Unraveled

ZION

"My affection for you was strong,
but his obsession with you was stronger"
....

Oliver was seated on Zion's couch, legs crossed, jaw set with a determined look. He seemed different than Zion remembered, more composed, more intense, and with an aberrant edge that wasn't there before. Of course, it was only natural. It had been a long time.

Zion placed his cup of tea on the table and sat beside Oliver, studying him.
His hair had darkened to a light brown though traces of blond from their childhood still shimmered beneath. He was dressed in formal attire that radiated authority, he no longer resembled the goofy teenager who had ding-dong -ditched houses with him. A sense of intimidation crept over Zion, mingling with nostalgia.

"How did you—"

"There's only one apartment complex in this town," replied Oliver, leaning in to grasp his tea.
He took a sip, then fixed Zion with his piercing blue eyes, that seemed to hold an unusual vehemence.

"Why do you look like you've got a stick up your ass?" he asked, catching Zion off guard.

"W-what?" he stammered, face flushing.

Oliver let out a loud laugh, patting him on the back with an unexpected familiarity that made Zion uneasy. "Seriously, lighten up dude. When did you get so uptight?"

"Maybe because I got a phone call barely 30 minutes ago demanding I leave the apartment?" he replied, trying to maintain his composure. He found himself more easily irritated these days.

"Oh that. Did I not make it clear? I need you to leave." Oliver's smile held steady, but it felt mismatched with his gaze. Zion could feel a subtle ambiguity in the way he spoke, as if the request was both casual and utterly serious.

Zion blinked a few times and sighed. "Why Oliver? What could possibly be the problem with me staying here? It's unreasonable, and I can't really shift all my stuff again. I even bought furniture!"

"It's complicated," he replied. "Just move in at the motel. It's closer to my place and we can hang out often."

Zion sighed, "I'll think about it." he said hoping to shut Oliver up, he seemed to be as stubborn as he remembered— at least that much was the same.

A faint buzzing broke the silence that had settled. Oliver's phone, lying face down on the table, vibrated with an incoming call. He silenced it without a glance.

"You're not going to answer?" Zion asked. "What if it's your dad calling about the project?"

"Probably not, he let me off himself.... even if it is, I need a break from it sometimes. It's too much work for me."
He pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back into the couch, exhaling as if the mere mention of the project wore him out. He then turned his head to Zion. "You were saying?"

"Right...well, like I said, I'll think about moving to the motel, but I still don't see why it's a big deal." Zion said.

Oliver let out a long sigh, "Have you spoken to anyone here?" he asked, discarding the previous topic.

"Uh, not really. Just the lady—"

Oliver's phone buzzed again, this time with a message. He picked it up, glanced at the notification and slid it back into his pocket without opening it.

"How about we watch a movie?" he asked, shooting Zion a grin that seemed just a bit too wide.

"Right now? I have a lot to—"

"I'm only free now. Let's watch it now." Oliver stated calmly, but something in the way he said it hinted it was more than just a casual invitation.