About

Alex’s name swam on the screen for a second before my eyes focused. I frowned. It was past midnight. “Hello?” He said. “Hey,” I said back—then paused. “Wait. Hi. Sorry.” There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a sigh. “You okay?” “Yeah. Totally. I mean—yes.” I glanced around, trying to take inventory of where I was. Music thumped somewhere behind me, muffled by walls and distance. “Actually, can I ask you something?” Another pause. Longer this time. “That depends.” “Can you pick me up?” He didn’t answer right away. I could picture him sitting up wherever he was, rubbing his face, checking the time. “Where are you?” he asked. I looked at the street sign across the road, squinting. “Uh. Near a taco place? With a green sign.” “That narrows it down,” he said dryly. I laughed, then immediately winced. “I can send my location.” “Please do.” I fumbled with my phone, nearly dropping it before managing to send the pin. There was a moment of silence, then— “Are you drunk?” “No,” I said automatically. Then, quieter, “Okay, maybe a little.” He exhaled through his nose. “Stay where you are. I’ll be there in twenty.” “Thank you,” I said, relief washing over me. “You’re the best, and please don’t tell my brother.” “I’m hanging up.” Alex replied, already sounding tired. The call ended. I stared at my phone for a second, then slipped it back into my pocket and leaned against the wall, listening to the music and waiting.