Big Reputation // Patelgraves

Mascara

Notes 

I finally finished it! Chapter 2! Between writing on the train, to staying up late and writing on my phone, I finally completed the chapter. I have been so eager to write it I have been writing whenever I can! PatelGraves brainrott! Anyways, I hope you enjoy.

. . .

Gideon found himself unable to speak. His mouth became dry and immobile, despite his lips trembling with the effort to form words. He longed to express himself to Julie, but no words escaped. Whether it was the fear of Julie's potential reaction, the worry of losing her, or the possibility of losing Matthew, something prevented him from confessing. He sensed an underlying issue but couldn't pinpoint it, feeling the need for more time to understand his emotions.

"Gideon?" Julie's voice came through the phone.

Taking a shaky breath, Gideon adopted a false demeanour, burying his turmoil deep inside. He couldn't burden Julie with his own issues tonight; she had enough to deal with already.

"Hey there, everything okay?" Gideon's tone shifts smoothly, his skill at manipulation and deception making it easy to appear calm after his recent breakdown.

Julie glanced back at Ramona, Roxie, and Kim, who were comforting her. "She's... holding up. How's the party?" she inquired.

Swallowing hard, Gideon maintained his facade. "Well, actually, I left after everyone I personally invited had departed. Felt a bit drained, so I headed back to my room to watch some anime." It wasn't a complete lie; he just conveniently omitted Matthew's presence.

Julie let out a heavy sigh, recognizing Gideon's typical behaviour. She glanced back at Ramona with a sense of sadness.

"I should go. We'll talk tomorrow, okay? Try to enjoy the rest of your night. And trust me, if I get my hands on Scott, I'll kill him!" Julie vowed, her frustration evident.

Gideon chuckled softly, though guilt gnawed at him. He had essentially done to Julie what Scott had done to Ramona, and the guilt weighed heavily on him.

"Alright, love. Talk to you later," Gideon said before hanging up, deliberately avoiding any mention of Matthew or the kiss. He simply couldn't bring himself to tell her, not yet.

Gideon took a sharp breath, his mind swirling with shame and confusion. Gripping his phone tightly, he stood in the corridor, grappling with his next steps. He hadn't told Julie, and Matthew was in his room, overwhelmed with emotion. Could things possibly get any more complicated? He knew he had to go back inside and confront Matthew, admit he hadn't confided in Julie, and endure the judgement he anticipated from him. It was all so frustratingly tangled. This wasn't how he had envisioned things unfolding. Matthew couldn't stay the night; Gideon intends to have a conversation with him and then send him back to his own room. Being around him right now was unbearable.

Gideon takes an extra moment to compose himself, realising the importance of maintaining composure. He knows he mustn't reveal too much emotion and must handle the situation with care. Numerous thoughts flood his mind, including the unexpected sparks he felt between them. He questions what significance they hold and ponders their compatibility. The idea of a connection between a musical theatre enthusiast with questionable fashion sense and a wealthy, intelligent entrepreneur seems improbable. Despite the sparks, Gideon decides to push aside these thoughts for now, considering them possibly misguided. He wonders if sparks can even be misinterpreted. Shaking off the notion, he adjusts his glasses and heads back inside, closing the door behind him as he heads to his bedroom.

Matthew sat on the bed, sniffling as he struggled to regain his composure before Gideon's return. He knew he needed to apologise and leave promptly. His appearance was dishevelled, with tousled hair, red and puffy eyes, and streaks of black mascara running down his face from crying. Despite his state, there was a certain beauty to Matthew, even in distress. Gideon couldn't help but pause, momentarily captivated by his appearance, though he knew he shouldn't feel this way, given recent events. He quickly composed himself and prepared to speak, but before he could, Matthew spoke up.