When The Clock Strikes (ONC 2020)

4| Third Wheel

"What can I get for you?"

I glanced at the Starbucks barista. That was the third time she's asked me that question. I knew I was probably holding up her line, but I just couldn't decide if I wanted a Caramel Macchiato or a Frappuccino. That's how my mind has been lately. Foggy and indecisive.

After Cam came over on Christmas to spend the day with me, I locked myself in my apartment. Luckily, I had some paid time off saved up from work and took advantage of that. I spent most of the past few days watching I Love Lucy reruns, the Harry Potter movies, and The Walking Dead.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't eat all of the ice cream, chocolate, and food in my apartment. I was also out of wine and tequila. That was the reason why I had to emerge from my dark cave. Since I was a human and needed to eat and drink to survive...

"I'll take a non-fat peppermint white mocha, please." 

After the barista completed the sale, I walked to the end of the counter and took a seat. I placed my elbow on the table and rested my head in my hand. I promised myself when I left my apartment that I would get coffee, then groceries, and go home. No other stops, detours, nothing. Nada.

I still couldn't believe that tomorrow was New Year's Eve. Time went surprisingly fast while I was hiding out in my apartment. Cam blew up my phone with text messages; as I knew she would. I was lucky she was out of town. If she was here, she would have dragged me out into society. No doubt she would have taken me back to Down the Rabbit Hole. 

My phone chimed and I knew it was her. I laughed softy at the 'speak of the devil' of it all. Opening my phone, I read her text. 

Sin: Are you at home sulking?

Of course she thought that. She knew me better than I knew my self, really. That's where I would be if I hadn't run out of food. And booze. 

Me: No! I'm at Starbucks.

Sin: Ah. Lemme guess. You ran out of food. 

I grimaced when I read that. She really did know me a little too well. When I took too long to respond, my phone rang. 

"Hello?" I answered with an annoyed tone. 

"It's rude to answer your phone that way, Ally." 

I leaned back in my chair. "Sorry, Cam. What's up?" From the noise in the background, it sounded like she was at a party.

Every year her parents through a Christmas Party at their big house in the Hamptons that lasted almost a whole week. Cam's family came from a lot of money since her great-grandfather got lucky with investments in the stock market. 

"I was worried about you," she said into the phone. The background noise got quiet. She probably went into one of the many bedrooms in her parent's house. 

"I'm fine, Cam. You should be enjoying your party." 

The barista called my name and I got up to get my coffee. I thanked her and left the shop to head to the grocery store. As I stepped out onto the busy streets of New York, I realized I was actually grateful that I left my apartment. A little fresh air would do me good. 

"The party's okay," she said and trailed off. 

Something was up with her. I could tell by her tone. Something was bothering her and she wanted to talk to me about it. "Is this about bartender guy?" 

"Kyle," she corrected me. "And no, it's not." 

I stepped off of the sidewalk and walked through a swarm of strangers. I laughed at her white lie. "Yes, it is. Just tell me."