Small Stories

The Count

Chapter 2

0002 days 03 hours 45 minutes 21 seconds
Bella came rushing out of her room, looking frantic as she approached me sitting on the worn out couch. "What happened?" I asked slowly positioning myself to a stand. "My- my watch! It gained more hours! Gained! Not lost! What does that mean?" She questioned looking confused and disappointed at the same time. I grab her wrist and look at it.
0002 days 05 hours 43 minutes 32 seconds
It still works. It's still counting down. It just added two more hours. "Maybe they got held back at something that limits the time your going to see them? I have no idea, that's the best thought I've got. But hey, it's still working. You'll meet him. I promise." I explain as I hold her in a hug. I hope I can keep that promise. "Yeah, you're right, I don't have to freak out or anything. If it still works, I'll meet him. Okay." She lets go and wipes her face. "Hey, Julian is coming soon, I better get ready." I say as I leave her watching the TV. Julian is a family friend, I've known him since I was 8. Our mum's used to go to the same school and we grew really close. We were best friends.
He moved away when he was 11, and I haven't seen him since. We still kept in touch, but no that he's travelling, we bought it'd be a good idea if we got some coffee and talked and whatnot. I slipped a shirt on with a hoodie over the top, some skinny jeans and my converse, and started to walk out the door.
As I walk towards the small cafe in which we were meeting, I pulled my hoodie sleeves over my hands, what I do when I go anywhere.
I push the glass door open, and my arrival was made known with a small jingle of a bell. I walked inside, letting the scent of coffee surround me and sat down at a small booth. I waited. And waited.
A few minutes later the familiar sound of the bell was heard and I poked my head around the corner to see Julian. I smile and make my way towards him.
"Long time no see" I smile and give him a small hug.
"Hey Al, how's it been?" He asked walking back towards the table I was sitting at before. I smile at the nickname I haven't heard in 11 years. "Great actually. My friend, Bella, has got two days on her 'watch' and she is nervous as all hell. What about you? How have you been going?" I smile as I order a hot chocolate.
"Excellent. I love travelling and it amazes me of what the world holds. What about your time? How long have you got?" He asks sipping his latte. I freeze. I don't like telling people how long I've got. "Oh I've still got another year" I lie as I subconsciously stir my drink. "What about you?"
"A few months to go" he says as he looks around the shop.
For the rest of the day we talk. About random things. Once we grew aware of how long we have been out, I decided to go back to my little apartment. "I'll see you soon hopefully" Julian says as I start to say goodbye.
"Definitely, how long are you in New York for?" I ask as I give him a hug. "About a week, I'm leaving on Monday" he replies. Today is Tuesday, so that's enough time to spend more time with him. I give him a small smile as I make my way to the room I call home.
As I open the door I find Bella asleep on the couch. I can't lift her, so I put a fluffy blanket on top of her and head to my room. I take off the shoes and skinny jeans, but leave my hoodie on and bury my face in the blankets of my bed. I feel myself dozing off, so I close my eyes and enter what we call, dreamland.