The Alien Next Door

6 - Being alone is not as enjoyable as it used to be

POV: Jake
I only needed about a week off of work due to my injuries from what the doctor said but being at home alone seems to make me feel worse. Being alone is something I do not want to do anymore and because Phoenix has been forcing me to hang out with him I have realised this.

Phoenix has been coming over in the evenings and we've been ordering pizza or making food together in the kitchen, boy can he cook up a mean meal. I've been getting the food delivered here or Phoenix has been going out for me, I'm not really in a state to do a lot of physical exercise at the minute and even cooking wears me out quickly.

Tonight we're eating sticky barbecue chicken and white rice from the comfort of my living room. We started watching Elite on Netflix and we are both so engrossed in it, the mystery makes Phoenix go crazy trying to figure out who did it, all while we theorise between ourselves.

"You've got sauce all over yourself, you silly goose." He says before adding "let me get you a tissue." I watch him as he gets up and walks to the kitchen, grabbing a paper towel, and then promptly returning to me. I put my hand out to take it from him but he pushes my hand aside and start gently wiping my mouth with the tissue. "Thanks," I say as he scrunches up the tissue and throws it lightly at me before sitting back down beside me. "You're welcome, don't get so messy next time." He replies with a chuckle. His laugh is nice and I don't think there is one bad thing about Phoenix. Well apart from the fact that I'm definitely forming feelings for him and that is not something I'm used to.

As I said, being alone isn't as good as it used to be.

Phoenix stayed whilst I went and showered and was still here when I was changed and ready for bed. "Don't you have your own place?" I joke as I walk back into the living room and sit down on the sofa. "I do, but I like to steal your Netflix and your sofa. So you're stuck with me," "That's fine by me, as long as I get a cuddle of course." I watch him look over at me and smile before he throws himself at me. I wince at the impact and he apologises quickly, "It's okay! I'm fine honestly." I reply after he has passed well over twenty apologies in the past two seconds. I grab him and pull him into me so he can finally stop blabbing, it's adorable but very unnecessary considering I'm perfectly fine now.

"Do you want to stay tonight?" I whisper quietly as the next episode of elite plays automatically and I have to stifle a yawn, I have no idea what time it is but I'm ready for bed. I get no response so I ask again. Nothing, lil boy has fallen asleep on me. Cutie. I grab the remote and turn the tv off. I gently wrap my arms around him and lift him up, bloody hell is he heavy. I recover from nearly dropping him back onto the sofa and start slowly walking us both to my room. I suddenly trip and start falling when I feel myself being caught by Phoenix. "You weren't asleep this whole time? You little shit," I laugh as I stand up straight and watch as he starts hysterically laughing at me. I laugh along with him as I walk into my room and throw myself onto the bed. Regretting it immediately as I accidentally hit my face a little too hard and am reminded of everything.

Phoenix is cuddled up beside me and sleeping peacefully meanwhile I'm here questioning life yet again. I'm exhausted but sleep will not take over just yet. My brain has got to remind me how lonely I am and how much I desperately want more friends. Just before I drift off to sleep I decide that I've got to start trying to be comfortable in society. I've got to get my foot in the door and keep it there, I'm not backing out ever again.