Smarty Pants (boyxboy)

CHAPTER 5

After I'd knocked on the door, I heard several rummaging sounds from around. I hear rapid footsteps, then the door is swung open by none other than Connor himself.

“Welcome!” He practically yells at me as he steps aside to let me into his humble abode. I look around a bit, the familiar rooms of his apartment coming into view. “Hasn't changed much.” I ignore the newly added addition of three pet cats. He doesn't though.

“I got three new cats! Sparky, Jiggy, and Roman.” I chuckle at the names he tells me, finding them to be highly unusual names for cats. “God, you're weird.” I jokingly say to him as I make my way to the living room.

“Shut up, ya came here for a reason, so spit it out.” He sits on the couch, one of the cats immediately going to sit on his lap and the other jumping as far away from the couch as possible. I sit down next to him, taking a moment to get comfortable before I open my mouth to speak.

“There's this guy I like, right? I do a whole heck of a lot to show him that, but the idiot just doesn't realize.” I explain to Connor and he gradually nods his head along with my statement.

“Oh, hey, that happened to me once.” Is the first thing that comes out of his mouth, absolutely not helpful at all.

“So what did you do?” I ask him, a little hesitant at first because I know his answer will be stupid as hell.

“I just asked him if he wanted to hook up. After that, he practically fell in love with me but things ended once he moved away.” He explains as if he's some girl gossiping to me.

I frown and roll my eyes, already quite annoyed. “And what do you think I should do?”

“Oh, maybe just ask him out?” He shrugs his shoulders before scooting just a tad bit closer to me. The cat on his lap quickly ran off.

“Ugh, he'll just think I'm joking.” I rub at my temples, feeling a headache coming on from all this thinking.

“I dunno, make him jealous?” He shrugs once again, being way less helpful than I expected. Though honestly, I shouldn't have expected much.

“Dude, be serious. I can't get this out of my head.” I cover my face with both my hands, letting out a long sigh.

“Hmm…Maybe I could help take your mind off things?” He whispers, getting even closer, close enough to lay a sweaty palm on my thigh.

I look back at him, a confused look on my face. Is he really implying something like that? “What?”

…

What a drag. How boring. How dull. Bored out of my mind. What a bore.

Those words drive through my head as I try my best to complete the last bits of my homework for the week. I can't help but to sigh and run a hand through my hair.

I should take a break.
Do I really have time for that?

With a huff, I push away from my desk, grabbing my phone as I do. I stand up and hurry to grab a sweater and to slip on some shoes.

I make my way out of the dorm building and to the nearest gas station. I needed a break, so here I am at a gas station. For a break.

At least, it was supposed to be a break; until a certain someone showed up. The bell ring of the door opening, in comes Jeremiah.

Fortunately, he doesn't notice me at first, though as I watch him I can already feel my face heating up. It's almost funny to watch him this way, going up to the counter and buying a pack of cigarettes along with a lighter.

I should stop him, I know. But I think I'd rather he not notice me. So I quickly grab all the little snacks I want and hurry to the counter once he leaves.

This process goes by quickly, my items are scanned, I hand over money, I leave. It's oh so simple, yet one step must be interrupted for it to be true. I exit the gas station, barely looking up from my own two feet as I walk out.

“Vince?”

Shit.

I stop in my tracks, letting out a long sigh before I turn to him, a nasty scowl on my face. “Jeremiah.” I say simply, not giving him an ounce of my own humiliation quite yet.

“Funny seeing you here.” He leans against the wall of the gas station, lighting up a cigarette.

“How so?” I ask, tilting my head to the side with a questioning smirk upon my face.

He sort of shrugs his shoulders, focusing more on the flame of his lighter than me thankfully. “Just don't expect you to be out so late.” He responds tamely.

He doesn't seem to be acting like his usual self, he's much more calm right now. I mean, I came here to take a break, it won't hurt to make it a little longer if I stay and chat.

“I just needed a break from studying real quick.” I knock the scowl right of my face, turning to an expression of neutrality.

He takes a drag from his burning cigarette, letting that acrid smell reap into the air “Boring.” He practically rolls his eyes, looking away from me. The one time I really stay to talk and he's barely responding, how discourteous.

I take a second to think of my next question, I don't want to ask something too personal I suppose. “Why are you out here so late?” I ask carefully, almost scared to learn the answer.

“Meet up with a friend.” “At this hour?” He nods his head, a look not of interest on his face. “He's a weird guy. Very demanding.” He responds with a short lived chuckle.

“Oh. Well, get back soon.” I tell as I turn away, ready to get back to the dorms, ready to get back to mindless studying.

“Wait-!” He suddenly exclaims, forcing me to look back at him. “Let's walk together.” He commands more than suggests.

I give him a simple nod of the head and begin walking as he follows along.

“Vince, why do you try so hard to ignore me at school?” He asks me straight out of the blue, no heads up or anything.

“I-I do not! You're just annoying at school.” I stutter, having barely made up a worthy excuse for my ignorism.

He hums, letting out a breath before his next words. “You're so dumb sometimes.” He mutters out.

I quickly turn my head to face him and take a step to the side to make more distance between us. “What?”

“You're totally oblivious. I mean, how much longer must I tease you for you not to be?” He shrugs and shoves his hands into his pockets.

“Stop saying weird things. I won't walk with you if you don't.” I threaten, quickly silencing the man.

Neither of us talks for a moment, creating an awkward essence. And just as I think of another thing to say, we reach the dorm building. We go inside, go our separate ways, and I return to my room.