Chapter 002
1200 Words
Chapter 002
James' POV
The alarm was shrill and annoying, and it woke me up. My hand groped over the side table, but could not find the phone. Instead, my eyes opened--and there he was.
Oliver.
His face was only inches away, his breathing steady, his lips slightly parted. I stood still for a moment, torn between the comfort of the moment and the fear of being discovered staring. Then instinct--or perhaps fear--came to my rescue, and I pushed him off the bed.
He fell on the floor with a thud.
What the hell, James?! Why did you push me?” He sat up with a dramatic scowl, rubbing his backside.
I rolled my eyes, but my pulse was still racing. What were you doing to me?
“Sleeping. What more?” He yawned and stretched himself lazily, as though this were the most natural thing in the world. We are old friends, James. You pretend it is new that we sleep together.” His mouth pouted out in a pouty way
Inside, I yelled what I could never say aloud: Yes, we are best friends, but we are more. That is how it feels to me, at least. We are friends, whether you like it or not. We are both aware of it. Why do we continue to flee it?
I shrugged, trying to keep my face blank. “Forget it. Nothing. Well, we had better go to the case conference. Have to sort the endorsements.”
He blinked, then frowned. Did you not look at your phone? Dr. Whitmore texted me last night. The case conference is called off. Emergency meeting with the consultants or something.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Cancelled? That easy?
“Yep. We are being sent home early.” He smiled, already springing to his feet.
There was something in me that baulked. You are certain?
Yes, come on, hurry up! We have three days off before the community placement begins.” His voice was light and playful, but there was a spark in his eyes that made me uneasy.
I drew on my jacket slowly. Didn't you have some old Alpha friends to meet this weekend? I thought I would just stay in the flat and sleep.”
He looked at me like I had a second head. “Seriously? I told you yesterday they cancelled. You are impossible, James. Your memory is pathetic, I tell you."
I rubbed the back of my neck. I… guess I forgot.”
“Exactly. That is why I thought of something” He smiled. We are off to Brighton. Watersports, the sea, everything. The last time we came here, we were stuck inside because of the rain. This time it will be different.”
I blinked, my stomach tightening. You sure it is all right?
“Positive. I will drive. We can crash at the seaside cottage. You can sleep in the car, you know.” He threw an arm over my shoulders and started to push me toward the door.
Okay, I said, not knowing what to say.
My thoughts were working inside. Why is he so keen? Why does he stare at me like that, and then laugh it off? Is he behaving weird, or am I just over-questioning?
Maybe both. Maybe neither.
Oliver nudged me, breaking my thoughts. You are overthinking once more.
I am not.
“You are. I can read it in your face. You have that funny scrunchy face. You can not deny it.”
I sighed. You are intolerable."
And you like it.”
I pushed him gently aside Get out of my.”
He just laughed, and the sound of it followed us down the corridor.
The journey to Brighton was a combination of silence, music and jabbing. Oliver insisted on playing his awful playlist- half pop songs of years ago, half ballads no one wanted. I rested my head against the window and watched the grey blur of London recede into the countryside.
You might at least pretend to like this, he said, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
I am attempting not to fall asleep with boredom.”
He smirked. Good thing I am keeping you awake with my charm.”
You keep telling yourself that.”
He gave me a sideways glance, his smile fading a little before he returned his eyes to the road.
When we arrived at the seaside cottage, the sun was setting, tinting Brighton with gold and pink. The waves were beating on the shore, and the salty wind was blowing.
Oliver flung open the door of the cottage as though it were his own. Welcome to paradise, James! Bags off, shoes off, we are going to the beach before it gets dark.
I raised an eyebrow. You are merciless.”
“Life’s short. Stop pouting and come on.”
We turned around and ran to the sand. Oliver ran on, kicking off his shoes and running toward the waves. I walked behind at my own pace, my hands in my pockets.
Race you! he cried over his shoulder.
I am not interested.”
Fear of losing?
I said to myself, but loud enough to be heard by him, “I never waste my energy on foolish challenges.”
He laughed, and the wind bore his voice.
Sitting on the sand later, our shoulders touched. The sun had already gone down behind the horizon, leaving only orange streaks that were fading into deep blue. The waves were regular, like a heartbeat that I could not resist.
Oliver sat back on his hands. Have you ever thought about what happens after all this? And after the placements, the exams, the endless case conferences?”
I watched the water. “Sometimes.”
“And?”
And what?
What do you see yourself doing?
I hesitated. Does it matter?
Naturally, it does.” He kicked me with his knee. Unless you visualise it, you will just drift. You are not the drifting type, I think.”
I did not reply immediately. In my mind, I yelled. What I observe is you, always you. To say it would be to risk everything
I see work, I said. Patients. Long hours. The same as it is now, only worse.”
He snorted. You are a depressing person, you know.
Someone must counter your disorder.
There was a pause between us. Not uncomfortable--just charged. He took a shell and played with it.
You ever feel like you got something to hold back, James? he said, almost lost in the surf.
My heart stammers. Did he know? Was this all?
I swallowed. Everybody does.”
He gazed at me, seeking. Then he laughed lightly, dismissing it. Well, I guess so.
That night, in the cottage, I lay awake and heard his regular breathing in the bed opposite mine.
The ceiling was too low. My chest is too tight, my thoughts too loud.
Say it. Say it! You’re mates. He knows it, you know it. Stop hiding.
But I rolled over, drawing the blanket more closely. Coward.
Oliver moved across the room, muttering in his sleep. My name.
And I could not shut my eyes after that.
- Writer
