False Confidence

Date Night

Azriel Huang

I did a once over in my full length mirror, the edges of it able to light up with a simple tap in the corner. I usually avoided this mirror, which was walled in right next to my door, but I was wearing baggy clothes so it didn't matter anyways.  My hair was brushed through and damp, looking a little on the messy side, but I preferred it that way. I had donned a simple black hoodie with the name of a random bookstore I had once frequented in the city, and grey sweatpants. I almost walked out of my room but decided to put on a pair of black crew socks.

Seemingly on cue, my phone vibrated within the pocket of my sweatshirt, causing me to look down and see it was Alex telling me of his arrival. I dashed down the many halls of my house and down the grand staircase to open the front doors. Wrenching them open, I looked out to see Alex waiting on me.

He was just my type as Nora said. Alex was tall, with voluminous brown hair and pale blue eyes. Freckles flecked his pale skin, which framed defined lips. They curved into a smile under my heavy gaze. Finally, I stepped back to allow him in.

"Your, uh, house is really nice Azriel." He beamed, a cute dimple appearing on his cheek. I didn't mention it was this big due to how many wolves we hosted here on a daily but Alex didn't seem all that curious.

"Thanks, let's hurry and get to the movie room before someone nosy bumps into us." I said quietly with a smirk, taking his arm in mine.

We made our way through the modern but home-y expanse of my house, eventually finding the tall room holding a large tv with reclining seats similar to the ones in movie theaters. A snack bar wasn't far with movie collectibles and posters strung around the room. Pack members spent a lot of their time here, and mother wolves usually abandoned their pups for a few hours in this very room to catch up with the pack without a constant whining surrounding them.

"What're you looking to watch?" I inquire, flopping into one of the chairs in the middle, the remote conveniently waiting in the cup holder on one of the arms.

"Mm, maybe a scary movie?" He suggested, sitting down in the seat beside me.

I made a noise of approval, flipping through the extensive options. We eventually agree on one, something paranormal. I nestled further in my seat while moving the divider between our two chairs.

We watched for a while, inching closer to one another gradually as the eerie filmed played. It wasn't bad, with a tolerable main character and scary enough scenes. Some so shocking that they startled Alex enough for him to flinch a little. Another jumpscare played once more, causing Alex to wince in surprise. I glanced over with bemusement clear in my expression. I chuckled lightly as he cleared his throat, as if the noise would distract me from noticing his fear. Alex flushed under my intense stare, starting to fiddle with his fingers.

I glanced down at his lips to find a near undetectable quiver, laughing softly I grabbed at the nape of his neck with a free hand while pressing my lips against his. At first, my lips were searching until Alex began to press back, returning the passion. He opened up his lips for me with a sigh that only prodded along more kisses. I didn't know how long we kissed in the dark room, but it was definitely long enough for my lips to begin throbbing with the movement.

Right as I moved my hand to touch Alex further, light leaked in through the entrance being opened. Alex gasped against my lips, pulling away, but it was too late. Trent and Wren stood with curious expressions, gazing at our close proximity and swollen lips. Trent hid a smile beneath his hands, nudging Wren with the point of his elbow as if to say "Get a load of this."

"What the hell is he doing in here Trent." I growled, turning my body in the chair to face him. Alex ducked his head in embarrassment, moving to pause the tv.

"He's one of...us." Trent replied with a nervous gulp, his arrogant smirk turning into a shaky line. He was still afraid with the bruises and cuts on his face as a reminder. Even with our speedy and unnaturally fast healing, his injuries lingered.

"He's not a..." I bit my lip as I glanced down at Alex. I quickly pressed my hands tightly around his ears, making him furrow his brows in confusion. "Wren isn't a pack member dumbass. He isn't supposed to have access to the pack house."

"O-oh, uh, well sorry I-"

"Shut up, we're leaving." I sighed, getting up and grabbing Alex by the hand gently. I led him towards the door, pushing past the two forms standing at the entrance.

Trent jumped out of the way but I didn't miss steel eyes brushing over my throbbing lips as I walked by. The pupils traced what felt like every line and curve of my mouth and an indistinguishable scowl graced his own lips. Or it was just my imagination. Even so, I couldn't help the reddening of my face at the deep focus he had trained on me, and before he could notice, I turned and quickened my pace towards the main stairway.

I finally reached the front foyer, remembering I was still tugging Alex along.

"I think it'd be better if I left." Alex said, making it sound more like a question. I studied his still-red face, picking up on the silent sheen of disappointment in his keen eyes.

"Are you sure? I was going to have us finish the movie in my bedroom." I didn't intend for the last part to sound seductive but it did it on its own. A fierce blush crawled up Alex's pale face.

"I'd like that actually." Alex mumbled in return, letting me lead him up the stairs and down the winding halls. After a bit, we made it to the entrance of my room. It was neat but a little boring. The room itself was huge, with the right wall being one big window. A large canopy bed was pressed up against the furthest wall and a tv mounted on the wall facing opposite the bed. A cluttered desk sat facing the big window and a grey rug cut out from the marble flooring. 

I walked in first, Alex trailing behind me as I crawled onto the bed before getting comfortable to watch the rest of the movie. Alex followed suit, sneaking shy looks at me before averting his gaze. Any other time, I would've thought it was endearing but I was currently too caught up on Wren's scrutinizing eyes and how he was still in the house. So close to where my room was.

Shaking my head at myself, I moved to get the remote from my nightstand. The movie was back on in a matter of minutes, the frightening background music once again surrounding us with its tune.

Is Wren into guys?

The impulsive thought both shocked and angered me in equal parts. Why the hell was I so curious about that? It didn't matter, especially from how much I disliked him. I couldn't believe how worked up I was getting over a little eye contact. Every other time, I only associated Wren with negative emotions such as jealousy and annoyance. There was never an attraction, regardless of Wren's indisputably handsome features.

Whatever, I needed a distraction. Like the movie before me.

Alex shifted closer, causing the bed creek softly, his warm breath tickling the shell of my ear.

Yes, I did need a distraction, or specifically someone to distract me.

I chased away thoughts of cold grey eyes as I picked up where Alex and I had left of in the dark room.