Like Minds - To my beloved Maraclea

Chapter eight - Look of interest

Nigel:

He didn't talk or even recognized Alex' existence anymore for the rest of the day. Nigel thought this should only be easy but it wasn't.. So the next evening, he just came back again as usual, though it was in a way of stalking into the room without a word and just sitting at the chair to scowl at Alex, annoyed by himself as well because he couldn't even stay away, and that was giving in to Alex, in a way.

Alex:

After I had put a few bites in my mouth, Nigel’s face suddenly seemed to change in a more offended expression then even. I pressed my lips and tried not to laugh softly. I had to admit that it was quite amusing, to see how he got pissed off by these things, like he took it too seriously. I licked my lips and began to stare at my dish again. A few seconds later, Nigel suddenly stood up, without glancing at me for a second time. I pursed my lips slightly while following him with my stare. He didn't had to feel so offended - in my opinion. It was a joke, wasn't it? I swallowed when I thought about it. I had slept perfectly, to be honest.

This day I hadn't spoke him anymore. He seemed to avoid me, when I tried to take place next to him a couple times during the lessons. He didn't even showed up in the evening - to disturb my thoughts and such.

After a long time of being bored, I finally felt asleep - but suddenly, after a few hours I woke up again - seeing how Nigel stared at me again, this time with an annoyed glance.

'Something wrong, Nigel?' I mumbled when I pressed my body a little bit up so I was able to look at him.

'You're looking a bit...' I didn't even finish my sentence. I didn't have to.

Nigel:

"Yes," he snapped shortly, but he didn't seem planning or willing to tell Alex what that was. He wasn't even sure himself.

He inhaled sharply through his nose and had to think a moment before he knew what to say.

"Am I a joke to you?" he asked finally. The moment he said it, he realized it had been the wrong question to answer. It sounded like something a woman would tell her husband in the soap series he loathed with all his heart.

"Scratch that.. Just..-"

It was fairly amusing to see Nigel struggle with his words, for it was something that hardly ever occurred, and he didn't seem to know how to deal with it.

"..I'm not a joke. And I'm not playing around. This is serious."

Alex:

I pursed my lips as I stroked the sheets, watching Nigel with a lightly frown on my face. Why did he ask this? It sounded quite odd. I pressed my lips as I pushed myself up, and I turned my body so I could sit down on the edge of my bed.

'No, of course not. Why do you ask that, Nigel?'

I glanced away and shook my head when he told me that I had to scratch that part of what he just said. That question.

'No Nigel. Why do you think that? I'm not playing with you. Why does it even bothers you, those things I told you this morning.'

I rubbed my eyes and tilted my head slowly while I stared at him. It seemed like he didn't wanted to face me.

Nigel:

"People don't usually make a fool out of me," Nigel answered briefly, glad he had finally found the right words to express himself without making the situation worse. "I'm just not used to it."

He looked up at you and pursed his lips unhappily.

"And you've got to stop messing with my head all the time. The connection serves a purpose, you know? I know you're bored, but my mind is not a game for you to play with."