Insanity [Patrick Stump Fanfiction]

I

Days are long without Callie here. It's difficult to keep myself occupied without her. I live with her in her apartment, since I can't afford my own. I don't have a job or much money, so Callie allowed me to stay with her until I could get myself back onto my feet.

I heard the jingle of my cellphone. The bad news is, I had no idea where I left it. I ended up tossing pillows and couch cushions aside, looking under blankets and end tables, and finally, I found it. I sighed when I read the caller ID. "What?" I groaned. I slouched down and leaned against the disheveled couch.

"I'm just calling to see how you're doing," Mom replied softly, almost sympathetically. I didn't accept it. Her sympathy was easy to confuse with pity, which I absolutely hated receiving.

"Well you would know if you didn't kick me out," I replied in a cool, dry tone. I didn't want to be talking to her and I bet she didn't really want to be talking with me.

"Look, I understand why you're mad but you're 26 years old, Jordan! Take some responsibility!" I could tell my mom regretted the harsh tone she shot at me. Her voice softened as she said, "please do something with yourself. You're worth so much more than you think you are. Callie can't support you forever."

"Yeah whatever," I mumbled. My behavior reminded me of myself when I was 14 years old; bratty and immature.

"Jordan?"

"What?"

"Please take my advice. I love you baby girl," she sat in silence waiting for my response.

Ever since I was younger and I started using a phone, my mom and I had this thing we did where neither one of us could hang up until we both said 'I love you.'

It pained me to hear the sorrow in her voice. I gave in and muttered, "I love you too, Mom."

I heard her release a pent up sigh of relief before saying, "Make the right decision."

"Bye," I said.

"Goodbye," she replied before hanging up.

I threw my phone lightly onto the mess of a couch. I leaned my head against one of the cushions, not wanting to clean up after myself.  I closed my eyes for a moment. If I'm going to get some kind of job, I can get help. My dad's got connections everywhere! With that, I dialed his number.

I picked at a loose thread on my pants impatiently. "What's up, Princess?" He exclaimed after only a few rings.

"I thought I told you to quit calling me that?" I grunted.

"You did!" I could here his smirk filled with pride that he was wearing.

"Can you help me out?"

"Sure! Whatcha need?"

"A job," I grumbled. My dad laughed from the other end of the line.

"I've been waiting for this conversation for a while now! I know this woman, Maria, who's been begging me to have you work for her. She's always shorthanded over there and she'd love to have some assistance. I can call her and let her know?"

"Okay, I'll wait."

I heard the door to the apartment open and Callie yelled her greeting.

"Hey, Cal," I smiled. "Guess what?"

"What?" She set her bags down on the table.

"I'm getting a job," I said. I thought the excitement in my voice sounded a little forced but she congratulated me anywhay.