Back in the Saddle

Work-Night Sleepovers

Nick's POV:

"You know, out of all the things we do, I think that this has got to be one of my favorites," Clay says.

We're having one of our usual work-night sleepovers. They're basically where the three of us--me, Clay, and Alex--get together on a work-night and watch movies until three a.m., which in hindsight is probably not the smartest idea, but it is fun. We try to include George whenever we can, but sometimes he's busy with work or he just simply doesn't want to because we always have to leave super early anyway.

They normally take place at my house because I have the upstairs to myself since I don't have siblings, but sometimes we go Clay's because he has the best movie set up. His parents are rich and the only kids are him and his sister, so it can be nice. But usually we're here because everyone loves my moms.

"Do you need anything else, honey?" my mom asks me.

"No, I think we're alright. Thanks mom, say goodnight to mom for me?" I reply. She gives me a nod and ruffles my hair, saying a quick goodnight to Clay and Alex before leaving the room.

"So what do you guys want to watch?"

"Sleeping Beauty," Clay says.

"Cocomelon," Alex says.

"You're both idiots. Clay, why would we watch that horrible Disney movie when we can watch Tangled. Q--" referring to the name he uses in competitions: Quackity "--you're just an idiot."

I open Disney Plus upon Clay's nod of agreement and Alex's middle finger. I put on Tangled and make myself comfortable on the black couch we're all lying on; Clay and I are on the recliners and Alex is on the corner seat. We're in the upstairs living room, if that's what you would call it. I've never really known what this technically is, but when you go up the stairs of my house, it comes into this room and there are a few other doors that lead to my bedroom, the guest bedroom, and the bathroom.

About halfway through the movie, I grow annoyed by Alex's constant giggling and the bright light from his phone. So, when I think that he's not paying close enough attention to react, I snatch it from him.

"Who are you texting that's making you so happy..."

My sentence breaks away and my smile fades as I see the contact name of the person he's messaging. It's Karl, and from the looks of it, they've been talking since we ate dinner a few hours ago. I feel jealousy stab at my heart so I don't stop him when he takes his phone back.

"Quit snooping, jealous brat," Alex says. Though he's joking, he hits the mark perfectly.

"Give me his number," I say.

"Mmmmm no, I don't think so," he says stubbornly with a smirk on his face. I glare at him and flip him off before grabbing his beanie and yanking it off his head. I throw it across the room. He shrieks and dives after it. "You little puta, how dare you. You're lucky no one else is here to see that or you'd be dead."

"I'm not sure about that one," I laugh, matching Clay who's just been watching the whole exchange with amusement in his eyes. "And I don't need you: I'll just get his number from George, too."

"You do that, but I doubt that Karl will actually wanna talk to you. He's too busy with me."

"Oh, you're so on."

===

Karl's POV:

George, like the whore he is, gave my number to both of them. He informed me that they were having a competition to see who could get me to text more while they were at some 'work-night sleepover.' So far, neither was winning as I was texting them both the same amount.

Alex keeps telling me to stop texting Nick all together so he can win. I find it funny because Nick hasn't had the same reaction at all: he just keeps asking me random questions about myself. Everytime I ask why he's so curious, he just says that he's trying to win, but I doubt that's the only reason. Alex, on the other hand, is doing absolutely everything in his power to get me to laugh, and he is succeeding.

What's your favorite color? Nick asks.

Purple. But like, light purple.

That is very fitting for you.

What's yours?

Orange. Not bright orange: soft, like a sunset.

You one hundred percent stole that from the Hunger Games.

I one hundred percent stole that from the Hunger Games.

I chuckle softly under my breath. Texting Nick is a little easier than Alex because he has less typos, making him easier to understand. He also uses emoticons over emojis, whereas Alex has been using the laughing-crying emoji unironically for the past ten minutes. It takes everything in me to not call him out for it, but I somehow manage.

KARLLLL STOP TEXTING HIMMMMMM I WAS HERE FIRST.

I laugh again, louder this time. But not too loud, because I don't want Tommy and Toby, who are also in the room, to ask what I'm doing. That is a discussion I do not wish to indulge in with them, because it's embarrassing enough that they're fighting over me in the first place. Well, if that's what this is. I suppose they could just be being stupid, but part of me wants to believe that they're trying to make the other jealous.

But that's a selfish belief, so I get rid of it as soon as it pops into my head.

Hello, a new number texts me. I sigh, wondering who this person could be, but before I can ask, he tells me. It's Clay. George and I had the great idea of me winning their competition so he can hang out with you and I can force them to continue watching movies with me.

Hey Clay. Yes. Please make it stop.

Lmao, just stop texting them. When they start to argue, I'll tell them I won and we can all go back to our own separate activities.

I agree, and put my phone on silent before turning it off. I intend to join in on the other two's conversations, but upon hearing whatever it is that they're discussing, I decide I don't want to anymore.

"I'm telling you, I'm his favorite," Tommy is saying.

"You're deluded, because it's me. I mean I introduced him to you: how could I not be his favorite when I knew him before you did. Actually, don't answer that because I know what your argument will be, but still. He likes me better because you're obnoxious and a little shit."

"Are you guys talking about Ranboo?" I interrupt before Tommy can tackle Toby.

"No, we're talking about you, king," Tommy answers and I burst out laughing.

Before I can say anything back regarding how stupid that is, George nearly kicks the door to Toby's room down. With the most serious, expressionless face and the most monotone voice, he says: "I am his favorite. Not either of you two little chavs. Now, Karl, let's go watch a movie before you have to go to bed for the first day of your new job tomorrow."

I groan, burying my face in the pillow that's resting in my lap. George just laughs, allowing the other two to go back to arguing about random things while he grabs my hand and tugs me out of the room. Luckily, I've already gotten ready for bed, so I just fall onto it dramatically and keep my face deep within my pillow.

"So what do you wanna watch?" George asks once the light is off and the remote is in his hand. "We only have time for one since it's almost nine and you gotta be up by seven tomorrow."

My head shoots up and I give him a smirk. "Iron Man 3."

"I hate you," he mumbles under his breath as he pulls up Disney Plus. I break off into hysterical laughing fits and don't come down until five minutes into it and George throws one of his throw pillows at me. You know, that's sort of ironic... throw pillow... wait, is it?

God, I'm delirious.

Word Count- 1345

a/n- i like this chapter a lot. i wrote it when instead of sleeping which is why its kinda... all over the place, but its funny so