An interesting call

Of all weeks for this to be going on, it had to be exam week.

I wouldn't have flunked my exams but I sure didn't perform as well I would have a few months ago. I really needed something to forget about how poorly I did. So on Friday Night, I lived up to my promise to Michael, going to his place for a games night. Chris and Theo were there as well and it felt like the old days, before I had made friends with the most popular girls at school.

The rain was pouring outside that night as we were all busy in the basement at Michael's house, yelling over video games. I can't explain it but for an hour there, I was back in my element, all nerdy and goofy, not caring what anyone thought about me.

Another big difference between the girls and my old friends was that Michael could get over the fact that I ditched him months ago to hang around the Saturday Night Five. If it was the other way round, I don't know how forgiving the girls would be.

"You guys can stay tonight by the way, it's cool with my mom," Michael said as he searched through his games cupboard, looking for one in particular.

The other two boys were excited to hear that. Theo, a skinny Asian with glasses spoke up, "What about a movie marathon after we finish with Mortal Combat?"

"That's a great idea, you in Leo?" Michael turned his head to look at me.

"Uh yeah, that sounds kind of fun," I responded as I stared down at my phone.

It was buzzing, an incoming call from my mother. Excusing myself, I left the room to take the call, she knew I was out and I didn't know what would make her call me at this time.

"Hello?"

"Oh hi dear, how are you?"

"Good, what's up?"

"Will you be coming home soon? A friend of yours just arrived, she said she would wait until you're back."

"No I... wait... who??"

The only girl that had been to my house of the five had been Annie and with the way things were between me and her right now.

"Rose? I believe that's what she said, very lovely young girl, so pretty, such confidence in her, she's upstairs in your room right now I believe."

Rose in my bedroom without me there? What on earth was going on...

"Hang on, tell her I'll be there soon."

"Okay dear. She really is such a gorgeous girl, I didn't know you had so many female friends..."

I didn't listen to her finish the sentence, I hung up the phone and realised I had to make a quick exit after just agreeing to a sleepover.

"Leo, can you go upstairs and grab the potato chips on the bench," I heard Michael say as soon as I re-entered the basement.

Awkwardly I looked at the boys, knowing I was about to ditch them all again.

"Ummm..."

As soon as Michael looked at me, his face dropped, knowing something was up.

"Bit of an emergency at home," I lied, "I'm sorry I have to run, this was really fun and all but I have to get back home."

They all looked disappointed in their own ways, but Michael didn't even acknowledge me. He must have knew that I was lying, knowing I was about to choose a member of the Saturday Night Five over him.

"Sorry guys... maybe another time?" I said as I grabbed my bag, zipped it up and threw it on my shoulder.

"Sure Leo," Theo broke the awkward silence, "We're always free."

Rushing out, I got to the front, only then realising just how bad that weather was. It was now pouring down outside, heavy rain on this muggy Friday Night. I shook my head as I stood on Michael's front porch.

I wasn't that far away from my house so I chose to walk which was now a terrible mistake. Not wanting to awkwardly go back inside and ask someone to drive me, I decided to leg it.

A deep breath and I was off and running. In a matter of seconds, my hair was soaked from the rain and so was half my body as I ran as fast as I could, turning quickly around the local streets. All the way home, my heart was going berserk as I almost collapsed on our front lawn.

Knowing how much my mom hated wet shoes in the house, I flicked them off quickly with my socks as I virtually ran inside.

"Oh honey," my mother spoke, seeing me dripping water from my clothes, through the hallway, "You're soaking, quick, up to your room to change."

"Where's Rose?" I ignored her comment to ask what I really cared about.

"Oh she's in the bathroom upstairs," mom explained, "Asked if it would be okay to have some privacy up there... very interesting girl dear, how long have you known her?"

"Uhh for a bit," I said, walking towards the staircase, wondering what was happening right now.

My mom called me back, "Leonard, is everything okay? What's happening with you and this girl?"

"Ahh nothing, just a study partner. You know, for the exams, we just wanted to go over everything from the last exam today, I just Uhh forgot," I told her before I got ready to head upstairs, "We've got a lot to go over so probably need some space up there, I'll see you tomorrow."

The last thing I wanted was a repeat of when Annie was over. I didn't need mom butting in on whatever was happening tonight, whether it was positive or negative, I didn't need that.

Once upstairs, I saw a bright light peeking through the bottom of a door at the end of the hallway, it was the bathroom. Just like I was told, Rose was inside there.

I didn't know what was going on.

Should I wait in my bedroom or knock on the bathroom to see if she was okay?

"Is that you Leo?" called out the female voice.

"Yeah it's me, you okay in there?"

I heard a light splashing of water before a response, "The door's unlocked, come on in..."