I Told The Moon About You

19: Midnight Whispering

NINETEEN
Midnight Whispering

Roman added him to a group chat after their conversation, and Elias had it muted almost immediately.

Marco texted. A lot. Which wasn't a surprise, but still. Elias didn't like having his phone buzz constantly. And he didn't want to put his phone on silent just because of one thing.

Elias didn't really respond unless it was something important. Like details about the trip, which was finally being brought up. The conversations beforehand weren't related to it at all.

Apparently, they'd be staying at a hotel for two nights, very close to a casino, which Marco only brought up because he wanted to go gambling. That was something Elias never in his life would do, so he brushed it aside completely and waited for the next topic.

Marco pulled out the room assignments. And immediately after he said Elias and Roman would be sharing, the latter texted back quickly:

Roman -
Only if he's okay with it

Roman -
Are you okay with it?? It's probably awkward sharing a room with another person

Elias -
Hmm sounds like you just wanna get rid of me. If that's the case just say so

Roman -
Wait no

Roman -
That's not what I meant I just want you to be comfortable

Elias -
I was messing with you lol relax. Yeah I'm okay with it, don't worry

Marco -
ooo the tension — anyway last call for changes

Marco -
going once

Marco -
going twice

Felix -
Shut up

Marco -
): and sold

Elias huffed out a quiet laugh and set his phone down. He was finally home from work, and Mars had beelined it to her room immediately, rambling excitedly about how there was a new update for the game she liked.

He fell back onto the couch. The diner was packed that day, and there wasn't a single break. It was busy from morning to when he left, and he had no idea why. It was one of those weird days that he never wanted to experience ever again.

His head hurt, but now that he was sitting down, he didn't want to get up again. "Ugh," he mumbled aloud, rubbing his hands down his face. He felt like he could fall asleep on the spot.

Elias sighed and glanced at his phone again. It was Monday, and on Friday Mars would be leaving with Lily and her moms. He would be leaving Saturday. He felt weird — leaving the house for more than a day. He wasn't sure he'd ever done it before. He never had anyone to visit or anywhere he wanted to go.

The more he thought about his social life and hobbies, the more depressed he got. Because he was just now finding a social life, and he'd given up on his hobbies as soon as he dropped out of college.

He really was so dreadfully boring.

He couldn't stop himself from feeling anxious when he thought about the trip. It wasn't far and it was only for two or three days, but it was so far out from what he usually did that it made him uneasy.

But he didn't want to back out now. He couldn't, really. Maybe I'll feel better once I'm actually there, he thought. I won't be alone either. I'll be fine.