𝕀'𝕝𝕝 𝕎𝕒𝕚𝕥 // ~switz~

12

Eric's phone rang three times before it woke him up. Eyes still closed he felt around the bed, under the sheets and his pillow. He searched under his own body and then Cam's, finally he pulled it out from under the taller. Answering and putting it up to his ear, "..hello?.." he said groggily. "Hi Eric, this is Amanda with Orange Rain real estate. We noticed that you were behind on your payment, and were calling to see if we could get this straightened out for you." Eric rolled his eyes his head hitting the pillow. "Ok.. yeah, do I need to come by or something?" There was silence despite the sound of  typing. "We have an opening next Thursday. What time works for you?" Eric thought briefly, "Anytime really, 10 o'clock?" A bit more typing, "Yes, that's perfect. Thank you Eric, have a great day." He felt Cameron's shuffle a bit, a small quiet grunt coming from next to Eric. "You too. Goodbye," he said politely before she said bye and hung up. "Mm, who was that?" Cameron said, rubbing his eye with the back of his knuckle. "Just someone about the apartment." Cameron nodded slowly, "still going through with that then?"  Eric shrugged before sighing, "Yeah.. I mean no.." he groaned, "I don't know.." He cuddled up to Cameron, snuggling his face into his chest. The taller wrapped his arm around him, petting his hair. "Nothing will change with us.. either way." Eric smiled into his chest before looking up to him, 'I love you so fucking much' he thought stretching to kiss him. Cameron met him half way, locking their lips for a few seconds. "I love you," he said as Eric settled back in. "I love you Cam."

Eric had to admit his social anxiety was better than what it was a few days ago. He still hadn't been to the shop, or out to any restaurants, but the thought of walking to the kitchen no longer immobilized him in fear. But with the mention of a house party, he was stuck in his room. His hands shaking, lungs constricting. He packed the bowl as quickly as he could, dropping crumbs over his desktop. He didn't know where Cameron had went, he didn't rightly care at the moment. "At least come out for a minute, it might help." He'd  said over lunch, a sandwich and crisps in his bed as they watched a movie. 'It might help,' he'd thought over and over. Finally he picked up the bong and took his first hit of the day; the first of many. A few hits in he decided to play some music. His computer speakers quiet, he reconsidered, 'no one's home," he shrugged walking over to his door. He walked down the hallway, bong in hand, before standing in the living room. "Hey, where is everyone?!" He shouted up the stairs to make sure that they had all left. Nodding happily he picked up the remote, turning his spotify playlist on shuffle. He flopped on the couch, slumping down so that his feet would reach the coffee table. He turned up the volume and tossed the remote next to him.

He was awoken by loud talking everyone bustling into the living room. Still in between sleep and reality, he felt exposed. Lying on the couch in his boxers.. in Cam's boxers and his hoodie. He jumped upright quickly, pulling the jacket over his thighs. Looking to the group his heart sank a bit as he realized Cameron hadn't returned with them. "Where's Cam?" He questioned before he could catch himself. Tobi walked across the room towards the kitchen, bags of groceries in her hand. "He's picking up..party favors." She laughed, and Eric smiled along softly. "Of course you'd ask.. 'Cameron! Oh Cameron'!" Mason teased, Eric grew red and pulled down the hoodie further. Jay, shook his head at him, walking across him. "Ignore him Eric. Someone decided to drink six beers at the shops and got us kicked out." Mason waved his arm dismissively, "yeah, yeah." He sat down his bags on the counter, "and it was seven.. actually." Eric got up, grabbing his bong from the table before walking to the hallway. "Hey Eric, um party's at nine by the way." Matt said closing the door behind him with his foot, his hands full of shopping bags. Eric nodded, turning his back and continuing down the hallway to his room. He closed the door behind him sitting his bong next to his tray on the table by the door. He fell back onto his bed, his legs hanging off the side. "Maybe it'll help me," he whispered out loud, hoping to convince himself. He rolled his eyes before rolling over, bringing his legs into bed and curling up on his side. He thought of the people, the voices, the faces, always looking, always watching. He had three hours to get ready. But, deciding it was best to get it over with, he took an outfit from his closet, his bomber jacket and black jeans. And as he was unsure of the guest list he took his balaclava from its place on his shelf.

He came down the hallway to the sound of music and chattering. "Hey Eric!" Tobi chirped when she saw him, he smiled and waved before heading over to her. She had an open wine cooler on the counter in front of her, an empty one beside it. "Hey Tobi, how goes it?" He asked hopping in the stool next to hers. She looked to Matt filling large bowls with chips and Jay putting out a foldable table. "it's going, I guess,"  she giggled and pointed to Mason. "He's been trying to get that pack of ping pong balls open for like twelve minutes." He looked over to the spastic, now weilding a kitchen knife and stabbing at the packaging wrecklessly. The pair sighed in relief as Jay came over to him, "Mas, give it. Now." He said sternly. Mason rolled his eyes and outstretched his hand giving up the knife. "Is Cam still not home?" He questioned, turning away from the two. She shook her head, "he needs to hurry though; people are going to start showing up soon.." Eric feeling a tad worried, mentioned he would call him before walking over to the patio door. He slid open as he took his phone his pocket, stepping out and hitting call on Cameron's contact. It only had to ring twice before he picked up. "Hey" he said, Eric could hear a lot of talking in the background. "Hey Cam, everything ok?" He didn't want to sound as worried as he was. "Yeah Eric I'm ok. Just getting stuff for the party. Ill be home soon." Eric thought of Cameron's problem from a few months ago, when he'd fell into the habit of doing coke when he felt stressed. "Are you.. you're not doing anything are you?" He asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer. "What do you mean Eric?.. like that, of course not. I'm done with that." He chewed his lip, "promise?" He couldn't see but could picture Cam's face, his signature gentle smile. "I promise. I love you." Eric smiled a bit at the words, still getting used to them being spoken. "I love you Cam. Be safe." "Of course. Be home soon." He responded before hanging. Despite the reassurance he was more worried than before. He re-entered the house as he picked away a bit of cuticle with his teeth. "What's he said?" Tobi asked, now hanging fairy lights from the island counter. "Said he'll be home in a bit," he shrugged. She sat the last bit of lights down and went to the fridge. "Hey Eric, c'mere. Want you to try this." He joined her at the fridge as she pulled out a large bottle of dark liquid, "honey whiskey," she explained. She screwed off the top and took a glass from the counter, pouring him a shot. She handed it to him and without hesitation he took it. A sweet rich flavor mixed with the bitter taste of the whiskey. "Not bad," he admitted. She giggled, "right? I've had four already." He laughed, extending his glass for another. She filled him up and once again he took it, savoring the flavor. He swallowed and coughed a bit. "So... you wanna talk about you and Cameron?" She questioned an eyebrow raised.  Eric cleared his throat, bringing his fist up to cover his mouth. "What do you mean?" He asked innocently. She laughed, slapping his arm with the back of her hand playfully. "Come off it Eric, we all heard."
He turned red, his neck getting hot. "Not to mention how hes acting over you; all protective and stuff. It's really cute." She added. Eric just laughed nervously, searching for something to say. "You don't have to be embarrassed Eric.. We're all really happy for you two, even Mason. The spastic." She finsihed laughing and gesturing over toward him. Who, noticing them looking at him, beared a goofy smile and gave an enthusiastic wave. Eric smiled, retaliating with a small wave, before crossing his arms. "Thanks Tobi," he said turning back to her. "Of course Eric, love you bunches."
She said before hugging him softly, his arms still pinned over his chest between them. "Love you too Tobes." He said, the smell of alcohol wafting from her, he giggled. 'She's so drunk.' As she pulled away the doorbell rang. "Hey!" Matt said as he pulled open the door, at least six people quickly filling the living room. "Party Time." Tobi chirped, picking up the whiskey bottle and joining the small group in the living room.