Giving It All For Nothing

Chapter Three

(Ben's POV)

Once we got off the bus, Marcus and I walked into the hotel to get our room keys and fill out anything that needed to be filled out while Winston and Ted stayed behind with the bus, getting all of our stuff together. Marcus talked to the attendant behind the counter while I stood next to him, ready for any questions that were thrown my way. I was half listening when I heard the lady say, "So how long have you two been together?"

Marcus scratched the back of his head nervously as he looked at me, causing me to turn into a bright red, sweaty mess. "Uh," I laughed nervously and looked at Marcus. "We're not, uh, together..."

The woman's eyes bulged out of her head as she apologized profusely, "It's just with how close you're standing and your hands, grazing each other ever so slightly, it seemed like a reasonable question."

We both looked at our hands and then he nudged mine unnoticeably quick, but I felt it and it made my stomach turn into a giant dumpster fire. Marcus acted as if it didn't bother him (getting my hopes up) and brushed it off as an honest mistake, reassuring the lady behind the counter.

She continued with her work and finally hand us our room keys, there was a mistake when we ordered the rooms months ago, accidently getting us 2 rooms with a king sized bed in each. I guess Winnie and Ted are going to be getting cozy these next two weeks. I couldn't help but notice Marcus's small smile when the lady informed us of the state of our rooms.

(Ted's POV)

As Marcus and Ben walked into the hotel to get us situated, Win and I stayed outside, gathering everything up and just making casual conversation. Eventually, Marcus and Ben came walking out of the hotel, walking even closer to each other than normal. Winston and I glanced at each other knowingly, they were so in love and yet so oblivious to the others' feelings.

It was like they were in their own little, confused, jumbled up world.

Ben and Winston picked up their bags and headed inside in an simple conversation and left me and Marcus outside with the last couple bags. At this point in time, Marc grabbed a cigarette from his bag, lighting it easily. He watched, disappointed, as Ben walked away into the hotel.

"You should tell him mate," I said glancing at him. "He deserves to know."

He took a drag, "Oh yeah, and what about Winston, doesn't he deserve to know?"

I scratched the back of my head and looked at the ground, kicking a loose pebble away from my feet, "That's different..."

Marcus laughed loudly, "How is it different, Ted? We're both bloody in love with them, we're in the same boat, stuck, in the same boat." He took another drag and patted my shoulder after flicking the cigarette into the ground, extinguishing it with his shoe. He picked up his bag and guitar and went inside.

"I guess you're right," I said as we walked into the hotel.

"I am right, Ted," He paused as we got into the elevator and rubbed his face, tired from the day's travels.

As we walked off and headed into separate rooms, I spoke up abruptly, "What if he doesn't feel the same way Marc?"

He looked at me with sad, tired eyes, he looked as if he was about to cry, "I guess," He paused. "If I tell Ben and it doesn't work out, we're both going to be miserable blokes aren't we." He smiled lightly and opened the door into his room, "See you in the morning, Ted."

I stood out in the hallway staring at the door until I built up enough courage to go in, finding Winston passed out on the bed with half his shirt on. I looked at him sadly and set down my bags, pulling his shirt off ever so carefully until it was laying in a heap on the floor. I tugged off my boots and pulled off my own shirt, placing a simple tight fitting t-shirt on over my bare chest. I sighed heavily and climbed into bed next to Winston.

He was passed out enough to move him slowly under the sheets with me. I watched him while snored softly, running my fingers ever so slightly through his hair. Marcus was right, we are in the same boat. I just may be worse off than him.