Downside Up

Chapter Twenty-Three (Freaks of Nature - Broods, Tove Lo)

I loved living with the Mellets almost as much as I loved living in the O2L house. It was fun and there were always people around, but I had to face Troye's parents daily and though they were nice people I always felt like they were judging me. Just a little bit.

Troye and I spent a lot of time together. We watched movies and documentaries and some videos of our friends and had a fun time. I also had some nice hours with Oli, we still kept up our act and we both noticed that neither Troye nor Tyde liked our interaction too much. But I had promised her to tell them soon and as long as they did not know everything would stay the same way.

Every morning, before Troye woke up, I would go for a swim in the Mellets' pool and I enjoyed the semi-cold water that brushed against my skin a lot. It calmed me down and through this morning work out my days had a great basis.

One day when I got out of the pool my best friend was already sitting in the kitchen, playing on his phone and considering that he was in now way a morning person I was more than surprised.

"Tro", I finally spoke up, "is everything okay with you?" I was actually worried about him, but he started laughing.

"I couldn't be better!" He seemed like his usual self, but still I could not quite believe it. He was always grumpy in the morning hours since I knew him.

"Why are you up this early then?", I asked.

"Well, I've got some plans for today and it would've been a waste of time if I would've stayed in bed any longer." Plans were even more unlike the boy I knew and I couldn't resist asking him about them.

"Plans? That sounds good! Am I allowed to come along?"

"You are - actually it would be pretty boring without you." He smiled at me and I tried to smile back and let it be, but my curiosity prevailed.

"So, what are we going to do?"

"It's a surprise", he stated. He could not be serious!

"Oh come on, you have to tell me! Otherwise, I won't be dressed properly."

He started laughing and shook his head.

"As if you would care that much about your appearance! I would recommend some casual and comfortable clothes and you should bring your camera along. We will be away for the whole day tho ..."

I started laughing as well because his advice was actually useful.

"Okay, fine. I'll go get dressed then." With that, I left the kitchen and walked across the hallway to the bathroom.

"But don't take too long", Tro shouted after me and I shook my head before I realized that he wasn't able to see me anymore.

"I won't", I promised and I really did try to hurry up. It took me only a few minutes to get ready, which seemed like a world record to me and when I came back into the kitchen, Troye had already prepared some breakfast for the two of us.

When he turned around his eyes widened and his cheeks turned slightly reddish.

"Do you like what you see, Tro?", I asked him playfully because he probably hadn't realized that he was basically staring at me. He quickly turned away, but still looked as cute as previously when he was focused on my body.

"Of course. You know, there is a reason for all those teenage girls to fall in love with you head over heels every day." I laughed and tried to play it off, but I knew that he meant it exactly how he said it.

"Oh, Tro - if I would only like them as much as I like my best friend." As soon as I registered what I had just said my gaze dropped onto my plate and I didn't dare to look up to see Troye's reaction.