Chapter 218 - The Call

Jack

"Hey," Trick whispers into my ear. I open my eyes and he is watching me over the bed. "Hey back,'' I smile at him as he presses his lips to mine." I know he is going to work; this is what he usually does every morning when he gets up, make sure he tells me goodbye. 

"Off to work?'' I ask him as I rub out the sleep from my eyes. 

"Yeah," he pulls away from me and I see that he is dressed up already. "do you have any plans for today,'' he asks me. 

I shake my head because I haven't really felt up to doing anything this past week. A part of me doesn't even want to apply for any new jobs, I have just been feeling lazy about everything.

"Oh, what about Lance, do you want to spend the day with him?'' he asks me. I can tell that he is worried about me. 

Things are great between us but he has just been so cautious about everything he says or does. At least, anything that has to do with me. 

"He is starting work today, Arlo is starting school, so he didn't see the need of keeping his leave extended," I tell him. 

he doesn't want me to be alone but I don't mind being alone. Lance is really the only friend I have and I like things that way. Eren is in France, so we kind of drifted along those years. 

"Oh, want to come with me to the gallery, I could find something for you to do?'' he suggests and I groan out immediately. 

"No way, I am fine,'' I assure him, standing up and walking over to him. His eyes roam around the room and I know he is making sure everything is ok. 

"You're not fine, you're not working, and you're not going to be with Lance,'' he says to me. 

I huff and try to hold back a laugh. "So, are you always going to bother about what I should be doing on a daily?'' I ask him amused by how cute he is. 

He is so worried about me and I love him for that. 

"It's my job!'' he answers me, taking my hand in his. 

"Your job is to make art, not to worry about me.'' I tell him and he pulls me in for a hug. "what are you doing?'' I ask him but he doesn't let go. 

"You're my art,'' he whispers into my ear and I feel my heart flutter a little.  "that's why I have to worry about you,'' he explains, pulling away from me and looking me in the eyes. 

"You are the best thing I have ever done, and I'm not going to lose you.'' I can't help but smile at him. 

"You're going to work now, and I'm going to apply for jobs. if nothing works out, then I will go to the gallery with you.'' I tell him. 

"You're going to apply for jobs?'' he asks me, sounding surprised. 

I nod at him and he kisses my forehead. 

"Good luck,'' he whispers and I smile at him. He holds my hand in his and I squeeze it, realizing he is about to leave me. "See you tonight, ok?'' I say to him. 

He nods at me and then walks out the door. I sit on the bed for a while, watching him leave. I walk into the bathroom and take a quick shower to start my day. Trick thinks I am going to apply for jobs but I font think I want to right now.

shower and then I get dressed in some comfortable clothes. I am not really in the mood to apply for jobs. I walk out of my room and go to the kitchen to make something for breakfast.

If I eat a little, I might be able to apply for jobs a little later. 

I make some toast and then I sit down on the couch to eat. I look at my phone and I see that I have a few Instagram notifications. I respond to them all and put on the tv. I don't know how I feel about being this idle, but I don't even feel like doing anything. I spend a couple of hours watching the same tv show and I realize that it is already noon. 

I want to talk to Lance, so I call him up. He picks up on the first ring. 

"Hey, what's up?'' he says.

"Not much, how is it being back to work?'' I ask him because I don't have anything else to say or talk about.

"It's okay, how's the job hunt going?'' he asks me and suddenly it seems like that is all everyone wants to talk about. 

It's not great, but I will try to apply for some jobs later today.'' I say to him.

"Good, do you want me to come over after work and then we can scout together?'' he asks me.

"What about Arlo?'' I ask him. 

"Ford is at home today, he doesn't have any appointments with his editor,'' he tells me. I don't want him to come over because I don't want to scout for jobs right now. 

Ah, but I have to go to the gallery with Trick tonight,'' I tell him even though it is not true. I don't want to talk about getting a job or looking for a job right now. 

"Oh, okay. Are you sure you are, okay?'' he asks me. I can tell he is worried. I can tell that he wants to ask me what is wrong, but he doesn't.

"Yeah, I'm good,'' I tell him because I am good. I just have to figure out what I want to do with my life. 

"Okay, I will check up on you later,'' he tells me and ends the call. 

My phone rings again just as I end the call with Lance and I see an unknown number. I don't know who could be calling nut I answer it anyway. 

"Jack,'' I hear the voice and recognize it immediately. I don't know why he is calling me and what he wants from me. "Don't hang up,'' he rushes, his voice shaking. 

"Why are you calling me?'' 

He sighs into the phone "can we meet up?" 

I close my eyes with the phone pressed to my ear. I can't deal with this right now. "I need to just talk to you, please don't say no,'' he begs me. 

"I can't do this Gill. I beg you, please just leave me alone.'' I tell him as I hang up. My hands are shaking as I clutch the phone in my hand. 

I haven't done anything but somehow, it feels like I have.