The Internship #Wattys2017

Chapter |30|: Maurice the expert

I don't know I think suspense can actually be a fun thing.. Depends on the person and the lies, But the thrill always leaves me off my seat~Maurice Mitchell

Standing outside of Maurice's house my hands became sweaty and my mouth was ridiculously dry. Approaching him after avoiding for weeks really puts a spin on things. He'll probably ask why and I'll have to lie to him once again and he'll tilt his head at me obviously reading me knowing that I'm lying. It's almost like he doesn't care about my lies.

No that can't be possible, If he didn't care about my lies then he wouldn't ask me questions. Then again no one can possibly be that oblivious to not understand the constant distance between their girlfriend and best friend.

I'm over thinking this.

"Faith? When did you get here?" He asked while running over to me. He was shirtless with sweat dripping down his abs and arms. He took out his earbuds and looked at me with a smile showing his perfectly white teeth. My eyes gaze drifted down to his V line that disappeared into his basketball shorts.

I have no idea what my problem is.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you ahead of time, I Uhm. It just came up"

"You don't have to apologize for being here, It's always good seeing my sweetheart" He looked over me. "Even though I haven't"

"That's why I came over, It's not my fa-"

"I know things have changed between you and Zach, I'm not sure why but I do know about it. It's kind of obvious"

He knows. I knew he knew. Although he doesn't know the full situation I knew he wasn't dumb enough to not figure it out. So why do I feel so horrible?

"I didn't think you'd notice"

He laughed. "Come on its like you forgot how we met, I observe" His face became straight. "Everything" He then smiled. "But it's a problem, You two are like the number one priorities I have. Can't have you two hating one another"

I laughed nervously. "Yeah, That's a huge problem, Which is why I will be visiting him later on"

"Why?" He furrowed his eyebrows. "I saw him jogging about two blocks over, He should be stopping by soon"

"Oh, Didn't expect that" I mumbled and he looked at me weirdly. "Just Blaire really wanted to spend time with him and it sucks they don't have the opportunity.. As of now"

He nodded and I watched Zach come over. "Right"

"What do we have here, Faith. Didn't expect to see you here" Zach smiled. "You know I've missed you so much"

I faked a smile. "I've missed you too, I should really call Blaire she wants to hang out with you"

"Oh no" He said dismissing the conversation. "Wouldn't wanna bother her, How about you give me her number later and I'll call her"

"Sounds like a plan" I said more sternly and Maurice tucked his bottom lip into his mouth both confused and trying not to laugh at our conversation.

"I have no idea what that was, But I'm going come inside you can join or just stand here and continue with this awkward play"

I laughed as he walked towards the door. Once he was far enough I stopped and turned to Zach with a straight face as he maintained a smile.

"Stop with the act"

"Little ole me? I am not acting faith, I'm simply being the best friend I have always been"

"That's what you call being a best friend? I call it being a phony"

He gasped. "That's not very nice"

"I'm done, Just do not ruin this for me" I said while turning around and he grabbed me then turned me back his direction.

"What exactly am I ruining Miss Gonzalez? Your opportunity to lie to my best friend about you being so innocent and pure? News flash" He leaned in close to my ear. "Wanting to have meaningless rough and amazing passionless sex with your boyfriend's best friend isn't something I'd label under Perfect Samaritan"

"And sleeping with your best friends girlfriend isn't perfect either"

He went in front of me and put his hands up in surrender. "Never said I was perfect"

**

Sitting in the living room I glanced at Zach every now and then as Maurice typed on his laptop getting ready for another 4 way Skype conference that he has to do later.

"Hey Maurice, I was wondering what's your favorite genre of books?" Zach asked while squinting his eyes at me.

"Uhm, I would probably say Drama, My least favorite is fantasy. It drives me crazy, Why?"

"Oh no reason, I was out earlier and these two women were having a debate on suspenseful books and drama"

He looked at him and pushed his glasses up before continuing typing. "I don't know I think suspense can actually be a fun thing.. Depends on the person and the lies, But the thrill always leaves me off my seat"

My mouth became dry as Zach smirked at me. "That's really interesting, What's your favorite type of suspense?"

"Suspense fits in with drama, Although it has a much more horror rhythm to it. You can't actually have a favorite suspense type. Unless it's possibly an unknown murderer or" He trailed. "A secret lover that ends deadly"

"Suspenseful is boring" I chimed in and Maurice continued typing as Zach looked at me.

"How so?"

"It seems forced, The main character only wants to have a normal life after making a very dangerous mistake. Mistakes are made. There's always one desperate person who takes it way too far"

"You sound almost.. Offended"

"Zach since when have you been interested in all of this?" Maurice asked while raising his eyebrows. "As long as I've known you thought writing was a form of nerdy language that would only be written down."

"I Just find it interesting, You two are so caught up in it just wanted to know what's so special about it"

"Well, How about you try and decide on a new career? If my mother decides to ask about you again I rather have something to brag about"

Zach looked at me once again. "I think I've already found my interest"