Four To Two [Elisop]

Chapter 5

The way he looked at him, that melancholic glint in his eyes... Eli was one hundred percent sure it was Joseph. However, his expression was far from that of someone who had moved on. Did Joseph still love Aesop ? Fortunately, Aesop didn't notice and had already left with Norton. That day, Eli had trouble falling asleep. Aesop's gloomy expression during the visit of the gallery was engraved in the young man's memory.

Something must have happened to make him separate from Joseph, but what ? This was not a good sign for him. That night, he turned over in his bed many times, asking himself a thousand questions. On Monday morning, as if it was fate, Eli had French with Aesop, but also Joseph. The two of them usually sat next to each other, while Joseph was always in the front rows, surrounded by many people.

No doubt he was quite popular. Maybe that was one of the reasons they broke up ? Aesop was the rather discreet type, so he probably didn't like being surrounded by so many people. But it couldn't be enough, there was a bigger factor than that. Eli must have been deeply lost in thought because he felt a hand shake him by the shoulder. He turned his head, a little shocked on the spot to see Aesop looking at him with a worried expression. In fact, he had been calling him for a good five minutes.

"Is everything okay Eli...? You've been watching for a while..."

Aesop turned his attention to see what the young man was watching so seriously. His expression hardened when he saw Joseph. Right away, Eli wished someone would slap him. What would Aesop think seeing him watching his ex like that ? A fool, a stalker or worse. However, the pale boy didn't say anything and just sighed before grabbing his criterium and scribbling on his note sheets.

"Norton told you ?" he asked in a nonchalant tone.

"S-sorry..."

"Why are you apologizing ?"

"Because I'm meddling with what's none of my business ?"

Aesop then displayed a dismayed look. He looked at Eli as if he just said something absolutely absurd. The latter didn't really understand why he was receiving such a look, did he say something wrong again ? Honestly, he was quite lost because of the so peaceful and calm attitude of Aesop. The latter was massaging his forehead while thinking of how to answer the clueless man.

"Follow me."

"A-and the class ?" stuttered Eli.

"Missing an hour isn't going to kill you."

With that, the two men stood up and left the amphitheater. Aesop led the way with a determined pace while Eli was a bit behind him, not knowing where they were going. They walked out of the building and after about ten minutes they arrived at the café where Aesop went most of the time. Eli came here once or twice with him for some paired assignments. They sat at a table in a corner away from the other customers, Aesop ordered a macchiato coffee and Eli, a latte.

Aesop was sitting all the way back in his seat, one leg crossed and both arms resting on the armrests. Eli was a little uncomfortable with the pressure. They sat there in silence until a waitress came to bring their order. Aesop blew on his drink to cool it down before taking a big gulp while Eli nervously sipped his.

"So, you want to know what happened between me and Joseph is that it ?"

Eli nearly choked upon hearing this. That was what he wanted indeed but he didn't expect Aesop to offer to talk about it himself so abruptly. He set his cup down on the small table that separated them and nodded slightly.

"Long story short, he cheated on me."