Cuts

4. First Date - Chris and Ellie

Andy was having a shower and left his phone book near the phone for he had called someone in New York related to his record deal. Chris knew that's where he kept all his phone numbers, including those of friends and family. Ellie's number was there too; he was so sure of it. Puffing franticly on his cigarette, he paced around the table with his eyes set on the notebook like a hawk setting eyes on a prey. Ever since he met her that he couldn't think of anything else. His heart was racing fast and his hands shaking a bit. He ran a hand over his curly hair, pulling it back as the other hand served his lips of another drag of his smoke. Then, he heard the water stop running and he knew he had little time to search for her number if he really was going to do it, otherwise, Andy would be in the living room soon. Without thinking twice, he opened it and started running his index finger over the names Andy had written there.

"Fuck..." He whispered, noticing that those were not even in alphabetical order, though the notebook had specific markers for it. Andy had his own ways and Chris shook his head. "Motherfucker..." A soft smile crossed his lips.

His heart started racing even more as the seconds went by and her name didn't appear anywhere as he turned page after page. Finally, her name appeared on the top of the sixth page and Chris almost jumped triumphally. He grabbed the paper he had in the pocket of his green pants and rested it on the table and copied the number to it. Then, he closed the notebook and put the paper in his pocket. Just in time, for he heard the bathroom's door opening right on that second. His heart still racing and his level of guilt rising high, for he had never done anything like it before. Soon, Andy appeared in the living room dressed in starry pants and a white sweater. His hair wet but brushed already and on his feet his pair of white sneakers that were incredibly worn out.

"Are you coming?" He asked grabbing his keys from the table where his phonebook was.

"No..." Chris shook his head, already sitting on the couch. "I have some stuff to do..."

Andy started to approach him and stopped in front of him. Chris pulled the ashtray on the old coffee table nearer and put his cigarette down for he could barely look in Andy's face. It was feeling like treason though it was just a small gesture. It was treason nonetheless, he was stealing from him.

"What stuff?" Andy asked. "We don't even have food in the house!" He protested.

"We had an apple in the fridge and I ate it..." Chris shrugged.

"Jeff said the café is full of spare food that he can give us..." Andy winked. "You cannot be that satisfied with a fucking apple. What's wrong with you? You've been acting so weird... it's been days..."

"I have not!" Chris got up.

"Yes..." Andy nodded. "Ever since last week that you've been all weird..."

"It's just that I have so much work... that's all." Chris looked away from him and Andy curled an eyebrow.

"Avoiding me... is it also a work thing?" Chris turned to look at Andy and swallowed dry. He opened his mouth to speak but the words got stuck on the back of his throat. "Yeah... Cornell... you have been avoiding me... since New Year's Eve... does this have anything to do with my cousin?"

"What?" The words pronounced with an extremely high pitch. "NO!"

"She has a boyfriend." Andy pointed a finger at him. "And she's my cousin!"

"Aren't you fucking hungry?" Chris pointed at the door with his hand. "Go have fucking breakfast and leave me alone."

"I'm just telling you." Andy looked at him, shook a strand of his blonde hair over his shoulder, turned around and started walking towards the door. "I love you, but my cousin is a lovable girl."