Inhuman [Keveridge/Shier]

2

The remainder of my Monday evening was spend messaging Drew over 'Facebook' due to his shortage of free texts on his phone; he says he's ran out completely, but I knew he was saving them for Shane. 

Drew: You busy Saturday? Shane and I are going to the cinema, you should come with us.

As appealing as it sounds to spend a weekend away from Mother, even I wasn't desperate enough to spend it sitting in a darkened room, watching a film I had no interest in on Drew's date night; I wasn't going to be the third-wheel. Plus, I doubt Shane would appreciate my presence anyway.

Laurence was sat beside me on my bed, smiling softly down at my laptop screen while he watched our conversation. He never failed to calm me, his smile permanently gentle and welcoming.

"What do you think?" I asked him in a whisper, piercing my lips together in thought; I was almost tempted to go, but I didn't want to leave Laurence for any more time than I had to. Plus, previously mentioned reasons are assisting in holding me back.

The male shook his head, pouting a little in my direction; An obvious 'no' in answer to my question.

I chuckled, leaning over and gently placing a hand near his cheek; I was never able to touch him. It confused me why, but whenever I asked him about it he'd ignore me. It hurt; Laurence meant the world to me, he was my rock, and being unable to touch him killed me. However, if not being able to feel him beside me was something I had to deal with to keep him there, I had no choice.

"Too long without me, huh?" I teased, gazing lovingly up at him and grinning as he nodded in response. "Then I'll stay here; We'll play some board games, yeah?" 

I waited for yet another nod in confirmation before typing an apology to Drew. 

Kier: Sorry, Buddy, Your third-wheel is busy that night, I'm afraid. 

Drew: Yeah, right. You're never busy.

I helplessly glanced over at Laurence, watching his smile fall as he read the message before I thought over the best, and most believable, excuse I could fathom. Typing the response, I waited for Laurence's nod in agreement before sending.

Kier: Saturday is group therapy day.

It wasn't entirely a lie, I did attend a meeting on a Saturday; However, it usually only lasted a few hours in the morning. Not that Drew needed to know that, of course.

Drew: Oh.

Drew: Sorry, man. 

Drew: Hope it goes okay.

I rolled my eyes; He was always like this. Drew was the kind of person to speak first and think later, which although in some cases it can lead to a happy life, it also led to unnecessary consequences, meaning he'd say something stupid and apologise consecutively to me for the next four-eight hours.

Kier: No worries, Man. You can make it up to me by turning up to English on time tomorrow.

I shut my laptop down after sending that response, knowing already that I'd receive a quick-witted reply from the small blond about how it was impossible for him to attend that lesson, meaning I'd be left clueless and alone for another fifty-five minutes tomorrow morning. Every time.

"Now," I beamed, turning to Laurence and feeling my cheeks redden slightly as his eyes met my own. I couldn't help but feel this way, Laurence always had an unfamiliar effect on me, but I liked it; I liked it a lot. "How about I-"

I was cut off by the sounds of the front door slamming shut, followed by a loud cry of 'Kier! I'm home!'

Laurence's smile became an instant frown, his eyes filled with slight fear; He always looked that way around her, which ached me deeply - I never wanted him to feel any fear. I've known him for so long I've became unnecessarily protective of him; it led to multiple arguments when someone claimed they couldn't see him - I don't understand how someone could be so cruel - and missing countless family events because I refused to leave him home alone. As you can imagine, that reason always ended well.

"Kier, get down here!" My Mother's loud cry called up the stairs, causing me to roll my eyes. 

"Wait here, Okay?" I whispered comfortingly to Laurence, not wanting him to see her if there was a possibility of her being angry.

I hurried down the stairs as quickly as my legs would carry me, finding her hunched over the sink in the kitchen.

"Yes?" I announced my arrival, heading over to her as she turned to me. She immediately began a rant of how my chores were left untouched, taking hardly any gasps for breath and leaving me to only helplessly nod in response to her attacks.

"How was college?" She asked only moments later, a much more calmer tone in her voice than previously.

"Fine." I merely mumbled in response, grabbing a tea towel from the radiator and beginning to dry the plates she was washing.

"Did you mention him?"

I sighed, shaking my head desperately. "No." I grumbled, placing the plates in the cupboard with a little more force than usual. "I didn't."

"Good. I don't want to hea-"

"I know." I was quick to reply, not wanting to hear her disappointment for a moment longer. "I won't; I know."