How it Happened is Irrelevant (Mabbell)

6

A/n: anyone else feel like I'm updating this way too fast? 

TJ's POV:

"Is it working?" I asked Kevin when we were alone once again. I'd been trying his 'flirting' ideas for about a week now, and I've seen practically no change in Craig whatsoever. I guess he really is absolutely straight.

"It's definitely making an impact," He replied, not looking up from his phone. 

"I haven't noticed."

"He has."

"Really? He doesn't act like it."

"He just asked everyone about it today when you went out to get muffins. The voice was a nice touch by the way."

"What did he say?" I asked nervously. 

"He just wondered why you were treating him differently, and the rest is pretty much a blank. There's really not that much to talk about." He shrugged. 

"Do you think it's working though?"

"If what you're asking is if Craig seems more attracted to you, then I really don't know. All that I can tell you is that you're definitely taking up some of his attention."

"Attention is a start," I nodded, more to myself than to Thrasher. 

"But it's not enough, is it?" He sighed, looking at me with lazy eyes. 

"You read my mind."

"What else do you want me to tell you? He's single. Just ask him out or something."

"He's going to think I'm crazy if I do that."

"So instead of him thinking that you're crazy, you just want to drive him, and me, more crazy?"

"When you put it like that...."

Kevin rolled his eyes. "What do you think is going to work? Maybe he's just waiting for his confirmation."

"What if I used innocent innuendo?"

"Innocent innuendo?"

"You know, like gambling for a kiss, when it's actually just a Hershey's kiss. Anything to make him think like that."

"Don't count on that working. He's not sixteen."

"That's fair."

"How horny are you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I was taken aback.

"WhAt iF i UsEd InnOCent iNnUenDo?" 

I put my head in my hands. "It's been a while since I've done anything like that in real life."

"Too long apparently."

"You said that I had his attention."

"Of course."

"Do you think that it was.....that kind of attention?"

"If you're suggesting sexual attention, I don't think so. If you're suggesting that he's intrigued or may be catching 'feelings' then possibly."

"Possibly?"

"If you really want to know, either put more coal into the fire, or ask the flames if they like the brand you're using."

"Interesting metaphor."

"Thank you. Just came up with it, actually."

But that did leave me with quite the crossroads. "And if I did ask the flames if they liked the brand I was using, what do you think they would say? " 

"Honest answer? " 

"I can take it. " 

"They'd ask for more. " He paused and added, "A lot more. "

"A lot more?" 

"A lot more. " 

"You really think that's going to help? " 

"I have no doubts in my mind that it's going to help. " 

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, and went to go check it. 

"One more thing," he continued. "Wink."

I looked at him and did as he asked, and he looked surprised. "I've created a monster."

I rolled my eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're a heartthrob."

"Thanks?" I shook my head and looked at the message. 

Up for a rematch?

If u rly think ur gonna win

I already knew who the message was from. I slowly moved back to the front lounge to see Craig waiting expectantly with two controllers in his hands. "I'm going to win this time," He said with confidence. 

Confidence? What's that like? I guess maybe I pretended to have enough of it. I bit my lip unconsciously and took one of the controllers. "Are you shaking?" I asked, looking at his unsteady hand. I've never seen him do that before, and I think I pay him enough attention.

He quickly put his hands down and squeezed the controller hard so as to conceal what was so obvious. "No."

"Okay."

"Why do you keep talking like that?" He asked, sounding mostly exasperated. 

"Like what?" I cocked my head in question.

I heard him mutter something inaudible under his breath. "Never mind," He said, looking back at the screen. 

Of course, he lost. "Can I ask you something?" He said after a whole race of silence. 

"What?" I felt my pulse go to my ears, too excited to think logically about what he'd ask.

"Do you and Kevin have something going on?" He cringed as he asked it.

Immediately, I relaxed. "What? No! We're not- He's not- I don't-" I looked for the words to say. 

"I was just curious."

Next to me, there was a cup of a mystery liquid. "Who does this belong to?" 

"I don't know." I felt the edges of the cup with my fingers, and none of them were wet with saliva, or had any indication of someone drinking from it. "I dare you to drink it," Craig challenged.

I held the full cup to my lips and held up three fingers, counting them down before drinking the entire thing in a few large sips. I put the cup down, and immediately my vision began to swirl. "What was in that?" I asked, holding my hand to my head.

"Maybe it was really strong?" He suggested.

"I've had a cup of vodka before, though. That's nothing compared to this."

I don't really remember anything else that happened, but I really hope that I didn't do anything stupid.