calls from Markus and one from Noah.

He turns over in bed with his phone in his hands, texting Noah back.

no. long day. catch up later?

He sniffs and scrolls through his missed calls, putting Markus' contact on mute. He didn't know why it was so hard to press the block button but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

He gets out of bed, throwing his hair into a low bun. He sighs and begins to make himself breakfast.

He'd never felt more annoyed by his phone in a while but it seemed as if everyone needed him this weekend.

He grabs his phone and smiles when he sees his mom's contact on the screen. He grabs it and answers. "Hi, mom."

"Hey, sweetheart. I hope I didn't wake you."

"Nope. I was awake. I have a few errands to run today. Anyways, what's up?"

"Oh. I just wanted to let you know Markus called here last night, says he can't get in touch with you. Everything alright with you guys?"

Benjamin's face turns red. "Uh, yeah. I just had my phone off last night."

"Okay. He seems like he's really trying to reach you. Hope he's not too upset he had to miss the wedding."

"No, he's fine. Promise. You know what, I'm actually gonna call him right now, okay?"

"Okay. We gonna see you later?"

"Uhm...M-Maybe tomorrow I just don't know my plans for today, but I'll try my best, alright? Love you."

"I love you too."

Benjamin hangs up the phone, taking in a shaky breath.

**
Lucas knocks on the door to Noah's apartment. He'd left Tatiyana at home with Kehlani, saying he'd like to catch up with Noah.

Noah answers the door with no shirt on and holding a mug filled with some type of liquor in his hands. "Wassup, Lucas?"

Lucas gives a small smile. "Can I come in?"

Noah shrugs and opens the door wider, stepping out of the way. "Sure." He takes a sip from his cup. "Want something to drink?"

"No thanks."

Noah shuts the door and takes a seat on the couch. Lucas clears his throat as he steps over a mess, taking a seat. "What's going on, man?"

"Nothing much. Same old, same old. You?"

Lucas shakes his head and looks around. "Not much either, I guess. Still adjusting to being a father, I guess."

Noah hums and takes another sip from his cup. "What's that like?"

"Full-time job. No breaks. Even when you have breaks it's never truly there. But I love her so much. She definitely got her mom's attitude though."

Noah chuckles. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Lucas smiles and shrugs. "Either or."

Noah smiles and takes another sip. He sits up on the couch. "Why'd you really come over here, man?"

Lucas shakes his head. "What do you mean?"

Noah tilts his cup towards himself before swishing it around. "You ain't talk to me in months, dude...You not just popping up to say hi."

Lucas shoves his hands into his pockets. "I just...Wanna make sure you're okay. Staying sober and shit."

Noah rolls his eyes. "Why is my sobriety such a fucking issue of yours?"

"I'm just concerned, Noah. You're drinking your life away, dude. You're only twenty-two."

"It's rough, right now, Lucas, alright? The drink...I-It calms my nerves. And it's not like I'm drinking every day, aight? Just when I need to."

"When you need to? The shit is addictive, dude. You're gonna get stuck in a loop-."

"I get it! Okay? But your life wasn't fucking thrown into shambles after high school. I don't even know if my mom is gonna live and I-I didn't get to experience college and all that happy shit like the rest of you did."

Lucas looks over at him and shakes his head. "I get that but-."

"But nothing, Lucas. You don't fucking get it so you don't get to tell me how to fucking feel."

Lucas gulps and nods. "Okay. I just...You used to always see the bright side of things. Even when things were tough. I just...I miss that."

**
Lucas had left Noah's apartment after they had another argument. He decided to make a stop at Noah's dads' restaurant to try and talk to him.

He walks with a big smile on his face. "Hey, Mr.Martinez!"

Mr.Martinez smiles and turns around. "Lucas! Hey, man. How's it going?"

"It's going well. How about yourself?"

"Oh, you know? Trying to stay positive. Sit, sit. Let me go get you something to eat. On the house."

Lucas smiles back and takes a seat.

Once Mr.Martinez had come back out with food, he sat across from Lucas at a booth. "What's going on, man?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Noah."

"Oh. Have you spoken to him? I haven't been able to reach him in a few days."

Lucas nods. "Just left his place. Are you like...Aware of his drinking problem?"

Mr.Martinez nods. "I'm aware. I can't do anything to stop it. Ever since his mother was diagnosed...He's taken it very hard."

"I can't imagine. He seems...very angry and...Almost like..".

"Haunted? That's what his mother says. He doesn't come to see her much. Says he can't handle seeing her like that."

Lucas nods and frowns. "I wish I could help him. He just...Doesn't want help from anyone."

"I know. I'm trying to talk with him. I'm glad you care, though. He's usually the strong one."

**
Benjamin looks up from where he was sitting on the couch, looking at his phone to see Noah was calling him.

He grabs his phone, considering answering but lets his phone ring. He sets it back down before looking back up at the TV.

He sat watching TV for about two minutes before his doorbell rang. He groans and grabs the remote, pausing his show.

He throws the blanket off of himself, getting up from the couch. He looks down at his attire, making sure he was somewhat presentable to open the door.

He pulls down his boxers a little bit, as well as the tee-shirt he was wearing before opening the front door.

"Markus?!?"

**

𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘣𝘹𝘣)Where stories live. Discover now