Sal woke up twenty-four hours later. He had no recollection of falling asleep. The world was a blur. He could feel somebody looking at him, but he couldn't keep focus. His world had turned into a bad quality movie.
“Do you think he’s dead?” a male voice spoke
“I think he looks like he's partied too much,” a female voice answered.
“Where do you think he's been?” the male said.
“From what Carl told me, he's been spending time with some heartbreaker.” The female voice again.
“Really?” The male voice.
“Yeah, he fell in love.” The female voice.
“Ah, no way Romeo found a Juliet.” The male voice sounded excited.
“Not a Juliet, you idiot. He found another Romeo.” The female voice had an annoyed edge to it.
“Wow! Where's the guy now?” The male voice.
“How the hell should I know? All I know is that he was devastated. He listened to sad love songs and shit,” the female replied.
“But he’s so handsome,” the male voice said.
“Sometimes, I’d wish I could put you on mute,” the female voice snapped.
"Don’t judge me. I was born to be awesome, not perfect,” the male voice retorted. “I’ll get him some water."
"Hey, Jack, come back. You forgot your bullshit.”
“You know what, Rosie? Please, cancel my subscription to your issues.”
Jack and Rosie.
Sal was slowly coming to his sense. He felt his lips form a smile. “Honesty's better than sugar-coated bullshit,” he said, struggling to a seated position. “I missed you two.”
The pair stopped arguing and looked at Sal with curiosity.
“Hey, you're not dead,” Jack cheered.
“How are you? What happened to you?” Rosie sat down next to Sal.
“What Carl said: I fell in love and got left behind. The sad part is, I can’t get him out of my freaking head.”
“It’s like Muse wrote, dude: 'I tried to give you up, but I am addicted.'”
Jack peered over at Rosie.
“As it turns out, I got stolen from my real father and adopted by the Williams,” Sal said out of the blue. “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true.” Sal looked at his friends, half-expecting them to slap a straight jacket on him.
“Relax. We're all crazy. It isn’t a competition,” Jack said, undisturbed. “My family's just one tent away from a full-blown circus.”
“Ignore him. What happened, Sal?” Rosie said.
“My brain had too many tabs open, and it nearly killed me.” Sal sighed. “I need a shower and something to eat, and then I’ll fill you in on my crazy life."
“You do smell like feet,” Jack noted.
“The Diner?” Rosie asked.
“I’ll meet you outside in fifteen.”