168 Hours of Miles Fonte

Chapter 11: Tuesday

Miles and I went back home, erm, I mean the dorm, and worked on schoolwork. Miles laid on the couch with a book he said was for History. He didn't have a notebook, he didn't even have a pencil or pen to write anything down. I guess I should've been concerned, but he made it through last year somehow so I had confidence he could do it again. I had less confidence in myself, though. I had papers scattered across the kitchen table and my binders were in disarray, a good representation of my thoughts.
I clicked my pen two, three, five times, before Miles said "What is your problem?"
I smacked my head on the table and said, "calculus is my problem."
I heard him snap his book shut and walk over. He was leaning over me. I felt his t-shirt hit the back of my neck. It tickled and sent shivers down my spine. Once I shook that feeling off and started paying attention to what he was saying, I realized he was actually trying to help me.
As he spoke I began to understand why he made it through freshman year with little to no effort. He's a genius. If he put more effort into school, imagine what he could do. I'm sure that he could do whatever he wanted in life, and he'd be successful. I admired him for that. I was also jealous of him for that. I've had different dreams throughout my life that I knew I couldn't accomplish because I didn't have the ability. For example, I can't whistle, I can't even snap...I don't know what dream job would require those two things, but you get what I'm saying.

After hours of slowly working away. I finished most of my homework. I exhaled and opened an internet tab to look for apartment listings. I had scrolled through one page; again, all way above my budget, before Miles asked if I wanted to go out to eat. His eyes were glued to his book when he asked this. I didn't know whether he was trying to act like he didn't care, or if he really didn't, it was hard to tell. But I said yes to dinner, closing my laptop. I was starving. I could look at expensive apartments later.

We hopped in his car, "I owe you so much gas money for driving me around." I said as I put my seat belt on.
"Nah, don't worry about it." Miles said.
"No, I do! I've treated you like my personal chauffeur, and I owe you."
He laughed. I like his laugh.
"You're paying me by blessing me with your company." He said sarcastically.

It was a warm night. The car windows were down and the breeze blew in. My hand was resting out the window and I took in the scenery as it passed. I enjoyed these small drives we took. Miles turned his music on, I half expected it to be the music Tyler had played the other night, so I tensed up in preparation. Thankfully it wasn't; it was actually pleasant. Miles whistled along while I tapped my finger to the beat; something I did have the ability to do.

After a while of driving Miles got a call, he turned off the music, "Hello?" He answered.
I watched his face go from content to concerned in three seconds. So naturally, I became concerned.
"Ok ok, where are you?" Silence. "I'm coming. Stop. I'll see you soon."
He hung up and accidentally dropped his phone on the floor near my leg. I went to reach for it when he shouted, "Damn it, Brandon!" and slammed his hand against the wheel.
I pulled back instinctively and watched his face. He did a u-turn. He was upset, I didn't want to make it worse by saying anything wrong or touching his phone if he didn't want me to. I feared that he didn't want me to be there. I stayed quiet. It eventually became appropriate for me to at least pick up his phone and place it quietly in his cup holder.
"Thanks." He said emotionless.
We stared, straight at the upcoming red light. He slowed and then came to a stop when I built up the courage to ask, "What's happening?"
He sighed and told me that Andre had called saying that he, Brandon, Tyler and Kali were together and Brandon was drunk and screaming and not letting anyone go near him...not even Kali. It must be serious if he won't let Kali talk to him. After Miles explained, he went quiet again; he was really worried.

We pulled up to a bar. Miles told me to stay in the car, then he crossed the street to meet Andre who was holding Brandon up because he was passed out. They slowly eased him down onto a bench. Andre and Miles stood under a poorly lit city light and started talking. I couldn't make out everything they were saying. I heard Miles say "Why didn't you cut him off?!" Then Andre more quietly said "I tried to man but you know, he's jacked."

They talked some more, Miles ran his hand through his hair a few times before they grabbed Brandon and put him into the backseat of Miles car.
"Go home Andre." Miles said.
Andre was hesitant at first, wary, but then he nodded.
I smiled at him and he squeezed my shoulder through the window and backed away. Miles didn't wait to start driving. He started off squealing his wheels. Which made me anxious; I had never felt unsafe when Miles was driving until now. I almost wished I had gotten out and walked with Andre. He ran through some stop signs. My hand tightened around the door handle. He looked in his mirror to check on Brandon every so often. I watched Miles' hands instead of the road. He had one hand on the wheel and one on the gear shifter. Impulsively, I reached over and placed my hand on top of his. He tensed for a second but then relaxed. He eased up on the gas and stopped at the oncoming red light.
"I'm sorry about this." He finally spoke up. "I should've brought you home first."
"It's ok." I said quietly. "You had to get to Brandon right away...you're a good friend."
It started raining. To turn on his windshield wipers, he took his hand away from mine; inadvertently disappointing me.
He then used that hand to pull his hair back from his face.
"Ugh. I think Brandon and Kali are going through something." He admitted.
I bit my lip. "Does this happen often?" I asked.
He remained quiet, maybe I pushed my boundary? But he surprised me when he started talking.
"Brandon's not great when he is under the influence of alcohol. Kali has been a good reason for him to stay away from drinking, she stopped him. But tonight she didn't stop him. So I bet they had a fight."
"Oh" Is all I said. Brandon snored in response.

We pulled up to building 2D. It looked less forgotten now that I knew what was inside.
He turned off the car and sat there. I waited for him to make the first move. He looked back at Brandon.
"God, what a mess." He laughed, rubbing his face. "I love my friends, but sometimes they are really clueless." He continued, "Tyler just left, he always leaves when things get serious. He left Andre alone. I swear Andre is the only reason why this friend group is still functioning."
I thought back to how Andre said something similar about Miles and smiled. They had each other's backs. I don't have anyone like that, except maybe mom. Mom, I haven't called her.
I shook that thought away when Miles continued. "Kali got upset and left without thinking of Brandon, she's his girlfriend. And Liam, god, I hate Liam."
This was news to me.
"Liam is such a bad influence. But they like having him around because he provides the beer and the equipment and-" he put his head on the steering wheel.
I resisted at first but then I rested my hand on his back, and rubbed it with my thumb. He didn't pull away.
"They're very exciting and fun, but that gets tiring." He sighed.
Gosh I related to that. His friends are fun, but fun is overrated sometimes. Ever since I've gotten to college all I've wanted to do is take a nap. I don't know how he has lasted years with them.
"I'm sorry." Is all that came out of my mouth at first. But words continued to form, "I've never had friends quite like yours, so I don't know how I can help exactly."
"You're helping me right now." He smiled, not making eye contact, still leaning on the steering wheel. More moments passed, my hand was still on his back.
"I've only been here a few days and even I can see that these guys rely on you too" I said.
He exhaled and looked up at me.
"Ready to take him in?" He asked.
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