A/N: Hi, welcome to my story. I've written fanfiction before, but this is my first ever published work. I got this idea a couple days ago and I couldn't sleep last night so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm not expecting a lot of reads, if any, on this, especially with how small the fandom is. If you do read this then please review. I'm really just writing this to develop my creative writing skills and so I can gain more confidence to publish my stories. I'm looking for constructive criticism so I can improve!
I moved my legs out from under me so I could hug them against my stomach for maybe the fourth time that hour. The hallway had this dry rough carpet that left indents on my palms when I leaned on my hands for too long. It wasn't as cold as the wood floor in the hallway of my moms apartment. The carpet wasn't nice here, but it was a step up. The wood there wasn't polished at all. The borders between the boards were apparent, there were splinters coming from the edges and in between the boards.
The door was also different. Mom's had the square indented portions with the bigger one on top of the smaller one. It was originally painted green but that paint was chipped and patchy now, showing the plain, splintery pine underneath. Uncle don's was smooth with no indents. It was also neatly painted a navy blue that matched the rough grey carpet. Right in the middle of the top of the door was a peep hole. Both did have deadbolt locks, to only one of which I had a key.
I tried to focus on the clicks of the second hand of my watch to pass the time. I swear they aren't always steady. I'm positive that I heard them speed up the 30 seconds before 11:37. But then they seemed to slow down for the 30 seconds after. A minute had still passed, though, and now it is 11:38.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds as I leaned my head into the door. It wasn't the best pillow but I suppose it scratched less than the floor would. My stomach grumbled softly as I did.
A pair of footsteps caught my attention, though. My head abandoned the door and craned so I could get a better look at the staircase leading up to the hallway. The feet sounded heavy enough, they could've been Don. They're going at a slower pace, though. Don usually walks pretty quickly, especially up stairs.
Once the footsteps made it up the stairs leading to the floor I saw Uncle Don's head. His shoulders were a little more slumped than usual and he's practically dragging his shoulder bag. I suppose that would explain the slower pace.
He was so distracted that it took a second before he realized that I was occupying his doorway. I stood up and hauled my back pack off the floor. His feet stopped a few paces from me.
"How was the show?" I asked meeting his eyes.
"The usual." He just stared blankly back at me.
"Usual is good right? Means everything goes as expected?"
"Usual isn't great," he responded continuing to meet my stare.
"I guess all we can ask for sometimes is that nothing goes wrong."
"I guess so" he said, still keeping eye contact. Neither of us said anything for another couple seconds or so. I let my eyes drop from his face, already feeling more tired.
He moved his attention to his door and took out his keys. Unlocking the door, he stepped inside while holding the door for me to come through.
"Come on." I followed him into the apartment.
The inside of Uncle Don's apartment was also really different than my mother's. Firstly, it was bigger. My moms was 3 rooms: bedroom, bathroom, and living room with a small kitchenette. None of those were much bigger than 7ft by 7ft. Don's had a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and a small office. To top it off, none of Don's furniture was broken or chipping.
The living room was where the front door is. Once we're both inside the apartment he set down his bag and keys on the table by the door. I kept my backpack strung over my shoulder.
"So," he exhaled, clearly much too tired, "Its a Friday night, shouldn't you be out partying or something?"
"I only party on Saturday nights." I said dryly, he gave me a look, "I actually need to crash here tonight, if that's cool," I responded.
"Did something happen with your mom?"
I rocked forward on my feet and bit my cheek.
"Uh, she kinda forgot to pay the electric and water bills. It's pretty cold over there," I said as I looked down at my tennis shoes.
"Forgot?"
"Slipped her mind I guess."
"I think a lot of things slip her mind." His hand moved up to rub his eye tiredly for a second. "Where is she then?"
"Uh, with some friends, I guess. I don't really know."
"You slip her mind too?"
"I guess I can be kind of slippery."
He sighed. "Yeah well, Susan's never exactly had the the greatest memory. Although, I have to say it's gotten worse. With time, and other things," he said mumbling the last part.
I bit my cheek as I looked back up at him, fixing the strap of my book bag. "So, uh, can I crash here for the night?"
"How do you know the power will be back on tomorrow? How do you know your mom will find her way back from those 'friends'?" he asked.
"I mean I guess don't really, but it was just really cold tonight. It's supposed to be above freezing tomorrow, so it won't be so bad. I could find a friend's place to crash at or something too."
His hand went back to his forehead, rubbing his temples. "AJ, you're staying at least the weekend. It's November in New York. You'll be frozen by Sunday with no heating."
"It's really fine," I mumble.
"AJ, come on. You know it's not." I looked back down at my shoes. "Is the couch ok?"
"Yeah of course," I nodded.
"Alright," he exhaled. "I'll go get a pillow and some blankets. Feel free to get comfortable."
He disappeared down the hall. I sat down on the leather sofa, and he's back almost as soon as I did.
He set the pillow and folded comforter next to me on the sofa. They're both thick and fluffy. Other things you probably wouldn't find at my mom's place.
"So, I assume groceries have slipped Susan's mind as well. Are you hungry?" He looked expectantly at me.
I swallowed thickly, "Uh, no no I'm fine, thanks."
"I don't really know why I asked." He responded and moved toward the open archway that led to the kitchen. A few seconds later he came back with a bundle wrapped in white paper.
"I have half a ham and cheese sandwich from the corner deli. Is that alright?" He asked, handing it to me.
"Oh, yeah. Of course. Thank you," I thanked him, glancing at the package now in my hand.
"It's no problem AJ." He stood there for a couple seconds before saying, "Well it's late, I'm going to hit the sack. You remember where the bathroom and my room are. If you need anything just knock. Goodnight"
"Yeah, goodnight Uncle Don."
He nodded and turned down the hallway to his room.