365 Days

7

Reki stumbled back into a corner, by the stairs.

"What the—" Reki started but Langa put his finger on his lips to shush him.

"Why are we hiding in a corner?" He whispered.

"I have something to tell you." Langa said, fidgeting with a loose string on Reki's jacket. Reki gulped, nervous for whatever was going to happen.

"Okay, what is it?"

Langa leaned into him, with his lips barely grazing on Reki's as he said, "I know."

Reki jumped out of his seat, gasping for air. He brought his hand up to his forehead, rubbing his temples from the dream.

He hadn't had one in years—other than the dream about ADAM killing Langa—but he was having them even in the day now, and at work no less.

Reki felt tired, in every way, shape and form, and it was beginning to affect his sleep schedule, even though it was never that great in the first place.

"Reki, what happened?" Langa asked, kneeling down in front of him, sitting him back down. Reki looked around him, seeing skateboards and wheels.

"Did I fall asleep? Why'd you let me fall asleep?" Reki asked.

"You looked tired, so I brought you to the back to get some rest. I figured I could put you to work next week, after you've gotten some sleep." Langa explained, sofly touching Reki's legs. "It's not that busy anyways."

"Put me to work?" Reki repeated, still trying to wake up.

"Reki, are you okay? You keep falling asleep." He asked and Reki nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired. Do we have an order or something?" Reki asked.

"Yeah, I put the board and wheels on the shelf for you." Langa pointed behind him. "But she's not in a big rush. So, take your time."

She?

"When did she order it?" Reki asked, getting up.

"Saturday."

"Then, I better get started now, so I don't keep her waiting." He grabbed the board and wheels, and put them in his bag.

"Just do it tomorrow." Langa said.

"Why? I can just put on the wheels today and paint it in like twenty minutes. I'll be done by midnight." Reki shrugged. Langa bit his lip in hesitation.

"What is it Langa?"

"You said you wanted to do something tonight, didn't you?" Langa said, pushing himself back up and walking to him.

"Yeah, but—"

"We're hanging out. Right now."

"We still have work."

"Oka said to close early because of... you know." Langa raised his eyebrows, referring to Oka's girlfriend.

"Okay, fine then." Reki sighed, grabbing his and Langa's things and locking up. Langa locked the door and turned to Reki.

"What are we doing?" He asked, smiling helplessly.

Langa knew he was more excited about whatever crazy night Reki had planned than he normally would, but this would be the first time in weeks that he would be hanging out with him without any excuse, like school or work.

"It's a surprise, so just trust me. You do trust me don't you?" Reki said, nudging Langa, who nodded, following him on his skateboard.

"I'll race you. Last one there is buying dinner!" Reki exclaimed, skating farther.