Don't Leave Me Alone | TØP

Epilogue // Josh

I wake up from my dreamless sleep as soon as I hear my phone ringing.

I reach for the small object with my eyes closed and I sense it under my forearm. Without knowing who's calling me I answer the call.

"Uh, yes?" An sleepy hum leaves my mouth and I feel the urge to yawn.

"JOS- I mean, uh, Josh." It's Mark; who sounds horribly excited but tries to hide the excitement as he talks. "Did- did you sleep enough last night?"

I hum another "yes", slowly opening my eyes. It seems to me that Mark is shivering from the other side of the phone, what makes me ask myself what the heck is going on.

"Oh, uh, great!" My friend lets out a big sigh that I'm pretty sure he was holding on. "Listen: I left you some clean clothes in your room today, but since I don't have the hotel card I had to left them on you door." He takes a small pause. "Josh, please pick them up. Oh! Also, I need you to do something for me."

I stand up, a puzzled look striking my face. My vision gets all black and I have to hold on to the nearest wall. Damn, I swear just had the most beautiful sleep of my whole life.

"Could you please get ready in less than five minutes?" Mark continues, and I'm pretty sure he's smirking. "Don't ask me why! I mean, uh, I'm gonna call you again in five minutes, so I hope you're ready to leave when that happens. But please don't ask me why."

I raise an eyebrow, trying not to roll my eyes.

"Mark, you're acting weird again."

"I KNOW!" Mark bursts. "I'm trying to create some suspense in here. Anyway, I'll give you five minutes, okay?"

I'm ready to protest but he hangs up. I don't have time to think anything else, but I feel the urge to check what time is it. I turn on my phone and I stare at the bright screen.

It's 3:20 pm. That means I slept like a goddamn hibernating bear for more than 12 hours. Congrats me!

However, I rush to pick up the clothes by the door. Without hesitating I take the pile of clothes inside with me and I close the door as fast as I can. My feet move like bolts as I head to the bathroom and I turn on the shower, throwing my dirty clothes away. As I take the fastest shower of my life, I try to hold the excitement every time I remember Mark's words. I hope he has something interesting to tell me or I swear I'm not talking to him again.

I leave the bathroom after drying myself with the huge hotel towels. My eyes examine the pile of clothes Mark left me: a white tee, a pair of jeans, a good-looking underwear, and even a small toothbrush and some toothpaste; all accompanied by a note that only had a ";)" written inside. Wow, thank you very much, Mark.

I put all the clothes on and I take the toothbrush to the bathroom. While I brush my teeth as fast as I can I examine my face in the mirror, and all the pity/rage I felt yesterday disappears. I can't tell if I feel a lot much better than yesterday but it's the first time I don't try to avoid my reflection, and I have to admit that's a lot of improvement.

I take a deep breath and I wait for Mark to call me. When the phone finally rings and I don't waste time and I answer it with relief.

"Hey, Josh." Mark says, a little more serious this time, but I know his familiar smirk is still there. "Are you ready to hear some good news?"

I bite my tounge, adrenaline running through my veins; my heart pounding as fast as I bang the drums.

"Yes." I say, every part of my body screaming.

Mark chuckles under his breath and I feel my chest aching with excitement. Jeez, just spit it out, Mark!

"Tyler woke up at last!"