Just The Two Of Us

4. The Act

Half of the car ride was silent. You didn't know what to say to Phillip and he didn't know what to say to you. You guys were never friends, nor did you guys ever have an actual conversation before. It seemed like Phillip couldn't stand the silence because he was the first one to speak.

"How's life been?" He asked starting to mess with the car radio.

You swat his had away. "Life has been... Life has been pretty ok. Nothing crazy happening. How about you." You paused and let our a deep breath.

You were telling the truth life has been pretty ok for you. Life could honestly be so much more better if you had pursued writing and actually committed, you could be doing big things right now, but instead you work at a small bookstore, stuck in a relationship with a man you're not even sure loves you anymore, living everyday on repeat. Thinking about it, you truly hadn't lived, well not yet at least. Being in your 20's should be fun but for you its been boring, and not many people who are in their 20's can say that.

"Life has been good, could be better but it's ok." He said looking out the window.

Phillip was stuck on the same boat as you. He was living the bachelor lifestyle and having fun, but he was also stuck living everyday on repeat. Phillip is struggling in his own way, he doesn't have a job, he doesn't really have much friends, and hasn't had a real connection with anyone.

"Thats good." You said plainly.

"Do you still write?" He asked turning his head to look at you.

You lock eyes with him for a split second bringing your eyes back to the road approaching the airport. "How did you know I write?"

"Mikey brought it up once a long ass time ago. I figured you'd stick with it since you're smart and seem very passionate about... stuff."

You could start to feel your cheeks flush with the color pink. Phillip remembering that small detail about you made you feel something. You didn't know what you were feeling, you hadn't felt something in a long time. It felt wrong though. You didn't feel like talking about the matter anymore so you switched the subject and brought up how Mikey is excited to see him.

Mikey called to let you know he was at luggage claim, and you let him know you were almost there. Finally, you picked Mikey up and let him drive on the way back. You sat in the back seat to avoid Phillip. The small glances you would take at the rear view mirror wasn't helping, you couldn't help it he is very attractive. The ride back was mostly just Phillip and your brother catching up and reminiscing about high school, mostly just guy talk. You had taken this time to pop your headphones in and listen to some music and admire your view.

-

The ride had come to a stop when you guys had finally reached your place, you were relived the car ride was over so you could gain some distance from Phillip. Phillip helped Mikey bring his bags out of the trunk, as he did you announced you needed to head back home and get ready for work. You said your goodbyes, giving your brother a hug and giving Phillip a weird fist bump. You called your Uber and once you hopped in you finally felt like you can breathe.

-

While making it up to your apartment you kept thinking about how badly you wanted to get to work so could take a moment to relax and dig your face into a book to escape reality for a little bit. You shoved the key into the bottom lock and the door wouldn't open. You thought it was weird because the top lock was locked. It was very weird that Matt had locked the top lock.

A pit started to grow in the bottom of your stomach, you were so sketched out by this. Thankfully you had the key for the top lock and shimmied the door open slowly.