Desperate Measures (On Hold)

Chapter 4

When he woke up, he was in an unfamiliar room tucked into a king sized bed and covered in at least six blankets. Reese pushed them aside, frowning as he took in the room. It was bigger than his own with a pair of curtains to the left of the bed, slightly open to reveal a balcony and bright sunlight streaming through. 

On the opposite wall, a set of doubly doors open to reveal a large walk in closet, next to it, another door leading to the ensuite. On both sides of the bed were twin nightstands with matching lamps. The one on Reese's side had a book titled 'Giovanni's Room.' 

The bedroom door opened and while the events of last night were a bit hazy, he remembered the male from the coffee shop. He was carrying in a tray with toast and a steaming cup of coffee... No, hot chocolate. 

"I wasn't sure what you liked so I thought hot chocolate was the safest option," he chuckled, pushing the book aside and setting the tray in it's place. 

"What am I doing here? Where am I?"

"Do you remember anything from last night?" Reese shook his head causing the man to sigh. "I found you at the bus stop well past ten. You were... On something so I took it from you and when I asked you for an address to take you home, you were passed out so I just brought you back to my place."

Reese frowned, glancing at the food waiting for him beside the bed. His stomach grumbled, the sight reminding him he hadn't eaten since the day before yesterday. 

The man stepped back. "I'll leave you for a moment. I'm sure you need time to process." He made his way to the door, stopping right before stepping out. "By the way, my name is Julian."

He blinked. "Reese."

Julian smiled, nodded, and left him alone in the room. 

~

After he ate, he felt a bit better. However he still couldn't shake his irritation. Who did this Julian think he was? It was none of his business what Reese did and he wanted back what he paid for. 

With that thought in mind, he left the room and found the staircase leading down into the great room. From there, he took the hall into the kitchen where he found Julian sitting at the island counter with a coffee cup and a news paper. Reese wrinkled his nose. "You actually read those? How old are you?"

Julian chuckled. "Old enough to realize it's beneficial to know what's going on in the world. And you?"

Too tired to fight about the fact that he turned the question around without answering, Reese replied honestly. "Twenty."

Julian hummed. "Twenty. You're only two years younger than me."

"You're twenty-two? You look more like thirty."

"Now you're just being rude."

Reese shrugged. "Give me back my stuff."

Julian blinked, setting the paper down. "You want it back? After last night?"

"Yes. I paid for it. I want it."

"Listen- Reese, right? I'll give you whatever it cost but just leave it alone. That stuff you were taking is dangerous and-"

"And what?" Reese snapped. "I could get hurt? I don't see what business that is of yours. Just give me my shit back."

"Reese-"

"Now!"

Julian stood up, reaching into his pocket and pulling out Reese's bag. He tossed it at him and Reese caught it seconds before it hit his face. "Whatever you're trying to forget, I can promise you it's not worth it."

Reese scowled. "Again, it's none of your business."

He didn't wait for Julian to continue trying to talk him out of it or try to take it back. Instead he found his way to the front door and left, using google maps to find his way home. Luckily, Julian didn't live too far from him and he only had to take one bus.

He expected his mom to be gone again when he got home but when he walked through the door, she was rushing over to him and throwing her arms around him. "Reese! Where were you? I called as soon as I found out you didn't come home last night but you didn't answer."

Reese pulled back, checking his notifications and realized she did call but that was over two hours ago. "Sorry. I was asleep."

"Asleep? Asleep where?"

His response died on his tongue when he took in his mom's concerned look. He couldn't tell her he stayed at a stranger's house, for obvious reasons. But where else would he have been? She knew he didn't have friends anymore, she just didn't know why. 

Then before he could think better of it, he blurted, "Angel."

She blinked. "What?"

"I stayed at Angel's."

"But I thought... You two weren't talking?"

Reese swallowed, his pulse racing. "We made up."

"When?"

His temper was fraying. "What's with all the questions? In case you forgot, I'm an adult now. I don't have to explain my every move to you."

"Reese-"

He ran upstairs, eager to get away from the hurt expression on her face. He didn't mean to hurt her. He was just so sick of being questioned.

As soon as he got to his room, he turned around and locked the door. He knew she wouldn't bother him after he snapped at her. It was the perfect time to finish the contents in the bag.