I've Changed

25. New York baby

~~~~

All I'm looking forward to after a long day of work is a few minutes of alone time.

I had enough of socializing today.

"Theo," I hear from down the hallway, my brows furrowing in confusion as I approach the source of voices.

"Why is everybody dead today?"

"What's going on?" I cautiously make my way towards them. Theo, Eric, and Jae are sitting around the counter with slumped postures and moody expressions.

Alarms blare in my head because what are the odds all three of them are upset.

"I don't know," Malcom juts out his hip, "Ask them."

No change of moods as I wander my gaze in between them.

"What are you doing here? It's game day," I remind them of our time crunch. When I check the clock, I realize they have an hour before warmups begin.

Regardless of this, Coach always advises their players to be at the gym hours prior to the game. These rules are implemented to not only encourage punctuality, but to ensure the team has their players.

As of right now, they're missing two and they're not carrying the right mentality for a home game.

"Sofie and Alex are on the way. Maybe they're here so that we can all go to the game together."

"Excuse me," Jae sneaks his way out of the conversation.

Me and Malcom exchange confused glances, watching him leave to the balcony.

"What the fuck is going on?" Malcom punches Theo's arm. "For real this time. Why are you guys like this?"

Eric chuckles.

Theo groans.

"I'm great. You're great. Jae is not great. Are we actually all great?" Theo sounds frantic. The realization scares Malcom, who takes a step back.

"Because I'm not," Theo cries, hunching over to hide his face.

Yikes.

"I swear Theo. Is this another Sofie breakdown?" Malcom sighs disapprovingly. "Are you alright? Please be a normal person in this room."

"Hey!" Eric finds offense.

"Hard day at work," I shrug. "But that's expected."

"Thank the goddesses," Malcom exhales a relief.

"Why me?!!!" Theo whines.

"Okay..." Malcom shuffles closer to me and nudges my arm. "Hey, what's up with him?"

"What about him?" I don't need him to clarify who he's referring to. Lately they've been pestering me about him.

"Poor guy," Malcom pouts. I roll my eyes. "He has it rough with the ex."

Eric chuckles again and corrects him, "girlfriend."

Malcom gasps, "No way."

My eyes narrow, "you knew that."

"I did know that," he doesn't act surprised anymore. "I just wanted to feel something. Besides, I never know when it comes to them."

"Weirdo," Eric mumbles.

"Hmm?" Malcom hums. "Repeat what you said buddy?"