Comatose

[Chapter 2]

Today is the same as yesterday. Wake up. Go through texts, get ready for work then go to work and help out my customers till 2pm before returning to my office to fill in papers. That is of course with today's exception of having to decide on a new security guard. I go through some of the paper's sighing before I hear a knock at my door. 'It's open.' The door swings open and Zaiden steps in. I stand out of both excitement and habit before I greet him. 'Hey,' 'Hi. so.. I thought about it.' I'm just working myself up again of course he wouldn't- 'I guess it'd be pretty fun as long as I don't have to stand in one spot all day.' I hear him chuckle before I smile. 'Alright, Well I just need to know a few things before hand but I have a good feeling.' 'Ask away.' He shuts the door and sits down while I start writing things down. 'So, Have you ever handled weapons before and have you had a license to carry?' 'Yes, and yes.' 'Are you good at securing situations and calming them?' 'Well it does depend on the situation but yes, I am.' 'And how are you with self defense?' I watch as he tried to hide a smile on his face. 'That's a bit of a dumb question.. I'm great with most situations regarding fights and self defense so.. I played lacrosse back in college so,' 'Well, for your information regarding of your looks I have to ask this since I've already had about 5 people come in who can't throw a punch to save a cat's life!' 'I- Fair enough.' I finish writing it down. 'Can you really just Hire someone who's not a cop-?' 'I have special permission from my mother who works in the law area.' 'She can do that??' I watch Zaiden lean back in his chair somewhat unprofessionally. I love his guts and Confidence but I won't let it stand. 'Please sit properly before you do something you'll regret.' 'What is that supposed to mean..?' 'Like fall out of the chair.' I watch him turn his face and turn back to me. 'Is that all the questions?' 'Not yet, We'll quickly get it done.' I ask him a few of the other questions before I send him off. He passed nearly all the qualifications. I fill out the papers and I move some of the papers down to the desk drawer but something falls off so I pick it up. Looking at it it's a small piece of paper with a number on it. 'Strange..' I sigh and brush it off shoving it in the drawer and I decide to go for a stroll around the store. As I step outside I see Zaiden standing talking to a girl looking annoyed before they walk out. I Shake it off before continuing my walk. Eventually I head back to my office, lock up and head home. I get home Me and Andrea talk about our day and I head upstairs to get some sleep. Of course, That isn't an option though as I just find myself staring at the ceiling like every night. Unable to sleep so I just wait for exhaustion to take me. I watch my little glow in the dark stars I stuck to the ceiling as they shimmer in the dark. I know it's childish.. But I never really had a problem with it. It's my life and money after all. I also have a whole cupboard full of stickers but everyone gets to have a hobby right? Mine just happens to be a bit childish. As I'm staring at the ceiling I start to remember Zaiden and that girl. Why is that what I'm thinking of!? I cover my face with a pillow before groaning and rolling over onto my side staring at my arm. I'm trying not to relapse, so far it isn't that bad apart from the few bad nights. But I'm surviving everyday even though the routine just always seems to repeat. I notice my phone screen light up before I sigh and check it. "Did you not get the hint? I gave you my number like twice." I turn my head at the text. "Who is this??" "Zaiden! Who else??" Why is he texting me at 12am!? "You do know what the time is?" "Of course I do. But since you're up too it looks like you aren't the only one that can ask questions." "Fair enough." I sigh before putting my phone down and laying down again. But how did he get my number-?? I lean over grabbing my phone. "Wait how did you get my number??" "Hm, I have my ways." I sigh and put the phone down again and go to sleep. Well try.. 

The next morning was.. Interesting to say the least, As it was a Saturday and the shop was closed as well as Andrea who had off and had a few friends over. I walk into the kitchen where Andrea and her friends are talking shit and I sit down by the table with a cup of fresh coffee and messy hair. 'You didn't say you had a boyfriend Andrea-' 'WHAT!? EW! WHAT THE HELL!? NO' I couldn't help chuckle at Andrea's audible gagging and the confused faces. 'He is my baby brother!' 'The name's Ash, Don't be too surprised.' I take a sip of coffee, 'So.. You're still open..?' I nearly spit out my coffee and give the girl a side eye that must have been less than intimidating. 'What? You're pretty handsome,' 'And he looks like he works pretty hard considering the lack of sleep-' 'Ew! You two better shut up or get out, He isn't open, and he is not claimable.'  'Really? Andrea don't be a spoil sport-' 'He's literally gay!' 'Ohh, That makes it better, I bet I can-' 'Turn me straight? Forget it Ladies, I'm just not into you,' I put down my coffee mug before getting up and walking off. 'Oh well, I bet that Model Zaiden would probably be a better choice anyway,' I don't know why but I felt slightly insulted. 'Actually I think he's taken, He was in my shop with a girl so sorry about that-' 'What?? No way Zaiden doesn't have any-' 'Would you just be quiet and leave people alone? Andrea, do the honors.' I walk upstairs as I listen to Andrea forcing her friends to leave. 'Oi ash! Wait up!' I stop and head back downstairs. 'What??' 'What was that about?? You never get upset about being compared to people.' 'I don't, I'm just feeling a bit self conscious today okay?' 'Well that's a lie-' 'How would you know??' 'Ash, 5 people have compared you to models before and every time you just-' 'I just don't want to deal-' 'Wait a minute! Isn't that the same Zaiden who you said came to be a security guard!?' 'Obviously-' 'OH MY GODS YOU LIKE HIM DON'T YOU!?' 'Shut up I do not. I just met him! I was standing up for the guy, He's already taken. They don't have a right to talk about anyone like that behind their backs.' 'Oh really?? But they can talk like that about you?' 'Andrea don't-' 'Face it! Even if you don't like him at least befriend him. You barely get a long with anybody. It might make your weekends better. And even your week.' 'Under rule 37.' '37..? YOU WANT ME TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING SO YOU CAN MAKE A FRIEND??' 'Yeah, People annoy me, If anything it may just become a distraction.' 'Fine, I'll pay for you to go to dinner if you do turn out to like him, AND if you only end up friends I'll pay for you two for Ice cream for a week.' '.. Bottomless Ice cream?' I smirk and she sighs. 'FINE BOTTOMLESS ICE CREAM.' 'Alright.' I wave smiling and head upstairs. I grab some things together before grabbing a small gym bag I carry around before heading outside and to the gym.  'HEY!' 'What!?' I yell at my sister who's yelling at me before I leave. 'NO SQUATS!' I give her a stare before I audibly gag and leave. By the time I'm headed back home I'm basically 4 hours late to a 'Party.' What party? Believe it or not, Andrea is the extrovert of us two. I know, Shocker. By the time I walk in the house is crowded with people and I just push past and head upstairs where I find two people making out on my bed. Gods.. I should close my door next time.. 'ANDREA!! COME GET YOUR FRIENDS BEFORE I THROW THEM FORCEFULLY!' I watch as the two jump just now realizing I dropped my gym bag and they both start to apologize and scramble to get out. I turn to see the guy staring at me while he passes and I shrug it off before shutting my door and heading off to shower. Why the fuck did I decide to shower??? I should've probably expected this but I heard a knock at my door so I turn the shower off and cover myself before I go to the door and ask who it is. 'I- Was kinda the guy you caught making out in there, I forgot something.' I look over the room but see nothing out of ordinary laying around. 'What and where??' 'it's uhm..' I shake my head. 'No go away! You and your girlfriend can go make out on the couch.' I turn and head back to the shower knowing my door is locked. Unfortunately, I forget there's YouTube channels now that teach people how to pick locks. apparently this guy has tried and done it quite a lot as I heard the door open so I shut the shower off and cover myself again pulling on a shirt and grabbing a small pocket knife I kept with me for protection. The guy walks over and I grab him pinning him to the wall with the knife. 'Get off!!' 'I said not to come in did I not?' 'I just wanted to get something!' 'And what exactly would that be?' 'I-..' 'You can't even answer yet you expect me to believe you!? Get your ass outside right now! And I mean leave my house before I make sure you never leave again!' 'W.. What?' 'Oh my gods, I'm going to bury you under my house if you don't get the fuck out!' I watch as the guy panics when I let him go and he runs off whimpering. I sigh shutting my door again and getting dressed. I suddenly hear some abnormal scrambling downstairs for a party and I decide to go check it out. When I get downstairs the music isn't playing anymore and everyone seems to be gossiping. I stand slightly on the 4th step of my stairs to see better since I'm short and I notice everyone staring at a guy. It's too dark to tell who it is so I walk closer pushing through the crowd of people before I watch Andrea Fist bumping Zaiden. 'Andrea!?' 'Hey Ash! How was the shower, Forgot to mention I invited Zaiden.' 'Andrea!' 'What??' 'You cannot just invite 1. An alpha and 2. A fucking model, to a damn house party where there's a bunch of common people who are going to be all over the poor guy!' Zaiden suddenly stares at me before a smile grows on his face. 'Is that supposed to be a hint?' 'Excuse you!?' Andrea looks at him nearly blood red now. 'I- I was kidding-' 'Do not joke about my baby brother! I'll fight you!' I roll my eyes and grab Andrea by the arm dragging her away. 'Will you not?? He was joking, And either way, it is kind of your fault.' 'You did give him a hint didn't you??' 'Shut up he doesn't have to know anything-' 'Oh my gods you DO like him!!' 'No it came out as an unintentional Gay moment.' 'But you like him!!' 'Shut up!' 'Make me twerp.' I grab her in a headlock covering her mouth and she starts to struggle. 'You know I always win.' 'Hm Hm hm!' 'Wait wait wait!'  I let go. 'You hear that??' Silence fell between us. 'It's the sound of you shutting the fuck up.' 'Hey!' I laugh and run up the stairs while she chases me up the stares and tackles me on the bed tickling me. 'You may win the battles! But I win the tickle wars!' I look up to see Zaiden standing in the door and I push Andrea off my clearing my throat. 'So this is what it's like when you're not being Mr. Professional?' 'Nah, He's usually just boring-' I shove Andrea and she laughs hugging me. 'Me and Zaiden connected when it turns out a girl was apparently trying to play US. Of all people.' 'Turns out we both were playing the girl though since we both just laughed. She was Pissed.' 'You two are gross.' 'Call it what you want, Tomato tomato.' I grab Andrea in a headlock again and tickle her. 'Okay okay!! Let go asshole!' 'Tell your guests to go home then. It's already like 12am!' 'Fine!' I stop and pull away while Andrea gives me a death stare and heads downstairs. 'Can I ask something?'  I look up at Zaiden who's still standing like before. 'Sure?' 'So, I can't work Wednesdays and I have an Australian shepherd, Which I was hoping I can-' 'All animals are allowed as long as they're behaved, And the Wednesdays are fine, as I already have someone who can fill in that day.' 'Really?' 'Yeah his name is Ironically Bob.' Zaiden smiles before he walks closer taking one of my arms and I pull it back. 'I-' 'Sorry, I forgot, I'll grab a sweater, You just got here you can go.. Hang out with andrea.. It was probably the whole Idea anyway.' I get up going over to my closet grabbing a jacket and pulling it on but Zaiden follows me over to the closet. 'I didn't mean to..' 'It's fine, Just go talk to Andrea. You can ask her whatever you want, She's talkative.' I watch as Zaiden turns and leaves and I walk over to shut my door leaning against it and sliding down. I fucking completely forgot about the jacket..