Is There Anybody Out There?

Chapter 4: Dino

I laid in bed, hugging Dino the otter to myself. I miss Vernon holding me in his arms, he felt safe and warm. In one night he's shown me more love than my parents have shown me in forever. Maybe I should call him... but so soon? He'll probably think I'm weird if I do. I'm seeing him tomorrow... I should be able to wait...

I look down at Dino, "I miss him... I miss his singing, his hand in my hair, his smile, his laugh. Our hands together felt like a perfect fit." I giggled, I felt like the girls I went to high school with when they had a crush on a guy.

I really, really miss him...

I put Dino down and stood, going over to the merch Minghao had given me. I picked up the cd and put it into my player to hear Vernon's voice again. Then I looked back to the rest of the stuff. There was a Bands Boys shirt with just the name of the band on it. I decided to take off the clothes I was wearing and put on some pj bottoms. I picked up the shirt and...

Two mini posters... both of Vernon... right in front of me... I...

I'm gonna go buy frames at some point...

I threw the shirt over my head before going back to lay down with Dino. I listened to the music coming from the cd, still having trouble falling asleep. My phone suddenly went off. I looked over and picked it up. It's probably Jeonghan or Seokmin, maybe even...

I shot up in my bed. Vernon just texted me!?

"Hey Channie... I had a really good time tonight. Sorry if this wakes you up. I just wanted to let you know I did get home safely, thanks to you. I can't wait for tomorrow."

I couldn't help but smile as I read his text. He had a good time tonight! Even though he spent it with me... wait, why is he...? I typed out a reply and sent it.

"So did I! And you didn't wake me, I've been awake since you dropped me off. I'm very glad you got home safely! Though I don't know how I had a part in it honestly. I really can't wait for tomorrow either."

"You told me to get home safely so I did! You're still awake? You were so sleepy though, why aren't you asleep?"

I miss you...

"I've been cuddling Dino and just... thinking? Why're you still awake? It's late."

"Awh you're cuddling Dino?? I'm also just... thinking... what are you thinking about?"

I'm just thinking about your arms around me and your hand in my hair and your singing and your laugh and us holding hands and you making me safe on the ferris wheel.

"Yeah, I love him! I'm just thinking about tonight and how fun it was being with you. I really wish it didn't end. What are you thinking about?"

"Oh, pretty much the same thing... just a little different. Maybe I should have just brought you home with me for Spiderman sleepover instead."

I froze, thinking about my last sleepover and what had happened afterwards. I haven't had one since my life went downhill...

"That would've been amazing! I haven't had a sleepover since before I was outed by someone I thought was my friend... Maybe one day we can have a sleepover?"

"Outed by someone?? And then you didn't get to have sleepovers?? That's bullshit Chan. Yes we can definitely have all the sleepovers. Joshua and I live together so it's like... sleepovers constantly. You're welcome at any time."

I couldn't help laughing at his reaction. If only he knew... I figure I can tell him a quick version? Then change the subject?

"Yeah, I went to a homophobic school and my parents weren't the greatest... It's a long story honestly. And you and Joshua live together!? That sounds like it's a lot of fun!"