Friend's place

Ryder

I hear my phone ring as I brush my teeth. I rinsed out my mouth and headed to my nightstand to see who it was.

"Sup, Calum." Calum is my work colleague and also my best friend. We were hired in The Brown IT together, straight out of high school. You see, Calum and I loved computers, we were always interested in tech shit since we were in middle school.

We learned more about it on YouTube, Summer Classes, Old books and a couple of years in community college since junior year. We created this Application in senior year where you could select a certain paragraph and it will voice it out to you without you even reading it. It could be a Biography, research on Google (you just have to select the servers link and it will read their whole research that is published online), online books, magazines.

We haven't uploaded it online though, we presented it to The Brown IT, Calum's older brother liked it a lot so scheduled us an appointment since he already works there. It needed some improvements though and we couldn't afford that. They wanted our application, along with us we have been working on it for two years now and other software programs. I study Software engineering online though, Calum studies Computer science.

"Hey, can you bring the pen drive we saved Software 701 on?" he says on the other end.

"Yeah, sure."

"Okay, bye" he hung up. I chuckle, he always talks straight to the point and doesn't go around.

I quickly changed into some jeans and a shirt, grabbed the pen drive and headed to my car.

******

I really miss her. She has been on my mind since this morning, F*ck it, since I have seen her that day walking in the streets, since she raised her head and looked at me with those warm, beautiful emerald eyes.

I can't even believe she is my girlfriend. I won't lie and say I loved her the moment I saw her, that the way her hair flew, that her beautiful face or body, that I was attracted to her the moment I laid eyes on her, because that's not true. I'm not sure I even liked her that day. But the way she smiled at me when I didn't say anything, the way she talked to me made me want to see her again. She didn't talk like anything, she didn't make an effort to let the words out. They are just simple words but they are different. She made them seem different.

I was unlocking my phone to call her, but then I remembered that she had class. I was at work, sitting on my chair in front of my computer in the office I share with Calum and Jared, my other work colleague. My phone rang in my hand before I could put it back. It was my mom. She calls once a week to ask how I am doing.

"Hey, hun" my mom's sweet voice calls out from the other end. My parents live in Huston, I came here to California after high school for The Brown IT along with Calum.

"Hey mom, how are you?" I ask her, a small smile automatically forming on my face.

"I'm great darling, how are you? How is work? Are you eating well? You look thinner in the picture you sent last weekend." her voice full of concern, she says.

"I'm fine mom, it must be the camera, trying to make me look good. I'm eating well, don't worry." I assure her, letting out a small chuckle.

"Erm...I wanted to talk to you about something." her voice almost sounds hesitant.

"What is it? '' I frown wondering what it would be. "Your father wants to see you and your brother. I already talked to Ryan, he is coming this weekend. I miss you Ryder, please come home." My ears were drumming from the frantic sound of my heart beating. My breathing hitched, I lost where my voice box stood. I opened my mouth to reply, reject her offer or say anything but nothing came out.

"Honey, are you there?" I sigh, still trying to find words to say.

"You know that's not going to happen mom, you can come sometime for a couple of days if you want, ALONE. But I can't come back while he's still there." I say, thankful I found my voice.

"Please, darling. Your brother is coming, James misses you, I miss you. Its just for two days, please honey. Do you really have a heart to say no to your mother?" I want to smile but I can't, I have to concentrate on my breathing or I will choke to death.

"I..." I sigh once again.

"I... okay mother. Bye" I hung up, I know I'm not supposed to hang up on my mom but I need a breather. I know if I don't go, he will get mad and might even come here. She is just asking nicely in her own way as she always did when I lived with them. I got up from my chair and went straight to my elevator, out of the building needing some air. I sat on the bench outside, looking at the flowers across me. I want to call Skylar, my baby, but I know I can't so I decide to text her. Hopefully she will answer, I used to text in class in high school, I mean everyone does right? I hope she's fine with it too.

But only with me.

ME:

Hey baby, I wanted to talk to you about something? Are you free?

Perhaps she has a free period.

I want to tell her about him, about my trip there this weekend. She might not understand but she never acts like she does if she doesn't. Even letting her know is enough. My heart beats faster as a thought comes to my head,

Would I scare her away?

Would she leave me?

No, Skylar isn't like that, she doesn't judge people. I want her to know. Maybe not everything but I will tell her.

I check my phone, no reply.

ME:

Should I come to your house or pick you up from school?

I pocket my phone after 20 minutes, knowing she wouldn't answer. I smile at the thought of her. Skylar is not simple, she is not innocent. She never tells me but I know there's something wrong. I know from the way she zones out when we are together, the way she frowns in the middle of nowhere, she lets out a heavy breath as if there is something suffocating her. It might not be something temporary, maybe it's just me and those things are normal, but I have a feeling that it's not something simple. I wanted to ask her but decided against it. I don't want to make her feel like she should tell me just because we're together. I want her to tell me when she's ready to let me in, when she wants to let it out of her chest, when she wants to let me know.

I sat there for an hour and 30 minutes, no reply. It was 5:15. I know she has Asp today so it has been 15 minutes since she finished her class. I couldn't wait anymore so I made my way to the parking lot to go to her school. It's not far from here so it wouldn't take long.

Halfway there, my phone buzzed. A message from Skylar pops on my screen. And please don't comment on the name.

SKYLER BABY:

I can't. I'm busy today, can't we do it tomorrow?

I can feel my eyes falling a bit and the obvious disappointment on my face. I don't want to pressure her but I Really need her. My heart beats faster and I don't know why. I tighten my hand on the steering wheel trying to focus on my driving. It's not like there are a lot of cars around, just one or two since I was in a neighborhood.

At the mention of cars, a black truck catches my eye with a familiar girl with black hair on the passenger seat. She was laughing at something the bastard who was driving said. They passed by, then and I couldn't see more, they were going the opposite way. I swear to God I can feel fumes coming out of my f*cking ear.

What the f*ck was she doing with him?!

Oh, so she was busy with him?!

I stop the car with a screeching sound. I wanted to follow them, but I know she would be pissed. I breathe heavily, trying to control my anger, staring at the steering wheel. I don't know what to do.

ME:

Where are you?

I wanted to call her but I was scared she would sense my distress and ask me. My phone vibrated in my hand.

SKYLER BABY:

Friend's place.

THEY WERE GOING TO HIS PLACE?! TO DO WHAT?!

I totally was supposed to follow them.

FUCKING SH*T. I am losing my temper.

I rolled down my window and started taking a deep breath. At least she didn't lie to me. After a few minutes of trying to calm myself down, I decided to drive to her place and wait there. I'm sure she will be back in no time, she won't stay long, I hope.

An hour and she isn't back.