Housemates 2

Chapter 6

Jay returns home and crashes on his bed, exhausted from the day. He stares up at the ceiling and sighs, thinking of ways he could ask Ryland to accompany him to the Wingspan concert without it seeming like a big deal. The thing is, he has no one else to ask and doesn't want the ticket to go to waste.

Jay peers over at his phone and taps it, checking the time. It's almost ten o' clock and he wonders if Ryland is still awake. He wants to quickly ask and get it over with, so it's not hanging over his head.

He slowly trudges out of his room and makes his way over to Ryland's, and notices his door is still open. Jay peeks inside and finds him focused on the television screen, smashing buttons loudly.

"I didn't know Fifa required such intense button smashing," Jay says as he slowly enters.

Ryland jumps upon hearing Jay's voice and quickly spins around, his hand on his heart. "Jesus."

Jay snickers and takes a seat beside him.

"Rematch?" Ryland asks, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"No," Jay says. "I wanted to ask you something."

Ryland lifts an eyebrow in curiosity. "What's up?"

Jay pulls out the concert tickets and shows them to Ryland.

"I have an extra ticket to see Wingspan if you want to come this weekend," Jay says.

Ryland's mouth drops open. "Wingspan? Do you know how hard it is to get these tickets? And you're asking me to go with you? Have you taken a liking—"

"I have no one else to ask," Jay cuts him off. "My brother bought them for himself, but realized he wouldn't be able to go this weekend, so he gave them to me."

"I see," Ryland says. "Well, I guess I have nothing going on this weekend. I'll go if you want me to."

"I'd go alone if I had to," Jay says. "It's up to you if you want to go."

Ryland grins widely at Jay. "Of course I want to go. Thanks!"

Jay returns a soft smile before rising and hands the spare ticket to Ryland.

Ryland reaches out and grabs Jay's wrist instead. Jay looks down at him, narrowing his eyes.

"What?" Jay asks.

"One game."

Jay sighs. "Fine."

Ryland beams at Jay and quickly hands him a controller. "What's at stake this time?"

"I'll ask someone else to go to the concert with me if you lose," Jay tells him.

"I'm going to that concert, Jay," Ryland replies. "Just watch."

The game begins and Ryland quickly struggles against Jay as his defense falls apart, letting in two goals. His offense fails to score any goals in the first half and his hands begin to become moist with sweat.

"Shit," he says. "I can't lose like this."

Jay just laughs at him and doesn't say a word as the second half of the match begins. Ryland focuses on the screen again and smashes the buttons on his controller in an effort to catch up to Jay.

Though, Jay begins to take it easy on Ryland, for he really has no one else to ask to go with him to the concert, and wants to spare himself the embarrassment.

Ryland scores three goals in the next half and screams excitedly at the screen, probably waking up the rest of his housemates.

"I'll see you at the Wingspan concert this weekend," he says, holding out his hand.

Jay shakes it and shrugs. "I guess so."

Unaware that Jay let him win, Ryland's smile refuses to fade. And for some reason, Jay finds it difficult to look away.

"What?" Ryland asks.

"Nothing," Jay says, rising once more. He walks to the door and waves to Ryland. "Good game. See you."

"Thanks!" Ryland says as Jay closes the door behind him.

Jay returns to his room and plops down on his bed, quickly falling asleep once he closes his eyes.

———

The next morning, Alec waits in the kitchen until one of his housemates arrives so he can tell them about his date. Vincent is the first to make his way down and he yawns, stretching his arms above his head.

"You're up early," Vincent says. "Did the date go well?"

"No," Alec says. "She barely talked and constantly went on her phone. It was like I wasn't even there."

"These dating apps just aren't working out for you, buddy," Vincent says as he reaches up and pats Alec on the shoulder. "I think it's time to look elsewhere."

"Where else can I look?" Alec asks. "I've been to bars, restaurants, and everyone I work with is in their fifties."

"I thought you liked them older," Vincent says, smirking.

Alec reaches out and softly shoves him and Vincent laughs.

"On a serious note though, how about you talk to Mandy? You know, the girl we met at Jay's house? She seemed to like you a bit," Vincent says.

Alec thinks about it for a moment as a quiet body enters the kitchen.

"What's up, Zion?" Vincent asks.

"Hey," Zion replies and opens the cabinet.

"Do you remember Mandy?" Vincent asks Zion who turns around and eyes him.

"The girl with the long, dark hair?" Zion asks. "At Jay's house?"

Vincent nods. "Don't you think Alec should try getting to know her?"

Zion turns to Alec. "Did your date not end well?"

Alec shakes his head. "When does it ever?"

"It's alright, buddy," Vincent offers. "Everything will work out. It just takes time."

"Since when did you give good advice, Vinny?" Alec asks.

"Shut up," Vincent says. "My brother always asks for my advice."

"I find that hard to believe," Cade says as he stands in the entrance of the kitchen.

"I find it incredibly rude how those are the first words you're saying to me this morning," Vincent says, folding his arms across his chest.

Cade laughs. "Sorry."

"Anyway, Alec, we're rooting for you," Vincent says. "I'll ask Jay for Mandy's number."

"Alright," Alec says. "I guess I'll give it a shot."

———
sorry it took so long to update ;-;