Pisanthraphobia (H2OVanoss and Others)

Chapter 19

The new pad was beautiful, in a modest way. It's exterior was white and pristine, and the neighbors were separated by shiny gray fences, giving the area a clean and modern look. The inside was dark, mostly blacks and greys with splashed of red.

There were several rooms so they could fit everyone if they slept over, and there was a hidden underground chamber, like a small basement, that was unique to the house. Evan set up his computer and bundles of technology in that room, and Craig had passionately declared it the 'hacking lair'.

After checking out the place, Lui and Nogla went out to grab food for the fridge, grabbing tons of supplies to fill the modern kitchen, and Tyler had gone with Brock to get bedsheets, decorations, and furniture. As they shopped and visited different stores, they would occasionally send Evan pictures to ask his opinions, and he would send back his thoughts.

While the shopping went on, the other boys set up Mario Kart on the flatscreen. Brian decided to sleep on the side of the couch, and they set up two players and added CPU. The kart selection was normal, and all was well until they made the mistake of letting Evan choose the map.

He had some sort of expansion pack, which was abnormal considering the game they were playing, and he decided on something called 'backwards rainbow road'. That was when everything went downhill.

Rainbow road by itself was insane. This version made everyone drive backwards, meaning they couldn't see the items or when the road was changing, and shells could only be thrown at those behind you.

Within 30 seconds Craig was screaming and Evan was dying laughing, and that's what the other walked in on. They paused the game to bring the groceries and such inside, and after unloading them in the main hall they grabbed some pizza rolls and went back.

Brian moved off in another room, and the others filed in on the couch. Evan sat between Craig and Tyler in the middle, and on the floor leaning back Nogla and Lui sat next to each other. Thus, the pain began again.

Evan was glad the house was basically soundproof, and at some point they all decided that it was getting too crazy. After picking some other maps (without Evan this time) and having some barely calmer rounds, they settled down to watch a movie before they turned in for the night.

After hearing that Brock had never seen it, Tyler demanded that they watch the classic Donnie Darko. The night was weird after that.

The guys split up at around 1 AM, and Evan lay in his new bedroom. His mattress was comfortable, with dual-layered memory foam and a fluffy duvet, but he couldn't sleep.

Today was normal. He moved into a new house, and had fun with his friends. Before he would have days like this all the time, and it was just a regular occurrence in his amazing but modest life.

Now though, he realized it meant so much more to him. Things always seem clearer after passing through the mirror, he had read, but he never understood the metaphor until that night.

Once again, memories of his life passed over Evan's imagination, and he wondered why he kept having these episodes. He would always get into a trance of thinking back on the day, just before he slept and ended it.

But he didn't want it to end. He had years and months and days left (or so he hoped), but he was clinging onto every last one as though it was his last. It was a weird feeling.

Maybe this was what appreciating life was. Maybe he had hit that realization younger than he should of, but he didn't mind. Maybe he was okay, and that was all that he needed. 

He heard a thump and a groan from the room next door and smiled to himself. Tyler's voice was recognizable even without words, and his chest warmed with emotion.

Tyler had gotten him out. Sure, his friends had all helped, but Tyler had endured the journey right by his side, even through his mental instability. This is why they were every friends.

But as Evan thought about it, the feelings he got around Tyler weren't quite the same as all his other friends. The feeling was familiar, but it was fleeting his wandering thoughts.

His feelings for Tyler were like his feelings for J....

Never mind. Evan let the thought go and curled into the bed, slowly fading out of consciousness. With a soft smile on his face, Evan was content with his new life.

The references are back.
Yes, backwards rainbow road actually exists.
Also, Donnie Darko is a classic I would recommend if you haven't seen it :)
Thoughts? :P