control

reid king / independent studies 'cause i'm a young man built to fall

[kingreid-blog1]

Knock knock, guess who got you chocolate malt?

[phoebebishop-blog]

Don’t be. It’s probably a good thing that you’re so proud of them. They check up with him about once a week, and you know how he is under pressure, but it’s up to him. I agreed not to say anything until he did first. I think it’s best if I leave this one to you for the time being. I’m sure he doesn’t want to see me right now. Fine, but I’m paying for the next time. If there is a next time, I mean.

[kingreid-blog1]

Look, I don’t know prettier women, so it’s a little hard not to brag. I don’t understand how his parents can be so persistent... like, it’s college, you’re supposed to fuck up, or at least be free for a little bit. I don’t know, I think you should come. He’s known you for so long, you’re a presence wether this fake breakup is going to make his parents come down on him or not. Well... that’s good to know... and we’ll get you... something with cookies, possibly?

[phoebebishop-blog]

I figured since you’ve brought them up twice within the span of this conversation. Let’s just cross our fingers that they don’t come down on him too hard, because I know that’ll help him be a little more forgiving. But you’re right, he’ll come around, especially if there’s milkshakes involved. You don’t need to pay. Your apology sufficed on its own. 

[kingreid-blog1]

Sorry. They’re great and I talk about them too much, probably. I mean, does he need to tell them right now? Like, he can at least wait a week... or two... even three, hell, how about until the semester’s over? Or at least until you’d see them again. Maybe we can twist his arm for that one. Milkshakes and something really stupid on Netflix, maybe that could make him smile. Please, I’ve got more than thirty dollars and that could last me two weeks if I don’t buy them. It’s on me.

[phoebebishop-blog]

Apology accepted, then.

Your moms? Yeah, they tend to not go for people who don’t own a yacht at the very least. It’s a surprise Angus didn’t turn out as some money hungry asshole too. I just hope he comes around eventually. Him being pissed at me feels far worse than I initially anticipated. Did you want me to come with you?

[kingreid-blog1]

Yep. I was an insemination baby. So I have two moms, and they’re great, and that’s about it actually... but I know his parents are a little conservative, so there’s that. I think he could. He’s nice enough. He’s friends with me and... trust me, I don’t have a lot of money. You know... that might actually be a lot better than me just going alone. I do have money for three milkshakes.

[phoebebishop-blog]

I’m just saying you don’t need to apologise to me because I’m irritable, or because you feel bad for me. Neither of those things are your problem.

One that they’ll approve of, though? It’ll be like finding a needle in haystack. Well, right now it just feels like I’ve royally screwed him over. It doesn’t help that he’s not texting me back either. That’s… nice of you. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.

[kingreid-blog1]

I don’t feel either, actually. I feel bad that I’ve been so oversighted trying to be your friend and have probably made you uncomfortable. Not because you’ve got other emotions than I do. 

Oh shit, I completely forgot about that. They’re... not the nicest people, I mean, after hearing about my moms I don’t really think they like me much either... You haven’t, only on the family aspect... which he needs to do something about himself... he hasn’t texted me back either, if that’s any consolation? He loves them from this one place right off campus, so... hopefully he’ll chug it and give himself brain-freeze to forget momentarily. 

[phoebebishop-blog]

A lot of things bother me, if that’s any consolation.

Never. And it actually worked, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. There’s only so much lying and scheming a person can take. She shook her head. It’s not a big deal. I really don’t know, but I’m sure it won’t be good, which is all the problem.

[kingreid-blog1]

A little... not a lot, but, yeah.

Well... It can’t be good for you... or for him. I mean... he’s a good person when he doesn’t have his foot in his mouth, so it won’t be that hard to find him a girlfriend, hopefully. He scoffs, smiling in her direction. It is a big deal, Phoebe. It’s a really nice thing you did for him. I know... I’ve got to talk to him soon. I did make sure to text him that I’d be a little late though... so I probably have time to get him a milkshake to stop his anxiety attack...

[phoebebishop-blog]

Reid, stop. You don’t need to be sorry.

Try not to mention that I told you, but Angus and I weren’t together. Not really. It was just something we did to appease his parents. I’m sure you know what they’re like. I just figured if he had a girlfriend that they liked, they’d lay off him.

[kingreid-blog1]

I feel like I do. I’ve been bothering you...

...Are you serious? Like never? I mean... I know that they’re awful blood-sucking parasites with no clue how the real world works but... do you know how nice that is of you? Like... you sacrificed being happy with someone else for a friend... that’s amazing. Will they set him up now, or something?

[phoebebishop-blog]

Right.

It’s not about me, or not wanting it. You can keep a secret, right?

[kingreid-blog1]

And I just want to say I’m sorry for bothering you. My moms didn’t raise me to do that.

...Yes? I mean I’m pretty good at it.

[phoebebishop-blog]

No, I am. Usually. You of all people should know that.

He just… he had a lot invested in us. It’s hard not to think about that.

[kingreid-blog1]

Yeah, but I probably deserve it. I should probably take your advice and leave you alone from now on.

Yeah, I’m sure he does. He really cares about you... but it’s your emotional well being. If you don’t want this, you don’t have to have it. He’ll survive.

[phoebebishop-blog]

I’m fine. I just feel a little bad for him. Unbelievable, right?

[kingreid-blog1]

Not really. I know you care for him. I know you care a lot... you’re not a feeling-less monster.

[phoebebishop-blog]

You really don’t have to pretend like you care, Reid. Go on, go see how he’s doing. I know that’s what you really wanna do.

[kingreid-blog1]

I do care Phoebe, I mean I care about you. I feel like that’s obvious enough. He knows I’ll be there soon, so you can at least tell me if you’re okay.

[phoebebishop-blog]

A little forewarning, then: he and I broke up. More accurately, I broke up with him. Happened yesterday afternoon and he’s not exactly thrilled about it.

[kingreid-blog1]

Oh... how’re you holding up?

[phoebebishop-blog]

Pssh, we both know you’re incapable of that. And true, but… Angus didn’t tell you?

[kingreid-blog1]

I’m not, actually. But no, I was just going to meet him.

[phoebebishop-blog]

I’m not trying to go at you. I’m trying to get you to leave me alone. After all, there’s no reason for us to try this whole ‘friend’ thing out anymore.

[kingreid-blog1]

I just walked by! I was going to leave you alone. What do you mean? You never wanted to be my friend anyways.

[phoebebishop-blog]

Funny. Or at least, it would be if I was in the mood for jokes.

[kingreid-blog1]

I mean I was in the mood to walk by without you going at me again, but here we are.

[phoebebishop-blog]

Because that’s what you were doing.

[kingreid-blog1]

No, can’t you tell I’m obviously plotting a cult meeting?

[phoebebishop-blog]

Great. Just the person I wanted to see right now.

[kingreid-blog1]

...Am I not allowed to walk down the hallway anymore?