I Have To Share A Room With This Strange, Delinquent, Gorgeous Boy? WHY ME!?(1)

28)I Have To Share A Room With This Strange, Delinquent, Gorgeous Boy? WHY ME!?

Tom’s plan was crazy, to say the least. But to be honest, it did make some sense. I knew how badly Tom wanted to turn Rocket back into the guy he knew four years ago, and I really wanted that too. But whatever the result of this outrageous scheme there was one thing I was absolutely sure of, it would be interesting. If Rocket really was serious when he told me all that stuff in the hospital, surely seeing me with his best friend would provoke a ton of jealously, if not also anger. That way, we would have physical proof that he is jealous of Tom. It wasn’t the most foolproof of ideas, but it was worth a shot anyway. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?

Overall, going swimming with everyone turned out to be a lot of fun. It definitely took my mind off of things, despite the fact that I very nearly drowned several times. It felt good to be able to enjoy myself and goof around with my friends like a normal teenager, without having to worry about which of my loved ones was in hospital and why the hell Rocket acts so weird all the time. Not that I wouldn’t be worrying about that the moment I left the swimming pool anyway.

We didn’t leave until the pool closed at 7pm. I think the staff and lifeguards were glad to see us finally go - they must have been getting sick of us. I planned on catching the bus straight to the hospital to pay Rocket a quick visit, and then catching the bus home. But just as I was about to do so, I heard Tom call my name. He ran up to me and offered me a ride to the hospital, but he also proposed that then would be a good time to announce our “relationship” to Rocket. I agreed, though I was nervous.

My nerves only increased as we stood outside of Rocket’s ward, about to go in.

“He’s so not going to buy this.” I stated timidly.

“Chill out, it’ll be fine.” Tom insisted.

“Does he know you’re gay?” I asked.

“I haven’t told him, no.” he said “And if I had, I wouldn’t have suggested this plan in the first place.”

“It just feels so mean…” I muttered.

“But we’re doing it for his benefit, remember? It will be better for him in the end, I promise.”

“If you insist…” I said uneasily. Tom took my hand in his, for appearance purposes, and we entered the room. Rocket’s eyes fell immediately onto our joined hands, then he gave us both a stern and questioning look.

“Dude, we have some news.” Tom announced “Hero and I are together now. Isn’t that awesome?”

I forced a weak smile, and watched Rocket’s expression turn dubious.

“Since when?” he asked.

“Since a couple of hours ago.” Tom replied “She’s a really great girl. I’m surprised you didn’t get to her first.”

I detected a flicker of anger in Rocket’s expression, but it remained doubtful, “Are you guys fucking with me? ‘Cause this really isn’t funny.”

“Oh shit, he doesn’t believe us. Well that just sent that plan down the drain. What do we do now?”

“We aren’t fucking with you, dude.” Tom insisted, “Here, watch this…”

He kissed me on the lips, but it was quick and friendly…and not very convincing. I doubt Rocket would have been surprised if he had done that under regular circumstances. I cringed internally.

“We’re trying to take it slow.” I blurted, attempting to make the situation seem real. Rocket simply looked at us disbelievingly. Giving up on the persuasive techniques, Tom guided me to Rocket’s bed, his hand still in mine, where we both sat down.