Just another 13th

Gabe was hoping Sammy's friend Vada had found a new crowd. But no, she was there like usual trying to take up their precious time. Usually, it meant a meal too. 

He didn't really know her. But her laugh was getting annoying. Actually, he realized the girl could not be alone. She loved to be around people. 

Of course, Vada had her ups and downs. Yes, she went through a lot of boyfriends and always needed Sammy as her sounding board. Gabe was doing his best to be understanding, but her welcome was wearing thin. Besides there was Pan to worry about. And he couldn't seem to get through to Roxann either. 

And then they got a new neighbor. Luckily, it was someone Ari knew. It seemed the place had gone cold for so long since Pan and Rox moved upstairs. Although, Gabe was getting used to the quiet. He didn't know if he could take a neighbor just yet.

But sure thing he heard it from Vada first, "Oh my god, he's so cute!" She definitely had her eye set on Justin. 

"He has an accent too," Vada pulled Sammy aside with giggles included. "Find out everything you can about him!"

Maybe the new neighbor didn't notice. After all, he was hauling in a few used things that Ari got at his sister's. Evidently, the guy didn't even have a pot for ramen or much of anything else. So they asked him to dinner and Ari thanked him on his way out.

"Can I ask you a favor?" Gabe said out in the hallway. "Can you check on Pan?" He hated to tell him he was worse off than they imagined. "I don't know if Rox even lives there anymore."

Ari told him, "Sure thing." After all, he was Pan's bestie. While Gabe had Rico to confide in. It felt good to know his twin's best friend. Actually, Pan had so few. 

"Keep an eye on Justso," Ari nodded. Gabe agreed. Although, he didn't know what he might be watching out for. Of course, Vada was there and she was mad about the guy across the hall. It was as if Christmas came early.

"You need help!" Wade hadn't meant to snap, but he could only snarl at the nasty smell at Pan's. What had happened to him?

True, Wade was a loner by nature, with or without his twin around. Of course, it felt as if he'd been to hell and back, and yeah, maybe it changed him what had happened with his own brother. 

Wade hadn't missed being separated from his girl. Naturally, he wouldn't talk about it. At the moment he needed to see what was going on in Pan's bathroom. It was disgusting.

Pan was being as mute as he ever was. For a moment, Wade did wonder if it was his mental state or perhaps his nature. Maybe he didn't know him at all. 

"I know it's all her fault. All of it." Truly Wade did blame that Bette Davis Eyes girl. 

Wade went to work on the commode with a brush in one hand and the Clorox in the other. No way would he let it rest. Pan just watched as if he hadn't noticed anything.

Wade got it done. It smelled wickedly clean about twenty or so minutes later. Still, he didn't know what to do now. He went to put dirty clothes in the laundry and turned the dryer on since the clothes were damp. 

He hurried back with the Clorox wipes to clean the grungy floor of the bathroom. Pan looked down at him while Wade took a moment to look up at Pan's sad face, "Am I going to have to stay with you?"

Pan shook his head, no and went to make coffee. Wade kept going with the floor and washed out the shower stall. A little later, after he tossed the filth he went to see what Pan was doing in the kitchen. His cup of coffee was waiting. 

After Wade washed his hands at the sink, he sipped the black coffee. "Not bad," he nodded.

Pan started washing dishes then as if he was OK. Nothing was going to mess up his world. 

"Look, dude, I am serious. I will stay on the couch if I have to. There is nobody at my place. I was going to give up the lease, anyway." Wade watched Pan rinse the dishes and put them in the drainer.

"You gotta let her go, this isn't good for either of you," Wade reminded him. "I know you think I'm one cold creep, but the fact remains, you can't let shit like this tie you down. You gotta keep going."

Wade looked in the fridge then. A knock came to the door, but Pan wouldn't get it so Wade did. Naturally, Wade didn't know who he was.

"You got company, Pan," was all Wade could say. 

"Who are you?" The guy asked. 

"The new sheriff in town, evidently," Wade grinned. Finally, Pan appeared, but he didn't make much effort to say anything.

Finally, the fellow introduced himself to Wade. Of course, Pan didn't stay around for either of them to talk about him. He went to his room and shut the door.

"I've known Pan for a little while," Ari said.

"We..we kind of work together," Wade sighed. "I'm going to stay around. See if I can help out somehow. I don't want him to lose his job. He's good at what he does at work, but he's a loner there too."

Ari acted as if he didn't know. 

"I think that girlfriend of his, has got to go," Wade told him.

Ari agreed. Wade hugged himself as if finally someone knew what he was talking about.