Just Say You Need Me

For My Sake

I wake up at 8 o'clock the next morning. It's Saturday, and I have literally nothing to do. Maybe I'll go for a drive and think for a while, or maybe I'll just blare music and read. Either way, something will happen.

I put a shirt on and walk into the bathroom to do my usual routine: test my sugar before breakfast, take my insulin, and take a shower. I unzip my kit and get ready to prick my finger with the needle when I get a call on my phone. I look down and see a number I don't recognize. I answer anyway.

"Hello?" I say.

"Drew! How are you?" The voice answers from the other side. I recognize this voice, but just to be cautious:

"Who is this?"

"It's Evan! Remember, I tutored you last year in social studies?" (Little backstory: I was flunking social studies last year, and the teacher decided to assign me a tutor. He turned out to be a really cool guy, so I gave him my number and told him to text me.)

"Oh my god!" I press my palm to my face in amused embarrassment. "How are you, dude?"

"Okay, I heard that and it sounded hella painful," He chuckles. "But I'm doing alright. How are things with you?"

"It's been a roller coaster, but I'm okay. Taking life one step at a time."

"I hear that. School sucks right now," Evan sighs silently. "My girlfriend dumped me a few days ago, so I've been in a bit of a rut and thought I'd catch up with some old friends."

"I'm sorry to hear that, man," I console him. "Hey, are you doing anything today?"

"Nope, just sitting at home. Why?"

"Well..." I smile. "How about we meet up for breakfast? We can chill at that new diner on Dixon."

"That sounds nice. Meet up in an hour?" He asks.

"It's a date," I say, giving a small chuckle.

"Awesome! See you then," Evan says excitedly, hanging up the phone. I quickly take my sugar level and insulin and rush into my bedroom to find a change of clothes. I decide on a pair of black jeans with a blue belt in the belt loops and a Four Year Strong shirt. I jog back into the bathroom and quickly turn on the water for the shower.

After my shower, I grab my phone and headphones, heading downstairs to get my bag. My uncle is still in bed, but my aunt Alexis is at the dining room table drinking her cup of coffee.

"Good morning!" She beams at me, flashing me a peppy smile.

"Good morning," I respond, returning her smile.

"Oh my, look at that smile! Someone's in a good mood!" She says, getting up from her seat to hug me. She disconnects and holds me by my shoulders, looking at me. "What's got you this morning?"

I give her a small chuckle. "I guess I just woke up in a good mood."

"Honey," my aunt says, still smiling slightly, "I wasn't born yesterday. It's a boy, isn't it?"

"Well, yes and no," I answer. "I'm going to meet Evan for breakfast, but he's not what I'm happy about. There's a new kid at school, and we hit it off really fast."

"That's amazing!" She cackles, giving me another hug. "What's his name? Where's he from? What's he-"

"Auntie, I don't have time right now. It's almost 8:30, and I'm meeting Evan at Love's at 9. I have to go."

"Oh, if you say so." She lets go of me and gives me a playful frown. "When you get back though, we're talking about this boy."

"Deal," I promise, pointing my finger at her. I give her a final kiss on the cheek and quickly walk out the door to meet the day.