Friday 6th February
Oliver and Kara ignored the notifications in the group chat, seeing that it was Zeke posting the video recordings of tonight's performance. They curled up on the sofa in Kara's flat, the smell of fish and chips lingering in the air from the chippy downstairs. Kara adjusted the blanket around them until it was practically smothering them, then turned up the volume on the tv of the current trashy vampire show Kara was binging; she watched several at a time which confused Oliver immensely.
"They all look alike," Oliver commented.
Kara gasped. "No, they don't! They're completely different actors!"
"They play the same kind of character. It's like the same thing in each show."
"That's what makes it comforting and what makes it trash."
A sexy vampire guy, tall with muscles and short dark hair, appeared on the screen.
"Who's that? Do we like that one?" asked Oliver.
"Yes, we like that one," replied Kara.
Another sexy vampire guy appeared, tall with muscles and short dark hair.
"What about that one?" asked Oliver.
"We are not meant to like him, but we do anyway."
"Ah, the problematic favourite."
"Precisely."
Oliver paused as he saw a new notification pop up on his phone but not on Kara's. It was Zeke; he had sent a video. Curious, Oliver played it, forgetting how high the volume on his phone was as the song A Little Respect by Erasure blasted out.
Kara jolted up from the sudden noise before returning to slumping on the sofa. "That the performance from tonight?"
"Yeah, sorry, didn't realise it would be so loud," said Oliver, turning his volume down to the minimum, curious why Zeke sent him this personally and not in the group chat. Was it a mistake?
No, it wasn't, Oliver realised as the video zoomed in close, focusing only on himself and Cody. Oliver didn't know why until cartoon hearts start to fill up the video.
Zeke: What's going on here I wonder (winky face)
Oliver: It was an inside joke. He played this song the first time he picked me up from work
Zeke: You're both looking at each other a lot (shocked face)
Oliver: He was attempting to embarrass me, apparently
There was a pause in the reply.
Zeke sent another video.
Zeke: And what about here? (raised eyebrows)
Oliver glanced over at Kara, who was focused on the television. "Just going to the loo," he said, standing up.
Kara was too transfixed on the sexy female vampire on-screen with long dark hair, who was talking to another sexy female vampire with long dark hair. How did she tell anyone apart?
"Come on..." she mumbled to herself. "I know this is a hetero show, but just kiss..."
Oliver headed over to the bathroom and sat on the rim of the bath as he played the video, curious as to what Zeke was getting at, and Oliver was very glad that he had not played in whilst Kara was in the room.
It was a video compilation of tonight's performance but focused solely on close-ups of himself and Cody. And then Oliver realised why Zeke had sent this, counting how many times Cody had looked his way tonight.
Oliver: What can I say? I'm irresistible
Zeke: Too right (love heart, winky face)
The video continued to play on a loop, causing Oliver to watch it closely to see things he didn't see the first time. He scrolled through the group chat, watching clips from previous performances, focused on Cody and himself before returning to the latest compilation Zeke had just sent him, the difference even more startling.
"Hmmm..." Oliver chewed on his bottom lip. "Interesting."
Zeke: This was boring
Zeke: I was trying to tease you a bit
Zeke: That was hardly a reaction
Zeke: I wanted to embarrass you
Oliver: As I told Cody, you'll have to try harder than that
Zeke: That a challenge?
Oliver: I would be interested to know my own limitations to be honest
Oliver: Cannot recall much embarrassment myself
Zeke: What if I sent this video to Cody? (wide eyes)
Zeke: Would you find that embarrassing?
Oliver: Not really
Oliver: I have a feeling you already have sent this to Cody anyway
There was pause
Zeke: Haha yeah I sent it at the same time as you
Zeke: Damn you're too smart
Zeke: I'm going to have to think of a better way to embarrass you
Oliver: Like I said, your best isn't good enough
Zeke: Ouch
Another pause
Zeke: Do you want to know what Cody thought about all this?? (wide eyes)
Oliver: No, I'll find out myself thank you
Oliver: Do you enjoy getting involved in other people's affairs?
Zeke: I found out about this tonight and I am already obsessed
There was a pause
Zeke: Anyway thought it might cheer you up a bit
Another pause
Zeke: But now I think this could have made things worse
Zeke: Or I should have waited
Zeke: But I couldn't wait on an opportunity to tease Cody
Oliver: It did somehow cheer me up. Thank you
Zeke: Glad to hear
Zeke: Well I won't keep you
Zeke: Sleep dreams
Zeke: Get plenty of rest for my birthday, you're going to need
Zeke: It'll be wild!
Oliver's screen was then filled with birthday balloons. He had to wait until they calmed down before typing
Oliver: Goodnight. Happy birthday (balloon emoji)
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If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys
[Oliver adjusts the lightning, making the stage lit in a softer and warmer glow. Zeke and Sasha stand by his side, their arms around his shoulders as the three sway to Rheanna's soulful and gentle singing. Oliver can't help but smile as Zeke and Sasha mime along with exaggerated expressions as if they are serenading him.]
YOU ARE READING
I Have Been Chosen
HorrorOliver has always been misunderstood. Cody has never been taken seriously. When their partners break up with them in the new year, Oliver and Cody find themselves lost and try to work on themselves, taking a break from relationships. After discoveri...
