Lover

Don't Worry Darling

I say my goodbyes to Eliott and Scarlet, as I walk to the front door to leave. Alex and Miles are a bit 'busy' with their game, so they don't even hear me when I say goodbye, either that or they ignored me.... chile, anyways.

"Thanks for helping me pick out the songs, El."
-"Yeah, no problem. You sure you don't want me to give you a lift home? I mean it's almost dark."
"No, no. That's okay. You've got guests." I hug him goodbye. As I reach the bottom of the little 3-stepped stairway, El calls out to me.
-"Oh, Lia! I... er...about what you thought earlier, you know I, I'm like, Jaz and I, I lo-" he clears his throat, "I would never do that to her."
"Yeah, I know. I just don't know what's taking you so long."
He looks down at his hands, fiddling with his fingers.
-"Me neither."
I give him a soft smile before stepping onto the street, heading home.

My music is on shuffle and so it's tough when you're internally jamming out to Best Song Ever and then History comes on. It's cruel actually. I can just hear my music fading out, knowing that some dumbass is calling me and soon, proving my assumption, the music is replaced with the monotonous default ringtone. I pull my phone out of my pocket, and I look at the caller ID, and let me tell you I was in shock.
T-Tom? I answer. Obviously.

-Alia?'
"Tom?"
-Yes, it's Tom...' there's a rather awkward silence between us as a result of my surprise.
"So to what do I owe the honour of this call?"
I say trying to lighten the mood a bit.
- Oh just tryna get my mind off some things. How are you doing?' He says rather drowsily.

"I'm well thanks, Tom. How are you?"
-I'm ... surviving.' he doesn't sound so good. Is he sick?
"What's wrong?"
-I'm sad.' My heart sank. If you heard how he said that, your heart would too. He sounded like a little kid; vulnerable and helpless.
"And why is that, Tom?"
-I had a tough day at work. It's been a nightmare.' His words were slurry and not formed very well, but I could still interpret it, which lead me to believe-
"Thomas, are you drunk?"
-N-no ma'am. Not drunk yet. I can still walk in a straight line!' He tries to defend himself-
But I do think I have an extra finger.' -And fails. I giggle at his lame little joke, before clearing my throat.
"Do you... want to talk about it?" I ask, with most sincerity and concern.
-Not really, no.'
"Are you sure you're okay?"
-100%, babe.'

Babe. I mean, I'm not complaining.

-So how's your day going, Alia?'

Perfect, now that you called. Obviously I don't say that out loud.
"It was good, I guess. I was kinda busy compared to a normal day off but I'm finally on my way home now from Eliott's."

-Aah Eliott. I remember him. Tall, buff lad. Your friend.'
"Yes, that the one! Wow, I can't believe you still remember."
-Of course I remember, I would never forget, Alia'
He stressed my name at the last part, to obviously tease.
"Oh shush, Thomas." I hear him giggle a little. It's enough for me to let a smile spread widely across my face as if it wasn't wide enough already. At least he's laughing a bit now.

-So what kept you so busy ? He seems genuinely interested. Which I have no doubt he is.
"Well I was running around for my sister. There's a fundraiser that she's hosting for the nursing clinic she works at. And they're running short of entertainment so I had to go to Eliott's so he could help me choose songs for my act."
-Your act?'
"Yeah I'm- uh- doing a bit of singing."
-When ?'
"Just this Saturday."
-Could I come?' 
"Wh-what?"
-Could I come?' He repeats himself even thought I heard him perfectly the first time.
"S-sure?"
I don't want him to be there while I'm singing! As it is I'm under enough pressure. If he's there it would make it worse, wouldn't it? What if I mess up and I embarrass myself in front of him. No, no, no.

-Great!'
"Uh- Tom, I think you should make this decision when you're sober." I say jokingly, to try and decline his offer.
- Oh don't worry, darling, I'm sober enough."
Uggghhh, how can I tell him not to come when he keeps calling me sweet names like these?

"Are you not gonna be busy this weekend though?" I dodge the question.
-Oh, shit. Well, yeah I have a few errands. Shit. Maybe I can come after? Text me the details.'
As I'm about to change the topic, I hear a loud crash in front of me.