𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐱 :: The Next Door Neighbors

welcoming happiness.

15th july, 1985.
11:45am.

i wake up, feeling like i've slept for days, and days on.

i slowly open one of my eyes, barely seeing anything, i look at the clock on my nightstand.

shit. 11:45am. i was supposed to meet the group at 12. im gonna be so late-
i wish i could stay in bed the whole day.
my whole body aches.
it hurts.
im hurting.
mentally and physically.
i cant do this.
but mike, oh mike, he'll be mad if i show up late, but he'd be furious if i didnt show up at all.

i quickly jump out of bed, rushing into the bathroom as soon as i take my clothes off my dresser.
i brush my hair, brush my teeth, wash my face, and quickly get dressed.
i put on a pastel yellow t-shirt, and light blue shorts, white socks aswell.

why hasnt will woken me up?
we're supposed to bike to the field to meet up with the others together...

something's off.

as soon as im done, i run out of the bathroom and into will's room.

he's in bed? is he... okay...?

i walk up to him slowly and shake his shoulder lightly.

"will? are you getting up, or?-"

"i'm staying home. just- tell the others i got something going on, and close my door."

he mumbled quietly,

i could barely make out what he was saying, but i understood right away.

"are you.. okay..?"

"im fine, jane. just go."

his voice sounded so dry and crispy, like he was dehydrated or something.
i decided not to start a bit of a fight, and just nod and leave his room, closing his door behind me.
i walk up to jonathan's door, and was about to knock,
but he'd kick me out the second i'd enter his room,
so i didnt even bother.

shit. the time.

i look at my wrist and-

where's my watch?!

i quickly rush down stairs and i put on my yellow, dirty converse. not even bothering to check the time anymore,
knowing its definitely like five to 12.
i rush out of the house, slamming the door behind me.

i hurriedly get on my bike, and start cycling quickly.
the sun is so hot, i feel my skin starting to burn already.

dont care.

after about six minutes i arrive at the field, and i see everyone sitting, and laying around, their bikes thrown around.

they were waiting for me.

i throw my bike next to theirs and run up to them.

"you're late, again."

mike scoffs and crosses his arms over his chest.

he's mad.
no hello kiss.
no hug.
he's genuinely mad.
im just a bit late.
is he sick of me?
am i annoying him?
am i really that late?

"yeah i know, i slept in. i had trouble sleeping last night-"

mike rolls his eyes.

"of course, you did. like always. and then, you end up late to plans, like always."