master of none.

009; nine one one, call me sometime.

THE NEXT MORNING, AFTER CRASHING ON CASSIDY'S COUCH, I GET THE SUDDEN IMPULSE TO DRIVE TO JERSEY. I feel like I'm being suffocated in New York, and in desperate need of a break.

Cassidy was sprawled across the adjacent couch, sleeping soundly. I try my best to keep quiet as I'm gathering my things and making my way to the door.

I stop by the house to shower and change, but I don't make conversation with my aunt and uncle even though I know that they're awake. I don't raid the pantry for snacks or do any sort of leisurely activity while I'm there, either. It's just a straight in and out mission.

When I get in the car, I send Cassidy a text.

To: Cassidy
sorry for leaving so soon. needed to do something. i'll see you tomorrow.

▲▼▲▼

I arrive at Luca's house by noon, which is good timing because this is around the time he'll get up on weekends. As I'm getting out car, I'm feeling somewhat nervous. And it's not that I should, because Luca's my best friend, but it hadn't occurred to me that I should have called.

But it's too late for common courtesy and other pleasantries, so I make my way to the door. I bring my fist up and knock three times, and then wait for Luca to haul his lazy ass to the door. I wait for about two minutes before I knock again, which works out better because I can hear him scolding me on the other side, telling me to wait.

The door swings open, revealing Luca in nothing but a pair of boxers. It takes him a second to register through his sleepy gaze that it's me, and when it does, he visibly lights up and immediately throws his arms around me.

"Evan!" He shouts ridiculously loud in my ear. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

I pat him on the back. "It was kind of on the whim."

He ushers me inside and closes the door behind us. "Are you back full time or is this just a visit."

I lean against the back of his sofa and let out a sigh. "Just visiting. New York's been killing me, so I had to get away for a little while."

He nods. "Ah, right. I forget that loving two people at once can be exhausting."

I grab a pillow from behind me and throw it at him, to which it hits him in the middle of his chest. "No one's in love, dickface."

He laughs as he's picking it up, and tosses it back to me. "Put it back before my mom telepathically curses me out about throwing furniture."

I put the pillow back where it was. "Where is your mom, by the way?"

"Farmer's market or some shit like that." He shrugs. "She'll be back soon. How long are you planning on sticking around? She'll want to see you and tell you all about my misdeeds so you can 'whip me back into shape'."

I roll my eyes. "I can't whip myself back in shape. My good for nothing parents ship me off a few states away to be straight and not channel..." I hold my hands up and then slip into a dramatic tone. "...the gay."

Luca frowns. "Have you talked to them since you left."

"Nope." I admit casually. "I mean, they called me once the day after, but I didn't answer. I'm sure they'll spin a lie about how they're giving me space the next time we talk, but they actually don't care about how I'm doing."

"Your parents are assholes." He says.

"I would have used a different word, but sure, we can settle with that." I nod, then focus my vision on him. "Now are you going to tell me what that thing in your mouth is or do I have to force it out of you?"