quarantine • nick austin

2) family meeting

Zay made her way down the steps quietly as she heard the many voices coming from the living room. Ugh, she thought, I hate gatherings so much. As she got further into the living room she noticed most people were slightly dressed up making her feel bad for wearing a cropped sweater and sweatpants.

She looked around for any opening seats and was immediately relieved when she saw there was a spot next to Ondreaz. She quickly made her way next to him and sat down.

"Hey," he greeted her quietly and she smiled at him. "How'd you sleep?"

"I had a weird dream," she admitted and it was true. "I could fly."

Ondreaz chuckled before leaning back in his spot, "could you imagine if we actually could fly right now?"

"Life would be so much easier," she joked. "I would never be home."

"Honestly same," he agreed and leaned closer to her. "Do you know what this meeting is about?"

"No, I woke up thirty minutes ago and saw a text from Nick that there was one," she told him. "I did not want to get up yet."

"Me either," he said as he yawned.

They fell silent as her eyes traveled the room. She noticed there were a few people still missing and that included Nick. If he was the one that told her, how come he wasn't here before her she questioned herself.

Her thoughts were interrupted as her stomach growled making her cringe. She didn't realize how hungry she was until now. The last time she ate was around seven in the evening and it was noon now. She was going to eat after her talk with Nick on the balcony but she fell asleep. She doesn't even remember how she got to her bed. Nick probably carried her.

The thought of that made her smile and actually blushed a bit and she didn't know why.

After a couple more minutes, everyone else in the house showed up. Her eyes met Nick's when he came down and he smiled at her. She couldn't help but return it because of how contagious it was.

He came up beside her and sat next to her legs as the couch she on only fit two. He leaned his head back and she couldn't help as she began playing with his hair.

"Okay guys," Thomas said, cutting off all the conversation in the room. "Let's beet this meeting started so we can eat some of the Panda Express I ordered!"

Everyone sent out a whoop or a cheer as they all focused on him.

"So as we all know what's going on right now in the world, it only looks like it is going to get worse," he said getting straight to the ugly part. "It's only a matter of time before this state goes in lockdown. I wanted to bring this up because with that lockdown comes travel restriction. The reason that's a problem is that a lot of you are not from here. So I just wanted to say that if you want to go home to be with your family, you are more than welcome and we understand and support your decision! We want what's best for everyone and family is always first.

"So if you're going to be staying, I just want to let you know that I'm going to make sure we will be fully stocked on food and other things so you don't have to leave. I want you guys to be safe so Bryant and I are going to go do a big grocery run to a lot of stores in like an hour so please text me a list right now of anything you think you will need during this. It's on me."

He ended the family meeting and we all rushed to the kitchen to get Panda Express. I found a bag with my name in it and smiled before quickly taking it off the counter and sitting at the big dining table.

Nick came and sat next to me and a laugh immediately escaped my mouth as I realized what me playing with his hair looked like. He had small braids going in every direction.

"Haha, why don't you take a picture?" He groveled jokingly as he opened his bag up.

"I will," she said while laughing as she took her phone from her pocket and snapped a quick picture of him pouting. "Aren't you the cutest?"

He rolled his eyes as he began eating. She felt the seat next to her move against her thigh and looked to see Ondreaz sitting next to her.

"You going home?" He asked her as he opened the bag directed to him.

She knew the answer. It was a big no. She was going to go home a few days ago but her mother refused to let her come home because she did not want her possibly getting sick from an airplane. She didn't have a car yet because she kept procrastinating her license test and it does not help that they are in quarantine.

What 18 year old doesn't have their license yet?

"No," she responded sadly. "I would have to take a plane and I don't want to risk the chance of getting the virus and giving it to my mom so I guess I'm stuck here."

"I feel for you," he responded sympathetically. "I don't want to get my parents sick either even though I can drive there but I just don't want to risk anything."

She nodded and patted his arm softly before turning to Nick, "what are you going to do?"

"I'm staying for the same reason like him," Nick answered. "I know I'm not sick but I still do not want to risk it and I've already been quarantining here so there is no point in changing that."

"I respect that," she said before finally eating her food.

She watched as everyone conversed around her and smiled to herself. She pulled out her phone and pulled up Thomas' contact.

To Thomas 👨🏻‍💼

my grocery list: cupcake pop tarts (sorry hehe), bananas, vanilla syrup for iced coffee, dunkin coffee, fruity pebbles, pantene conditioner, powdered donuts, reeses cups, chocolate milk, sunchips og, tortilla chips, salsa, ham and cheese hot pockets, and lots of pizza rolls. sorry, they're all snacks oops! thank you sm!!

After sending the text, she grabbed all her garbage and stuffed it into her bag.

"You're leaving already?" Nick asked from beside her as he just finished as well.

"I want a shower ma'am," she laughed as she got out of her seat.

"Do you want to make some videos later?" He asked her. "I need some YouTube content and some TikTok content."

"Of course," she agreed. "I'm always down to help."

He smiled at that and watched as she walked up the steps.

"Dude, you're whipped," Ondreaz said making Nick jump as he was now standing next to him.

Nick blushed slightly and shook his head, "no I'm not. She's just my friend."

"A friend that you want in a not-so-friendly way," Ondreaz said in a sing-song voice.

"Shut up," Nick tolled his eyes as he pushed him away playfully.

His eyes traveled back to where she once stood and shook his head.

She was just a friend and only a friend.