The Apocalypse

Chapter Two

A week had passed since Anthony had joined our group. He got along with the other members well, which was good. Ezra however, had ignored Anthony and had been a little quiet around me as well. I wasn't that worried about it, I knew how cautious Ezra was around new people and I honestly felt a little bad for bringing Anthony to the base without any warning.

One night I lie awake in my sleeping bag, staring at the ceiling. Anthony was laying beside me, but I couldn't see his face.
I looked around the room to see if anyone else was awakeI couldn't tell. I turned to Anthony and briefly tapped his arm. He quickly looked over at me, already awake. "Why are you up this late?" He muttered.
"I couldn't sleep." I rolled onto my side so I faced him completely.
Anthony scratched his forehead and yawned.
"Are you tired?" I whispered.
He shook his head in response. "No, I'm not ready to sleep yet." He replied. "Are you?"
"No."
"You look tired." Anthony breathed.
"I don't like to sleep here." I replied truthfully.
I hated sleeping in the apartments. They were either too quiet or too loud. The idea of zombies breaking in scared me to the bone, so some nights I didn't sleep much.
"Where do you like to sleep?" Anthony questioned in a low groan as he stretched in his sleeping bag.
"I have nowhere else to sleep," I said. "I just don't like it here."
"I wouldn't like it here either." He looked me straight in the eyes, though I could barely see him in the darkness.
We sort of just stared at either other for a while.
It wasn't awkward or uncomfortable like eye contact usually is.
Finally he broke the silence.
"Do you want to go on the balcony?" He ventured.
I peered up in the direction of the balcony door, which was blocked by a dresser. I guess Ezra thought things were going to get in from the third story window, but that was to be expected from him.
"Sure, but we have to be quiet." I replied.
Anthony sat up and stretched.
I watched him as he silently stood up and turned to face me. I got up as well, following him to the door.
He jumped over the dresser onto the balcony, before turning back to me. "Can you make that?" He asked.
I scoff in his face. "Yes, I can make it." I say as I hop overtop to the other side to him.
He grinned and we both sat down cross-legged across from either other.
"So what did you do before all this?" He asked after a while.
I thought for a moment. It feels so long ago that the world was normal and safe.
I think I took my life for granted while I had it.
"Nothing, I mean, I worked part time at a grocery store." I said with a hint of humor in my voice.
"Yeah but what was it like?" Anthony sounded genuinely intrigued, he even leaned forward a little.
"The grocery store?"
"No, your life, stupid." He smirked.
I laughed quietly. "I don't know, it was basic." I murmured. I didn't like talking about myself, I never have, so this was very uncomfortable for me.
"I lived with my mom and Lizzie and everything was fine." I added.
"What was school like?"
"Ezra was my best friend and as far as I know him and Alex are dating."
Alex and Ezra's relationship was so subtle anyone would mistake is as close friends. They never held hands, or hugged, or even kissed. The only reason I knew they were together is because Alex told me. As I remembered, he was super excited about it.
I'm not sure if they're still together though; they barely talk or even look at each other.
"They are?" Anthony asked, his voice surprised.
"Yeah, they're really private about it though I think."
"I never would've guessed." Anthony said as he brushed his fingers through his hair.
"So they're together, what about you?"
"I'm their third wheel."
"No really, were you with anyone? Are you with anyone?"
I let out a breathy laugh. "No, I've never been in a relationship."
"Never?"
"Never."
"Damn, really?"
I grinned. "Yes, why?"
He looked down at the empty street.
"I don't know, that's just kind of sad, you're what, seventeen-"
"Eighteen."
"Eighteen, you're eighteen and you've never dated anyone?"
"We'll have you ever dated anyone?"
"Probably."
"Probably?"
"Well I don't remember!" He's smiling big now— he has a nice smile.
"Fair point. But do you think you did?"
He shrugged. "Yeah, I bet I had a girlfriend or something."
I grinned and leaned back against the balcony railing.
"Weren't you homeschooled though?"
I had remembered him telling me that a few days ago.
"I didn't spend my entire life at home, Pippa." He snickered.
Suddenly Alex poked his head out of the balcony door, his eyes squinting as if he had just woken up.
"What're you doing?" He slurred his words from exhaustion.
"Just talking, did we wake you?" I looked up at him, as I feared it was Ezra for a moment.
"No, no." He waved his freckled hand at me and then yawned. "I was awake but I saw you two out here."
I nodded and scooted over. "Do you want to join us?" I asked, wanting to be polite. Alex, who was a scrawny kid, had to climb over the dresser like me, instead of simply jumping over it like Anthony did.
He took his seat next to me and smiled at me.
"Has Ezra talked to you lately?" He asked in a hoarse voice.
"No, has he talked to you?" I reply.
"No, that's why I asked, I'm a little worried about him." He looked down at his feet.
I nodded and glanced over at Anthony, who stared at him.
"You should try to talk to him." I suggested.
Alex's eyes flashed up at me, and suddenly I feel as if I said something wrong.
"Sometimes I don't think he likes talking to me." He whispered.
"He does, I promise. I remember when we were in school, Ezra would never shut up about how much he loved talking to you, honestly it was a little annoying."
Alex ran his fingers through his short red hair. "Yeah but that was a while ago. What if he's sick of it now?"
I took his hand in mine. "He's not, he loves you a lot, I know he does. I see the way he stares at you." I said convincingly.
Alex doesn't respond, but I know he's deep in thought.
"I'll talk to him tomorrow." He finally says.
I nod. "Good."
When I look up again, Anthony is looking at the floor.
"So um," Alex peered up at Anthony. "I don't remember seeing you at school."
Anthony nearly jumped as Alex started talking to him.
"Oh, I was homeschooled."
"Oh, I see, nice."
Anthony hummed and fidgeted with his hair.
We talked for about a quarter of an hour before going inside to go to bed.
Anthony took his place beside me and fell asleep almost instantly.
Soon after, I myself felt my eyelids get heavy before I fell asleep too.