Trauma - Skephalo

Chapter 6: Catching Feelings?

I put some popcorn in the microwave to be popped while Zak got the living room ready for the movie. Once the popcorn was done popping, I put it all in a bowl. I then took the bowl to the living room with Zak waiting patiently while sitting down at the couch with the movie ready. I looked at the TV to see what type of movie it was. I raised an eyebrow once I saw that it was a romantic movie. I asked, "Why a romantic movie? That's not your usual pick."

He shrugged and said, "I thought about trying something new, plus the trailer popped up once, and it didn't look that bad. I also heard some people say that the movie has unexpected events that aren't typically used in a romantic movie."

I wasn't too sure about this. I know it's not a big deal if we watch something different from what we're not used to, but I try my best to avoid watching romance because it could remind me of my past. Plus, I get worried about whether or not it has... muffiny scenes. Zak must have noticed how unsure I was feeling from the confused look he was giving me. It then seems like a lightbulb just went on in his head as he giggles and says, "Don't worry, I made sure that there weren't any muffiny scenes."

He made air quotes when he said 'muffiny'. I noticeably relaxed and said, "Alright then."

I then sat down next to him with placing the popcorn bowl in between us. Then Zak played the movie as we started munching on the popcorn.

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It has almost been two hours, and the movie is almost over. We finished the popcorn already, so we put the bowl away. Right now, Zak had his head resting on top of mine with our shoulders touching. If I wanted to, I could rest my head on top of his shoulder, but I'm not going to. At some point, our pinky fingers from our hands were slightly touching, so Zak intertwined them, and that's how they are right now. I've never been in this kind of position with anyone, but it wasn't too bad. I wasn't being touched so much nor so tightly to make my nerves constantly spike up.

Zak was actually right about the movie. It was quite unusual compared to regular romantic movies, but in a good way. It made the story more interesting. Once the movie ended, Zak and I started talking about our opinions on the movie. Sooner or later, we ended up drifting off to other small topics. After a while, I was starting to feel my eyes heavy, but I kept forcing myself to keep them open since I'm still hanging out with Zak. But soon, I could feel my eyelids closing, and I could feel my body slowly leaning towards Zak. I quickly ended up falling asleep.

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When I woke up, I expected to be in my bed but remembered that I was on the couch with Zak. But even then, what my head was resting on didn't feel like some sort of cushion. As I opened my eyes, I looked at my surroundings to see that I was laying my head on Zak's lap, with Zak sleeping while sitting up with his head leaning back on the headrest of the couch. Zak had his hand in my hair as if he was once stroking or petting my head. Once I processed and took in the situation, I quickly felt myself panic as I felt my face going red. I tensed up and immediately puleed myself out of Zak's lap. This action woke up Zak since as I got up, his hand moved as it was once resting on my head. Before he could take notice of my scared yet red face, I stood up and took a few steps away with my back to Zak. I heard Zak behind me yawn and say, "Darryl...? What's up?"

Before I responded, I let myself calm down and push away any conflicting feelings that I was having. I then turned around to face Zak and asked, "W-why was I lying on your lap?"

Zak visibly tensed up at my question, but he quickly calmed down and said quite nervously, "You- fell asleep on me and ended up resting on my lap. You looked quite peaceful, and you were tired, so I couldn't bring myself to wake you up..."

I could feel the awkward tension between us rise as I looked down and started fiddling with my fingers. Zak took notice of this and said, "Did it... make you uncomfortable?"

The question makes me tense up as I didn't expect it. I sigh and say, "A bit- but it was mostly surprising for me. But what worries me is that you probably didn't get a good night's rest from the awkward position you slept in. You should've woken me up so that you could get a more comfortable sleep."

Zak glanced at me, then chuckled as he turned to look down at the floor. He then awkwardly rubbed his hand behind his neck and said, "Actually... that was probably one of the best nights of sleep that I've had, I wasn't uncomfortable at all."

I looked at him dumbfounded and then just nodded. I then said, "We should... start getting ready for school."

He jumped up from the sudden realization that we have school. He then quickly nodded and said as he rushed to his room, "Yes! We should."

I myself start walking to my room to get ready myself. As I'm walking, I can't help but let my mind drift off to the fact that I slept on Zak's lap. Why does the thought of sleeping on Zak's lap make me feel a bit... excited? The question lingers in my mind as I enter my room. A realization then hits me as this feeling that I've been experiencing lately is oddly familiar to back then when... No! I won't let myself think that way. This really isn't what I think it is, right...? No! I can't go down that road again. My heart already learned its lesson, right?

I changed my clothes and did my morning routine. Once I finished, I went to the kitchen. When I arrived, I saw Zak sitting down at the table with two plates and drinks. I'm guessing he made breakfast. That was quite fast. I greeted him and sat down, and I saw the breakfast that he had made. Now, I know that Zak isn't a better cook than me, but his food is always edible. But this time, it doesn't look very nice. The eggs look a bit burnt, and for some reason, he made a smoothie, which is new, but it looks bad. Zak chuckles at my perplexed reaction. He says, "You shouldn't try the smoothie, it's bad. But the eggs are quite alright."

But despite that, I don't really like wasting food, so nevertheless, I grabbed the cup of smoothie and brought it up to my mouth. Zak was surprised at my action. He said, "Are you sure you wanna drink tha-"

Before he could finish, I slammed the cup down on the table and put my hand over my mouth. I forced myself to swallow what I had already put in my mouth. As I did, I made a disgusted face. While this was happening, Zak was trying to hold in his laughter. I then yelled out, "Zak! What did you put in this!?"

That was the last straw to make him burst out laughing. His laugh honestly made me freeze in place, and a small blush started creeping onto my face. Now, why did I find that a bit adorable? Once Zak calmed down, his smile still remained, which he tried to cover with the palm of his hand. His eyes seemed to have some sort of sparkle when looking at me. He looked so handsome. I already knew he was, but- why did I seem enchanted about it right now? Wait a minute- don't tell me... Zak then said, "Sorry... I guess I was a bit lost in thought when I was making this."

I just rolled my eyes and said, "Well, don't let that happen again, you muffinhead."

I quickly ate my eggs, which weren't actually too bad, just a bit burnt. Once I was done, I excused myself to grab my backpack in my room. I slowly walked to my room as my mind started drifting back to how I was feeling during that scene of Zak laughing. Honestly, even though the feeling was enchanting, I think I knew what I was feeling, and that thought was haunting me. As I entered my room and reached for my backpack, I stopped as the sudden realization hit me. I'm starting to catch feelings for Zak, aren't I? No no no... this can't be happening. I can't have feelings for someone, not after what happened in the past. Plus, Zak is my best friend. He is very precious to me, so I don't want to risk losing him over some feelings. I'll just... ignore it. If I just keep pushing away these feelings, at some point, they will completely go away.

(Two chapters in one day!? Wow, even I surprise myself sometimes.)