Obsession ( boyxboy )

Chapter Eight

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Chris frowned. His tousled golden locks grazed his eye brows. His brilliant brown eyes shinning through long, eye-lashes. Running a hand through his hair as if to make it neat, he sighed and left his room.

Unsure of what to wear for the occasion, he threw on a white t-shirt and blue jeans. Because his finger nails had the tendency to get dirty fast, he clipped them uncomfortably short. He was staring at them, standing in front of the Lafayette's front door. Before he had the chance to press the door bell, Mrs. Lafayette opened the door with a curious look on her face. Immediately, her eyes fell on his clothes.

"You must be Chris," she said, smiling.

Chris nodded, looking past her where Rosemary was standing in the hallway.

"Hey," he said, raising his hand to wave.

She waved back.

Mrs. Lafayette observed them, her smile growing wider.

"Please, come in,"she said.

Chris followed her into the living room where Rosemary's father sat reading a magazine.

"The duck is taking twenty minutes to finish roasting, sit there." She pointed to an arm chair next to a mahogany bookcase.

He sat down. The whole scenario appeared strangely formal.Her father put down the magazine and leaned forward.

"So, you're our new neighbor, I heard." His breath smelled of whiskey.

Chris looked straight at him. "Yes, I am."

Rosemary entered the room, sitting on the couch. "This is fun," she said, a sarcastic glow on her face.

Chris attempted a smile. "Thanks for inviting me."

Her father laughed loudly, staring at them both. "You should sit next to her, kid. Don't be shy."

"Dad!"

"What? The boy's nervous look at his face. Don't play hard to get."

Rosemary's cheeks turned red." Dad, please, shut up."

Chris was shocked at her tone, but Mr. Lafayette didn't seem to mind. Laughing louder, he tried to pull Chris out of his chair. "C'mon, kid, get up."

"Mom!"

At those words, Mr. Lafayette returned to his chair.

Mrs Lafayette came into the room. Rosemary exchanged looks with her, and she nodded.

"Honey, come here, I need help with something in the kitchen."

He followed her out of the room as a toddler would his mother. Embarrassed for Rosemary, Chris avoided eye contact with her. He stared at the wall behind her head.

"He's drunk... as always," she said.

"I saw," he said. "Why did you invite me over?"

She took a minute to answer. "I want to ask you something, but I'm not sure how to. I thought that if we got to know each-other, you would be more likely to tell me."

He frowned. "Tell you what?"

"What's wrong with Anthony?"

His lips curled up at the side of his mouth. "I wouldn't know. He doesn't talk to me anymore. We already went over this, earlier, remember?"

"Yeah, but he was acting weird before that. He was drinking a lot, and I hate drunks, you'd understand why. Did he say anything to you? Was he worried about being dropped from the team? Did he mention me?"