Devil's Eye

Chapter 7

5' 8"-5' 9"

Something, which Noah was terrified of, had finally happened: his doubtful reputation affected the other person (who wasn't one of his close circle). A new bulletin appeared in TalkPanik anonymous chat on Thursday morning: 'A hammerhead guy: is he a new client or a therapy buddy?' Under the intriguing headline, there was a blurred picture from the cafeteria. Noah and Ethan were photographed sitting in front of each other. Morgan could be even more glad that they were together in this picture if the circumstances were different.

Noah was down in the dumps the whole day; he didn't know whether he should apologize to Ethan, believe that they could continue their communication, or just pretend like they had never met. People do that all the time-they can become strangers in a split second. Considering that Ethan and Noah had met only twice, it was easy to wipe these blurred memories and reboot their relationship from the status of 'acquaintances' back to 'the one doesn't know that the other exists'. Well, Noah didn't want things to end before they actually began.

Anyway, he had to text Ethan and clear up this point personally and not overthink things. Noah regretted that he didn't give Ethan his own number in return for his. Then, Thomson would've probably either calmed him down with a simple message or he would've put the last nail in the coffin.

Noah had the guts to text Ethan only in the evening, after he had had dinner, and then cried for twenty minutes straight, covering his nose in Peanut's fur. For some reason, he felt sad when thinking about the end of their relationship with Ethan. Noah had no idea what he wanted. He just wanted to chat with him for a little longer. Was it too much to ask?

Noah Morgan: 'Hi. I know my message might seem inappropriate, but I couldn't help but ask about your plans for tomorrow.'

The message flew to its receiver, and Noah started nervously walking back and forth around his studio. Considering the small floor area, too many inhabitants and other stuff lived there. Some were Noah's treasures, and others, like, for example, Fluffy and Peanut, he inherited from his grandma.

Ethan answered almost instantly.

Ethan Thomson: 'Hi. Plans didn't change. Why is it inappropriate?'

Noah frowned, trying to understand what was behind Ethan's 'plans didn't change'-was it that he was still going to go to Andrea's gig in 'I want you deadly', or was it that he had other plans in the first place, and they didn't change?

Noah Morgan: 'It's inappropriate considering the position I've put you in. Please, I'm sorry. I didn't think it would turn out that way.'

Ethan Thomson: 'What position did you put me in?'

Noah froze. Ethan didn't know about the rumors. If it was that, should Noah be the person to tell him? Of course, he should. Sooner or later, Ethan would find out about everything. It would definitely be unfair to hide that.

Noah Morgan: 'Don't you follow the university's anonymous chat?' Noah finally decided to make sure.

Ethan Thomson: 'I don't. Why?'

Noah Morgan: 'There's a new rumor there, where you're one of the main characters.'

Noah's fingers were shaking while he was typing that message. He finished it, sent it, and then threw his phone away on the bed and stared into space. His apathy didn't last long, though, right until the next notification sound.

Ethan Thomson: 'What's the deal about this rumor?'

Noah swallowed.

Noah Morgan: 'It says that you bought me. Nothing new.'