Maps

Ted's Pov.

My phone dings signifying I have a new text. It's from Stacy. "You can't really blame me, can you? Maybe if you..." that's all I can read from the lock screen. 

I sigh turning off my phone, not really caring about what the rest says. It's been the same thing all day. I'm not even sure why I look anymore. I really don't want to break up with Stacy. She's the person I thought I'd marry and just to leave her... I can't. 

But it'll never be the same if I stayed. I saw what I saw, and my eyes don't lie to me.

A knock on my door interrupts my thoughts. "Come in," I call. Schlatt walks through the door, closing it behind him. "I just came up to check on ya," he speaks. 

I nod with a forced smile. "I'm fine." Schlatt just rolls his eyes. "You've been up here all day. You not just "fine"," he says. "Even if I'm not, y/n's here and you only get to see them so often. Stop worrying about me. Like I said, I'm fine." 

Schlatt groans. "Ted, you're so stubborn. Just block her." I shake my head no. "That's not how to get over someone," I claim, fiddling with the fringe of the pillowcase. "Ok, so how's it done then?" Schlatt leans against the doorframe, folding his arms over his chest.

"I don't know," I say, "You tell me." I cross my legs, (crisscross apple sauce as they call it in pre-school) sitting up straighter. "I just did," Schlatt replies. "Block her." I sigh, not wanting that answer. "Let me think about it. Did you need anything else?" 

Schlatt nods. "Did you want to film an episode of the podcast while y/n's here, or just wait and we do it over Discord later?" I shrug. "Whenever you think is best. I don't really care." Schlatt gives me a thumbs up and exits the room.

I huff out a frustrated breath. This is the absolute worst time for y/n to be here. I guess it's not their fault, but still, any other time would have been better. My phone buzzes again. 

I turn it back on to check who it is. It's Phil. I smile at the fact that it's not Stacy. The text says:
"Hey, are you free on the twenty-seventh?" I turn to the screen of my laptop to look at the calendar. I thought trying to edit a video would help get Stacy off my mind. Spoiler: It didn't help at all. 

"Yeah, what's up?" I reply. 

"It's my wedding date," Phil sends back. "Sorry for the short notice. I get it if you can't make it." 

"It's fine. Congratulations!" It's been a while since I last have been to New York where Phil lives. I haven't been back since I moved away two or so years ago. "Thank you. I proposed to Kristin one month ago. Turns out setting up and planning a wedding is a lot harder than it looks." 

"I would imagine," I reply. 

That's how plans were made for the twenty-sixth through the twenty-ninth. I drive there one day, stay two, and come back the next. Simple. 

My stomach growls. I think I forgot to eat lunch and it's already getting dark. I hop out of bed, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I walk by. That grey hoodie is looking worse for wear. I should really get a new one. 

I start down the stairs to be immediately noticed by Charlie. "Hey Ted," He calls, "We're going to the store. Wanna come?" "Sure," I say. Maybe getting out of the house will clear my head. That walk this morning was very unpleasant in the freezing cold.

I make myself a sandwich and get ready to leave. I'm the first one ready and in the car. I chose the back seat because it's the most comfortable. Charlie gets in the passage side in the front. "You forgot your hat," He points out, handing the beanie behind him. 

Charlie's always such a puddle of joy. I'm convinced the only emotion he has is happiness. "Thanks." I take it from him, placing it on top my head. We fall silent until the frost on the window is wiped away by Schlatt.

Charlie turns behind him to face me. "I know it's hard but don't beat yourself up over it," he speaks. "I'm here if you need me." I nod, a smile teasing my lips. "Thanks, Charlie." The driver's door opened and in steps Schlatt. 

"Ooh, it's cold out there," he says, rubbing his hands together to warm them. Y/n joins us shortly after Schlatt did, sitting in the seat one over from me. I saw them on YouTube once. Just in a thumbnail. 

I'll have to watch one of their videos one day. Just to find out what the hype is about. "Why are we going to the store again?" I ask, my gaze falling out the window to my right. "We forgot to go shopping yesterday," Charlie replies. 

I hum a quiet "oh".  Schlatt flips on the radio, flicking through the station until he finds a good song. The rest of the drive is mostly the same with an occasional joke sprinkled in.  

By the time we reach the grocery store it's almost completely dark out. The building is still making quite the buzz being it's only ten days away from Black Friday. This year went by really fast. It feels like just yesterday it was New Years.  

The four of us wander through the store, Charlie pushing the basket. Before I know it, I'm lost. Somewhere in the grocery section. 

I don't know why they do Black Friday if they're going to have good deals days before the actual day. "Sir?" I turn around to see an older woman and what I presume is her daughter. "Sorry to bother you, but my daughter says you're on the YouTubes?" 

I smile at the daughter who seems a bit embarrassed. "Yes, I am. Would you like a picture?" The younger nods vigorously. Her and I pose as her mother takes the picture. 

I think interacting with my fans is one of my favorite things about content creating. Just knowing that there are actual people out there that enjoy my videos always brightens my day. 

After thanking me both women disappear into the crowd of people. After I found the others the rest of the shopping trip was honestly pretty boring and before I knew we were getting in the car and driving back to the house. 

~~~~~

Ngl, I had like no motivation to write this at all.