Entwined

Roll the dice

Walking towards the tennis court with them felt like dragging my feet through quicksand, each step heavier than the last. Swallowing hard, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease, as if I were a penguin waddling down a muddy path. It seemed to me that guilt was a sensation more familiar to women. In moments of weakness, women faltered while men gained confidence, and vice versa. And here I was, struggling to conceal myself under an oversized t-shirt, wishing to shrink into insignificance. But even an ant leaves traces; I needed to vanish completely.

I didn't want to lose Hugo, and there was something oddly comforting about Gregorie's presence. Love was what Hugo offered, but I couldn't quite grasp what Gregorie never failed to stir within me.

All I desired was to retreat to my bedroom, bury myself under the covers, and hide away. Most people fixate on one object of desire, one focal point of existence. But for me, that desire was split between two different people. Sacrifice and choice were burdens nobody wished to bear.

I was deep in thoughts when an arm circled my hips.

Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly felt an arm encircle my hips.

"So, love, where's that little phone of yours?" Gregorie's lemony breath tickled my face, and my body reacted despite my mind's protest. My nipples hardened involuntarily.

"That's a horrible start," I muttered, my gaze fixed on the ground, unable to meet his eyes.

His fingers gently lifted my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Look at me, Love," he hissed urgently.

Damn his lemony breath; now I wanted to kiss him and bite his tongue until it bled. "I have it," Hugo interjected loudly, separating us. "Get away from my girl, whoever you are," he added, visibly annoyed.

"Your girl?" Gregorie retorted, attempting to feign surprise but failing miserably. Before turning to Silas, he asked, "Did you hear that?"

Silas remained silent, his expression unchanged. Maybe it wasn't news to him. Oh hell, the orchard incident. Gregorie wasn't satisfied with Silas's indifference; he sought to deepen the wound.

"Well, you see..." he began, pausing for Hugo to reveal his name, which didn't take long.

"Hugo," he answered dryly.

"Well, you see, Hugo, I don't think Silas over there agrees with you. You kind of need his approval somehow," Gregorie said, amused, a smirk playing on his lips.

I shot them the dumbest look I could muster, not wanting to be part of their discussion. It felt like traversing through lava. Then they turned to Silas, who averted his gaze.

"Not really," Hugo responded.

"Boy, you're wrong," Gregorie added.

By this time, the tennis court came into view.

"So, who's with who?" Gregorie asked.

This guy remains oddly composed for a troublemaker. I can't tell if crafting wounds, reopening them, and delving deeper is a hobby of his, but he certainly revels in the artistry of it all. That playful smirk dancing on his lips just before he tosses a bomb is infuriatingly teasing.

Silas, still holding his stoic expression, seemed to be the only one unfazed by the situation. Gregorie, undeterred by Silas's lack of response, pressed on.

"Silas, buddy, you've got to confirm this for us," Gregorie prodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Silas finally turned his gaze toward Gregorie, his expression unreadable. "I play with Hugo," he stated simply.

Gregorie chuckled, seemingly amused by the exchange. "nope!" he said, addressing Silas. "I love you too much, can't let go of you buddy"

Hugo nodded, though his annoyance was evident. "Fine by me," he muttered, "Me and Bee, you and Silas," Hugo added. Gregorie stifled a laugh upon hearing my nickname, then sauntered over to Silas, draping his arm casually around his shoulder and addressing him as "buddy."