Friends, Lovers, or Nothing

Chapter Nine - New Deep

With my days being packed to the brim with classes, assignments, and afternoon shifts at Pavement, Friday arrives both way too soon and not soon enough.

I had decided to walk home from my shift tonight, as the September weather was still holding onto the last leg of summer and my apartment complex wasn't too far from the coffeehouse. Today's shift was sadly sans Makenzie as she had asked for the afternoon off so she could have optimal time to get ready for her and Layla's big date tonight.

Layla was introducing Makenzie to her family over dinner and they were both beyond nervous. I was so excited for them, knowing how much this meant to both of them. They were for sure the cutest couple I had ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Just as I start making my way through the path to get to my building, my phone starts to vibrate in my pant pocket. I pause for just a moment before realizing that it is, in fact, a phone call and not a text message making my phone chirp.

I quickly recover and grab the phone from my pocket, checking the caller ID before answering.

Hudson, my phone reads. Why would Hudson be calling me?

I stare at the screen for just a split second longer before swiping my finger across the bottom of the screen and holding the cellphone up to my left ear.

"Hello?"

"Yo Blake, what's up it's Hudson!"

I pause in the middle of the pathway for a moment. This was odd, who even called people on the phone anymore anyway?

"I know Hudson, I have your number saved," I tell him matter-of-factly.

"Oh true, true," he laughs to himself, "hope you don't mind me calling you but I figured if I called you instead of texted the likelihood of you saying no to me would lessen by a little bit."

Scrunching up my face in confusion I reply, "Likelihood of me saying no to what?"

"Well, you see Blake, my friend, and frat brother, Ryan, is in this band. And because I'm like, the best frat brother ever, I told him I'd come to his gig tonight at the Paradise Rock Club, you ever been there?"

"No, I haven't. I'm actually not from around here," I tell him.

"Ah, I think what you meant to say was you haven't been there yet."

Oh my god, was he asking me to go with him? It couldn't be.

"What do you mean?" I ask him, innocently. Don't wanna seem desperate over here.

"Well, I was hoping a certain someone was free tonight and would accompany me there? We don't have to stay late or anything, I just really really don't wanna go alone!"

I snicker to myself, thanking my lucky stars that my two closest friends just happened to be busy tonight, "You know what? Sounds like fun, I'm in."

"I knew you were cool, Blake," I smile to myself and continue to listen, "Okay, I'll pick you up at say... seven-ish? Text me your address, okay?" he says.

I quickly move the phone away from my head and check the time; 5:18 pm.

"Sounds great, see you then!"

"Bye, Blake," he says and then promptly ends the call.

Oh my god, I was going out with Hudson tonight just us two. I hadn't seen him since last week at the party but I was overjoyed that he had asked me to hang out tonight. I wasn't sure if he had texted me the other day just to be nice or if he actually wanted to see me again so this was a true relief.