Jamie laid in his bed staring at the ceiling, the glow from the starry sky creating shadows on the wall. The letter from his father on his dresser, mocking him, his father's words criticizing his life choices echoed in his mind. Nothing pleased him.
He couldn't even remember the last time he went home to Scotland, but he had no plans to go back, not like this.
Matt's soft snoring from the next bed interrupted his thoughts.
Jamie sighed looking at him.
"I wish I could fall asleep that easily." He muttered plopping his head back down. Jamie tried to go back to sleep but was feeling restless, too many things on his mind. He then quietly rose, getting out of bed, placing his glasses on then went to the kitchen for a soda leaving Matt alone with his snores.
The air was cool in the tiny apartment they shared as roommates, but Jamie didn't mind it. It was kind of soothing besides it was better than the last place they lived at, there was little to no air conditioning over there.
Jamie walked into the silent, dimly lit kitchen, the microwave clock nearby blinking, 4:30 A.M; they still had a couple of hours before they had to get up for classes.
Getting his drink, Jamie sat at the table, rereading the letter, he rolled his eyes taking a sip. The whole thing was dumb, just the typical criticisms from his dad, why couldn't he do this, why wasn't he doing that. But Jamie, honestly, didn't care anymore. He had spent most of his life being picked on by his father so much it was like second nature, it didn't really matter much to him.
Jamie took another sip of his drink then pulled out a photo of his late sister Addie from his pocket. He smiled sadly at the worn photo, her glittering green eyes and smile shining back at him. He missed her so much.
She was the only one that understood him, didn't make fun of his dreams. But Addie was also good at pretending she was happy. She had everyone fooled including him.
Bitterness filled him, inside, remembering the phone call that she had committed suicide, the officer's tone flat and unfeeling.
Jamie changed after that. He always struggled to trust people, but he figured it was better to be alone then get hurt.
Suddenly a voice broke into his thoughts, Matt walked in, yawning.
"Hey!" He said tapping his shoulder.
Jamie glanced behind him, "Hey," He said.
Matt searched through the fridge before grabbing a soda and plopping in the wood seat in front of him.
"Restless night, too?" He said opening his drink.
Jamie looked at him.
"Yeah, your snoring." He remarked.
Matt gave him a look.
"Come on, you know I don't snore," He said. "I just breathe uniquely." Matt simply replied.
Jamie chuckled.
"Yeah so does a grizzly bear with bad sinuses." He joked.
Matt rolled his eyes.
"Ha, ha Mr. comedian," He commented then noticed the letter crumbled on the table. "What's that?" He frowned.
Jamie scoffed.
"What do you think, a letter from my dear father praising me!" He replied tossing the letter at him.
Matt looked at it and sighed. He was quite aware of Jamie's dad 'magnetic' personality and did his best to avoid him!
"Ah, yes, what did the dear old man say this time?" Matt muttered.
Jamie shrugged.
"Oh, the usual complaints about my life." He sighed.
Matt nodded, glancing at it.
"Nice as always, I see." Matt remarked setting it aside.
Jamie smirked.
Matt sighed. "Well, better than the phone call I got yesterday.
Jamie frowned. "What happened?"
"River broke up with me."
Jamie looked at him.
"Seriously?" He replied surprised. He thought those two would be together, forever!
Matt nodded.
"And after all I did for her; you know, I almost flunked my medical exams because of her." He said annoyed.
Jamie shrugged his shoulder.
"Well, you'll find someone else." He assured him.
Matt shook his head.
"No, I'm done with relationships. I can't take another broken heart." He said taking a sip of soda. "I'm done!" Matt declared.
Jamie somehow didn't believe that. Matt was always falling for someone, usually a pretty girl giving him a lot of promises. It usually ended up with him getting a broken heart and then repeat, again with someone new. Still, he thought River would be different.
Jamie glanced at the clock, it was getting late.
"Well, better get back to bed. I've classes and the late shift at the bookstore." He groaned.
Matt watched as Jamie took the letter casually throwing it away.
"You coming?" He asked.
Matt nodded. "Yeah, I'll be there in a second."
Jamie shrugged and went back to bed.
Matt sat there, rubbing his soda can, staring blankly at the empty table feeling defeated.
Despite a medical school scholarship, good grades, and money; he always managed to pick the wrong girls. Deep down, he blamed his parents messy divorce, remembering having to watch them as a kid, fight and lie to each other in hopes of making things better, like that worked!
He had really hoped things would've lasted with River, she seemed genuine but of course, it ended like all the rest.
Matt shook his head, "Can't trust, anyone." He thought bitterly standing from his chair, heading back to their room. Matt crawled back into his bed noticing Jamie snoring softly, across the room.
At least there was some comfort knowing he wasn't miserable, alone, he thought.
Matt then buried his head under the covers and quickly fell into a dreamless sleep.