Complicated

Chapter 45: Facing Reality

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F A C I N G R E A L I T Y

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Ric's POV

I don't want to be an island
I just want to feel alive & get to see your face again.
~~~

I kept glancing up every now and then as I watched Al lay down on his bed while listening to music. I don't think he knows it yet, but I'm drawing him.

I drew his position, laying down flat on his back with his arms crossed behind his head, his muscles protruding slightly. His floppy 90s hair parted and some strands of it in his face, his eyes were closed. His perfectly straight nose and pink lips. Tried to draw everything in detail, to show off how truly handsome he is.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and took it out, smiling when I saw Nova had texted me. She was coming over, and wants me to meet her in the common room in five minutes. I glanced at Alby, with his eyes still closed, and debated shortly but eventually put my pencil on the page and closed it, standing up to get ready. As I fixed my hair, I watched Alby open his eyes and watch me.

"Like what you see?" I teased as I sprayed some cologne on and slipped on a shirt.

"Definitely." He nodded and I looked at the floor to allow myself to blush without him seeing.

Damn it. Stop. He's just kidding. We've always played around like this.

Nova. You're going to see Nova.

We like Nova. Nova likes us. That's it.

"Where are you going? And can I come?" He asked as he sat up and took his headphones off.

I laughed. "No I'm umm... meeting up with Nova."

"Ugh." Al gagged and laid back down, this time his back facing me.

I rolled my eyes and walked over to him, sitting next to him on his bed. "Why do you hate her so much?"

"I don't."

I scoffed. "You can't even stand for me to mention her."

"She's just... I get a bad vibe. You could do so much better."

"She's beautiful." I reasoned.

"Blonde and blue eyed? Could you get any more basic?" He retorted.

"Why are you so bothered?" I pressured, shaking his shoulder.

"Just go, Scorpius." He responded harshly and it felt like a jab at my throat.

He never calls me Scorpius. Ever. He knows I hate that name.

I shoved him harshly. "Man, why do you have to be such a dick?" I stood up off the bed and Al raised to his feet and rushed over to shove me back.

"I'm not being a dick. I'm being your best friend. I'm fucking protective, sue me."

I scoffed and turned around to walk away but as soon as I turned around he shoved me harshly. I stopped in my tracks.

"You really don't want to do this right now, Albus." I warned him, my hands balling into fists.

"Or what?" Albus challenged me, getting centimeters away from my face.

"Albus, stop!" I yelled at him, my cheeks flushing at the unusual tension building because of our close proximity.

"Or what, Scorpius, what are you going to do?!" He shoved me once more and I lost it. Using my large height against him, I tackled him to the floor and we started shoving at each other, neither one of us ready to land a blow yet.