Emancipation

twenty five

Everyone wakes up by the loud music blasting through the room, multiple groans erupting one after another.

"What the fuck!" Ashley whines, putting her hands over her ears and I sit up a little groggily on the couch, my eyes moving to the floor where everyone has annoyed faces.

"Caleb. It's your alarm!" Austin groans, shaking him and he jolts awake, his eyes widening as he looks at his boyfriend.

"Are you okay?" Caleb asks, worry filling his eyes and Austin's expressions soften a little as he nods. "Oh fuck, I forgot to turn it off. I'm so sorry, you guys!"

He stands up, making his way to the kitchen where he left his phone last night before turning off the alarm. Max sits up too, Natalie following suit as Ashley rubs her temples. Caleb moves to get himself a glass of water, and I rotate my neck a little because I'm pretty sure I pulled a nerve last night sleeping in the wrong position.

"Now that we're all up, want to go get breakfast?" Natalie asks.

"Yes, please. I have a hangover from beer. I feel bad for myself." Ashley groans, making me laugh a little.

"I think I'm going to head home." I tell them, because I don't feel like eating right now, and honestly I had a dream about James and I just really want to meet him. I'm acting like a school girl but I really don't care at the moment.

"Yes, me too. I really need some more sleep. You want to come, babe?" Caleb asks Austin who shakes his head, running a hand through his hair.

"I'll have breakfast first. You go ahead though, Natalie will give me a ride." He waves it off and Caleb nods.

I stand up from the couch, moving to bathroom to freshen myself up. I don't take a shower because I don't have fresh clothes. I just brush my teeth before changing into my dress from yesterday. When I step out, everyone's ready to head out in their pjs.

"How are you going back?" Caleb asks as he takes the bag from my hands when everyone starts to move out of the apartment.

"I'll probably take a cab."

"Don't bother, I'll drop you." He offers, and I wonder if I should decline but I know it won't get me anywhere.

He goes to hold Austin's hand who's walking ahead of us, the sight making me smile. If these two don't end up getting married, I'd be really sad. When we all get down in the elevator, everyone starts moving out of the building and Austin turns to Caleb.

"You sure you don't wanna come?" He asks.

"Yeah, I'll just drop Lil off and head back home. I'll see you later." He kisses him on the cheek and steps back.

Austin nods before moving to give me a hug, followed by everyone else except Natalie who just smiles at me and I nod at her. When they turn around the corner, Caleb moves to his car and opens the door for me, making me roll my eyes as the gesture reminds me of James.

"Will you put the address in GPS?" He asks as he buckles down the seatbelt and I nod, moving to do so.

"Natalie kind of tried to make a move on me last night." I blurt out as soon as he starts driving and he looks at me wide eyed before focusing back on the road.

"What?" His voice is laced with shock.

"Yeah, she told me that she has been attracted to me. God, Caleb. I have no idea about anyone's orientation and I know it's rude to assume, so just tell me what I don't know already." I literally plead, making him laugh.

"Okay, calm down. Max and Ashley are both straight, as far as they've told us. Natalie is a lesbian and Austin is gay. And I'm bisexual." He tells me calmly, leaving me surprised again because I had no idea he was bi, I just assumed he was gay because he was dating a guy. What the hell is wrong with me?