Chapter Text
Dean stepped off the plane and onto the Los Angeles ground. He had promised Parker a few months ago he would come over for the summer, July came too soon. He had planned to meet Parker at the airport so the brunette could drive him to his house. He also remembered Parker had suggested an Airbnb. No way, he wasn’t gonna let this opportunity go to waste. After handling his suitcase, he got his phone out which was snugly tucked away in his back jean pocket.
“Im here, where are you?”
Sent.
He looked around the airport warily, seeing the younger kids nagging their mommies or daddies, the people in line to board another boring flight with frowns and depressed faces, the unfitting cheery music you could barely hear over all of the sounds. He checked his phone again after 10 seconds, no response.
What if his phone is dead?
Dean tapped his foot against the terrazzo floor impatiently, biting the inside of his lip.
What if he didn’t bring his phone for some reason? Stupid Parker.
His eyes darted around nervously, and his heart started to race.
Did something happen on the way here? Maybe I should check the news for… Oh god, please don’t be a car crash.
He checked his phone again, no response. He hasn’t even read it yet.
Or did he turn his read receipts off? Is he hiding something? I swear, if he is…
Buzz-Buzz
Dean immediately checked his phone.
Fucking finally. Took him long enough.
I’m here, where are you?
I’m by Starbucks.
Eventually, he spotted Parker, who had a genuine smile on his face. Does he not know how worried he was a second ago? Does he not care about his best friend’s well-being?
“Hey, took you long enough.” This was meant as a bitter remark, but Dean made sure it left his mouth as a playful jab.
“Hey, sorry, man. Traffic was tough. And you know how airports can be.”
Not an excuse.
“It’s alright. Well, I’m exhausted. Let’s go.”
He started walking in an aimless direction.
“The exit is this way, Dean.”
Dean felt his face heat up a bit, “Okay.”
The walk was silent, but not tense. At least, not to Parker. Dean stole a few glances at him, studying his dark circles and brown hair, the pale complexion too. He followed Parker to the exit, placing his suitcase in Parker’s trunk and sitting in the passenger seat. “Alright,” Parker started up the car, backing out of the parking space. Dean looked out the window at the slightly familiar scenery, before a wave of anxiety washed over him.
I’m gonna be at Parker’s house. Have I even been there? Maybe a few times, but… What if he changed things? What if I don't know where everything is? What if something bad happens? Oh god. I shouldn’t have come here. I should’ve told Parker I was sick, or depressed. He can’t be mad or disappointed at me if I was sad, right? Nobody can. If you’re angry at someone who is struggling, you’re a fucker, a stupid—
“Any interesting things happen lately?” Dean was quickly snapped out of his unnecessary internal rambling. “Uh, not really…” Why do people assume I always have stuff going on? Is he trying to be condescending? “Not even the gym?” Of course I have, why? Do I look sickly or out of shape again?
Dean’s jaw clenched as he tried to form a calm sentence.
“Yeah, of course. 5 times a week, as usual.” Do I sound too cocky? Like I’m trying to flex going to the gym? Parker doesn’t go to the gym, what if he thinks I’m being rude?
“Really now? That’s nice you’re keeping the routine up.”
“Yeah.”
Dean glances at Parker again.
He’s not smiling. Or laughing. Or acting excited to see me. When’s the last time I saw him? It’s been a while, right? Why isn’t he jumping up and down and hugging me? Is he losing interest? He needs to like me, right?
The car ride felt long and painful for Dean. He looked out the window, his fists clenched.