california world - dreamnotfound

i'm working so you don't have to try

i close the bathroom stall behind me, hitting clay on facetime. i ruffle my dark hair around in an attempt to make it look better while i eagerly wait for him to pick up. i have to at least look presentable in front of clay.

when his face appears on my screen i instantly smile. his messy, dirt blonde hair is partly covering his beautiful green eyes, and his light freckles are like the extra sugar on top of the cinnamon bun. too cute for the world. i need to hide the fact that i'm already blushing.

he smiles back at me.

"hey george! everything good?"
"to be completely honest, no.."

his smile fades into a mere frown. he knows exactly what that means.

"look, i'm always gonna have your back alright? but i really don't have much money right now. i'm sorry."
"nothing?" i plead.

"i'll.. i'll send you $20," he carefully agrees, "but that's only because i love you."
"thank you so much clay! i love you too!" i cheer, "what would i do without you?"
"i don't know, what would you do without me?"

i giggle, searching for any sign of happiness in clay's expression. but he remains dead serious.

"hey george, i've been meaning to tell you about this for a while now, i just haven't gotten the chance to since you're pretty hard to reach," he starts, "but i've got a friend, truck driver, who's making a delivery this weekend, to la. a-and since i really want to meet you, i thought, why not just go with him? i don't have the money to afford a plane ticket anyway.."

he goes silent. i'm at a loss for words. clay's coming to meet me? what?

"i-i mean, only if you want-"
"of course i want you to!" i interrupt, "i just don't think you'll like it out here, sleeping rough with me."
"i don't care," he says, his expression softening again, "i just want to meet you, and you know, have a good time with you and nick."

i let out an audible 'awww' to clay's delight. he wheezes and oh my god, the adorable face he makes whenever he wheezes. this visit won't be easy to get through, i realize.

"so when are you coming?" i ask, practically jumping up and down with elation and excitement.
"hopefully monday, i'm not sure though."
"do you seriously expect me to be able to wait until monday?"
"no, but you don't have a choice," he grins mockingly.

suddenly the mall speakers crackle, interrupting the soft distant piano music to announce that closing time is in 10 minutes. i sigh at the thought of having to leave clay once again.

"sounds like my cue to leave."
"well, if we don't hear from each other by monday expect that i've arrived already."
"i'll make sure to get in contact so we can find each other," i respond, clicking my tongue.

"see you george," clay smiles one last time.
"bye clay."

i unlock the stall door only to be attacked by nick outside. he engulfs me in a hug, and even though i'm confused and taken aback by his sudden action, i firmly hug him back.

"clay is coming to meet us!" he cheers, making us both laugh under the painfully bright light of the mall bathroom.