Action (DNF)

Chapter 52: George's bedroom

Clay POV.

“I think perhaps I should take you both to your rooms so that you can unpack and whatnot.” George’s mother said to the two of us.
George had an untraceable uncertain look on his face, but nodded. “Sure Mum.” He replied. “Our stuff is back in Clay’s car. You could take us to our rooms and then we’d go get it.”

All that we got in response from that was a somewhat stone-faced nod from that woman before she led the two of us down the corridor that we had entered through. “This way to the room you two will be staying in,” she said with a hum as we followed after her.

After walking for a minute, she stopped in front of a slightly faded wooden door covered with white paint. “This is where you two will be staying for the week.” She explained. “George’s old bedroom.” Without even opening the door she left us again, and I barely noticed the awkward muttering coming from George as he told me he was heading out to the car.

Neither of us said anything to each other as George and I headed to the car and grabbed our stuff before returning to his old bedroom. However, any excitement or anticipation to see where the brunette had lived his life while growing up was thrown out the window as I noticed his distraught expression.

When I set my bags down on the carpeted bedroom floor I moved over to the door and shut it lightly. My gaze soft, I returned to look at the brunette. “George…” I muttered quietly, getting his attention which had been on the bags at his feet. “Are you feeling alright? You just seem a little upset.”

All I got in response to my question was a couple deep, shaky breaths from the brunette. Then there was a shake of the head. Without asking anything more I pulled him into a hug, noting the way tears seemed ready to start flowing down his cheeks. “Maybe coming here to see them was a mistake.” He muttered, although it was unclear if it was directed to me, or himself.

“George.” I repeated, getting his attention again. “If you think that this is a bad idea then we can go.” As I spoke I navigated him to the bed so that we were sitting down with him leaning onto me. “You are alright.”

“I’m sorry Clay.” He muttered. “It’s all just so-so stupid.” The brunette let out a sob as he stuttered. I continued to hush him, pulling his small and sobbing body closer to me.
“No need to be sorry for anything. I don’t know what has happened, but rest assured, I will do anything to help.” I reassured.

The words seemed to comfort the brunette who quietened down slightly while leaning further into me, with my arms resting on his upper back. “I’m sorry Clay, this is probably me just overreacting… but… but it just feels like none of these people care about me any more.” He cried out, causing me to move closer and comfort him

“I’m sure that’s not the case George.” I attempted to reassure him. “I’m certain that they love you and care for you as much as they did when you were a kid.”
“But my Mum and Dad just seemed so cold towards me.” He spoke softly, his face moving to bury in the crook of my neck.

“Maybe you were just reading into it too much.” I suggested. “Your Mom and Dad might just not be used to seeing you. You told me yourself that you haven’t seen them since back in you graduated high school.” I suggested, although I wasn’t even too sure if that was the case or not, since I agreed with George’s statement about them being very cold.

He muttered something which I couldn’t hear before falling silent, simply embracing my warmth as I allowed my eyes to look around the room. George had told me that he had lived here up until university, then he lived in a dorm and only visited every so often during weekends and holidays.

The walls were a soft blue, with white skirting board and a white ceiling, giving it a soothing feeling. The carpet was deep and fluffy, seeming like something that I could fall asleep on, which I might have to due to how little space there was on his bed. It was a nice contrast, one very different from my own childhood room back home.

Another difference from my childhood bedroom was how nice and tidy this room was. Back in Florida, my bedroom floor would have clothes, books, blankets, and who-knows-what-else thrown over it at all times, but this was the exact opposite. It was as if everything had its place in George’s room, and George didn’t move anything out of that place.

Maybe he was the reason for that, after all he was someone who did like to have his life structured in a certain way, or perhaps it was different. It could be just as likely that some time after George moved out one of his parents had cleaned everything, based on the lack of dust that was around on his shelves or desk.

After a half hour of myself holding George I noticed that he was in a tired and overly cuddly space. His eyes were spaced out and it was honestly adorable when combined with the fact he’d put on my hoodie this morning and his hair was a mess from nuzzling into me already.

“Are you feeling better?” I asked, my hand brushing through his hair. “Your family are probably wondering what the two of us are doing in here.”
“Can’t we say we’re unpacking?” The brunette asked. “That can take absolutely ages.”
“I don’t think it takes an hour to unpack our suitcases.”

George just grumbled before his eyes fluttered shut, and I rolled my eyes. “Are you falling asleep?” I asked. “You haven’t done this since you were working the night shift at the bar.”
“I’m not falling asleep.” He responded. “Just give me a minute so I can rest my eyes before seeing my family.”

“That’s fine.” I replied, my hand running along his back as he let out a satisfied hum. “I’d just feel bad if we came to visit your sister and parents and we spend all of our time in your bedroom not interacting with them.”

“It’s just… they’ve all changed so much.” George muttered. “Well, Sarah had always been more of a rebellious teen who didn’t follow all of my parents' rules, but they now have a TV, and I thought I saw my Dad using a phone earlier, and they didn’t tell me, and…” I cut him off with a  gentle kiss to the forehead, causing his gaze to soften further.

“I’m sure that they forgot to tell you and it doesn’t mean anything.” I reassured in a calm tone. “So how about we go and talk with them, and you and I can then talk about anything else that’s wrong when we head to bed.” George thought for a moment about what I was saying, before giving a nod in agreement.
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1217 words