Yokubo

CHAPTER 5: AN AFTERNOON WITH A HYENA

The sound of a waterfall filled Fabian's ears as he sat facing the fish pond. It had been two days since Tim's revelation. Fabian had spent the whole time thinking about what Tim had said. His mind was in a thousand places as he stared blankly at the gushing water of the fish pond. He was interrupted by a shrill ringing sound. Fabian grabbed his phone, his hands still with a slight tremor as he picked up the call.

"Hello?" he said. A familiar voice spoke back from the other end.

"Fabian! Hey, it's Tim! Hailey gave me your number, I hope that's okay." Tim chimed on the other end of the phone.

"Yea, yea that's fine. What's up?:" Fabian asked warily. Tim chuckled.

"Well, I'm sure you know that Hailey's birthday is coming up tomorrow and I was thinking we could plan a little party. You in?" Tim replied with an undertone of excitement. Fabian paused. He'd forgotten. He mouthed some profanities and slapped his head lightly as his face echoed the disappointment he felt.

"Fabe?" Tim called out.

"Uh, yea I'm here. I think that's ... a great idea." Fabian said.

"Nice! I'm so glad you think so. I thought we could do it at my place?" Tim said.

"Your place?" Fabian asked.

"Yeah. Is that okay?" Tim asked. Fabian thought a moment before answering.

"Yeah. That's fine. Do you need anything?" he asked.

"Well now that you mention it, I do need some help setting up. Would you mind coming over tomorrow afternoon so we can prep dinner?" Tim asked.

"Sure," Fabian asked curtly.

"Great! I'll text you the address. Bye!" The line cuts. Fabian sighs. He looks down at the pond trying to figure out his feelings but all he felt, was a boiling rage. A slow boil, one that had been brewing a while now. Ever since Tim, came into their lives.

Records. Records galore. His apartment was littered with them. Was he obsessed? Or was he just buying them because he could? Tim's simple but chique apartment was bigger than one person needed. It had its charms but it was pretty clear that Tim had much more than he needed and he knew it. Fabian stood awkwardly outside the kitchen watching Tim play some fancy-sounding instrumental music he'd never heard of but was sure was very old and had history behind it that he probably wasn't "educated" or "cultured" enough to know.

"Tim," Fabian called out quietly to no avail as Tim swayed subtly to the music with an annoyingly blissful smile on his face. Unaware or uncaring about the world around him.

"Tim!" Fabian called out louder. Tim tilted his head towards Fabian as he began opening a plastic bag and unpacking groceries that he had bought.

"Yo what's up?" he answered.

"I just was curious. What do you do? For work." Fabian enquired casually. Tim chuckled.

"Heh. Well... it's a bit hard to explain, no- to justify really." He said vaguely.

"Justify?" Fabian asked.

"Well, it's not really work, to be honest. It's really more of a living. I...play, if you will." Tim said with a smirk.

"Play?" Fabian asked slightly annoyed at Tim's answer.

"It's a living ahaha. Anyways, could you help me with the cake batter?" he asked Fabian.

"Uh yeah sure. Can I just use the bathroom very quickly?" Fabian asked.

"Yea sure it's just down the hall," Tim replied. Fabian nods politely as he walks down the hall. He goes into the bathroom. It's not overly spacious, or over-the-top in any way. What a surprise. Fabian stared at himself in the mirror. He sighed, turning on the tap. He closed his eyes. Trying to calm his anxiety. His heart beating out of his chest. Images of Tim and Hailey arm-in-arm flash repeatedly in Fabian's mind. "I play," said Tim in Fabian's mind. Tim laughs maniacally. Hailey joins him. Their laughter harmonizes as Fabian's mental state crumbles.

Splash!

Splash!

The tap water hits Fabian's face twice as his trembling palms are held out, cupping the running water as he splashed it on his face for the third time. He stared at himself. Feeling the complex mix of emotions wash over him. He centres himself. Taking deep halting breaths. He puts both his hands by the sides of the mirror to steady himself as he continues catching his breath. He feels a crack in the sides. He looks ponderously at the mirror before realising there's a small cabinet behind it. He opens the cabinet. There isn't much inside. Just some wet wipes, two toothbrushes, one blue and one pink. He wonders why Tim, who lives alone has two toothbrushes. He sighs closing the mirror cabinet. He exits the bathroom.

"Oh good perfect timing. I was just about to mix the batter in." Tim chimed.

"Come I'll do it." Fabian offered politely as he entered the kitchen.

The afternoon sky soon turned to a blue-ish sky of the evening hours. Tim held the door open as Fabian walked out.

"Hey, Fabe thanks for today, my man. Really couldn't have done it without you." Tim said gratefully. Fabian smiled thinly.

" No worries. Glad we got everything done," he replied. Tim sighed and chuckled.

"Yea I'm so thankful. I think Hailey's really gonna love my plan haha." Tim said cheerfully. Fabian gritted his teeth at the remark but kept his cool.

"I know she doesn't like late nights so do you think we should have the party at 6 pm or something? An early party." Tim suggested. Fabian hesitated a moment. He didn't like the way Tim spoke about Hailey. His words were getting more possessive by the second. As if she was his to keep. Just another record on his wall.

"Yeah. That's fine. I'll bring her then." Fabian replies curtly as he turns around walking away. Tim waves him off and closes the door.