Chapter Text
“I thought we talked about you guys going to these haunted places,” Ryland said when his hands on his hips. Garrett held in his laughter as Shane pretended to look shocked at what Ryland said.
“Did you,” Shane asked scrunching his face and then turning back to the camera that Andrew had been holding.
“Wait it’s not like it’s haunted, someone just got murdered” Garrett added with a wide grin and giggle. Everyone turned towards Garrett with raised eyebrows before bursting with laughter.
“Possibly haunted,” Andrew said with a small smile from behind the camera. Garrett held in his laughter for Ryland’s sake.
“You know what you guys are gonna get hurt and bring something back more spirits to this house,” Ryland said fretting over the thought of his friends getting hurt.
“Okay, what will make you feel more comfortable with us going. I know you’re just worried about someone possibly murdering us,” Shane spoke softly.
“I don’t want you guys to go but I know you’re going too anyway,” Ryland said after smacking Shane’s shoulder.
“Aw Ryland you just ruined the whole mood,” Garrett said pouting while throwing himself on the couch.
“Well, You could be a decent friend and call Drew. You know we haven’t seen him in a while and he’s stopped replying to my texts,” Ryland said which caused everyone to turn quiet.
“Well you know he took some time off from Youtube and stuff. I don’t want to call him and trigger him or something,” Shane replied to Ryland. Ryland looked at him with sympathy and then kissed his cheek.
“Just call him, go to his house and see if he wants to go. He’s our friend, all of ours,” Ryland said looking at everyone in the room.
______
Drew had been curled up in the soft sheets of his bed when he’s gotten a call from Shane for a video idea. His depression and anxiety were at an all-time high this morning. Having nearly isolated himself from all of his friends due to the constant voice in his head telling him that he’s a waste of time and space. Even therapy barely helped with the constant self-deprecation that Drew faced on a day-to-day basis.
The dark blue curtains were pulled and pinned closed; the only source of light was from the television. His phone had been ringing for the past ten minutes but he had made no moves to answer it or any calls from the past couple of days. He had been bed since Saturday afternoon and was still wearing the same wrinkled white shirt with dark grey sweatpants that needed to be washed.
Drew felt another wave of anxiety wash over him when he realized how much he hadn’t gotten done within the past couple of days. He had been doing moderately well within the past month. Attending his therapy sessions every Thursday, making sure to eat dinner, and making sure that he has some social interaction every day. He had been doing good and he was finally proud of himself. Until he had woken Saturday feeling completely unmotivated and tired when he had no reason to be.
As far as Drew could remember, he had always been a weird kid growing up. He had always been secluded, awkward, and quiet. He had always gotten teased relentlessly for it during middle and high school. Making friends had always been somewhat of a challenge that he still hadn’t quite gotten past. Living in California has proven to be good and bad for him. Good in the case that he was able to socialize around people like him. Bad in the case that he would have times where he completely isolates himself from every relatable person that he knew.
Knock knock knock. Drew was pulled out of one of his depressive musing episodes by three hard knocks at the door. He buried himself under his blankets, curling himself tighter into a ball. Maybe if I pretend to be asleep the knocking will go away. Closing his eyes, Drew tried to fall asleep but found that the knocking grew louder. His feet touched the soft carpet of his apartment as he walked towards his front door. Anxiousness spread through his chest and down to his toes.
“Hello,” Drew said in an unsure tone as he opened the door. Dread definitely spread through him when he saw who was in front of him. Shane, Ryland, and Garrett stared back at him with grins on their faces. He nearly groaned when he saw that the wide smiles started to disappear.
“Drew you look terrible,” Shane said without thinking causing Ryland to slap his shoulder. Garrett standing next to Shane decided to make the mood lighter by giving Drew one of his wide smiles.
“Well, thanks just laying in bed trying to find my will to live,” Drew replies back in his usual small voice. He could tell that both, Rylan and Garrett were concerned by the way their eyes softened. Shane, as usual, let out a loud laugh while also trying to hold it in.
“Okay me,” Shane replied.
“Shane shut up,” Ryland hissed in a serious tone. Shane immediately got quiet and looked at his feet.
Drew was immediately regretting letting the three into his apartment. He hadn’t completely neglected his homely duties like cleaning but it felt cold and truly depressing. The air was on sixty-five degrees which were great when Drew was in the bed but being out of his cocoon in a short sleeve shirt was not a good idea.
“Okay, why is it so cold in here. I know it’s Los Angeles but still,” Shane said.
“Maybe because he’s got the temperature at sixty-five,” Garrett said pointing to the thermometer. Drew looked away quickly feeling his face flush with embarrassment.
“So can I ask what you guys are doing at my humble abode,” Drew said awkwardly causing Shane to burst with laughter. Ryland and Garrett followed soon after.
“Well-,” Shane started to say but was completely cut off by Garrett.
“Spooky Boys (and Ryland) are back in business,” Garrett said far too loud with a huge smile. Drew found himself smiling before turning back at Shane.
“Garrett’s right never thought I’d say that before,” Shane said with a laugh. Ryland rolled his eyes and smiled.
“Well, we were all talking about a video idea and we thought about you,” Ryland interjected with a hopeful expression.
“We know that you’re going through a rough time right now. So we just wanted to let you know that we love you and support you,” Shane added in his usual caring voice.
“You show that you care by taking me to a scary place. Knowing that I’m highly depressed,”
“Dammit Drew, yes we want to take you to a haunted location,” Shane replied.
Drew thought for a minute about this situation. It would be good for him to get out of the house for a while. Maybe this was a sign that he was going to be alright. Granted, he really hated haunted locations with a passion but his friends loved them.
“I guess I’ll go, let me go shower first,” Drew said walking towards his room. As he walked he heard his friends shouts of joy.
____
Garrett would be lying if he said that he hadn’t been watching Drew since they had driven to the apartment. Garrett had always known that Drew suffered from anxiety and depression but seeing it was different. Drew looked completely exhausted and utterly adorable if you asked Garrett. It was good that no one asked him; cause that would be embarrassing.
Drew was staring out the window watching everything pass by, while Garrett stared at him through the corner of his eye. He looked better after showering then he did when they arrive at his apartment. Garrett nearly had to turn away from Drew when he came back from the shower. Dark hair shiny and wet with flushed red cheeks; it was too much.
Garrett honestly didn’t know when this infatuation with Drew began. Maybe after the night at the Roosevelt hotel. Nothing had happened between them but it had been nice just the two of them. They had laughed and joked around early into the night in a haunted hotel. Hell, they even shared a bed which Garrett tried not to think about. But obviously, he was Garrett and when Drew was asleep he had taken a long shower. It had been awkward since the shower was glass and next to the bed.
“So, what’s the history of where we are going,” Garrett’s eyes shifted from Drew to Ryland, who was already looking at him through the rearview mirror. He had to stop the blush from creeping up on his face. Ryland has noticed and probably Shane.
“Well, the hotel is said to be haunted by former employees and guests who were murdered during the early 1900s,” Shane said in his conspiracy theory voice.
“I want to get murdered in the 1900s,” Drew said nonchalantly causing everyone in the car to laugh. Garrett laughed but could recognize that Drew was being somewhat honest.
“What, that doesn’t even make sense it’s 2018,” Ryland stated shaking his head.
“Well I don’t know I was just making a statement,” Drew replied and with that Garrett looked away. He just hoped that this trip went over smoothly.