7 Kids On a Couch

Overdue Moments, And An Overcooked Dinner

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Ray wondered where everyone was. The living room was usually bustling with activity, but right now it was silent and empty. Well almost empty. Ray was sitting on the couch lazily writing down ideas for Christmas gifts, inspired by the Christmas decorations that covered the living room.

"Ray," Joey burst into the room causing Ray to look up surprised. "Do you wanna go on a date with me?"

Ray stared dumbfounded, unsure how exactly they should reply. "Uhh, I mean-"

"Not like that," Joey defended. Had Ray not been absolutely tongue-tied they would have made a joke, instead, they just gave Joey a confused look. "My friend invited me to this Christmas party thing and I had a plus one for my girlfriend of whatever but I don't have one, like at all. I was gonna go alone but then I thought about my super hot bff, who always loves a good party." Joey looked at Ray expectedly. "That's you."

Ray chuckled. "I know."

"We don't have to pretend to date but it's definitely gonna be like a couples party so it would be awkward and-"

"So that's why you didn't take Morgan and Mat?" Ray blurted without thinking.

Joey tilted his head confused. "No, I didn't ask them 'cause I'm asking you. It'll be so fun, I always have fun with you. Please just one fake date."

Ray knew they really shouldn't, but they also really wanted to, and maybe it was just wishful thinking but maybe Joey really wanted them to as well. "Yeah, I'm free today." Joey pulled them in for a hug, effectively stopping their heart. "If," they pulled away, "I can dress you up."

"Deal," Joey beamed. "Come on, let's do a makeover."

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James was confused. He looked at his phone again to make sure he wasn't going crazy. Ryan had opened his text and left him on read, again. Usually when she did that she got back to him in a few hours, often she was busy. But this time, James knew, it was deliberate. She was ignoring him. And not the normal kind of ignoring him she did when she got frustrated because he won a bet, or when she was hiding something. She was full-on actually ignoring him.

"Have either of you seen Ryan?" he asked Mateo and Morgan, who were watching tv together.

"No, why did something happen?" Mateo replied.

"I don't think so," James said it like it was a question. "I'm not sure though. She's avoiding me."

"Give her space. She'll be back in like a day," Morgan tried to be respectful but she had far too much experience with Ryan being dramatic and avoidant.

"Usually that works, but I haven't seen her in three days. The longest we've ever gone without talking was like 20 hours, and that's only because she was sleeping for 20 hours," James was trying not to get worked up but it was hard for him not to worry.

Mateo could tell James was very concerned. He put his hand on the taller man's shoulder.
"I'm sure she's alright Jay."

James didn't react to the touch, he just stared straight ahead. "I should go find her." He turned around surveying the room for his phone before realizing it was in his pocket. Before he turned to leave he addressed the room one more time. "Really, neither of you have even heard from her?"

Mateo shook his head. Morgan sighed offering James a soft, concerned, "no."

"Fuck," James put his head in his hands. He was gonna have to sort this out, somehow.