"You alright, Barny?"
Keyori flinched a bit, turning his head to his side. Uber sat next to him, a smile on his face- one that held worry and concern. Keyori shook his head, smiling.
"I'm fine, Uber. Really."
"You sure? You seem kinda out of it, y'know?" Keyori did know- he knew exactly what Uber meant. Ever since they had gotten aboard the train, Keyori hadn't said a word. It had been at least half an hour since the train had left the station, meaning they didn't have too much time until they arrived at the next one.
He had been rather deep in thought, truth be told; the whole situation that had occured mere hours before still left his stomach in knots. Running away with Uber... It was definitely what he wanted to do. Even if it wasn't, he couldn't just turn around now- it was much too late for that. He had followed his heart, regardless of the consequences... But, what were the consequences?
Keyori had to think about this one. After pulling up a mental list of potential losses in his head, there were only a few that really mattered at the moment- the first of which were his personal belongings. That wasn't really a problem at all, as he could simply send for his things or even just buy replacements; his computer needed more coal, anyway. The second was "Friends", with the word "Banterlads" written in fine print. They would no doubt realize he was gone, meaning he'd have to tell them what happened- not a very pleasant thought. The third, however, was what truly scared him... "Jaynee".
He cringed a little, feeling a chill climb up his spine. How in the world was he supposed to tell Jaynee about this!? How would she react!? He'd been married to her for quite a while, and to just up and leave like this would surely be... frowned upon. What would he say? Could he just... No, he couldn't. But it COULD work out...
"You're doing it again, Barny."
Keyori sighed, looking across their private room. He stared at the door, conflicted.
"Uber..."
"Yeah?"
"... Should I... tell Jaynee about this?"
Uber was silent. Keyori didn't dare look away from the door, afraid to find himself at the mercy of Uber's condescending stare. How could he ask Uber a question like this? It was exactly Uber's business, but...
"That's a question that you need to answer, Barny." Keyori hid in his scarf, nodding. "... But I'll stand behind your decision either way."
The Brit's eyes widened a bit as he turned to Uber, finding himself subject to that signature smile. Keyori stood up, a hint of a smile on his face.
"I'll be right back."
He opened the door of the room, stopping as the man behind him called out.
"Good luck, Barny."
Keyori nodded, leaving the room. He found himself in the train car's hallway, the soft yet monotonous thunk of the train against the tracks providing him with a sense of calm. He stared out the window, his home off in the distance. He couldn't bare to look at it. Keyori shifted his view to his pocket, reaching in and pulling out his phone. His finger slowly slid over the key symbol on the case- a case that Jaynee had bought for him. A new one might be a good idea.
Unlocking the phone, Keyori clicked and tapped his way into the "Recent Calls" list, tapping on Jaynee's name. He found himself staring at the "Call" prompt, clutching his phone rather tightly. Taking a deep breath- and closing his eyes- he tapped the screen and brought the phone to his ear. His heart thumped loudly in his chest, the sound only audible when the line went silent between rings.
The rings stopped.
Did she not pick up?
He exhaled a bit, enjoying the moment of reprieve. But that was all it was. A moment.
"Hey, Barny!"
He froze, pulling himself together.
"... Hey, Jaynee."
"So, what's up this time? Did you have another question?"
"No, not really... It's more like..." He gulped. "... I have something to tell you."
"Shoot."
Keyori inhaled, finding it surprisingly hard to breathe. His lungs filled with air, but they refused to let it back out. The pressure kept building and building, pain beginning to well up in his chest.
Say it.
He could feel himself shaking, his hold on his phone slowly tightening.
Say it!
"Barny, are you okay? Are you sure you don't want me to drive down?"
SAY IT!
"I'm not coming home tonight!"
The pain vanished, as if it wasn't even there in the first place. He felt... at ease. A little, anyway.
"Oh, right- you were gonna see a movie with Complex, right?" Oh, there it is again. "Yeah, I figured you were gonna sleep over at his house. You know I'm alright with that!"
"No, I..." Keyori stopped, his mouth open- as if he was about to say something. No sound- no air- came out, in fear of saying something he shouldn't. It closed, air coming in through his nostrils before he tried again. "I don't think I... No, I mean... I won't..."
"You don't have to be so nervous, Barny. I'm here for you-"
"I'm not coming home... At all."
Silence. Keyori swore he could hear his own blood circulating through his veins before Jaynee spoke again.
"Oh..." It was soft and quiet, with a hint of fear and a touch of sadness. "A-Any reason why?"
The urge to run was immense. To run off the train, straight home, and into Jaynee's arms. He wanted to apologize for not telling her sooner, for keeping her in the dark, for... leaving her. His voice hitched as he gave his shaky reply.
"I'm seeing... someone else."
"... Oh..." Another long period of silence ensued. "... Can I ask who it is...?"
"Y-Yeah... It's Uber..."
"Uber...?"
"Yeah..."
He heard her gasp a bit, and there wasn't a doubt in his mind that she was crying. The mere sound devastated him- he couldn't possibly imagine seeing her like this. She inhaled a little.
"H-How long?"
"Um... About a year now..."
"I-I see... Does he... Does he make you happy?"
Don't lie. Even if it'll make her feel better, I should still be genuine.
"Yeah... Yeah, he does."
Keyori could hear her sniffling.
"O-Okay... That's good..."
They were silent again. By now, the town was completely out of view, nothing but a memory. He had forgotten he was even holding his phone until Jaynee spoke again.
"Barny?"
"Y-Yeah?"
"... Come home and visit sometime, okay?" Keyori gasped. He could practically hear her- feel her- smiling through her tears. She... really was happy for them. "Promise..."
He smiled back, even though he knew she couldn't see it. Tears slowly fell from his eyes, sliding down his cheeks.
"Yeah... I will. Promise."
"Good..."
"Jaynee... I'm sorry about all this-"
"No, don't be. I don't want you to be sorry... I want you to be happy." She stopped, giggling a little. "That's what really matters, right?"
Keyori chuckled, nodding to himself.
"'What really matters'... Yeah, I guess it is." His smile faded. "But, Jaynee, I want you to be happy, too..."
"I'm happy if you're happy, Barny." She stopped for a second, her voice becoming more cheerful. "I hope you and Uber have a great life together."
The door came back into view. A smile came to his face as he realized Uber was on the other side, waiting for him.
"I hope so, too. Thank you, Jaynee. Thank you so much."
"No problem, Barny. ... I love you..."
"I love you, too... I'll see you later."
"Bye."
He heard her softly hang up, his phone locking itself before it went back into his pocket. Opening the door, he watched Uber slowly turn to him, a nervous smile on his face.
"How'd she take the news?"
Keyori smiled broadly, wrapping his arms around Uber. The man's arms wrapped around him, as well, giving him a sense of warmth that he simply didn't want to let go of.
It felt good to smile.