As the next few days passed by smoothly, my finals were winded up and my semester came to an end. The routine of Jason and I was simple enough: I would head out to my part-time job, where I worked at an assembly line at a factory with Andrew, and Jason would stay at my apartment. He told me he would sometimes call his family, go to the library a few blocks down, or simply take a walk through the early Summer sunshine and the bustling streets of Starkfield.
After the first occurrence of walking in my apartment in the buff, to my very hidden disappointment, Jason ceased to do it.
Andrew and Josh would frequently come over during Jason's time in my apartment, when our work schedules would finally let us catch a breather, and we would talk, watch movies, or head down to the cafe to listen to a performance.
"So where you from Jason?"
Josh asked, as he grimaces and flocked his red bangs out of his eyes with his fingers.
Jason stretched his arms from his spot on the floor, his triceps flexing.
"I live around the border of Massachusetts and Maine, with my sister."
He said, attempting to dampen a yawn that threatened.
"Damn," Josh replied.
"That's a ways away. Why would you take a motorcycle that distance? It would eat the hell out of your gas money."
Suddenly, Jason's expression froze, as if realizing he had said something wrong. I lean forward from my spot on the rickety couch, no one at this point paying attention to the cheesy sci-fi flick playing.
"I-well- love motorcycle expeditions and driving that distance is always a good time."
He stuttered, looking with a sudden avidity towards the television.
Andrew speaks next.
"So, it's been what- nearly four days since you've got here? What's going on with that family of yours?"
There was an awkward silence, only the blasting of noises as aliens invaded Earth on the television.
Finally Jason replied, his tone low, and collected.
"They've been running into unforeseen car problems on their way home from the business trip."
