Eleven - David
Eleven - David
I'm sitting in my chair and don't think I can any longer. Standing and walking to leave my office, my eyes scan the room. This used to be my dad's office. It's hard to not think about him when I'm here. Ash sees me and opens the door, giggling like a two-year-old. If I were to give the slightest bit of reaction, he'll do it again. He pulls my arm and quickly yanks me out of the doorway, beginning to walk.
"So, do you have your Halloween decorations up yet? When is Amina's birthday again? It's the big 'two-one'!" Ash talks and I roll my eyes.
"No, I haven't. There's no point in decorating. Her birthday is on the tenth. Don't go getting her drunk just because she's 21." I give him a look and he rolls his eyes with great exaggeration.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm not the worst influence. Would you rather her be around me or Milo when she's taking her first drink, huh?" He grins, making me roll my eyes again.
"Milo." I say quickly, opening the exit door that leads to the elevators. He looks a little hurt as I say this, but then Milo turns the corner, making Ash's smile re-appear. The two shake hands and walk beside one another while I tread off to the side, listening to their dumb conversation. Milo says my name, making me jump a little, but I don't think he saw it.
"The tenth, right? Amina's birthday, I mean."
"Yeah. Don't you two get any ideas about parties and stuff yet, okay? I wanna see if she's even ready for something like that." We enter the elevator after Ash repeatedly pushes the button. The two are silent after my comment, remembering the last few shitty months. Ash quickly whips out his phone and calls Amina on speaker phone. She answers and giggles.
“Hey! How ya doin’?” Ash yells. Milo laughs, crossing his arms.
“Well, I mean, I’m okay, I think. How about you, Ash?” Her voice is soft and a little shaky. She’d been crying. Ash shrugs his shoulders, looking at us as if he’s asking us for an answer.
“I’m A-O-kay, meanie.” Amina chuckles on the other line when Ash snickers to himself. “I got a question for ya, if you aren’t doing anything.” The doors of the elevator open and the three of us walk through the parking garage.
“Okay.” she mumbles, moving around.
“What do you want to do for your birthday? I was thinking maybe buying some drinks and seeing which one makes your face scrunch up the most.” Milo quickly smacks Ash’s arm, making him yelp. I put my palm on my forehead, groaning.
“As much as I’d love to do that, David would kill you for getting me drunk and then kill me for getting hammered. Besides, I, um…” She pauses, breathing out. “I don’t think I want to celebrate my birthday this year.” The words slowly come through the speakers of the phone, hesitation pretty much pouring onto the floor. Milo puts on his thinking face, making me worry.
“Shit, you’re right. Okay. Well. I’ll talk to you later, okay?” Ash is hesitant too, but looks at me.
“Okay, I love you Ashstonration. Love you too, Milo! I heard you smack him.” Amina laughs. Her real laugh. Milo grins, nodding.
“Love you too, Stinker. Don’t do anything stupid without us.” Milo wipes his eyes, fixing his jacket. Amina makes her normal ‘mhm hm’ sound and hangs up. Ash quickly turns to me, waiting. I say nothing and instead unlock my car. She didn’t even know I was there. Or she did and didn’t want to talk to me. That’s fine. We haven’t talked since I showed up at her apartment a couple of weeks ago. Sure, I’ll send the occasional text and she’ll leave me either on read or delivered, but that’s it. I asked Milo about it and he said to send a voicemail and he’ll deal with the rest. I haven’t done that either. I know her; she doesn’t care about voicemails unless Dad sent them.
I lean against my car, waiting for the other two. Ash gives me a look I haven’t seen in a while. Looking away and opening the driver's side door, I watch the screen turn on. There are three little red dots, each labeled. Amina’s house, my house, and our house. I miss that house. Amina and I used to chase each other down the hall and she’d hide behind Dad, who’d list her up and tickle her. Then he’d hold her low enough for me to join in. We used to be so happy. Milo grabs my arm before I get into the car, looking into my eyes. He clears his throat and puts his hand on my shoulder instead. Ash waits behind him, hands shoved into his pockets.
“Can you go see her? Sometimes she needs to do something she doesn’t want to do in order to get help. I know you two haven’t been the same since…Gabe. Hell. I don’t know what I’m saying, okay? But I miss you guys. Do you remember when we’d all drive after school when we were kids? I want that again. Ash does too, and I’m sure you do.” He takes his hand back, stepping back. "I don’t want to see the whole family die, okay? My ma is worried." Before walking away, he pats my shoulder. Ash and I watch him get into his car as speed off. Ash looks at me and nods.
“I’ll see you, David.” He goes too. When I get into my car, I pound my fists on the steering wheel and shout. I don’t want to force her to do anything, but I can’t lose her too. The car directs me to Amina’s apartment after I tap the screen.