so long and goodnight

chapter 1: Jesse

i glance up at the clock. 11:00pm. i'm still home alone. my parents told me they'd be here about 3 hours ago, yet they're still out and about.

i startle as i hear my phone buzz.

1 message from mom

mom: hey jesse. sorry for making you wait, but your father and i have decided to stay here for the night. maybe a little while longer. please find someone to stay with tonight.

jesse: okay.

in all honesty, it hurts that my parents are rarely with me. i don't want to inconvenience them in any way, though.

i scrolled through my contacts to find someone i could stay with. jenna, no. she's too annoying. james, nah, i don't know him very well. josh...perfect!

josh is my best friend, who has always been there to accept me. most people don't, though. i mean, i am a guy who wears nail polish and pink sweaters. however, i haven't seen him in a while. i think we are starting to go our separate ways. it saddens me, but it was always predictable. he's masculine and sporty. he's popular, and attractive. a lot of girls like him.

if i'm honest, i've always had a small crush on him. the feelings are probably just platonic and i'm just caught up in them, but i can't shake the feeling off. he makes me nervous and happy at the same time. you know, maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to go over to his house.

after scrolling through my contacts looking for any other option, i was only left with one; josh.

i cleared my throat and dialed his number.

after three rings, he picked up.

i hear shuffling and then he clears his throat.

"who's this?"

at that, my face dropped. i can't believe he doesn't even recognize my number.

"u-uh, its j-jesse... i c-can call you ba-back at another t-time if it's more con-convenient."

i cursed myself for being so awkward. should i mention i suck at social things?

"oh! i'm so sorry! jesse, hey! it's been so long. what's up, man? "

"oh h-hey! well, uh, my pa-parents are out of, uh, town for the night and, well, i w-was just wondering if i c-could stay at your house?"

he took a minute to answer, so i assumed the answer was no. so, i began to ramble.

"i-it's totally fine of the an-answer is n-no, i ha-have other options, i mean i-"

"no! it's completely fine! i'll come over and get you since i have a car. i'll be there in 10."

"okay. "

i hung up the phone and packed.

something seemed off. i couldn't figure out what, everything seemed fine, but there was that sinking feeling in my stomach that only intuition causes.