It is ringing for almost an hour now. I think my brother's taking a shower. I have to write this last update and publish it on time but the ringing, it's fucking with me.
I bolted to his room, picked up the phone. Who the fuck is calling him at this hour? And this person couldn't even calm the fuck down.
"Uh, hey, sorry. My brother's in the shower and he can't answer the phone right now. Can you call again later? Thanks, bye!"
"Hey, finally you pick-" Call ended.
Wait, I think I recognize that voice? Maybe I shouldn't have hung up on him like that well- oh, yes I do recognize that voice.
I remember the subtle hum of the fridge, bathing in the pale and lazy glow of the overhanging dollar store-chandelier; just the usual, in the kitchen table, I Want It All by the band COIN in my ears, phone on my hand and dread in my gut.
I think it was about past three. I was just finishing the web series I was writing when my stomach demanded food. I sure wasn't allowed to stay up that late, I was going to take my preliminary exams later that day, but it's whatever. My readers needed the update more than I needed to review for the exams.
I remember basking under the gloom for a couple more while and then headed out to the yard. I have decided that I needed to see the stars to inspire me write something... inspiring. I snailed my way to the hammock under our acacia tree, nestled in the stereotypical chill of the night. Leaves are rustling, the grass are tired of swaying with the wind, and then there was I.
Fingers frantic on the phone screen. I remembered how dazzled I was thinking about the fact that those limp, unmoisturized fingers could bring life and color; stories, to the artificial strangers I have never even met yet.
I remember having writer's block. Fuck it, I muttered under my breath. I remember looking up to the stars; lower, to the moon; a little lower, to the roof of our humble abode; finally, to my brother's window. It simmered confusion in me as I examined the curtain on the other side of the glass, it was painted in light. I remember squinting hard, was that really light?
I purposefully stood up to have an angle. My question had an immediate answer to it. My brother was also awake the whole time. I remember having a naughty smirk on my face, as I could use that information to blackmail him into doing whatever I wanted him to do for me. Maybe a favor? Buy me a ticket to the R-rated film that I really, really wanted to see. Silly thoughts were raining down on me, until I was struck by my own logic. If I could blackmail him, then so could he, because how would I know that he was up this late if I wasn't awake too? Lord, these parents are nazis whenever bedtime is involved. Clowns.
I had to have an edge on him. More information.
I was creeping up the stairs, taking my sweet time. Every step was precious, as I was getting closer and closer to that movie ticket. I remember snickering softer than air. I made my way to the landing, on the corridor, beside his door. I pulled out an earphone to get a closer listen, God in Jeans of Ryan Beatty was distracting me from achieving my goals.
