"You're an idiot, you know that?"
I shoot Jay a glare. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"
He merely shrugs. This guy can be infuriating at times and it doesn't help that he's sitting on my couch, eating all of my snacks. I knew I shouldn't have invited him over, but I was feeling bored. And maybe I'm also in a sour mood, but I don't really want to acknowledge that.
"You're sulking like a child."
This time, I don't let it slide and I smack my friend's shoulder. "Shut up!"
Jay grumbles, but his voice lacks any venom. "So, what? Charlie didn't answer your text, suck it up. You're acting like a clingy boyfriend. And you're neither a clingy person nor are you his boyfriend."
I groan, running a hand through my hair. He has a point. But Charlie hasn't texted me back for two days. That's got to mean something, right?
"He's probably just busy." Jay says, noting my distress.
"With what, though?"
"I don't know," he breathes. "Charlie has a private life, you know. You can't be attached to his hip all the time."
I scoff, crossing my arms. "I am not attached to him all the time."
Jay rolls his eyes. "Sure."
God, he's annoying. And I hate that he's not completely wrong. You'd think I would keep my distance from Charlie after I kissed him. But I find myself doing the exact opposite. After that night, I kept wanting more. I thought I'd be satisfied with one kiss, but as it turns out, it just made me addicted. Charlie is like a drug that could turn dangerous real fast, yet I don't intend on letting that stop me.
Who am I kidding? Jay is totally right, I am an idiot. I am craving more, but I'm the one who told Charlie it was a mistake… that he should simply forget about it. Would it make any difference, though?
But then again, maybe it's for the best. I'm not exactly sure if Charlie enjoyed the kiss or if he was just left confused. But I bet on the latter. He never expressed disgust after that and continued to stay close to me. However, is that enough proof to rule him out as something other than straight? I don't know and quite frankly, part of me doesn't want to know.
The first few nights, I lay awake, regretting it. However, now I'm glad I did kiss him. I could never forget his soft lips on mine and how ecstatic it felt. Even if I probably will never get to experience that ever again. It was worth it.
"Well, would you look at that." Jay's voice pulls me out of my stupor.
"What?"
He grins like an idiot, pointing at my phone on the table. "Charlie texted you."
I jolt upright, snatching my phone. Surely enough, a message waits for me, one that instantly brightens my mood.
Charlie: "Can I come over?"
Two people are occupying my living room right now and it's cozier now with Charlie here. I'm not heartless enough to kick out my best friend just because my crush came over. And I totally wasn't debating it. Okay, maybe I was. And maybe I should've sent Jay away, because right now he's sitting a little too close to Charlie. And they're laughing. A lot. I have no clue what they're talking about or what's so funny, but somehow the sight is getting on my nerves.
"I'm going to get us some snacks," I announce as I rise to my feet. Charlie doesn't so much as bat an eye at me. Rude. Jay's stories aren't even that interesting. With a quiet grumble, I make my way to the kitchen anyway. I swear, when I come back and they're still cackling and practically clinging to each other, I will… do absolutely nothing.
I lied.
I set the bag of chips and candy down before I forcefully rip the two of them apart. By that I mean, I basically shove Jay to the side and sit down between them.
"Dude, what the hell? We were talking." Jay huffs like the grump he is, but I pay him no mind.
"Charlie."
He gives me that soft smile of his. "What's up?"
"Mind explaining to me why you've been ignoring me?" I ask with a deep exhale, feigning to be deeply hurt.
"I wasn't."
I frown at that answer. "Then why haven't you been answering my texts?"
Charlie sighs, almost reluctant. "I wasn't ignoring your text on purpose. I was playing an online game."
"For two days straight?"
"Yeah," he answers almost immediately. "Believe it or not. I wasn't going to stop until I got every achievement. But I guess I got too carried away. I'm sorry, Blake."
Oh, come on. How can I stay mad when he looks at me like that, eyes wide and bottom lip jutted out? This isn't fair.
I resist a groan and ruffle Charlie's hair instead. "Apology accepted. Next time, though, give me a heads-up when you decide to game for days on end."
He chuckles, his smile returning. "Will do."
A gurgling sound rips my attention from Charlie and I turn to my friend, who's giving me a mock disgusted side-eye. Screw him.
But before I can hit him in the shin, he opens his big mouth. "Charlie, you got a girlfriend?"
I tense up and I don't miss the shocked expression that passes Charlie. My breathing stills for a moment as we wait for his answer. I doubt that Charlie has a girlfriend, but why do I feel restless?
"I don't," Charlie finally answers. "Why are you asking?"
Jay shrugs, detached as always. "There's a mixer happening on campus this weekend. We're missing a guy. Thought you might want to join."
My eyes widen, jaw clenching. Why is Jay trying to invite Charlie to a damn mixer?
Lucky for me and good for my heart, Charlie responds with a shake of his head. "Thanks, but I'm not interested."
Thank god.
I shoot Jay a death glare, but he has the audacity to smirk at me.
"Then how about you, Blake? Want to join?"
This absolute moron. Jay knows I don't do mixers anymore, so I don't get what he's trying to do here. I'm two seconds from smacking the crap out of my friend when I feel a heavy tug at my arm. My heart nearly drops when I find Charlie staring up at me with eyes I've never seen before.
"Are you going?" he asks, quiet and almost hesitant and I don't miss the way he bites his lip to stop them from quivering.
"No," I breathe, grabbing ahold of his shoulders to ground him from whatever he's thinking. "I'm not interested either."
Why would I go if I have him by my side?