Ghost Town

Chapter 1

~| This story is co-written by a close friend, we took turns for each paragraphs, so even I don't know where the story's going.|~

As I pulled out my phone I silently reminded myself he was not obligated to respond, though when I had no new messages tendrils of disappointment squeezed my heart. I read my message in my head again. "Hey, you there?" As simple as it was the message seemed like a bother. A nagging voice on my head told me to leave him alone, though a louder voice cried out for his attention. Confused dampened by sadness clouded my brain. Quietly I thought of all of the reasons he wouldn't respond. He must hate me, I know it, a bitter voice rung out amongst my thoughts. I hugged myself and fell back, swallowing back a desperate wail. Surely he couldn't hate me, what I had done was not that bad. I closed my eyes tight and but my lip till I drew blood. Maybe.. maybe he did. Fear chilled me as I drifted to sleep, into the safety of my dreams.

Blackness swirled around me, a void that trapped me in my own mind. A figure started forming but a loud crash awoke me. I forced myself out of bed to see what happened and ended up facing my roommate in front of a pile of pans that had poured out of the cabinet. "I just wanted to make breakfast..." he whined, hopelessly looking at me for reassurance. I rolled my eyes and helped him clean up, "We can go to breakfast, it's okay." I reassured him, he scrunched up his face then nodded, "I'm gonna go get dressed!" He claimed before running off to his room, I shook my head and got myself ready. 

After about ten minutes I was ready, and it only took so long because I had been stalling. Taking time to think about my odd dream - possible sleep paralysis - before I had to drive to the nearest place that serves brunch. My roommate was waiting at the door, wringing his hands impatiently. His eyes lit up at he saw me approach. "Ah, food time!" He bounced out of the door. Though it was shared we lived in a small house rather than an apartment with a wide yard that sprawled out to meet the sidewalk. I sighed as we loaded into the car.

"Dylan what are you doing?" I asked, deadpan. He was NOT wearing that. "Awwwww, pleaseeeee???" He begged, grabbing the choker. "No." I REFUSE to let him wear a choker in public. He's too... soft. His fluffy brown hair bounced as he dramatically whined. "NO!" I demanded, and he dramatized a a frown as he took it off. He'd been trying to pull off a 'scene' look for the past week and honestly it wasn't working

I sighed as his eyes searched my face for regret as I had made him leave it in the back seat. The argument had been swift and I had ended it quickly. We pulled up to a local restaurant that made Dylan bounce with delight. "Ooh, I hope they still have the waffles!" He purred, pushing his way out of the car and stumbling onto the pavement. Seeing this side of him any doubts of loosing the choker evaporated, though they were only tiny to behind with.

He raced ahead and pushed the French doors open, his arms up. "I've arrived!" He announced, receiving glares from the tired workers. "Shush." I scolded him, gently placing my palm on his face. He shook his head and basically vibrated with energy as I got us the buffet. Once we were ready to go he charged towards the line of food, piling his plate with hash browns, eggs, sausage, bacon, and flapjacks. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my pick, two flapjacks, eggs, and bacon. "Hey! Jon!" I heard the familiar voice call. I searched for the voice and found him basically standing on a booth's seat. "Get down."
"Awww fine.."

I couldn't keep back a smile. Only a psychopath could resist his infectious joy and all around positivity. He started wolfing down his food as I ate a little more slowly, trying not to upset my sensitive stomach. "Soh, yoh free vis weekhend?" Dylan mumbled around a mouth full of bacon. I swallowed my food at made a thoughtful face and Dylan scrambled to his feet. "Can we pleaaaseee see a movie?" He asked before I could respond. I shrugged. I had nothing but knew pretending I did would be the only way to get him to spit out his plans instead of claiming it was a surprise.

"Sure, what movie though?" I responded, chewing on a piece of bacon. "What about the new scary movie! Y'know, the one everyone's saying is suuuper spooky!" He claimed through bites of egg. I knew that would lead to him clinging to me and acting like he was scared when he wasn't. But I didn't mind that much, I guess knowing someone for years gets you to that point.
"Okay what time?"
"Uhhh.."
"You didn't look at the showings yet?"
"UHHHHH...."
He pulled out his phone and quickly searched up something. "At noon!" He confirmed, putting his phone up to continue drowning himself in food.

I rested my arms on the table, poking at my food. "So, today?"  He was practically jumping in place. "I never said I'd go," I reminded him. He bit his lip and clutched his hands together. "Pleaaassseeeeee," He whimpered. I nodded slowly. "Hm, fine. We'll go at noon, but I'm not paying for everything this time." I warned, seeing the excitement in his eyes flare to a new high since we had entered the restaurant. I held back a laugh. Sure.