Chain Reaction 3.1.41: Hurts

     "You can talk to me about anything," I tell her in response to her saying she needs to talk to me about something. Plum yeah she can talk to me. PLEASE talk to me.
     I realize I'm being obvious. No matter what I try, I miss her. I know I look like scum to her, given the whole Lizette thing, but that meant nothing. I was pressured into it, and if I had to do it all over again, I would've told the guys to shove it up their ass.
     For a moment, I think of Dirk and how much he's changed since that night. He fell madly in love with Lizette, but Lizette isn't serious about him. She graduated a few years ago already, and she's been working in a wings bar/restaurant, one specifically designed to objectify women. It's killing him.

     "I'm officially moving to Willow Creek in a few weeks," Kate tells me, slamming me back into the present.
     I swallow. I knew this day was coming, and I wish I could prevent the panic from rising in me. I'd ask her if she's sure about this, but I know she is. "Do you need any help?" Translation: please let me see you again.
     It's not that I haven't seen her a few times this summer. Kyra has asked me to come over and hang out, and since Kate now lives there, I'd see her too.
     "Not really. I don't have many belongings, and the grants and scholarships I have pay for everything else I'll need." She smiles at me like all her dreams have come true, which I know they have.
     My throat is parched. "Congratulations, Kate. Really. I know what this means to you."
     "Thank you. I'm really excited." Her face gets more serious. "I'm also more than a little nervous, but I realized earlier today that I'm going to be okay. And I know that's due in part to you."

     "Me?"
     She smiles at my expression. "I know it may sound strange now, but you brought me out of my shell. Thanks to you, I became best friends with Kyra. None of that would've happened had we not dated and I'd remained the 'nerd girl.'"
     "No. I think you would've made friends eventually."
     She shakes her head. "I don't think so." Her eyes move to her lap. "I wanted to apologize, Alaric. Contrary to the things I said, you're not really a bad person. You've done some really stupid things, but I don't think those things define you."
     Then go out with me again, I plead with my eyes, and she sees.

     "That's not saying I want to start again," she says quickly. "I'm moving hundreds of miles away. It wouldn't make sense, not to mention I don't feel like that for you anymore."
      Oh. Ouch. That stung.
      She sighs. "What I'm trying, and thus far failing miserably, to say is that I don't hate you. I'd really like it if we could keep in touch. As friends."
      I find myself agreeing, and then we get quiet.

      Life in the Friend Zone. I don't see it working, but Kate has a point. It would be tricky to have a long-distance relationship like that, especially one that might've been recently rekindled. It's not going to happen. Ever.
      She breaks the silence, "You know, Kyra really liked it when you'd come over and hang out. After you'd leave, she wouldn't shut up about it. It's more than a little annoying when your best friend goes on and on about your ex-boyfriend."
      "It was fun," I agree. My brain is still on the fact that Kate and I are never getting back together.
      She takes a breath. "So, I hope you two continue to hang out together. She really likes you."
      I scratch the back of my head, only half-listening to her. "Yeah."
      She looks at me with an unreadable expression. "Well, I gotta get going."
      "Okay," I reply, and we stand up. Then I hug her.

      "I really am happy for you, Kate. This is your dream, and it's coming true. Knock 'em dead for me, okay?"
       I feel her nod, and she sniffs. "I'll call you sometimes, but especially since I'll be gone, don't let Kyra be lonely."
       "Okay."

Michael

     I've made quite a huge chunk of change from my modeling these recent months since my cover. Apparently, my 'adorable eyes' have clients scrambling for me. I actually get to pick and choose who I work for now. About ninety percent of the time, Hugh is my photographer.
     Today, we did another Fabercrombie and Stitch spread along with a few other really hot guys, many of whom were with me on my first cover. We've become their literal poster boys, and I start to wonder how weird it will be to go shopping and see my face, and body, displayed everywhere.

     After the shoot, Hugh invites us all out to a club. Here lately, I've occasionally hired a bodyguard or two in order to keep away the more aggressive fans. That makes Dad more relaxed knowing that because they still haven't found a trace of Drake Goth. I think he's dead, probably killed by someone else he'd wronged in the past.
     Tonight, I don't have a bodyguard, but this club has better security than most. And a few other models have their buff guard dogs nearby.

     I doubt there's a club in Eden I haven't been to, and all of them haunt me with memories of Darrin. Plum, I miss the motherf--ker. Will that ever go away?

     When we walked in, our group tipped the scales on the men to women ratio. Although, we did bring the assistant Hugh hired. She's cute, but one of the other models acted possessive, not in a mean way, just making it obvious.

     Of course, neither Hugh nor I care about the ratio. It's just something I noticed.

     I decide to dance. I'm only a little drunk. It's not bad.

     Hugh walks up to me immediately. "Mike, what were you doing at the bar? Not that I can tell you what to do and not to do, but you know you can't tolerate it." 

     "I'm fine," I reply and look him up and down. And so are you. 

     He steps closer. "I've told you you have expressive eyes."

     I smirk. "Yeah."

     He pounces, and I doubt anyone bats an eye. Although, I think I do hear a low chuckle somewhere behind him.

     Hugh pulls back. "Downstairs. There's... downstairs."

     "Okay." I smile, and he pulls me behind him.

     After this, Hugh buys everyone a round of drinks before leaving to go and start working on the photos.

     I get to know the guys a little better. Pedro, the guy in the open, pink shirt, has a lot of funny stories. He's known Hugh a lot longer than the rest of us have.

     Later, I walk out of the bathroom to find Pedro seated on the small sofa.

     "Oh hey. Sorry. Were you waiting?"

     He smiles. "Not for the bathroom." He pats the seat next to him.

     I shrug and sit down.

     "So how does it feel to be Hugh's new favorite boy toy?"

     I sense a bit of jealousy. "Oh, Hugh. You know, that just kind of... happened. I realize I'm not the only one." I say that last bit because I kind of wondered if he thought he was going to let me know Hugh has other lovers. That's not news.

     Vanity. It's all over him like a lotion on his skin. He's hot, and he knows it. And he likes it. That's probably why he'd quickly unbuttoned his shirt once he got 'too hot' on the dance floor. I suspect it was more to show off. Thing is, all the guys today are hot. I just haven't figured out where all their compasses point.

     He smiles. "So what was his excuse with you?"

     "Nothing. I got drunk. It's shameful how quickly I can get like that. He actually sounded disappointed that him flirting with me in that condition made him look like a jerk trying to take advantage of me."

     Pedro laughs.

     "That's because he was. Don't feel bad, though."

     "So I take it he's done something like that to you?"

     He laughs again. I think he's given up on thinking he can surprise me about how Hugh really is. "Of course! I didn't mind, though. I may have even started it. He's cute in a kind of... artsy way, you know?"

     I smile. "So, uh, I guess your turn. You asked me. How did it happen?"

     He laughs... again. He must be a funny drunk. "It was kind of cheesy. We were sitting on his sofa, and he slid over..." He slides over right next to me as if acting out the scene...

     "...and comments on how tense I was." He starts massaging my shoulders.

     I laugh. "You're right. That's gotta be one of the oldest moves in the book."

     He smiles. "But I liked it." He keeps massaging. "Damn, Michael, you really are tense."

     Plum that IS good. "Yeah. Well, I was a little nervous today."

     He chuckles. "I guess I can understand that. You rode a rocket straight to the top. Some of us are a little jealous. Not me because I did the same thing, but yeah."

     I'm getting turned on. I don't know if that's what he's going for, but it's working.

     "I guess that shouldn't surprise anyone since you're gorgeous." He stops, but his arm stays behind me.

     "Well, so are you." Damn, his eyes are incredible. I can't exactly figure out their color. There's green and yellow and red and maybe blue in the mix as well.

     His face gets closer to mine. It happens slowly, giving me ample opportunity to back out.

      Plum I am easy. Well, so is he.

      He's teasing me, keeping it light. So I go for more, and that was apparently what he'd been waiting for. His breathing picks up speed, and I let him push me back on the sofa.

     I sense a kind of... loneliness from him. Do I have some of Charlotte's gift too? It's so strong that I'd bet anyone could feel it. So I hold him and kiss him in a kind of comforting way. Who broke your heart, Pedro? 

     We take it beyond just this. My back kind of hurts from the arm of the sofa, so we switch to him straddling me. I give him the adoration he craves, and he really gets turned on. We change positions again.

     A deep voice coming from the direction of the stairwell makes its way over to us. "Well, well. What do we have here?"

     I'm not concerned. I peep my eyes open and see it's one of the other models. I think his name is Eli.

     Pedro whispers to me, "Uh oh, Mike. I think we've been discovered." He doesn't act bothered either.

     I laugh quietly. This is great. Pedro keeps kissing my neck, and I can't help but feel like he's showing off. I let out another quiet laugh.

     Eli folds his arms and says, "Well, if you're going to give an exhibition, at least make it interesting to watch."

     Pedro chuckles and undoes my pants. I let out a tiny gasp when his hand starts servicing me. Both of them chuckle now.

     Pedro speaks, "Oh maker, Eli. Look at him. How can you still act so innocent, Michael?"

     I answer him. "Mmmm. I'm not. I just... like it." Hell no I'm not, but right now, I feel it. Our dynamic changed when Eli came downstairs.

     "Don't finish him. Yet."

     Pedro stops, and I let out an adorable whine. Then I laugh at myself.

     "Thought you weren't into guys, Eli." Pedro smiles at him wickedly.

     "I'm not. But this is fun. And I'm high."

     I look at him in wonder. "How can you be high and act so calm?"

     Both of them crack up laughing. Then we hear a couple of girls giggling as they come down the stairs. Pedro quickly pulls me up and shuffles me behind the short wall. Eli leans against the open archway, acting casual and also blocking us more from view.

     "Evening, ladies." He smiles.

     They giggle and go into the restroom. Meanwhile, Pedro's hand has gotten back to work.

      "Shh..." he whispers.

      I don't know why we feel like we have to hide, but I can't help but think it's fun.

      The ladies giggle at Eli again before going back upstairs.

      Pedro's hand expertly speeds up, and I clutch at him, panting. Occasionally, I'll open my eyes and see Eli calmly watching us, a slight smirk on his face. It's... a little unnerving, but at the same time, I like it. These guys are every bit as wild as I am.

      Pedro slows down and ignores my complaint. He whispers into my ear, "I want you."

      Eli, having heard him, pushes up from the wall. "Now that will be a show." He starts undoing the buttons on his vest.

      Pedro doesn't waste time.

     I take my turn being entertained as I watch a man who claims to be straight totally get off from watching two guys.

     Eli pants and looks at my smirk. "Oh, you think you're so cute."

     My smirk grows. "Yeah I do."

     "We'll see about that." He steps forward, grabs my dick, and finishes me like he'd not allowed Pedro to do earlier. I pant and rest my head on his shoulder while Pedro never stops. When I lift my head, Eli looks me in the eyes. I don't know what he sees, but whatever it is leads him to say, "Hell no, you're not innocent."

     "No, I'm not." I wonder if I'll shock him when I say, "And maybe we can share a woman sometime." It won't be Rochelle because she's started seeing someone else, and she says it's serious.

    "F--k," he whispers. Then he backs up and starts grabbing his clothes. "I think I've had enough of this today."

     I wink at him, and he shakes his head as he walks into the bathroom.

     "You done flirting with Eli?" Pedro asks.

     "Yeah."

     "Good." He pushes me up against the wall to our right and slowly takes his time. I think he's crying, but I don't turn my head to look. I wonder what his story is.

     Later, Pedro leaves, saying he needs to go home. The night is still young, so I decide to go to the dance floor again.

     Why am I always surprised?