The Neighbor Next Door

Stargazing

OJ headed back into the house, greeted by his kids, who crowded the door the moment he opened it,having been in the living room, while it sounded like MePhone was in the kitchen.

"How was it?"

"Did you have fun? We had fun here"

"How are your friends doing?"
Bombarded with a lot of questions as he pulled his suitcase, and the gift bag with him through the door. All this noise must have caught MePhone's attention, who walked over to stand in the doorway between the living room, and kitchen, a small smile on his face as he and OJ made brief eye contact. He chose not to comment on the fact MePhone looked exhausted today, that not being too big of a deal in the moment.

"Well I'm glad to see the house is still here,"

"I told you it didn't burn down or anything,"

"I dunno, anything could have happened between when you texted me yesterday, and when I got home today."

"Oh come on, have some faith in me," MePhone just rolled his eyes, giving a small scoff, before heading back into the kitchen to continue doing whatever he had been doing.

"He's making us lunch right now, also, answer our questions!"
"Yeah! You aren't off the hook that easily!"

"Okay, okay, let me just put my stuff down, jeez," OJ let out, a bit sheepishly as he headed over to the couch, placing the gift bag on the coffee table, and then tossing the suitcase with his clothes onto one of the chairs.

"I had a good time with my friends. They're doing pretty good, and I'm glad you two had a good weekend, too." OJ smiled at his kids, who looked... A lot more excited than usual. He was about to ask about what that was about, but he didn't get the chance, MePhone calling out to the two from the kitchen that lunch was ready. It was like they swapped places, The two rushing into the kitchen, while MePhone slowly sauntered out, heading into the living room, moving to sit on the couch.

"Thanks, really, for doing this for me," OJ smiled, moving to sit down on the couch, deciding to deal with putting his suitcase away later. MePhone smiled back, before looking away, his gaze fixing onto the carpeted living room floor.

"Of course, uhm... I hope you had fun,"

"I did-- uh... I actually got you something while I was out yesterday, I saw it and thought of you,"

"Wh-- huh?" MePhone looked up again, and OJ swore he could see the fluster on his face, but it wasn't incredibly clear.

"Yeah, uh," OJ gestured towards the bag on the coffee table. "Go ahead," MePhone looked over at it, hesitating for a moment, before reaching over, taking the bag, before pulling out the small box that was in it.

MePhone felt like his face was on fire. He had never really received many gifts in his lifetime. On very rare occasions, most being out of necessity, like his first phone, or christmas presents from before his brother died. He took a moment to muster the courage, before opening the box fully, pulling out the contents of it. He blinked, examining the item in his hand. A small, fragile cat sculpture, that looked like it was made out of some kind of colorful glass. He stared at it for a long while, before looking up at OJ, hoping his fluster, and appreciation wasn't too apparent.

"Thanks," His voice was small, quiet, but completely grateful.

"Y... Yeah, I just... Thought it would be nice to get you something," OJ looked away this time, his face also a bit red. Despite MePhone's bad night last night, he was glad today was looking up big time already. He was glad OJ was back, and here, and with him again. Dinner with him and his kids was surely going to be nice tonight, too.