You made it to the address Zack texted you. It’d been weeks since you’d seen any of your friends besides Josh and earlier today, Mads. You’d missed his big move to his own apartment. He was so excited and you felt bad. You knew you needed to start to pull yourself together and not let an accident from months ago keep robbing you of your life.
When you got there, Emma answered the door: “Hey! Just ignore me while you guys do your thing. I’m just gonna be cleaning up the dinner mess in the kitchen.”
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Zack pulled her into a side hug and thanked her but there was another knock at the door that interrupted. Jaden walked in smelling like he’d just left the bar.
You: “Have you been drinking? Wait, did you drive here?”
Jaden: “No, I got a ride. I’m not as dumb as your friends.”
Emma: “They’re your friends too, in case you forgot.”
Jaden: “I’m not talking about this with any of you. Wait, did you guys move in together?”
Zack: “Yeah, I didn’t really have a choice but to get an apartment because my parents were selling their house and I could never afford it on my own. Plus I kinda like all the extra time it gives me with this one.”
He smiled over at Emma as Jaden scoffed. He just looked so jaded by any sign of them being happy and you were so sad for him.
You: “Hey, can we talk about the gig? Didn’t you mention there were a few things coming up?”
Emma: “No, why don’t you explain the attitude, Jaden. Do you have some problem with me now or is it just relationships in general that you can’t manage to not crap on?”
Jaden: “Screw you, Emma.”
Zack: “Dude, wtf. Don’t talk to her like that.”
Jaden shoved Zack back but he managed to only stumble backwards himself because he was unsteady on his feet.
You: “Jaden! What is wrong with you?”
Jaden: “They’ve been together for like 2 minutes and they are living together? How am I the bad guy? They’re literally idiots.”
Emma: “We’ve been best friends for years. Besides… you’re just projecting on us how miserable you are choosing to be in your own miserable life.”
Jaden: “I don’t need this. I’m done. The band, the house, your life… take your pick. I’m out.”
He stormed down the stairs and you rushed after him hoping to talk some sense into him. By the time you pushed your way out the front doors of the building, Jaden was already climbing into a small car with a short dark-haired girl driving. She felt familiar but you couldn’t see her face to be sure of why.
By the time you got back upstairs, the emotions of the events you just witnessed caught up to you and tears were welling up in your eyes. Emma came up to you and wrapped you up in a hug as you cried: “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what just happened but I’m just so sorry.”
Zack: “No, none of that was your fault. That kid has lost his mind. I was hoping Bryce had knocked some sense into him but he seems worse than ever.”
You: “I just didn’t want music once again being put on hold because of Jaden’s tantrums.”
Zack: “Honestly, it’s cool. I don’t love music the way you two do. I only ever did it because I missed hanging out with you guys so much.”
Emma: “We really need to get together more than just to talk about music. Next time bring that boyfriend of yours. We like him.”
