Suprising (thatcherjoe)

Chapter 5

I'm eating Ramon noodles when my phone starts ringing. I glance quickly, figuring it's my mom since she calls me every Monday to see how I'm doing. I don't know why she picks Mondays, but I guess they're better for her. Maybe brightens her terrible Monday blues. But my pace quickens when I see the caller id. After the last text, I figured I would never talk to him again. But here he is, calling me first.
"Hello?" I answer in a question like manner. For all I know, this is a butt dial. "Hey Kelsey."
"Hi Joe. What's up?"
"Nuthin much.... I was just wondering if you want to go out for a drink."
"Umm... Joe you know it's only 12:30?"
"Oh. Yea I know. I just forgot most people find this a weird time to drink." He laughs. Not an awkward laugh, but more like a tired laugh. I don't know what to say. No bars will be open, he has no idea where I live, I don't know where he lives, we met once, I drunk texted him once. These all point against this meet up. But then again, he seems pretty down. And I already had class. What do I have to lose.
"Sure joe. Where do you want to meet?"
"I can pick you up. Address?" I tell him to meet me outside UVM. He says he'll be there in 10 minutes. I hang up and pour the Ramon down the sink. Thank god for trash disposals. I clean up, knowing that these May be a date. But I don't change, since this could not be a date either. I'm not sure which one I would rather. Friends? or more?

•••••

I find Joe parked in a rental. Of course. I totally forgot that he doesn't live here. I don't know where he's from, but I'm guessing England because if his accent.
"Hi." He says when I get in the car. "Hey." It's a little awkward but I save it by quickly asking "where are we gonna go at 1 in the afternoon for drinks?" he makes a exaggerated concentration face. "Urmmmmmm my hotel bar?" I laugh. "What hotel?" I ask. Like it will make a difference. "The Double Tree." "Oooh best cookies!" He laughs a nice laugh. "Never tried one. Zoe ate it." I pause, trying to remember who Zoe is. "My sister. The one your friend couldn't remember her name cuz she met her." "Ohhhh yea! Sorry not very good at names." "It's fine. I actually like that your bit obsessed with youtubers. It's actually part of the reason I called you. I needed someone who treats me normally. You know?" Actually I don't know. I hope I will never know. I have never wanted to be famous. seems like more of a pain than a blessing. And it seems joe is proving that. But Joe isn't looking for truth. He's looking for sympathy. "Yea. I know." He smiles at me. The kind that shows appreciation. Appreciation because he knows I'm lying, but he's appreciating me lying for him.