Page 5 of Agony

Arsen: :)

I rolled my eyes.Usually one word from one person and a smiley face from the other killed the entire conversation. Text messaging etiquette told me not to respond. If he had anything else to say, he would send me a message. I put the phone back down on the coffee table and went back to my other couch. After I located the remote, I laid down and turned the TV on.

I settled on theInvestigation DiscoveryChannel and glanced at my phone. Still no flashing light. I shrugged and tried to concentrate on the show that was on.

I spent the first ten minutes of the program glancing at my phone, but gave up when the phone never blinked. I yawned when the show concluded. I could easily fall asleep again if I wasn’t so hungry.

I grabbed my phone and just as I was about to call my favorite Chinese restaurant, Arsen’s number came across the screen.

“Hello?” I answered.

“So. You’re still awake. Dirty pool, woman,” he replied, laughing.

“Not for much longer. I was just about to call to have some food delivered, gorge myself, and pass out.”

“What were you going to order?” he asked curiously.

“Chinese.”

“I love Chinese.”

I laughed. It was obvious that Arsen still wanted to hang outtonight.

“Then tell me what you want and I’ll order it. It should get here before you do, unless you’re standing outside,” I teased.

“No.I was earlier, but I left,” he joked.

I laughed again and grabbed a pen and piece of paper and wrote down what he wanted.

“Come over whenever you’re ready. And dress comfortably. I’m in my pajamas and don’t plan on changing,” I warned.

“Maybe I’ll just throw on a pair of boxers and we can have a pajama party,” he replied.

“Wear comfortableclothes,” I stressed.

Arsen laughed and told me he’d be over as soon as he could.

I called the Chinese restaurant and placed our order. I used my debit card to pay for it over the phone because to be honest, I had no idea where my cash was and I didn’t feel like looking for it.

Fifteen minutes later, the delivery man knocked on my apartment door. Five minutes later, Arsen knocked.

I looked through the peephole and my heart started to beat a little faster when I saw him. I smoothed out my hair and opened the door.

“Comfortable enough for you?” he asked with a grin.

I stepped back and smiled. He was wearing a loose pair of sweatpants, a black muscle shirt, and flip flops.

“Come on in,” I said, shaking my head and laughing.

Arsen dropped a bag on the carpet and looked around.

Is that an overnight bag? He couldn’t have been serious about the pajama party.

“What’s that all about?” I asked pointing at his bag.

“Hmm?”

“This isn’t a sleepover party, buddy,” I replied, shaking my finger at him in mock seriousness.