GEMINI.
I'm currently sprawled across the bed in my dorm room after some serious cleaning, the early afternoon sun filtering through the blinds, casting soft stripes of light across the room. The faint sound of laughter and shuffling feet echoed from the common areas, a distant hum that seemed to fade into the background as I wrapped myself in the cozy blanket. I'm trying to take a nap.
I'd turned off the music I was listening to while cleaning so now the silence is almost palpable, a soothing balm that calmed my mind and is trying to lure me into a state of relaxation. I'd even completed most of my assignments and done some reading for the day, and with Ohio gone for the weekend, I'm left to my own devices, free to indulge in the solitude of my space until I have to go to Percy's later.
Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, the tranquility was shattered by a sudden knock on the door. As usual I tried to ignore it, but the sound of my door code being typed in jolted me awake, sending a spark of electricity through my veins.
"Get up! You're coming with me," Percy's voice said calmly, yet with an undercurrent of urgency that made me sit up straighter, wrapping the blanket arund my body.
Our eyes met, mine filled with confusion and his tinged with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. His gaze seemed to bore into my soul, as if searching for something hidden deep within. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he raised his brows at me, his expression a mixture of amusement and expectation.
I thought I wouldn't see him again till evening? Why is he here by this time again?
I groaned, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, and rubbing my eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. Percy, with his intimidating stature and often intimidating demeanour, had a way of demanding attention, of commanding the space around him. Yet with me, he had always shown a side that was unexpectedly gentle and kind, a side that I couldn't help but be drawn to.
"Coming with you? Where to?" I asked, my curiosity piqued, as I tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. "I need to know where we're going so I can dress accordingly." I rephrased what I really wanted to say.
Percy's response sounded calm, yet authoritative, "Just wear whatever. As long as you're comfortable." he said before walking out into the hallway, leaving me with little choice but to look for something to wear.
After a moment's hesitation, I pulled on a hoodie, picked up my phone and headed for the door, my heart beating slightly faster with anticipation. I stepped out into the hallway, where Percy waited, arms crossed and an impatient glint in his eyes. His gaze seemed to hold a secret, a hint of excitement that was slightly unsettling. What is he hiding?
Without another word, he grabbed my wrist, sending jolts of electricity through my body as he led me down the stairs and out to the parking lot. The sudden physical contact made my pulse quicken, and I felt heat rush to my face as I struggled to keep up with his long strides.
Before I knew it, we were in Percy's car, driving out of campus grounds, the sound of the engine humming beneath us, and the outside world blurring past. The speed and freedom were exhilarating, and I felt a thrill of adventure as I settled into the passenger seat.
I still had no idea where we were headed, but I didn't mind anymore. There was something exciting about being in Percy's presence, especially since it comes with an air of mystery. His unpredictability was beginning to feel like a siren's call, drawing me in with its promise of excitement and possibilities. And I was learning to live with it, to trust in the unknown and see where the journey would take me. After all, he asked me to trust him.
A short drive later, we arrived at a busy shopping mall, the sounds of chatter and music spilling out into the parking lot. Percy pushed the door open and urged me out, his eyes gleaming with quite excitement.
"We're getting you some clothes." he said, his voice filled with an unfamiliar enthusiasm that was suspicious.
I blinked, taken aback by the sudden announcement. "I don't need new clothes.
I—" Percy interrupted my rambling by holding a finger to my lips, his grin breaking through his normally stoic expression.
"Just trust me!" The rarity of his smile made my heart skip a beat, and I found myself smiling back at him, eager to see where this unexpected adventure would lead.
We spent the next hour drifting from store to store, with Percy picking out outfits that he thinks looks good on me. Shorts, graphic tees, and a couple of hoodies ended up in the cart, along with some very expensive shoes. Everything here is expensive! I'm both embarrassed and grateful as I tried on things Percy insisted would look great on me. He keeps doing things I don't have explanations for. This is exactly why Ohio keeps insisting I was his sugar baby, I thought, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks.
He definitely treats me like one.
After our shopping spree, we took the things we bought to the car before Percy led me to the arcade section of the mall.
Why did he bring me here? I wondered looking around the crowded space.
The was filled with people chatting, laughing and the sounds of gaming machines, a stark contrast to the serene atmosphere of his house. I honestly didn't think I would ever find Percy in a place like this or that he even did things like this; he'd always seemed like someone who'd rent out a movie theater just because he didn't want to be around other people.
He asked me which game I would like to play, and I just shrugged, still confused about everything; then, he walked to the cashier and handed her a thousand-dollar bill while requesting literally every ticket to each game they have in the arcade. My expression and the poor girl's were exactly the same, and he still gave her a tip.
I honestly don't know what to say right now. I'm here having a mental freakouts while the person responsible for it just walked back to me and handed me the tickets with a very natural expression like what he just did is normal. Whatever! I'm just going to go with the flow.
We settled on laser tag first, the thrill of competition igniting a playful spark between us. We suited up in vests, a rush of adrenaline coursing through me as we plunged into the dark arena. Lasers flashed and laughter echoed in the air, our playful banter and shouts of excitement mingling with the sounds of the game. For a moment, I forgot about everything else, lost in the thrill of the game and the joy of Percy's company.
The game was exhilarating, with me darting around, hiding behind obstacles, and trying to outmaneuver Percy. It felt great to let loose in the midst of friendly chaos. I could see the occasional flash of Percy's amused expression as he cornered me, our playful rivalry intensifying with every shot fired.
When the game finally ended, we were panting and full of energy. Percy caught me by the arm and pulled me into a quieter corner of the arcade. The sudden closeness sent a shiver of excitement through me.
"Hold still," Percy instructed gently, threading his fingers through my hair. He plucked a stray piece free, a small white object, and tossed it aside.
Before I could fully react, Percy leaned down and pressed his lips on my forehead. The gesture was unexpected and definitely not planned which caused a warm blush to creep up my cheeks. I felt like my heart was racing a million miles an hour, half surprised and half weirded out.
Why did he just do that?
Percy stepped back with a very natural expression, but his usual intensity had given way to something softer as we looked at each other.
"Come on, we have more games to play," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"Yeah, okay." I managed an answer, still reeling but buoyed by the sudden display affection.
He led me towards a gaming machine, the world around us fading away once more, leaving just the two of us, the thrill of the game and the warmth of how Percy treated me filling the space between us.
I can't help but wonder: Is this what normal male friendship feels like? I know I've never really had friends, prioritizing academics above all else, but why does it feel like what I have with Percy is not ordinary?
A nagging voice in the back of my mind whispered that this is not ordinary, this is something that defied the conventional boundaries of friendship. But I pushed the thought aside, unsure of how to process the emotions swirling inside me.
I will talk to Ohio about it later because I honestly don't understand what's wrong with me. All I know is that being around Percy makes me feel alive, seen, and understood in ways that no one else ever had.