Wildfire

Chapter 2

I woke up to the buzzing of my phone. At first, I thought it was my alarm until I realized I never set one. I looked at the really bright screen. I saw "Smotters" at the top of my screen and I was getting a phone call from him. I furrowed my brows because he knew it was late for me. It was 4 a.m. and way past my bedtime.

I answered, "Smii7y? Do you know what time it is?"

"Sorry. They just sent out the evacuation instructions. I just got off the phone with Matt and his city was evacuated an hour ago." Jaren said quickly. He sounded panicked and stressed.

I sat upright, "Oh shit. Really?"

"Yeah. Matt is on his way to my place and we are heading for New York to get a plane ticket." Jaren said.

"Fuck. Okay. Let me get John. Are you packing?" I asked him as I got up from bed.

"Whatever I can which isn't much. They are going door to door, getting everyone out so I have until they get to my floor." He said.

I opened John's door and held my phone away from my face so I could get John up without stressing Jaren out anymore. "John get up. Toronto is being evacuated right now. Jaren and Matt are on their way."

"Holy shit. Right now?" He asked as I left the room.

"Jaren? You still there?" I put my phone back up to my ear.

"Yeah. Just running around my apartment like a chicken with its head cut off." He answered. I heard him rummaging around away from his phone. "It's open, Matt!" He shouted in the distance. I then heard Matt's voice.

"It's crazy out there. We need to go." Matt said urgently.

"I have a few more things I gotta grab. Can you talk to Lea? She's on the phone." Jaren said. There was a moment of silence before I heard Matt's voice.

"Hope you got those rooms ready, Lea. We will be popping in soon." Matt said.

"Nice and cozy for you guys and fully stocked pantry. Are you alright?" I asked him. I paced around my living room anxiously, feeling helpless. I hated that my friends were in trouble and I couldn't do anything but listen to their problems.

"A little shaken up and stressed out but thankful we have a place to go." Matt responded.

"You know our doors are always open for friends." I said.

"Smii7y. Common! They are at the door." Matt shouted.

"Coming." Jaren said in the distance.

"Where are they going?" John asked me. He had his laptop out on the island counter.

"Matt? Where are you looking for flights?" I asked him

"We are going to head to Buffalo New York just to get out of the country since all flights are canceled to and from." Matt said. I heard the front door open and Jaren started to talk with someone.

"No. It's just us in the apartment. Yes, we have masks." Jaren said.

"I just bought a couple of tickets from Buffalo to Armadillo in 3 hours. I'll send Jaren the tickets." John said to me.

"We got some tickets for you guys at Buffalo airport in three hours. Think you guys can make it?" I asked Matt.

"Yeah. Most people don't have passports so most won't be heading to the states." Matt said a bit winded. There was a slam of two car doors and I assumed they made it to Matt's car.

"Hey, Lea. I'm back." Jaren's voice said into the phone.

"You doing alright? I can't imagine how scary that is." I said to him.

"I've certainly been better. Stressed as hell. Thanks for the tickets and a place to stay. Let's just hope the fire stays the fuck away from my place." He said.

"Of course. That is scary shit. The least we can do is get you guys out here and a safe place to sleep that won't catch on fire." I said.

"Too soon for fire jokes." Matt said with a nervous chuckle.

"I'll call you when we get to the airport and past TSA." Jaren said.

"Okay. Call me if anything happens." I respond. I hung up the phone and looked at John worryingly.

"They'll be okay. They'll get here in one piece." John said, coming up to me.

"I know. They just sounded so stressed and freaked out. I couldn't imagine ever having to go through that. I'm worried for them." I said. John wrapped me in a tight hug and I buried my face in his shoulder to prevent the waterworks. I wasn't one to get emotional but my friends were too important to me. Jaren and Matt especially. They introduced me to the streaming world and became my close friends in a matter of no time.

"They can handle themselves. They will get here just fine." John said as he rubbed my shoulder blade gently.

The next few hours were long for me. Every minute felt like a lifetime. I awaited Jaren's call once they got to Buffalo. John went to get breakfast while I prepared Jaren's and Matt's rooms. It didn't take long since we barely ever used the rooms. I just had to clean the clutter and wipe off the dust from the surfaces.

My phone finally rang right as John came home with food. I was quick to answer the phone, "Hey Jaren. Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Just made it past security. Can finally take a break for a bit." He said.

"You found your gate and everything?" I asked him. It sounded like he was opening something with a loud wrapper.

"Yup. And food too." He said with a mouth full of food.

I couldn't help but smile. He and his good friend were evacuating and he still ate like nothing bothered him. "John and I will come and get you guys when you land." I smiled.

"Sweet. Can't wait to be in a place where I can actually breathe." Jaren joked.

"I'll see you in a few hours then." I said.

"Cya." He hung up and I joined John at the kitchen counter.

"They are on their way. We should go get them at noon." I said to John.

He nodded, "They doin' alright?" He passed me my orange juice.

"Just fine with full bellies." I giggled.

"I told Chris and Nelson what happened. They said they'll drop by tomorrow after they get settled in." John explained as he grabbed ketchup from the fridge for his hashbrowns.

"Sounds good." I responded.

"Are you nervous to meet them?" John asked with his classic shit-eating grin.

"Pft. No. I've played games with them thousands of times. I ain't scared of nothing." I said challengingly.

John looked around the room, "Where did I see that spider again?"

"Spider?! Where?!" I yelped and quickly sat on the counter to get my feet off the floor.

"Not scared of anything huh?" He grinned. I glared at him while I climbed off the counter.