Elliot

20 - What now?

The day after the party was nothing like Elliot had expected. Aaron had wanted to stay the night, but Elliot insisted he needed space, that he wanted to be alone. The truth was, he was grappling with the weight of his feelings for Nate, and the last thing he wanted was to complicate things further with Aaron.

But ever since that decision, Aaron had bombarded him with texts all night, keeping Elliot wide awake. Each message felt like a reminder of the tension between them, a reminder of the relationship Elliot was trying to distance himself from.

Elliot tossed and turned in his bed, staring at the ceiling as he read through Aaron's messages. They were a mix of playful banter and subtle hints of jealousy. "Hey, you up? Call me so we can talk each other to sleep," one read. Another one followed quickly: "Sure you don't want me to come over? Are you mad at me?" Elliot sighed, his heart heavy with guilt. He didn't want to hurt Aaron, but it was becoming clearer that he had to make a choice. The way he felt about Nate was undeniable; it was stronger than any connection he had with Aaron. Yet, Aaron seemed to view their relationship as something serious, and that made Elliot feel trapped.

He finally responded, trying to keep his tone light but knowing it was a delicate balance. "Not mad, just tired. Lots to think about."

A few seconds passed before Aaron replied, the message coming through with an urgency that made Elliot's stomach twist. "You sure? I thought we had fun at the party. I thought we were good."

Elliot rubbed his eyes, frustration bubbling up inside him. Were they good? Things felt different now. He couldn't shake the image of him and Nate dancing, their moment together lingering in his mind.

"Yeah, it was fun. Just need some space."

A few seconds after he'd sent that message his phone rang. "Space? Or time to think about that guy?" Aaron shot back, the jealousy creeping into his words.

Elliot felt his heart race. This was the moment he had been dreading, the confrontation he hadn't prepared for. "I'm not sure what you mean," he replied, trying to play it cool but knowing it was futile.

"C'mon, Elliot. I saw the way you looked at Nate all night. I'm not stupid. Are you still hung up on him?"

Elliot's heart sank. The truth hung heavily in the air, and he felt exposed. "Aaron, it's complicated..." he began, but the words felt inadequate.

"It's either me or him, right? Just tell me. Are we a thing, or not?"

That question made Elliot's stomach drop. He wanted to tell Aaron the truth, to lay everything out, but it felt too raw, too vulnerable. "I need time to figure things out. I'm sorry."

There was a pause on the other end, and when Aaron finally replied, his tone was cold. "I'm not going to let you slip away because of some flirt you two had. Elliot, you are mine."

Elliot's heart stopped at the finality in Aaron's words. "I'm not trying to..." he started, but he couldn't finish. The line went dead, and Elliot was left staring at his phone, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He tossed the phone aside, feeling a sense of dread and regret battling within him. Aaron had a right to feel hurt, but why was he so aggressive?

He got a few hours of sleep after that. His mind still racing but his body too exhausted to stay awake.
As he woke up Elliot dragged himself to the kitchen, the weight of the night pressing down on him like a heavy blanket. He turned on the coffee maker, watching as the machine began its rhythmic gurgle, the familiar sound offering a small sense of comfort amid the turmoil in his mind. His body felt heavy and tired, each movement feeling like a chore. As he waited for the coffee to brew, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest. Aaron's possessiveness had taken him by surprise, and it scared him. They had shared moments of closeness, but Aaron's jealousy was a new development that made Elliot question everything.