Page 3 of Strange Lad

They don’t multiply and build off each other to destroy my face in one turn.

Sorry about that. Habit.

I won’t call you that. Promise.

Okay.

Well, it’s either the rats or the angel deck.

I groan loudly, and some guy in the next stall laughs. He probably thinks I’m shitting. Great.

Fine. Rats it is. I don’t stand a chance against the angels of doom.

Laugh emoji

Text me when you’re close.

Bye,bebe.

Stop making fun of me. It’s rude.

Bye.

I slink out of the stall and catch up with everyone at the baggage claim. It takes ten million years for our stuff to get down to us, much to my dismay, and by the time Phoenix and I are in an Uber, I’m cursing God for not giving me the ability to teleport. My eagerness to see my friend has me twitching and wiggling in my seat.

There’s something about Oli that just clicks with me. It’s different from my other friends—so simple.Right.Not that it isn’t with Phoenix, but there is a distinction; one I’ve spent months trying to identify.

Since I can’t tell anyone about it, I’ve just waited it out, hoping the answers will come one day. They haven’t yet, but I’ve honestly stopped caring.

Oli is just so unlike what I remember.

When we were all kids, he was just Phoenix’s little brother. Sure,theywere thick as thieves, but that didn’t really include me. Even when Oli would tag along with us, I was too wrapped up in being a stupid teenager to give him much thought. Phoenix was my priority when I was around them because he was my best friend, so unfortunately, Oli was in the background.I didn't get to know him like I do now.

There was one day, though.

One day where I knew something changed. I don’t dare ask him about it despite how close we are now. Feels like a line being crossed, you know? But I’ll never forget it.

Before Devon and Kelly joined, Phoenix and I were trying to spread the word about our band. So it was just me, him, and Michael. Anyway, I was putting up janky flyers by the gym locker room. We were seniors at the time, and Oli was a sophomore. I’d been minding my business when I caught him staggering out of the double doors leading to the lockers and showers. He was pale, his hair a little damp. Honestly, he looked like he was really sick.

The flu or whatever.

I remember us glancing at each other. I smiled at him like I usually do, and his eyes dimmed.

No, the light just snuffed right out.

He didn’t say hi to me, and I stood there awkwardly while he staggered away. Now that we are such good friends, I regret not stopping him. Or, at the very least, bringing it up with anyone. But I was eighteen and focused on getting people to show up to our little garage concert.

I should’ve asked, though. I should’ve made sure he was okay.

The Uber driver turns on my street, and I prepare to launch. Phoenix seems off in his own world, probably daydreaming about Eli’s penis. I haven’t gotten laid in forever. It feels kind of pathetic, but I've made my peace with it. The sex will come when it’s meant to or when I get the motivation to flirt with someone.

When the car stops, my adrenaline shoots through the roof.

God, I’m so ready to see my friend.

I lean over, smack a big ‘ol kiss on Phoenix’s cheek, and blurt, “I love you!” And then I’m out of the car, grabbing my shit, and jogging into my house.

Snacks? Check.

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