Page 26 of Paint Eater
Jay was jostled out of sleep violently, falling back as the person in his arms jerked away and climbed over him to get off the bed.
“Was’wrong?” Jay murmured, rubbing his eyes. The lights were still on, and it made the scene of Logan’s panicked movements around the room as he gathered his things look strange, as if Jay were looking at someone performing on a stage.
“It’s one in the morning,” Logan said as if that explained everything, and maybe it did.
“Shit. Sorry, fuck. We fell asleep.”
“I have to go.”
Jay scrambled off the bed as Logan opened the bedroom door, following him out into the quiet, still living room. His mom hadn’t checked on him before going to bed, obviously. And why would she? He was twenty, and she trusted his judgment in who he brought home.
“Are you okay?” Jay whispered. Logan didn’t reply, putting his shoes on. “Logan?”
“Sorry, fuck. My mom.”
Jay felt a bolt of guilt. Logan hadjustopened up about how strict his mom was. Jay should have been more careful.
“I gotta go,” Logan repeated and then, without even a look back, he was gone, rushing down the stairs.
Jay looked out at the empty stairwell, the bright, white light illuminating the space, before shutting the door, leaving himself once again in darkness.
He returned to his room, unsettled. The bed looked alien now, sheets thrown off, bare. He could imagine the imprint of their bodies, but then the panicked look on Logan’s face appeared.
Jay just hoped Logan wasn’t inthatmuch trouble.
**********
Logan seemed to disappear off the face of the planet.
Okay, that was an exaggeration, but it was suddenly much more difficult to get ahold of him. Jay hadn’t realised how much they’d been texting until there was practically radio silence from the other side of the phone. Logan would reply once in a while, proof that he was alive. He’d say he was busy with school, which Jay knew was a bullshit excuse.
It’d been a week since Logan had fallen asleep in Jay’s bed only to wake up in a panic. Jay swirled in his desk chair, staring at his phone. He wasn’t sure if Logan was grounded or if Logan was regretting opening up to Jay, but either way, the sudden silence sucked.
Jay
im sorry about the other night i didnt mean to fall asleep and keep you here
For once, Logan actually responded quickly.
Logan
What are you even apologizing for? Shut up. I fell asleep too. It’s fine.
Jay
can we meet up then? do you still wanna hang out? its totally okay if you dont i was just wondering
There was a longer pause this time.
Logan
Okay.
Jay
great! do you wanna go to brower skate park? we can just hang out
Logan
