The Middle - Volume Two ✔️

Chapter 33 (Jay)

Jay

Fuck knows what Jamie’s doing. Patrick, Joel and I waited around at her house for hours, and she didn’t come back. This thing with Joel and Sarah must really be bothering her. I don’t know why, though. If anyone should be bothered by it, it’s me. And I’m not. Of course I’m not. I’m happy for Joel, I’m just jealous. I wish I could have with Erin what he has with Sarah.

I get into my house and head straight for the drinks cabinet in the downstairs den. My parents are out of town, as usual, so I’m gonna sit here and drink and smoke myself to sleep tonight. I may be happy for Joel, but it doesn’t mean this hasn’t completely bummed me out. I’m gonna listen to Deja Entendu on a loop and stare at the roof in the den for a while. I would do some writing, but not tonight. Everything with Erin is too raw. Tomorrow, maybe. Or the day after. I’ll see.

I grab the Bacardi bottle and sit down on the couch, while sparking up a cigarette. I’m not allowed to smoke in the house, but my dad smokes cigars in here with his friends sometimes, so fuck it. I pull my phone out of my pocket and consider dialling Jamie again. I don’t know why she’s reacted so badly to Joel’s news, and I am slightly concerned about her. She’s a big girl though, I know she’s fine. She’s probably driving around listening to Fleetwood Mac. She’ll be cool.

I pour some Bacardi into a glass, exhaling smoke, and my phone starts ringing. I set my cigarette down into the glass ashtray on the table in front of me, this must be Jamie. It isn’t though, it’s her friend Aubrey. Why the hell is Aubrey Prescott calling me? I ignore the call. No. I’m gonna listen to Brand New and try to jumpstart my broken heart. I’m not talking to anyone outside The Middle tonight.

I pick up my cigarette and take another long drag. Then my phone starts ringing. Aubrey again. This is weird, something must be wrong. I answer the call.

“Hello?”

And immediately, I know something is wrong. I can hear police sirens, and loads of people talking and shouting in the background of the call. Aubrey sounds stricken when she speaks.

“Jay! You need to get down to the library! There’s been a car accident. Jamie-"

“Is she okay?” I cut her off.

“I…I don’t know!”

“The public library?” I demand.

“No, the NBU library on campus.”

I end the call immediately and run out of my house, grabbing my car keys on the way. I’ve had two beers and a mouthful of Bacardi, but I am now stone cold sober. I dial Joel over the hands free while I drive down my driveway.

“Jamie’s been in an accident.” I yell the second he answers, before speeding out on to the street. “At the college library. I’m on my way there now.”

“Fuck!” Joel curses into the phone. “We’re on our way too.”

I stay on the line as I speed through the streets towards town. Joel and Patrick will run to the library across the campus grounds, it’s just as quick as driving through the streets for them. If I see them, they can jump in with me.

“We’re on Bleaker.” Joel informs me. The street just around the block from their apartment. I’m on the corner of Bleaker and Orchard Avenue. I screech around the corner and spot them running across the road. I slam my fist onto my horn, attracting their attention. The second they see my car, they run towards me. The doors are open, and my best friends are in the car with me in seconds.

“What happened!?” Patrick demands as I speed off towards campus.

“I don’t know, I literally got off the phone with Aubrey three minutes ago. I could hear police sirens and stuff in the background though.” I pause, and neither of them say anything. We’re all thinking the same thing right now. There’s no point talking about this. We just need to get there.