Page 27 of The Not So Super Hero
Zane snorted.Bailey couldn’t blame him because that was clearly a lie.He couldn’t be quiet, even if his life depended on it.
“Well, do you have a spare tire and perhaps know how to change it?”he asked.
“Do you think I know how to change a tire?”Zane asked.
“No.”
“Get a hotel room,” Zane suggested, opening his car door.He rested his arm on it and the other on top of his vehicle.
“I’m going to have to buy two new tires, and I have a long drive.I don’t have the money to spit out for a hotel,” Bailey explained while taking a few steps towards the passenger side.Zane clicked his keys, locking his doors, which had Bailey groaning.“Please, Zane, just this one night!”
Bailey leaned on Zane’s car, reaching over the top to playfully poke at Zane’s arm.He did not seem too phased by Bailey’s wide green eyes fluttering their eyelashes at him.He bit his lip, then tugged at Zane’s arm like a child, smiling when Zane’s eyes softened.
“Please?”Bailey pleaded.The car beeped as the doors unlocked.He threw his arms into the air in victory.“Thank you!”
“Whatever, just this once.”Zane pointed at Bailey, as if to tell him that there was no way he was helping the boy out again.
He nodded, grinning the entire time before explaining he just wanted to grab a few things, like his phone charger and some clothes.Zane grumbled, slipping into his car while Bailey ran to retrieve his belongings.A part of Bailey suspected Zane to drive off while he grabbed his belongings.Surprisingly, he didn’t.The boy jumped into the passenger side of Zane’s car a few minutes later, putting on his seat belt before saying, “Thanks.I promise I won’t be a bother.”
“If you are, I’ll kick you out.”
Bailey honestly felt like he could say he didn’t believe him.Seemed like he’d have to wait to find that out.
CHAPTER 9
Baileyfidgetedinthepassenger seat.Since he was desperate for a free place to stay, he did his absolute best to be quiet.However, that didn’t prevent the twiddling of his thumbs or bouncing his legs.As if his head was loose atop his neck, he leaned it left, then right, then back, then forward, and spun from side to side.He pressed his glasses further up his nose prior to tinkering with his seat belt.From what they passed, Zane didn’t live far from campus.The drive took about fifteen minutes, then they entered the parking lot of Zane’s apartment building.
Zane didn’t say a word the whole ride, nor did he say anything while exiting the car.Bailey stumbled out, grabbing the few belongings he had.Zane was halfway to the door.Bailey fumbled after him.They went up the elevator and, as they were stepping out, Bailey realized that he really was staying at Zane’s.It felt surreal, something that couldn’t or wouldn’t happen, yet there he was, following Zane as if it were natural.
The custodian hesitated outside his door, turning enough to peer at Bailey over his shoulder.Smiling, Bailey waited patiently for Zane to open his door, or maybe ask him to leave.It had to be awkward; allowing someone into his place who had never been there, especially when he was forced into it.Bailey wasn’t sure what he should do.Stand there and wait or say something like thanks or I can leave if you want me to.
In the end, he said nothing and waited in nerve-racking silence.Sighing, Zane finally unlocked the door.He walked inside, allowing Bailey to follow.The atmosphere in the studio apartment was tense, to say the least.Goosebumps broke out across Bailey’s arms.He removed his shoes, leaving them next to Zane’s in the entryway.He examined the apartment, his curious nature taking hold as he tried to glimpse at whatever he could.A small and simple kitchen greeted them, enough for a single person with four cupboards above the stove and a fridge sitting right next to it.A slightly ajar door to the right revealed a small bathroom.
To Bailey’s surprise, a couple of pictures adorned the walls in the living area.One revealed a slightly younger Zane, somewhere in his teens, with a very cheerful Chris at a cookout.Zane had the smallest of smiles on his face, struggling to play the annoyed teenager.It wasn’t working.
The second picture was of Zane’s high school graduation.The overly large graduation gown flopped over his tall figure.He donned another small smile, diploma in hand, while Chris had his arm around Zane’s shoulders like it was the proudest moment of his life.Bailey smiled, admiring the picture a while longer.
“I don’t really have much,” Zane said.He opened the fridge to show beer and condiments.The freezer had a single frozen pizza and a mostly empty bag of chicken nuggets.
“That’s fine.We can order some food, my treat?”Bailey suggested.Zane shut his fridge and nodded.Not surprising.As if Zane would pass up free food.
Bailey stepped further into the studio apartment.Zane had a futon pressed against the wall and a massive TV mounted across the room that Ryan would swoon over.There was also a dresser with a couple books and a TV stand holding a couple of gaming consoles.Other than that, the apartment was fairly empty.Bailey had no idea where to sit.
“So, do you want to order food now?”Bailey asked.
Zane fell onto his futon, sinking into it while flipping on his TV.Bailey couldn’t work up the nerve to sit beside him, so he stood there awkwardly while glancing back and forth between Zane and the TV.
“Sure, there are a few places to choose from in the top drawer,” Zane responded, gesturing towards the kitchen.
Bailey sat his belongings down, then grabbed options from the top drawer.He asked Zane which he would prefer and received a shrug in response.Bailey ordered two pizzas.He wasn’t sure what to do while waiting.He had no reason to ask or speak of anything else.Zane wasn’t much for small talk, or any talk for that matter, so what the hell was he meant to do?
Watching TV would be fine, but that felt like a wasted opportunity.He was in Zane’s apartment!The wicked custodian had let Bailey into his evil lair and he was expected to not speak or investigate?That was torture!
Bailey scratched at his slightly throbbing head.He got a huge whiff of his armpit, which was pretty rank.Gagging, he realized he had been packing his things all day.He needed a shower, however; it felt odd to ask to use a stranger’s bathroom.It was hard enough using one at school, let alone Zane’s!Bailey yet again found himself standing awkwardly.
“What are you doing?”Zane asked.
“Uh, can I use your shower?”
