Jack:Just getting ahead of it
This will be the first Friday in weeks that I won’t be spending with the boys, and something about it makes me feel a little lonely.
Walking dejectedly down the hall to my room, I check my phone as it buzzes again.
Griffin:Hey
Griffin:I know David and Jack are out tonight, but you could still come over
Griffin:If you want
My brain short circuits–I know the texts from Griffin are a super normal, friendly thing to send, but they might as well be in ancient Greek.
I must take too long to reply, because another round of messages come through.
Griffin:Nopressure though
Griffin:Just thought I'd offer
Griffin:Hello?
Griffin:If you don't want to, that's fine
Griffin:Just let me know
Shoot. I don’t want him to think I’m ignoring him. I just can’t for the life of me think of what to say.
Ellie:Sorry, just got back from a run!!
Ellie:That sounds fun! I’ll ask my mom if she can pick me up since Jack won’t be there to take me home.
The way my stomach is twisted up in knots, you’d think my nervous system doesn't know the difference between making plans with Griffin and being chased by an axe murderer.
Griffin:Cool, sounds good
Griffin:See you later.
Ellie:See you soon!
I throw my phone like it bit me and stare at the place it landed on my bed like it’s some creature that might come back for more if I don’t keep a very close eye on it.
At the diner with Abby, I don’t tell her that it’s going to be just me and Griffin tonight. I also don’t mention that I was late because I changed my outfit three times.
***
I stand rigidly on Griffin’s porch, at war with myself. Normally I just walk right in and make myself at home, but that feels weird if it’s just the two of us. Should I be more polite? More formal?
I knock hesitantly instead of letting myself in. When Griffin opens the door, he looks genuinely confused.
“Oh it’s you,” he says, sounding surprised. “I thought you were someone else.”
“Were you expecting someone else?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“No, but you never knock.” His brows furrow as he stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Well, are you going to let me in or not?” I tease, echoing my words from the first time I came over. Rolling his eyes, he steps to the side and dramatically gestures for me toenter.
With every step we take down into the basement, the silence gets more noticeable. Why does this feel so different from every other time I’ve come over here?
