Aeipathy

1.

*BUZZ*

I woke up to the muffled noise of my phone ringing. Didn't I turn it off? I rolled over to grab it and saw my alarm clock blink 2:32 am. I rolled my eyes before adjusting them to the sudden bright light. A photo of me and Jake filled the screen. I debated picking it up, considering how early it was, but before I could make my decision my finger swiped the bar at the bottom of the screen.

"Heyyy," Jake slured. He was drunk. Not trying to mask my annoyance, I asked him why he was calling so late.

"Because I love you." He emphasized the "love" and laughed at himself. I heard people in the background shouting over loud music. "Where are you?" I asked, growing more impatient.

"I'm actu- y'know what- you should come over," he managed to get out.  He was totally gone. Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time we'd gone through this. I loved him more than I thought I could ever love someone, but he was still a pain in the ass sometimes.

"I can't go anywhere if I don't know where you are Ja-." I was cut off by another guy's voice, who sounded like Grant. They've been best friends since elementary school and might as well be dating each other.

"Lola!" It's Grant. "You gotta come to this party, it's sick." His slurred speech proved he was just as drunk as his partner in crime.

"Remember I told you I couldn't come because I had to go in early for work tomorrow?" I tried to remind him. I wasn't surprised when didn't seem to recall the conversation.

"Shoot," he grumbles. There was a long pause.

"Grant?" I ask again, growing more impatient. Nothing.

I check my phone to make sure it's still on the line when I hear his loud voice again.

"Well you are missing out!" he emphasized the message and laughed before giving the phone back to Jake.

"I think I should come pick you up," I offered, hoping it would be well received considering he has work tomorrow too.

"No, it's too much fun, Lo. Come." I could picture him pouting on the other end when I heard sirens in the background followed by yelling.

"Jake, you should go," I started before I heard him.

"I'll be over soon. Love you." I could barely make out the message before the shuffling on the other end hindered my ability to hear him properly.

"Jake- hey," I began to say but I knew he couldn't hear me. "Be safe. Get an Uber and go home. I love you." I tried to speak louder than the chaos. Suddenly it was followed by screams. "Jake?" The panic in my voice was evident when the line fell dead.

I heard three beeps signaling a loss of connection. I redialed his number and it went straight to voicemail.

"Shit," I huffed under my breath as I grabbed a pair of sweatpants and the nearest t-shirt I could find.

While I trusted he was capable finding a ride home while he was sober, I couldn't say the same for when he was drunk. I heard there were two possible locations for the party earlier this week. Praying the more common of the two was the one Jake was at, I grabbed my keys and locked the door behind me. I didn't realize the knot I had in my stomach until I was halfway down the hall. Any extra worry I had lead me all the way to my car.

The radio blared as I drove toward my unsure bet.

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