Next to me ; Z.H + J.M

(1)

Zach Herron
[ "Something about the way you walked into my living room. Casually and confident lookin' at the mess I am"]

I laugh as I watch my younger brother dance around my other younger sibling. I smile watching the two and how they've grown up to be such young adults.

"Momma, I better get going." I say softly getting up, kissing my moms cheek and waving a farewell towards my dad.

"Oh, Zachary. Be safe, when will be the next time we see you?" She asks, as she always does when I leave.

"In a couple weeks. At the family gathering" I reassure, grabbing my black coat. "Thanks for tonight." I shout before closing the door.

I took this time to rub my, already cold and pink hands together. I begin to walk down the short pathway towards the drive way and quickly suck in the air as I unlock the vehicle.

I quietly sit in the black SUV as I wait for the heat to kick in. I pick up my mobile device and unlock it when a call ringed in, from my close by friend. I smile and let the Bluetooth radio take it over.

"Are you still with them?" My close friend Corbyn asks, I chuckle.

"No, why?" I question, while slowly backing out of the icy driveway.

"Come over dude. I haven't seen you in awhile since you're all busy with college and being a barista." Corbyn huffs in annoyance.

"Fine, fine." I cave in, and begin to drive in the direction of Corbyn's new apartment.

I sheepishly knock on the door, wishing I had listened to my mom and wore gloves. But I wanted to show her that I was my own person, my own adult.

"Zachy!" Corbyn practically screams so loud that the entire planet must've heard him.

Corbyn engulfs me into a hug, crushing my skinny figure and bones together. I feel and hear the crack of my back from the impact of the hug.

I chuckle and push him off of me. "Wow you must've really missed me." I chuckle, inviting myself into his apartment.

I take off my snowy boots, and place my black winter coat on a wooden chair.

"So this is it? What a sweet place." I compliment, admiring how far Corbyn had come since we were kids; us going through the same situation and childhood.

"Yeah, oh I want to show you something." Corbyn exclaims, dragging me into his bedroom.

There, he begins showing me the many pins he's earned and was awarded for his sobriety throughout the years.

"I'm- Corbyn this is amazing. I'm so proud of you." I smile, now it was my turn to give him a bone crushing hug.

"Thank you, I try." He chuckles, then once again drags me into another room; the living room.

I look up and was met with a man whose brown hair, green almost bluish eyes, and sharp jaw line were absolutely mesmerizing. His face was defined sharply causing me to hold in my breath from how stunning he looks.

"This is Jonah, my roommate." Corbyn says excited. Turning his attention towards Jonah he then introduces me,
"And this right here is my best friend, Zach."

>| ethanboydolan