evanescence (2.) | ✔️

Disappear

        WHEN MY EYES finally open, I realize that nothing had changed. The park was still as vibrant as ever, the midday sun beaming down on everyone in tank tops and jean shorts. I was thankful for the small little shade that Roman and I rested under; I didn't do too well with heat.

        Roman was exactly the same as he'd been before my impromptu nap as well, his face etched in an expression of complete tranquility. His eyes were shut as well but I could tell he wasn't sleeping, especially when they open suddenly to look at me. "Hey," he mumbles, his lip ring moving in sync with his lips.

        "Hi," I whisper back. "How long was I out?"

        Roman shrugs his shoulders, bringing his arms behind his head. "Two, three hours."

        "Hours?" I ask, eyebrows raising. "Crap, Roman!"

        His face is still completely calm. I get the feeling there could be a meteor crashing down from the sky and he'd only be slightly panicked. "Do you need to be somewhere?"

        "No, but you let me just sleep away the day?!" I hiss, shooting up to my bottom.

        Roman laughs deeply as he shuts his eyes again. "You can't sleep away the day if it was just a three-hour nap," he says indifferently. "You needed the rest, Braylen. You're too hard on yourself."

        "But you've just been sitting here and—"

        "Braylen," Roman says sternly, his eyes flying back open. "You're all right. I don't mind. I like your company."

        I roll my eyes. "I was unconscious."

        "You're much more tolerable that way," Roman notes. "No arguing, no yelling, no insults. It's a nice change. You should sleep more often."

       "Hardy har," I mumble. "Do you have work tonight?" I ask.

       Roman shakes his head. "I don't work Fridays. I should be getting home, actually. You know, start hitting the road."

       "Hitting the road?" I repeat before my memory returns. "Oh, right. You disappear over the weekends. How could I forget?"

        Roman pokes a finger into my cheek. "Don't miss me too much, Braylen. I'll be back bright and early on Monday morning."

        "Shut up, you douche bag. I will not miss you," I retorted, crossing my arms. I wasn't angry at him—not really. I was angrier at myself for being so damn easy to read. Even angrier at the fact that the thought of him being away for two days caused something to sink in my stomach. "Will you ever tell me where it is you run off to?"

        Roman stares at me for a little while and for once, I stare back. It's almost like a game of chicken, both of us trying to decide who's going to be the first to break. I had no intention to look away, though. It seemed neither did he.