Invisible string (lestappen)

Chapter 10 : Charles

I've changed at least three times and still haven't settled on an outfit. Either it's too comfortable and I look like I didn't even try to look decent, or it's too dressed up and he'll think I'm weird. Ugh. Why do I even care about my appearance?

I keep staring at the wave of clothes in front of me. Maybe I went a little overboard with the amount. But you never know what could happen. What if I get stuck in here for months ? Imagine the horror of having to wear the same thing over and over again.

I make the decision that thinking about an outfit for such a long time is an embarrassment, and end up picking the items closest to me. Gray pants with a black shirt it is. Whatever. At least, I don't look like a disgusting mess like earlier. Quite the opposite in fact, I'm showered and filled with perfume.

I complete the look with a couple of black and white bracelets on my wrist before mentally deciding that I'm good to go.

I pick up my phone to see if he sent me a text. He didn't. Instead, I got an Instagram notification telling me he started following me. I blink. But I wasn't imagining it, he really did. Why the sudden request ? He could've just texted me.

I click the "follow back" button and open his profile. While making sure to not give myself away by clicking on the like, I scroll through his pictures one by one. I wouldn't want him to think I'm stalking him or anything like that. Although, technically, it could be qualified as stalking. Especially since this is absolutely not the first time I somehow end up on his account.

Since then a lot of new pictures have appeared. Most are about racing. No wonder. He's never been much into social media.

While I'm taking time perfecting my profile, he doesn't care and only posts what he has to. I understand him though, sometimes showing too much of your private life isn't the wisest thing to do.

My phone vibrates, indicating a DM from him.

I open it in a second.

'I didn't have your number but the food is here'

'Coming in five minutes'

The three dots appear on the screen, then disappear several times. And I'm waiting, glued to the screen like an idiot.

'Okay :)'

That's not what I expected. Especially the emoji part. I never thought he'd be that kind of texter. But then again, we've never spoken via text, so how would I know ? Well, until now.

I kind of like it.

After putting my phone in my pocket, I grab the key card to my room and lock the door behind me.

Precisely five minutes later, I'm knocking on his door.

I'm a punctual guy.

He opens it pretty quickly. I'm greeted by a version of Max I didn't know before. He's wearing black sweatpants and a basic white t-shirt. But, oh man, nothing feels basic about it. I've seen him in everyday clothes so many times, and yet the effect it has on me doesn't seem to go away.

It's very disturbing.

'Hey'

'Hey', I say while trying to act casual.

I walk past him, following his gesture and lead my way thanks to the sound of the TV. He must've been watching a movie before I arrived.

I walk into the area of the living room, followed closely by him. He points to the couch.

'Here, take a seat. I'll get the food'

I gladly do as he says and sit down on the comfortable furniture, trying my best to relax.