Mismatched Socks

Colin - Chapter 28: Tomato

I wait patiently for Renée to call. A few minutes go by and Elton comes into our room. 'Do you want to go out later? To celebrate the end of the exams?' My body wants to starts jumping and screaming that I would love to go out with him, but instead I say as cool as possible: 'Sure.' Elton nods with a smile.

He looks at my screen and smiles. 'I am calling Samantha in few minutes too,' he says and smiles. My heart literally drops on the ground every time he mentions his girlfriend. I try to ignore it, it's no point giving my feelings any thought at all. I nod and Renée calls. Elton leaves the room as I answer the call.

'Hey,' I say and smile at my friend. 'Hi!' she says and smiles too. 'How did your exams go?' she asks. 'Great, better than I expected.' Renée smiles big. 'Good job!' she says and then is distracted by something that happens. She looks over the camera and sighs. 'Amir, go away. I am calling Colin,' she says. The guy mumbles something and I hear a door close.

She mutters an "I am sorry" and then proceeds to ask me if her family has already left. 'Yes, they have left. James is so excited,' I laugh. Renée laughs too. 'I think he is full of energy now that he and Matt can start their own architectural company and live together.' I nod in agreement. 'He's also happy to see you again. I wish I could've come,' I say. 'I know that. You can't help that your last exam was today.'

We have talked about me going there later, but she said it was not worth the money and stress as she is starting her internship in three days. The others are staying there longer to make a family trip. We talk about little things until Renée asks me a question I never thought she would bluntly ask me: 'So, how is your crush on Elton going?' She winks at me. I almost choke, in nothing but the air that I am breathing.

'What?' I ask surprised. Renée starts laughing. 'Well, it's obvious,' she says. I look at myself on the screen, my head is so red that a tomato doesn't even look red anymore. 'Are you okay with it? Liking guys too?' she asks carefully. Slowly I start nodding. Renée softly smiles. 'I am proud of you, you know,' she says and nods agreeing with herself. 'Thanks.'

Elton knocks on the door and I look up at him. 'Do you want to grab dinner first?' he asks. 'Yeah, sounds good,' I agree. He nods and then opens his closet to find another shirt. Renée clears her throat. 'Maybe I should hang up,' Renée grins widely. 'Okay. Bye,' I say stunned by how good Elton looks with his shirt off. Renée laughs. 'Bye.'

The call ends and I close my laptop. I get up and change my shirt too. I was wearing my T-shirt for a few days now, not having time to do laundry. Although Elton often offered to help me with my laundry. 'Ready?' he asks and I nod. 'Where do you want to go?' He takes a look at the clock while asking that. 'Aren't your friends coming? Shouldn't they pick?' Elton starts laughing. 'I never said my friends were coming.'

'Oh,' I chuckle. We lock our room and go outside. The weather is getting warmer every day. 'So, what do you want to eat?' Elton asks again and looks at me. 'Maybe we could see what's on our way?' I suggest. 'On our way to where? We never decided where to go,' he says. I feel stupid. 'We could go to a club?' Elton starts nodding, agreeing to what I said. 'Sounds great!'

We start walking to the nearest club. 'What are you doing this summer?' he asks to break the silence. 'I don't really know yet. You?' Elton shrugs. 'I don't know either. Samantha is not coming home, she's leaving for a holiday with her friends tomorrow.' 'That's too bad.' Elton makes a disagreeing sound. 'I don't know. Lately she just shrugs me off. Last time I visited we didn't even have sex. Not that I expect her too, but she normally devours me so it was a little weird. A lot of things have gone weird. Her text messages are short too.'

I just nod, not really comfortable with the conversation. 'Haven't you got your eye on someone?' he asks and playfully puts his arm around my shoulder. 'No,' I laugh. 'You might meet someone tonight?' I don't answer and walk into a pizzeria. Elton follows me. 'You okay with pizza?' I ask, looking at the menu. 'Sure, we could order one and share it? Eat it outside somewhere quiet,' he says and looks at the crowded place. 'Sounds good.'