Array
(
[text] =>
I pulled up beside the back gate where Marsala, Nik and Marcus, supporting an unconscious Noah, were waiting. The flashing lights gave the neighbourhood a sombre glow. Nik opened the back door and shoved Noah in.
“You guys go, I’ll talk to the police so they don’t come looking for you,” Marsala said, heading back through the gate.
I gave her thanks and a wave goodbye.
“Is it all right if we join you guys?” he asked.
“Of course, hop in,” I said.
They climbed in the back, shoving Noah to the side and with the slam of a door we were off. We passed the house where police stood outside the front door talking to a flamboyant Marsala. I didn’t feel like sticking around so we continued on.
“Where should we go?” asked Marcus, clearly worried about the police at his home.
“My family’s gone for the weekend, you guys are welcome to stay,” I replied.
The ride was mostly silent, cause we were all pretty tired. Well, I wasn’t. A week ago the list was a fantasy. Now, they all sat in my car and would stay at my house. Thank God I keep a clean room. Although the car was full, I felt so alone. The connection between us five wasn’t real, because I had made it up. It’s by accident that our paths have all crossed. Would Thomas have sat next to me in English? Would Nik have in the cafe? Would Noah have come to see me in the library? And would Marcus have invited me to his party? Honestly, probably not. How long could this really last?
Thomas reached out and switched on the radio. The car was filled with the sound of “Make your own kind of music.” I gave Thomas a thankful expression for breaking the silence, and more importantly my self-loathing train of thought.
I parked in the driveway and unlocked the garage, while Nik and Marcus dragged Noah out of the backseat.
“Your house is different than I imagined,” Thomas said, while we settled in the kitchen.
“What did you imagine?” I asked.
“More you, I guess,” he replied, staring at the abundance of family photos on the mantel with a sparse appearance of me.
Nik and Marcus laid Noah down on the couch while I grabbed pillows and blankets off my parent’s bed. He barely made so much as a grunt as I put the pillow under his head.
“Here’s stuff for you guys too, your welcome to sleep anywhere, my brother’s room is also open,” I told them as they awkwardly stood around the living room.
“Thanks, Arthur, you’re a good guy,” Marcus said, as he grabbed a blanket and flopped on the other couch.
Thomas gave me another one of his sweet smiles.
“If you guys need anything I’ll be upstairs,”
[text_hash] => f93d275a
)