My disruptive behavior has probably instilled fear in Ty since he's taking his time at he rest stop. It's been about forty-five minutes, give or take, and there's still no sign of his return. Starbucks is always reasonably busy, but now he's just stalling. Initially, I didn't plan on leaving the safety of my car and facing my own harsh consequences, but Adam would probably be way beyond pissed if we didn't show up. So, I left.

I could feel the small raindrops that are falling from the sky and littering the ground. It's uncanny that the rain's going to get worse, so I hasten my pace into the large rest stop. As expected, there's a Starbucks towards the east wing with a non-existent line. I can see Ty sitting at one of the booths, back facing the exit, talking to someone. I stalk for a bit while trying to get as close as I can.

Back in the day, my mom told me not to eavesdrop on conversations because you'll usually hear something that you shouldn't know, but I can't help myself: curiosity gets the better of me. After a bit of aimlessly walking, I get the opportunity to sit at a nearby booth away from their line of sight. There's a newspaper laying on the center of the table, so I pick it up and pretend to be reading it. In reality, I'm just using it as a cover for my face.

Ty's the one talking with a voice of concern. He's usually the boisterous type and you can hear him from miles away, but this time his voice is softer. The person he's talking to is Jason; he was invited to Adam's party as well. He lives a couple blocks away from our apartment complex and visits frequently on weekdays. Funny how the two ended up clashing at Starbucks.

"They're wrong, there must be improvement since—" Ty's voice goes softer and I can't make out what he's saying. There are some words I hear, such as medication, blood, and oddly library. I'm pretty sure Ty mentioned circus, but it was quite butchered and mispronounced. Or maybe it was circumference?

"It's getting worse and—" Jason's voice goes softer, too. Does Jason have some kind of terminal illness? I don't think it would be plausible, he looks perfectly healthy. Then again, it could be hiding in plain sight.

I really shouldn't be eavesdropping.

A muffled sob, from which I'm assuming to be coming from Ty, escapes. He's louder this time and I can hear a full sentence, "I can't lose him, I've known him since elementary! He doesn't deserve to die!"

It's painstakingly quiet between the two. Part of me is relieved that it isn't Jason, but that opens up more possibilities. I take assumption that it's Adam. Ty knew him since elementary and he wouldn't have a major reaction if it was someone else.

"He's fine now, but the symptoms are getting progressively worse," Jason's louder too. They're probably combating the ear-piercing shouts that are occurring all the way in the west wing at McDonalds. "From what he recently told me, he's been seeing some blood in his vomit. The prescribed medications are getting stronger and he can barely get out of the house. I tell him just to stay at home, but he never listens."

Ty lets out a hopeless chuckle, "He's stubborn as usual."

There's another couple minutes of silence before Jason decides to change the topic, "Want a ride to Adam's house? Y'know, considering that argument you had with Brice."

Ty declines, "Nah, I honestly should go apologize to him; I did push some of his buttons. I mean, it's almost been an hour and the poor dude must be freaking out. Anxiety gets the better of him sometimes."

I would have gotten angry at that statement, but it's my queue to leave (I wouldn't want Ty spotting me, after all). I set down the newspaper and rush out of the establishment and into the parking lot. It's raining a bit harder now and the fog is beginning to pick up. Great, I'm going to be soaking wet. I rush towards the back of the parking lot and into the safety of my car.

It takes a couple minutes before I hear the passenger door opening. Ty plops down next to me, soaking wet as well, and frowns, "Why are you wet?"

"I stood out the car trying to look for you, then it started to rain," I cross my arms and mumble. What I said was half-decently true, so it shouldn't be considered as lying. Ty takes a deep breath.

"Hey, uh, sorry for earlier," he changes the topic and shrugs.

"It's okay, I shouldn't have freaked out as much as I did," I reply, starting the car engine. "What took you so long? Also, have you been crying? Your eyes are kinda red."

I already know the reason.

"I stopped at Starbucks and Jason was there. We talked for a bit and he said a joke that made me laugh so hard it made me cry," Ty tosses out a heartbroken chuckle and clenches his abdomen. "Guess I lost track of time. Let's go to Adam's house, we don't want to be late, yeah?"

I solemnly nod my head and begin to drive out of the parking lot. Under usually circumstances, it would've taken me about ten or fifteen minutes to arrive in Arkney. Since the downpour decides to harshen, I have to drive more carefully. The last thing I want to do is swerve into another car and pay for the expenses. The fog isn't giving me a break either. It's getting thicker.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Ty's contemplating about the issues at hand. His way of holding up a neutral façade is terrible; it looks like he's about to break into tears. I want to ask him if it's Adam, but then he'd know I was eavesdropping on their conversation.

As much as Ty didn't want to admit it, he's in love with Adam. Losing a loved one, especially one that you've known for the majority of your life, is hard-hitting. It's something that would be difficult to get over once they pass. It'll leave you wondering what would've happened if they lived. Those ponderous what ifs will never be answered, unfortunately.

The rest of the car ride is silent. To make up for the silence, raindrops clash against the car roof like a marching band. The pitter-patter is quite violent. It reminds me of Hurricane Sandy, but softer. Guess it wouldn't be snowing after all.

I think it takes us more than an hour before we arrive. Adam's driveway is pretty desolate with only one car, to which I recognize as Jason's. The garage door is half-opened and I can see the back of Adam's car. I park my vehicle next to Jason's and quickly head towards the porch, not bothering to lock the doors. Ty rushes after me.

I ring the doorbell and Adam's quick to answer it. He gives a smile, "Thank god you're both alright. It's raining pretty hard out there and some of the guys said they couldn't make it. C'mon in, I'll give you both towels."

Adam guides us inside and tells us to sit on the couch. It's enveloped in layers of towels; I guess he doesn't want the seats wet. Jason's already there, wrapped in a baby blue towel and sipping a piping hot mug of, what I can assume to be, coffee.

We both take our seats and Jason initiates conversation, "Weather's getting crazier everyday." The tension is high and awkward.

Adam eventually comes back and tosses us towels. They're both a maroon shade and fluffy.  I wonder how many towels he owns. I politely thank him and wrap myself in it. I'd take my jacket off, but it was freezing in here. Ty's drying off his hair and shivering.

"I can't believe you guys pulled through with coming," Adam shakes his head while plopping down next to Jason on the far left. "The weather sucks and there's a flood warning."

"I guess we're going to be stuck here a while, then," Ty shakes his head. "Do you know anyone else who's coming?"

"Tyler and Kyle are. They came here earlier but left to buy some food for later since I literally have nothing in my fridge," Adam chuckles. "Should be back in a couple minutes."

"Is Seto alright?" Jason chimes in.

"I've been tracking him on Snapchat and he's already in town," Adam says while taking out his phone. "He's at the nearby café."

In unison, both Ty and Jason sigh in relief. They continue to chatter about who's following through and who isn't while I sit awkwardly, fumbling with the corner of the towel.

I'm use to the routine of going to Adam's house: I walk in, sit in the corner behind the leather couch, wait for all the commotion to be over, and leave with either a tipsy or drunk Ty. It's a boring couple hours, but I sometimes sneak out. I mean, no one is going to question my sudden disappearance. It's not like I'm important. I guess I'm use to being ignored.

Today, however, I'm going to endure my own silence. I can't hide behind the leather couch since I've made my presence known, and for similar reasons I can't sneak out.

I guess I'll just have to wait to see what will occur when the others arrive.