Monstercat University I

Chapter 013

[Tristam's POV]

I don't know what to do now. This whole thing was probably ten times more awkward for Dilumi than it was for me. But I can't handle this on my own. I have to tell someone about it, and I know I can trust Braken. When I walk back into my dorm, I notice that Aero Chord has assumed his normal sleeping position and Noisestorm has moved to his bed while I was gone. Braken is awake and is sitting up on his bed with his knees spread apart and his hands folded in his lap, looking up at me expectantly as I walk in. "Well, how did it go?" he asks me.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know, you and Dilumi," Braken says, smiling. Now I'm a little confused about how he knew what we were doing if he was asleep this whole time. He makes room for me on the bed, and I sit next to him.
"Well, we went for a walk, and..." I hesitate a little.
"...and what?"
"She asked me if I want us to be more than friends," I say.
"Do you?" I wasn't exactly expecting this from Braken, and I didn't really have much time to consider it.
"Well..." I look at the floor, and Braken waits patiently. I've never had a good, honest conversation with myself on the topic, and I've never been willing to admit this to anyone. But the time has come when I have to be honest. "Yeah, sometimes," I finally say in a quiet voice.
"What did you tell her?"
"Nothing," I say simply. "I didn't have time to." She probably thought I would never answer. And really, I would have answered. I was just caught off guard and needed a minute to decide how. I need to fix this. Which brings me back to the question of what the heck I'm supposed to do now. "So what do I do?" I ask Braken. I figure he will immediately say he knows nothing, but instead he considers it for a minute.
"Answer her question," Braken says finally, shrugging.
"And how am I supposed to do that now?!" I exclaim, wishing he would be more specific.
"That's up to you," Braken says, starting to smirk a little. "But please delete that picture of me off your phone."
"Wh-what?!"
"I heard you take it, now delete it," Braken says, reaching towards the pocket where I keep my phone. I lean back, my eyes wide.
"You mean you were awake that whole time?!"
"Nope, he dozed off," comes Noisestorm's voice. I look over towards his bed and realize he's awake now too.
"I did not!!" Braken says, distracted from my phone.
"Braken, I heard you snore," Aero Chord says. Now everybody's awake. I'm too shocked to say anything. Braken gives one of those 'I-will-kill-you' looks to Alex and then looks back at me and grins sheepishly.
"Braken, I'm gonna get you so good," I say, shaking my head.
"Come at me," Braken says, throwing his hands up. I lunge at him and pin him to the bed, starting to tickle him. He gives an involuntary yell of surprise and then starts to laugh uncontrollably, trying with all his might to push me away with yells of 'ow, get off me' and 'stop it, Leo'. When I finally let go, Braken punches me in the arm. "I pushed you away," he starts to sing, snapping his fingers. I roll my eyes and facepalm. Here they go again. Aero Chord and Noisestorm take no time in joining in.
"IT'S TOO LATE TO COME BACK NOW, I'M GONNA CLOSE THE DOOR TO MY HEEEEAAART!!!!" all three of them scream in horribly off-key voices. I cover my ears.
"When are you guys gonna stop?!" I ask them, but I can't help grinning.
"KEEP IT DOWN IN THERE!!" I hear someone shout from another room. We all burst into laughter.
"Tristam, sing the French part," Noisestorm pleads.
"Uuuggghhh, no," I groan.
"Tristy," Braken corrects Noisestorm.
"Shut up," I snap at Braken, grabbing the pillow from behind him and swinging at him with it. He ducks and puts his hands up defensively, then looks back at me, his face twisted into a glower.
"Delete the freaking picture."