I, Blake Campbell, am officially no longer single. It's been about two weeks since I've gotten a boyfriend. And god, this feels great. I've been ecstatic ever since and my thoughts are just consumed by Charlie. Not that it had been any different before. But now my thoughts are actually justified and there isn't any lingering sadness or longing. Just pure joy. Life's been good lately. A little too good after what went down just before me and Charlie got together. But I don't want to think about that. No negativity for now, at least.
My senses perk up with a sense of familiarity. It's like I have a sensor for Charlie's presence. Surely enough, I spot him a few steps ahead, chatting with Finn and Charlotte. I approach them quietly, but it's no use.
Finn calls out to me. "Over here, big guy!"
Both Charlie and Charlotte whip their heads to me, making me quicken my steps.
"What's up, guys?" I say, joining Charlie's side. He smiles back at me. Is it bad that I want to kiss him right here and now?
"What's up?" Charlotte repeats with a slight snort. "You basically went radio silent after we finished our project together. Now you waltz up here all cool and unbothered? I thought we were friends."
I chuckle, nudging Charlie's side. "My bad. I was busy with… things."
Charlotte hums, unamused.
"You got a girlfriend, didn't you?" Finn questions with a raised brow.
I don't miss the way Charlie stiffens next to me and I place a hand on his shoulders. I answer simply. "Yeah, I'm seeing someone."
My boyfriend's gaze jerks to mine, the faintest blush on his cheeks. How adorable.
"What??" Charlotte exclaims, making my attention shift to her. "Since when and who is she?"
"We got together just recently, so I'd like to keep it under wraps for now. My partner's still rather shy about it." I say with the brightest grin. Charlie's blush deepens and I can't help but squeeze his shoulder. I hope he isn't mad. We never established if we should keep our relationship a secret for now. Though I didn't reveal anything that might catch their suspicions, so this must be fine, right?
"Congrats, I guess." Charlotte pipes in. "But introduce us to her once she's ready, okay?"
"Will do," I say with smile.
I make some half-assed excuse and drag Charlie out of there. He follows after me without a word, making me stop in my tracks. He's a little too quiet for my liking.
"You good?" I nudge him.
Charlie nods with a hum. "Just thinking."
"About?"
"Just that… how our friends would react when we tell them we're dating."
That makes me stop in my tracks. I'm almost hesitant to look at him, but as I lift my eyes I see no doubt or fear at all. On the contrary, Charlie looks solemn.
I clear my throat, trying to match his calm. "We don't have to tell them right away. Whenever you're ready. I understand it can be nerve-wracking and I wouldn't want you to feel pressured or anything."
Charlie shakes his head. "That's not the case at all. I just…"
"Second thoughts about telling people about us now that you're dating a guy?"
"God, not at all. You really think that of me?"
"No, sorry." I say, clearing my throat. "Even I get anxious about stuff like that."
But Charlie is right, I need to have more faith. I want this. For us. And I want him.
"I've never had to introduce a partner to my friends before. That's what I meant."
I perk up. "So, you never dated anyone before?"
Charlie merely shrugs. "Not really. I had a girlfriend in middle school. But I wouldn't really count that. She literally declared I was her boyfriend one day in front of the whole class. I didn't really care, but she broke up with me soon after. We didn't even talk that much."
That rips a genuine laugh from me. Not mocking, but the story sounds hilarious. Typical Charlie.
"You never cease to amaze me." I mutter, tugging him closer to me. My hand reaches out to tuck a loose hair strand behind his ear. I want to kiss him so bad right now.
"I want to kiss you."
I nearly stutter, my eyes growing wide. "Did you just read my mind?"
"No, why?" Charlie chuckles, completely oblivious to what that smile does to me.
"Just come here," I murmur and drag him around the building. Once I make sure we're alone, I lean in and press a chaste kiss on his lips, the touch sending electric jolts. I want more, but I have to contain myself. Charlie's smile only widens when I pull away and my heart leaps.
"Want to come over?" I don't want to separate just yet.
He nods. "We can work on our comic. It's due anyway."
"Sure," I answer, acting unfazed even though my stupid grin is giving me away. We can literally do anything and I'd be content. As long as he's here.
We bask in the sun on our way to my apartment. A chilly, yet sunny day in Toronto, perfect for a slow walk. My good mood will only grow once I have Charlie all to myself in my space.
Or so I thought.
Charlie and I are met with an intruder in my own home. By any normal circumstances, I would've already kicked Jay out of my apartment, but I stop dead in my tracks when I get a good look at him. His knuckles are busted with a cut on his lip and an obvious bruise is already starting to blossom under his eye. Jayson got into a fight and my heart drops so fast. Without thinking, I already march toward him, my worry in full display. "What happened?"
Jay's gaze drifts to Charlie behind me. "I'll come back another time."
I stop him from walking off, but the words get stuck in my throat. I can't let Jay leave like this, but I can't bring myself to send my boyfriend away either after inviting him over in the first place.
"Blake." Charlie's soft voice snaps me out of my haze. "I just remembered I had an errand to run. Let's work on our comic on the weekend."
"Sure." I breathe. He gives me a firm nod, glancing at Jay next to me before he takes his leave. I'll definitely make it up to Charlie. First I have to make sure my best friend is okay.
I face Jay, levelling him with an unyielding look. "You better tell me everything."
He lets out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. "I got into a fight."
"I can see that!" I snap, barely containing myself. I'm rarely this angry at my best friend, but this is serious. Jay hasn't been in a fight or been violent since high school. He's gotten better. He shouldn't have any violent tendencies anymore, so why… "Jayson. What happened?"
He exhales deeply. "I fought with Louis."
That catches me off guard. "You did what?! Why?"
"He deserved it!"
"That's no reason to go and fight him!!"
A sickening feeling starts to root in my guts and a wave of memories floods over me. All the nights I spent patching up Jay's injuries and all the times I made sure his bruises were covered, now stare back at me. I shake my head, willing those pictures to leave my mind. Jayson has changed, that much I know. But I can't help worrying that he'll fall back to his self-destructive habits.
The anger is palpable on his face and I take a moment to calm myself for the both of us. Jay is in an emotional state right now and adding more fire to it will only escalate things. I grab his shoulders in a firm grip, trying to ground him. "Listen to me. Whether he deserved it or not is not the point here. You shouldn't have engaged at all. Jayson, you know that."
His fury doesn't simmer. "He messed with you, Blake. He hurt you. I saw it on your face."
A shaky breath escapes my lips before I stop it. Yes, Louis' words bothered me more than I'd like to admit. He seemed like a great person and I really hoped he wasn't… homophobic. We three got along so well and I thought our friendship would only blossom further. I guess I was wrong.
"You're right," I breathe, my voice low. "But you didn't have to fight him for me. You know that's the last thing I want. That wasn't right, Jay. Tell me you understand. Please."
Jay releases a heavy sigh and runs a hand through his tousled hair. "I lost control. I just hate to see you get hurt. You deserve all the happiness there is, Blake."
"And so do you." He lets out another sigh. I squeeze his shoulders before he could speak. "Promise me that this won't happen again. Please, Jay."
Jay's expression twists, but I notice his shoulders slumping forward. "Fine."
Only then, when I know he means it, do I relax. I'd better keep an eye on him just in case.