Ethereal | RJ (HSMTMTS)

Part 7

EJ's POV

Ricky and I have hung out a lot since the time at the waterfall. It's almost everyday now, and on those days when I can't see him in person because I have other plans I have to follow through with, we agree to spend extra long together the next day. My other friends have started to ask if he's replacing them, to which I always reply no. He's not replacing them at all. It'd be pretty hard to replace people who shotgun literally anything in a can, know more pickup lines than I know words, and will do anything you dare them to if you add the phrase "no balls." Ricky is more like adding an extension to my home, and I just happen to like spending more time there than anywhere else. 

I'm in the middle of reading a graphic novel when Ethan peeks his head into my room, holding the phone out. 

"It's for you," he says. 

I let out a sigh as I close my book. I was getting to a really good part. Couldn't Freya have waited, like, ten more minutes before calling me?

"It's some kid named Picky," he adds.

"Ricky?"

My annoyance wipes away as I jump to my feet and run over to swipe the phone from him. As soon as I put the phone up to my ear, I motion for Ethan to get lost and drop back down on my bed while beginning to talk. 

"Ricky?"

"Hey, EJ," comes his soft voice. 

"Hey, what's up?"

"I just rewatched the whole first season of Family Guy on DVD, and I just wanted to make sure life existed outside my television."

He chuckles into the phone, and I would laugh too, but then I'd overpower his laugh, and I want to hear his laugh. 

"That's a good show," I say, "but have you seen Survivor?"

"No."

"My parents always watch it, and I started watching with them. We have a schedule by the TV stating who gets to use it when, which was made specifically so that my brothers and I wouldn't be in the way when that show was on."

"I'll need to watch it sometime."

"Yeah. I'll let you know the next time it's on, but until then, what are you doing tomorrow?" 

"Hanging out with you?" he suggests.

I smile. "Great idea. I'll pick you up."

"I'll pay for gas."

"You don't have to."

"I know, but you drive me everywhere, and I know that if it were me driving you, I'd want you to pay for gas sometimes."

"Okay," I accept. "You can pay."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

I listen to the humming in the background of the line, wishing to delay the hanging up. For a few seconds, we both remain connected, just taking in the sounds of each other's breath. I'm waiting for him to hang up, but it seems like he might be waiting for me to hang up, so neither of us hang up. That is, until I get another call beeping through. It's Freya. I cut off the line with Ricky and switch to her, feeling disappointed that she had to interrupt. 

"Hey," I say. 

"Hey. I just wanted to let you know what time the musical starts tomorrow, because we don't want to be late."

I take in a silent gasp, realizing my mistake, while Freya gabs on about her plan. I double-booked myself. The right thing to do would obviously be to cancel with Ricky and go to the show with Freya tomorrow. But then Ricky would be upset, and I hate it when he's down. I think the only way to analyze this situation is to consider the stakes. If I cancel with Ricky, I'll make him sad, and I won't be able to see him for a whole day. But if I cancel with Freya, I'll be a total selfish jerk who let her down. But if I go with Freya, I won't be able to focus on her anyway, so that would make it more noble to tell her now so that she isn't disappointed tomorrow. So really, the right choice is clear.