Chapter 2: Morning After

Jordy woke up with a headache.

For a moment he stayed in bed staring at the ceiling, trying to remember why his head hurt so much.

His mouth felt dry and his body felt heavy.

Then the memories from last night slowly started coming back—the club, the loud music, and the drinks.

"Ugh," he groaned.

He reached for his phone on the table beside his bed and squinted at the screen.

It was 8:11 AM. Jordy sat up quickly and immediately regretted it.

The movement made his head pound harder, and the room spun for a second before settling.

He pressed his fingers to his temple and muttered, "Great."

After sitting there for a moment, he swung his legs off the bed and stood up slowly.

The house was quiet except for faint sounds coming from downstairs.

His mom was already up.

She was probably in the kitchen making breakfast like she usually did.

Jordy stretched his arms above his head and walked out of his room toward the bathroom across the hallway.

When he turned on the light, the brightness made him squint.

"Why is that so bright?" he complained under his breath.

He leaned over the sink and splashed cold water onto his face a few times before looking up at the mirror.

His hair was messy and his eyes looked tired.

He rubbed his face with both hands and sighed.

That was when the memories from last night started creeping back into his mind again.

The crowded club, Ella laughing at something Leo said, and then Matt.

Jordy straightened up immediately. "Nope," he said to himself.

He didn't want to think about that right now.

Last night had been weird. They had both been drinking and things had just happened.

It didn't mean anything.

At least that was what he kept telling himself.

He turned on the shower and stepped inside.

The hot water ran down his shoulders, easing some of the tension in his body.

For a moment he stood there with his eyes closed, letting the water wake him up.

Unfortunately, his brain kept drifting back to the same thing—Matt's face, his smile, the way he had stood close to him.

Jordy shook his head under the water and muttered, "Forget it."

A few minutes later he stepped out, dried himself off, and went back to his room.

He opened his closet and grabbed a black T-shirt and a pair of jeans.

They were simple but clean enough for work.

The fast-food place where he worked part time didn't care much about clothes.

As he pulled the shirt over his head, he sighed and said quietly, "It was just one night."

They probably wouldn't even see each other again anyway.

Matt had been there celebrating his birthday, and Jordy had only been there because Leo dragged him along.

It had just been a random night.

Nothing more.

Once he finished getting dressed, Jordy grabbed his phone and wallet and stuffed them into his backpack.

When he checked the time again, he groaned.

It was already 8:34 AM.

"Crap."

Now he was definitely late.

He hurried out of his room and went downstairs.

The smell of food reached him before he even stepped into the kitchen—eggs and toast.

His stomach growled immediately.

His mom stood by the stove flipping eggs in a pan and quietly humming to herself.

Jordy leaned against the doorway and watched her for a moment before saying, "Morning."

She turned around with a small smile.

"Morning."

Jordy walked over to the counter and poured himself a glass of water, watching her for a second before saying, "You look happy."

She laughed softly and asked, "Do I?" He nodded and took a sip of water. "You're humming."

"Well," she said while turning back to the stove, "maybe I'm in a good mood."

Jordy crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. "Why?"

She flipped the eggs and answered casually, "I have a date today."

Jordy blinked. "A date?"

"Yes."

"With that guy you mentioned before?"

She nodded. "Yeah, him."

Jordy tilted his head slightly. "So it's serious?"

"We'll see," she said with a shrug.

He smirked. "You're humming. That says a lot."

She pointed the spatula at him. "Don't start."

He laughed. "Okay, okay."

She placed the food onto a plate and glanced at him. "Sit down and eat."

Jordy pulled out his phone and checked the time again before shaking his head.

"I can't. I'm late. 

She looked at him knowingly. "You went out last night, didn't you?"

"With Leo," Jordy admitted.

"A club?"

"Yeah."

"How much did you drink?" she asked.

Jordy hesitated. "A bit."

She gave him a look.

"Okay," he corrected himself, "maybe a lot."

"I can tell," she said.

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "It was a long night."

She studied him for a moment before asking, "Did you at least have fun?"

Jordy paused. Matt crossed his mind again, but he quickly pushed the thought away.

"Yeah," he said simply. 

She nodded and grabbed a piece of toast from the plate, handing it to him.

"Take this at least." 

Jordy smiled and accepted it.

"Thanks."

He took a bite while slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

"You work all day?" she asked.

"Just the afternoon shift."

"That's good," she said.

"You should rest tonight." 

Jordy shrugged. "We'll see."

She gave him a look. "Jordy."

"What?"

"Sleep."

"I will."

"You said that yesterday."

"And I meant it," he replied with a small grin.

She shook her head but smiled.

"You're impossible."

Jordy finished the toast and headed toward the door.

"Have fun on your date," he said. 

"I will."

"And don't worry if you get home late."

She smiled warmly.

"Thanks."

Jordy slipped on his shoes and opened the door.

"Bye, Mom."

"Bye, Jordy."

He stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

The cool morning air hit his face, and his headache had eased a little.

He adjusted his backpack and started walking toward the bus stop.

The city was already busy, with cars passing by and people heading to work.

Jordy tried to focus on the day ahead, but his mind drifted back to last night again.

Matt.

He sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"It doesn't matter," he muttered to himself.

It had just been one night.

They probably wouldn't even see each other again.

And honestly, that was probably for the best.