Finding You

Chapter 28 - I Lost My Shoe

"Sean, is that you?" I ask into the receiver.

"Sean?" Hunter repeats, his expression hardening. "Why does that jerk even have your number?"

I cover the receiver and hold it away from my ear. "I gave it to him to keep me company while my boyfriend was away."

Hunter narrows his eyes at me. "Not funny. Let me see the phone," he says, taking it from me before I can protest. He holds it up to his ear. "Washington, what the hell are you doing calling my girl?"

I try not to let my happiness at the fact that he called me his girl show on my face, but oh my gosh, it's hard.

Honestly, the idea of belonging to someone and someone belonging to me is something I never thought I would have, and yet, here I am.

Hunter listens for a moment before an annoyed look crosses his face. He pulls the phone away from his ear and looks at me. "He's drunk."

"I know," I reply taking the phone back from him. "Sean, it's Mia, is everything okay?"

"Mia! Hey, why'd you let that guy take the phone?" Sean asks.

"He's my boyfriend, Sean. What do you want?" I urge, trying to speed up things up. The look on Hunter's face suggests that the faster this conversation is over, the better.

"Oh yeah, what was it again?" He pauses like he's thinking. "Oh! I need a ride home," he finishes triumphantly, like he's proud of himself for remembering.

"Wait, a second, where are you?" I ask.

"Ummmm... Earth," he answers, and then starts laughing.

I roll my eyes. "Get your girlfriend to give you a ride."

There's silence on the other end. "I can't," he says finally.

"Well, can't you get a ride home with one of your friends?"

"No, I'm all by myself," Sean argues. "And I can't drive cause I already drank thisssss much," he says, like he's holding up an amount with his hands.

"You know I can't see you right?"

"Oh, yeah!" he replies before laughing like a five year old.

"Oh my God, Sean, I don't have time for this, okay? I'll see you at school," I say, starting to pull the phone away from my ear.

"No, Mia wait!" he says, and I pause. "Please... I don't have anyone else to call."

There's a tone in his voice that makes me feel something I haven't felt for him in a very long time - concern.

And I hate it.

Most of the time, I like being the kind of person that I am. The person who helps people, whether they deserve it or not. The person who can look past the things people have done, past the front they put up and see the ways that they're hurting.

I like being the person who gives people chances, but right now..

Right now, I'd like nothing more than to be the kind of person who could just look the other way.

But I can't.

He's alone. I can hear the isolation in his voice, and I know what that's like. I know what it can do to you, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Not even Sean.

Damn it.

I sigh. "Where are you?"

"That Irish bar on 82nd street.. or maybe it was 83rd... I'm really trying Mia, honest," he says, and it's obvious he's making an effort to sound sober.