James
I stare at the number Remus gave me again, he said it's from a perfect guy for me and that I absolutely need to get to know him. I hate my best friend right now for thinking he could set me up on a date. I don't know anything about this guy, just his name "Arcturus" which is actually, his middle name. I write a message and send it, I know that if I don't Remus will torment me.
James: hey- hi they gave me your number telling me you are the perfect guy for me which i find absurd they also told me to use my middle name so well- nice to meet you
I put the phone down on the sofa and go back to watching TV, or at least I try to. I have adhd, and it's really hard for me to focus on movies, but I have to finish it because Sirius and Remus want to watch the sequel together at Sirius' house. When I feel the phone vibrate I take it right away, the mysterious guy answered me
Arcturus: hi, they gave me your number saying you're a great guy and we have a date, and I can't refuse so my pleasure, fleamont
I smile without even knowing why, maybe it's just the absurd situation I'm in, I abandon the film completely and reply to the message
James: well, there are 5 days left until the appointment. Until then, tell me about yourself
While waiting for an answer I read the plot of the film on the internet, so I can pretend I've seen it, the movie night at Sirius' house is tomorrow and I don't have time to try to watch it again, when the message notification appears I click on it
Arcturus: not much to say, I work in a bookstore, I go ice skating. I like cats and astronomy, and I'm not really good at meeting new people
I'm about to answer but then Sirius calls me, I sigh and answer already knowing it's going to be a long conversation
After an hour and a half of calling Sirius finally hangs up and I can answer Arcturus
James: well, maybe opposites really do attract because i make friends with pretty much everyone
I notice it's time for dinner, tonight Remus is at Sirius's so I'll be alone, I get up and go to the kitchen, take yesterday's leftover pizza out of the oven and go back to the sofa. I look for something to watch on tv and in the end I opt for my favorite movie, Dirty dancing.
When I hear the phone vibrate I look away from Baby and Jhonny and I read the message
Arcturus: well we will soon find out if we are made for each other. Good night :)
I say goodnight and go back to watching the movie, I really don't know if this guy will be perfect for me but for now I like to talk to him, he seems like a quiet guy and if he's friends with remus he'll probably be a lovable nerd.
I wake up early and go to work thinking only about tonight's movie night, it will be at Sirius' house which means his brother will most likely be there too. He's irritating and thinks he's better than everyone else, yes he's a nice guy but he's far too arrogant. He's the complete opposite of Sirius and they don't even look like brothers.
While I'm working Sirius enters the shop, leans on the counter and smiles at me "what is it?" he keeps smiling "how's it going with the perfect guy for you?" I sigh and walk away to arrange the shelves, I work in a video game store, one of the few things I can concentrate on.
Sirius follows me and leans on the shelf next to me "come on I know you talked" I roll my eyes and turn to him "okay yeah we talked last night. just a few messages...can't tell you how he is going because we said very little"
Sirius snorts crosses his arms over his chest "you should have known him better before the date! you need to talk more" I shake my head and keep fiddling with the funko pops "I'll meet him okay? 4 days left" We didn't talk today but he works and so do I, we don't have time for texting. I don't tell Sirius though, he does what he wants at work, once I caught him shopping online.
I go back to the counter and Sirius approaches looking at me "talk to him" he says it almost as if it were a threat, it's almost funny considering that Sirius took 6 months before admitting he loves Remus, 6 months in which they had sex.
"okay, I'll talk to him. but do you know him?" he chuckles "oh yeah, by the way. my brother brought home a damn cat, i can't stand him anymore" punctually, at least once a week Sirius complains about his brother "I don't understand why you don't go live with Remus" he raises his hands shoulders, but I know that he really doesn't want to leave Regulus. He never admits it but he would give his life for his brother, they didn't have an easy childhood and have been separated for years. Regulus is a difficult person but Sirius loves him and I know that deep down he loves living with him.
When Sirius leaves, reminding me to come on time tonight, I pick up the phone and text the guy my friends think will be the love of my life
James: good morning, now afternoon - anyway how are you?
I put down the phone and close the shop for the lunch break, while I go to the usual restaurant I hear the phone ring and I pick it up, reading the message
Arcturus: Good morning, I'm fine. even if i'm bored today i don't work and at home i have nothing to do, i think now i'm going to annoy my friends
I giggle and put the phone back in my pocket, I'll answer him later. But for now, I like talking to him.
In the evening I arrive on time at Sirius' house, I knock on the door and after a while Regulus opens it for me, his expression is always the same: annoyed. He doesn't even greet me, he lets me in and goes on the couch. Really unbearable.
I sit next to him, out of spite and wait for Sirius and Remus to join us, Remus greets me and then sits next to Sirius, they are a nice couple but when I go out with them I am always the third wheel. Tonight at least there's Regulus, not that he's great company.
Sirius turns on the tv and then looks at us "I hope you've seen the first movie, no questions if you don't understand something your problem" He looks at me, as if he knows I really have no idea what we're about to watch. He plays the movie and I try to concentrate but it's been a long day and my brain is no longer cooperating. I start moving my leg and looking around, I hate having adhd especially in these moments. Regulus looks at me and raises an eyebrow, then as if he understands he drags me into the kitchen, Remus and Sirius say nothing and I look at Regulus raising an eyebrow "What is it?" he looks at me and takes the iced tea from the fridge "you weren't focused" he hands me a glass and I look down "sorry it's not my fault" he approaches me and passes me an anti-stress ball "you don't have to apologize, take this it helps " and then he leaves, returning to the living room. I stand there motionless, did Sirius' annoying brother just be nice to me?