Chapter 2-2
633 Words
The first week passed by smoothly, if we don’t consider the fact that I wasn’t able to really get comfortable with people, and I often found myself looking at them behind the curtain of my hair. Many didn’t even notice. I’m only the library guy; they aren’t supposed to become my friends. Only Meg looked at me from time to time, not particularly bad glances, but it’s like she wanted to reassure me everything was fine and I can show my face to the world without fear of making people run away. No, I still have a long way to go before being able to overcome that challenge.
Anyway, Sean didn’t show up all week. To be honest, I was tempted to peek inside the tattoo place to see what it looks like, but I always stopped myself before turning the corner.
After all, I don’t know him. We only spoke a couple times. Do I really need to go and visit him?
And, also, Patrick returns home today. Truthfully, I’m not expecting anything special. Maybe we’ll have s*x, maybe not. Either way, I think this will be one of the last times I’m going to see him.
When Patrick sends me a text to let me know he’s close to the library, I gather my stuff and leave. Despite everything, when I see him, I can’t help but run and give him a hug.
“I’ve missed you!” I tell him, giving him a squeeze.
Patrick chuckles and pushes me away gently. “Since when are you so romantic?”
Yes, exactly. My smile fades a little and I hate myself for being…so. “It’s not about being romantic. It’s just that I’ve missed you,” I grumble, shrugging. “But obviously it wasn’t the same for you.”
Patrick laughs, trying to act like it isn’t a big deal, but I know it’s just his way of not answering. I stop thinking about how he was before the accident. I would like to think his lack of enthusiasm derives from my scar. I’d love to blame my face for this, but it isn’t like that. Patrick has always been a little cold with me, a little distant. It’s just now I feel it more. Maybe because now it’s me being in extreme need of another’s touch, even if I wouldn’t ever admit it.
When we turn the corner to get to his car, I don’t think I’ll run into Sean, but that’s exactly what happens. I literally collide with him. My head hits his shoulder and he jumps back in surprise.
“I’m sorry!” he hurries to apologize, and then I clearly see the moment he realizes it’s me he crashed into. His sorry expression changes into a brilliant smile. “Oh. Hi, Ryan!”
I lift my gaze and, without reason, feel my cheeks growing hot. Immediately I bend my head back down. I have to stop turning red. I’m too pale to keep doing that.
“Hi, Sean,” I whisper.
He doesn’t seem to have noticed Patrick’s presence and lifts the book.
“I was coming to bring this back. I told you I wouldn’t keep it long. It’s so beautiful that when I start reading it, I couldn’t put it down!” He stops speaking and, finally, seems to realize there’s a reason why I’m not in the library . A reason dressed in a grey suit who watches him with a questioning expression.
“Oh, but…you’re obviously leaving. Again, sorry about the collision. I was distracted,” he says, smiling at Patrick, too.
“Are you Ryan’s friend?” Patrick asks him.
“Well, not exactly. I…” He points over his shoulder. “I work nearby. We met because I was looking around and wanted to borrow a book, so…”
Patrick cuts in. “I see. I’m his boyfriend.” He shakes Sean’s hand, who stares at him for a few moments before reciprocating. I have the feeling Sean is looking at me, but I’m too embarrassed to do the same, so I keep my head down and my hands in my pockets. Good, now he also knows I’m gay.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Now, if you’ll excuse us,” Patrick says, moving to the side.
“Oh, yes. Sure. See you. Bye, Ryan,” Sean says, lifting a hand.
I haven’t spoken a single word this whole time.
- Writer
