Another Lifetime | Dreamnotfound AU

Chapter 11: Crossing Paths... Again?

It's been a month since that day. All of the déjà vu's and vision he got seemed to minimize more. All of their furniture is shipped already so their house is pretty full now. Not packed to the brim but pretty full that the sounds don't bounce off every corner making an echo. 

It was night. George was woken up by the sound of his parents arguing. The voices were muffled by the separating walls of his and his parents' room. Their quarrels aren't that serious. If they just sleep it off it would be better. George's parents sometimes argue about the house chores or some things that they need or they're just too tired. 

George tightly closed his eyes and covered his ears with a pillow. His arms started to shake as he kept the strength on his ears. It did not help. George stood up and went to look at the time. It said that it's almost nine(9) p.m. He got out of his room and went downstairs, still trying to wear his coat. He was now by the door and slipped his shoes on as he opened the front door and closed it behind. 

'So, where to go?' George asked himself, walking on the pavement going towards nowhere. He listened to the leaves brushing each other in the middle of the dark night. It's like a melody in his ears, as always. He decided to go to the coffee shop if it's still open. Then he thought, 

'Maybe he's there? This is the exact time he went to the coffee shop' he looked at his watch now saying it was nine(9) o'clock.George sped his walking pace, eager for him and the guy crossing paths again. He felt a grin spread through his beautiful face and then it hit him. He stopped exactly under a street light and contemplated. Does he like the guy? He shouldn't be too excited about it. But he decided to listen to no one. 

He was now running on the pavement. His shoes tapping on the rough surface of the cement. The sound it made echoed through the whole quiet neighborhood. The lights of the town reflected at George's eyes like golden glitters sprawled in his eyeballs. He rushed to the shop's door, the door jingled harshly from the force. George's smile fell as he saw no one but the staff on the shop. 

He walked sluggishly towards the counter and ordered a chocolate croissant and Café au Lait flavored coffee. He sat down on the same table by the window, facing away from the door. He ate firmly and mentally scolded himself for not listening. He just got his hopes up. He's so gullible and he despises it. He started to bounce his right leg on the tiled floor as he felt tears prickled behind his eyes, making his vision blur and the lights outside expanding into a bigger and blurry circles. He blinked the tears away making his eye lid stung a bit but it made no progress but the tears to gather more. 

He heard the door jingled but he couldn't care less about who the person was. He felt the tear slide down his skin and wiped it aggressively. Why was he even crying? He felt something about that guy. The guy felt oddly... familiar. George felt stupid thinking that. This place is a curse for him. 

He grabbed the cup of coffee, the substance inside it shakes from the force and went to sip on the straw, longing for sweet and tasty cold substance in his mouth. But as the straw was halfway towards his lips, he felt a tap on his shoulder. 

He let out a yelp and immediately covered his mouth with his left hand, embarrassed as the staff looked at him, the other hand grabbing the right armrest of the chair. 

He turned around and he felt like melting. There he is, blonde hair, beautiful but broken golden eyes. He felt sad for the man. He looked broken- really broken. The guys eyes shimmered as the guy started to tear up. George stood up and boldly hugged the guy. He cringe at himself until the guy reciprocated the embrace tighter as George expected. Maybe the guy is just touch starved. 

"George" the guys quietly whispered but loud enough for George to hear... which made him shocked and sucked his breath. 

George pulled away and looked at the man and said, 

"What?" George's eyes scanned the others' faces, looking for an answer, brows furrowed together. The man shook his head and hugged George back like they know... each other. At least that's how he felt. 

George felt weird. Every feeling rushed through his body. He felt butterflies. He felt happiness. He felt sadness. He felt everything that you can name. But all he wanted to do at this very moment was savor it- the hug. He felt home just by the man that he like... or love? The guy sniffled in his ears. Why was the guys crying? 

They pulled away and George's crush said a small 'sorry' 

"No-no, it's okay" was George's response. George looked at the guy like 'why were you crying?'. 

"You'll know soon" the guy shrugged and hugged George again. It was small but George could feel the love spiraling him. 

"Can I at least get your name?" George asked. 

"Clay" The guy- Clay responded which made George nod. George didn't know anything but he trust Clay. George thought Clay seemed genuine and trustworthy. 

Clay calmed down and offered George a ride home which George immediately accepted wanting more time with his crush. 

The car ride back home was comfortable but a little bit of tension still lingered on the atmosphere like a poisonous scent. 

They arrived at the front of the house, the car stopping. 

Clay looked at George sadly."Can I have your number?" Clay spat out and closed his mouth as soon as it came out of his mouth. 

George giggled and nodded as Clay eagerly grabbed his phone out of his pocket. He gave it to George and George typed out his digits on the screen. He gave it back to Clay and he got out, bidding farewell at each other. 

George got inside the house and ran to his room, closing the door with a satisfying click. All he needed to do was wait for a text. While waiting for his crush's text his eyes felt heavier and heavier every minute and fell into the darkness.