Drowning With You

CH. 5 💋

LOUIE'S POV

Sitting on my bed, Matt is scrolling on his phone while I finish an assignment for class, while we both watch a movie. This seems to be a common theme for us, being in our own worlds yet right next to each other. It's great.

Of course, we start conversations once and a while, but we don't mind silent time.

"Oh yeah, Joel broke up with Victoria. Apparently she hung out with Miguel in the lounge and Joel got angry." He doesn't look up from his phone as he talks, but he brushes his hands through his fluffy, blonde hair.

"Aren't Victoria and Miguel, like—best friends?" I ask, remembering that they've been family friends since they were five years old.

"Yeah. She swore nothing happened, but Joel didn't believe her," he continues. "I don't know, I feel like it's iffy. I mean, you and me? Friends. Sure, I'm straight and you're hot as hell, but I don't want you like that."

"Right. Back at ya. I mean, we don't have confirmation that they didn't do anything—Victoria and Miguel—but it's completely possible that they didn't do anything," I add in, because while I know people cheat and it happens often, I also think platonic friendships are possible.

"Exactly. I guess I'm not in his position, so I guess I'm not one to talk here." Now, he's off of his phone and leaning on the wall, looking at me as we talk.

"Isn't it strange though? Like, relationships are built on the trust between you and your partner, but if your girlfriend hangs out with another guy, that means they are cheating? I guess if they don't communicate, it could be suspicious, but completely ruining a relationship based on a complete assumption...?" I keep going, "such as lesbians, right? A woman dating another woman, but most of women's best friends are also another woman. Does the same idea apply? Is that girl not allowed to hang out with another girl, since she has a girlfriend? What about bisexuals? Can they not have friends at all?" I question, receiving nods from him as I speak.

"Completely my point, Louie. Relationships... it's as if people have no trust in their partner. If I get a girlfriend and she is angry about you being my friend or us hanging out, I honestly think I'd pick you. And I love you, obviously not romantically, but you are my best friend. Sure, maybe we might need to hang out in more public places, valid, but still," he admits, and I give him a smug smile, since he rarely tells me how much I mean to him.

"What I'm saying is that I value the trust of someone and if they can't trust me when I say I do not want you like that, then I can't stay there." He lays down on his stomach, going back to his phone and scrolling.

"I love you too, by the way. You're pretty cool. I guess," I tell him.

"Yeah, thanks."

I go back to my assignment work until fifteen minutes before I have to meet up with Winter.

"On my way to the ice queen, I will update you on how it goes once I get back," I promise, then we both leave my dorm and I lock the door behind me.

The walk to the pool is an easy walk, just a few minutes. Winter of course is already there and ready, her swimsuit and cap already on. I'm still in my pajamas, planning to change once I got here. Goodness gracious, time freak!

I meet her back out on deck, her hands on her hips and an annoyed look on her face. Her cheekbones are noticeable, a light blush across them as she sees me.

"Wow, on time today?" she jokes, although we both know it's not really a joke. 

"I just couldn't wait to see you." I give her a fake warm smile and bat my eyelashes at her. She only rolls her eyes and turns towards the water.