Blurring The Lines
Joanna looked at Elliot from across the table, stirring sugar and honey into her tea mixture. Elliot summoned her to a nearby café for what she presumed was to get more information about Tyrell’s plans. Her intention was to feed Elliot as little information as possible so that she could keep her and Tyrell’s interactions to a minimum as long as she wanted. It’s not that she hated him or anything—that wasn’t the correct term—she just found that sometimes he could be unbearable. Joanna was sure that she at the very least liked him, which is why she allowed him to “date” her; but, she just wasn’t sure if she quite loved him yet. There were definitely mixed feelings about their relationship status, considering they were in an open relationship, and she didn’t know if at this point she wanted to go any further with him. She just needed him to be distant while he did whatever it is that he does, and she knew that she could use Elliot as a way to keep him away. “So what brings me here, Elliot? You were very cryptic in your text. I’m sacrificing my break for you.” She said, blowing on her hot tea.
This was the very last thing Elliot wanted to do. He would much rather be sitting on the roof smoking and avoiding his problems than be with Joanna right now. It’s just that ever since he spent his Saturday night with Tyrell, he wanted to know more than he was getting. He didn’t trust Joanna but she had no reason to lie because she approached him, so he had nothing to do other than trust her word regardless of how disloyal she appeared. “I wanted to know more. All you told me was that Tyrell had something planned for me and things I've already guessed. I need to know exactly what it is, he’s doing. I slipped up and gave him my number and I don’t want something like that happening again.”
“Well I can tell you for certain that he’s not planning anything right now.” She sipped her tea, looking at Elliot objectively. If she could hold this line of questioning off for just a little while then she would. The only flaw in her plan that she didn’t consider is that Elliot was paranoid and cared a lot about the details rather than trusting anyone’s word.
“What do you mean?”
“The last I heard from him is that he wanted to take the day off, not that you would’ve noticed. He’s the one who’s always looking and paying attention to you.” This was true. Joanna received a text this morning from him apologizing about not being able to walk with her to class. He never took breaks, ever, not even in high school when he was sick. He never wanted to miss a day willingly. This made her want to question what was really going on with him but she didn’t want to pry; prying equaled clinginess and that’s not what she wanted at all. She figured that they would discuss it one way or another.
He had noticed that Tyrell wasn’t in their psychology class this morning, he just figured that he sat next to Joanna or something. Elliot frowned. “Then where the fuck is he?”
She laughed. “Why do you care? He’s probably mopping about some existential crisis.” This was actually the perfect moment to get him off her hands again. “It actually isn’t like him at all. Anyway, the best information from the source, if you asked him yourself he might actually tell you.” That’s how lovesick he is, she thought.
He sighed at his vain attempts to get straight to the facts. Obviously, Joanna wasn’t going to give him anything until she was ready. He could see that she wanted to do this on her own terms that much was clear. “Don’t think is over, Joanna.” He said, putting his hood over his head, leaving her there.
She smirked, sipping her tea again. Things were going just her way and she couldn’t be happier.
-
Tyrell stared at the ceiling as he lay in bed, releasing a long breath that he had been holding. The subtle sun-rays coming through the blinds from across the room made him squint in the thinly veiled darkness. The deep black abyss that was the door room, seemed to reflect his mood and thought pattern as of later. There seemed to be no escape from the troubling thoughts that followed him everywhere he went, making him question everything that made him him. Ever since Saturday night, he had been thinking about Elliot and their relationship (or their lack of one). In this beginning it was all fun and games, appearing to be like something he had done many times before. His escapades usually lasted for a week or two before he eventually go tired of his current lover, leaving them to their own devices and never speaking to them again. He did this all the time back home (which is why he probably had no friends), never having to worry about anything like lover or feelings because he thought that he was above them. He thought that he was better than everyone else and their emotions. He thought that people who easily gave into their emotions and romantic feelings were weak; making him instantly want to turn away from them. He just didn’t think someone like him would fall victim to the very thing he hated the most. Just for one guy.
The boy yawned, stretching after a long rest in a stiff position, facing the direction that Tyrell laid. “Hey.”
Tyrell continued to stare at the ceiling. “Hey.”
“I’m sorry I fell asleep, I usually don’t but you were so…good.” The boy smiled, looking at him with a sense of satisfaction. This wasn’t their first interaction and it certainly wasn’t going to be the last; it just seemed like today was different, maybe even special. They never met during the day, and it was usually at the very minimum once every two weeks, it was like clockwork. But, recently their regular schedule has deviated lately, especially today.
“Thanks.” He said, not fully paying attention to the compliment he received. At any other time he would take pride in pleasing others, giving a boost to his ego, but right now he was distracted. He didn’t know what to feel right now considering he wasn’t deriving pleasure from his favorite pastime, which was having sex. So many things were complicated and he didn’t like it. “I think I should go,” Tyrell got up from the twin sized bed, collecting his clothes from the floor. Everything was starting to get depressing. He didn’t want to think about Elliot or his feelings, but every time he thought about not wanting to think about him, he thought about him more.
The boy sat up, trying to protest his departure. “You-you don’t have to leave right now. We could just sit here and do something or, I don’t know, maybe go for round 3.”
"I think I'll..." Tyrell's phone vibrated four times abruptly, interrupting him. He apparently missed a lot of text messages.
Elliot: ????
Elliot: this is a weird first text but where the fuck are u?
Elliot: why arent you in class??????
Elliot: joanna asked me to find you
His phone vibrated again.
Elliot: nevermind dont reply
Elliot: wellick, dont ever miss class again. i cant fall asleep w/o u here wth
Tyrell smiled, despite currently being emotionally compromised. He typed a message into his phone (I've been busy. I needed a break like you.).
Elliot: whatever dickweed
He chuckled to himself, his previous emotions seeming to become suppressed. He turned back to his booty call. "Sorry, uh, I have a lot to do. I'll just see myself out."
The boy frowned. "Ok. I guess I'll see you around then."
Tyrell walked out of the door room, trying hide his sudden boost in mood. Elliot deciding to text him added an extra pep in his step, and some clarity to his particular mood. When it came to Elliot, it didn't matter what was going on, as long as he talked to him then he would be content. He sniffed Elliot's black hoodie, he had been wearing all day. However, nothing was better than the physical touch and emotional closeness he wanted to have with his future lover. I can't believe that I might be actually falling in love with him, he though with a sigh.