[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/GAPDRTK.gif[/img]

[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210418/e09cd50bceb6f162d768cd51fbfe1435.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/sFHqso3.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ywkXwIj.png[/img]
[/center]
[indent]Barely registering Christian, Ty, and Cade, when they all asked for a burger, or hot dog, or both, but still being able to address them, Spike Langley gradually gave each of them their orders. His responses, while seemingly natural, were on autopilot and mentally he wasn’t there, not really. 

[color=228B22]“Order up, host with the most!”[/color] He said enthusiastically to Christian.

[color=228B22]“It’s going, it’s going. Eat up, pretty lady. No need to drink on an empty stomach,”[/color] He appreciatively smiled at Ty. 

[color=228B22]“An everything burger for you, bro!”[/color] He declared to Cade. It seemed Eleazor noticed Spike wasn’t in his usual sorts so he carried on the conversations, which was much appreciated. 

More people came and went to grab food from him, right off the grill, and as time passed him by, Spike found his surroundings fading. Getting lost in his head, revisiting feelings he preferred to bury, he couldn’t help but feel empty on the inside. A feeling that resurfaces whenever something like this happens. His mother died, his father died, and now? The girl he thought he’d be with for as long as he thought he’d be alive for, which wasn’t long, but long enough, chose to leave him.   

[i]She was gone.[/i] 

Without a word. Without a single goodbye. Without any care for how he might feel. [i]Ghosting[/i] is what his friends would call it. [i]Rejection[/i] without finality. She didn’t want to have this conversation. It was too much of a burden for her to give him closure. She liked leaving him hanging, just in case she changed her mind and came running back. Minty could have fun with his friends but when he wanted to [i]explore[/i], he was in the wrong. This had gone on for far too long and he kept letting her treat him like the last option instead of the first. 

He wasn’t perfect. Yes, he does have a habit of not keeping his mouth shut and looking at other girls, saying exactly what’s on his mind, but if she wanted to [i]commit[/i], if she wanted him, he would’ve changed. If he could choose between any girl and her, he would’ve always chosen her. He wasn’t a complete piece of shit and when she had nights where she couldn’t sleep, he was the one answering her phone calls. Not Hunter. Not Dee. Not Lucas. Not fucking Mason. HE was the one. And yet, that meant nothing to her and she continued to take advantage of what they have. 

His mind drifted further and further into the abyss of his imagination, as he started replaying a time that was a clear red flag. 

[center]____________________________________________________________________
[i][color=9DCEC4]“I’m not having this conversation right now, Spike. Please, just go home.”[/color] 

[color=228b22]“Why? Are you afraid to admit you caught feelings?”[/color] 

[color=9DCEC4]“Don’t start this right now.”[/color] 

[color=228b22]“Answer the fucking question! Do you love me?”[/color]

[color=9DCEC4]“That’s not the point! That’s not why I asked you here.”[/color] 

[color=228b22]“How the hell is this not the point?! What the fuck are we, Aramintah? ”[/color]
[/i]
____________________________________________________________________[/center]

She never did answer his questions. Not then, not now, and probably not ever. Shaking his head, Spike looked around and apologized to Eleazor. [color=228b22]“Hey dude, just order pizza. I… I’m gonna’ go.”[/color] Not giving his grill partner any time to ask him what was wrong, Spike let his feet take him away. The party itself was chaotic and he knew right now, he needed to draw. If he kept this going, he would just keep sinking. 

Avoiding interactions and any unfolding drama around him, Spike found himself going into Christian’s bedroom, awkwardly walking into lovers doing… stuff… and retrieving his things. The couple was quick to yell at him and cover up. Instead of giving them his attention, not even glancing at the girl’s boobs, he grabbed his backpack and left, unintentionally leaving the door open on them. 

Once again, Spike let his feet lead him in a direction. Walking outside, he heard a familiar voice singing and strumming his guitar. On any other day, Spike wouldn’t welcome Rico’s voice because of his jealousy, but tonight he found himself drawn to the tune he was playing. 

Joining the crowd, but keeping himself in the far side, to get a side profile of the big picture, which was a talented singer telling his listeners a story through song, Spike sat on the floor. Watching his musically inclined peer showcase his soul in front of everyone, Spike contemplated in silence and bobbed his head to the rhythm. 

When Rico opened his eyes, he looked right through the crowd and straight to… Ellie. Or as Spike called her in his comics: [i]Radiance[/i]. He knew they had a thing, and weren't afraid to show it, but he never felt comfortable asking Ellie the details. Plus, he preferred when she smiled and emitted her natural aura of life, love, and light. He didn’t want to risk bringing her down in any way, so he kept their conversation to idle chatter, focusing on art and books. This was the first time Spike took the time to watch them and all he could see was how intensely they looked at each other.

With fervent inspiration, Spike started sketching the scene, but in a more fantastical light. He hadn’t made Rico into a concept, but this song and the way he looked at his friend was enough for Spike to put his childish jealousy aside and enjoy the moment. His pencil flowed with the music and when the sad song stopped, with the two ex-lovers disappearing, Spike sat where he was and kept drawing. 


[/indent]