Tripping Down 12 Steps Into Malibu

Loner

Ryan sat by himself at his usual table in the corner of the cafeteria. He'd already eaten the apple slices from his plate. Nothing else looked particularly appetizing. The fries looked soft. The soda was warm. And he didn't trust square shaped pizza. He pushed the tray to the side and glanced around the room.

He wasn't the only one sitting alone. About seven other people shared his preference of isolation. Yes, preference. Because he preferred sitting by himself. A couple of the others have tried to sit with him on numerous occasions. All being turned down in the rude Ryan Ross fashion. His own roommate had been denied a seat at his table.

Speaking of the devil, Brendon was being loud again. His roommate's distinctive laugh caught his attention immediately. He glanced over at the table. Always the most crowded one. Because Brendon was overly open to making new friends. Even in a place like this.

Ryan wondered what could be funny enough to make him laugh so hard. His head was thrown back. His large mouth was wide open. Raising the volume of his giggles. His hand came down on the table. Slapping it hard enough to shake the silverware. No one else around him was laughing the same way. They all seemed to be more entertained with just watching him.

He brought his hands up to wipe the moisture from his eyes. His frame still vibrating with amusement. He leaned close to Pete and whispered something to him. Making the man laugh along. The other people at the table didn't seem to mind their private jokes. Not even the boyfriend in the fedora. But Ryan did mind. He wanted to know what made Brendon laugh. Not for personal purposes. Just so he knew what to avoid.

As if he'd sensed Ryan's thoughts, Brendon looked over at him. The eye contact lasted no more than two seconds. Still, it made Ryan uncomfortable. Ryan's gaze snapped to the tray in front of him. His stomach twisted with embarrassment. He'd been caught staring at his roommate. No big deal. He'd just avoid looking at him for the rest of lunch.

Of course Ryan's eyes weren't going to cooperate with that plan. Because just seconds later he was stealing another glance that way. Only to find that Brendon was still staring at him. Ryan's eyebrows lowered in confusion at his gaze. The other table members didn't seem to notice his sudden lack of participation in their group discussion.

His deep brown eyes burned into Ryan's skin. Unblinking. Unapologetic. Ryan wanted to look away, but it was impossible. Brendon had the kind of eyes that damn near dared you to look away, while taunting you to stare at the same time. And Ryan wasn't one to shy away from a challenge.

He kept his gaze focused on Brendon's unwavering one. Feeling it become harder and harder for him to breathe properly. His peripheral vision noticed Pete leaning into Brendon's side again. Lifting his hand up to block his mouth as he whispered something in his ear.

Brendon arched a brow. The only indication that he was Listening to what his friend was saying. His gaze remained impassive for about three seconds before he cracked. He bursted out laughing. Turning his head towards Pete, who was also laughing at his own joke. Loser.

Ryan exhaled in relief when he was able to look away. He won. Good. Great. He placed his elbows on the table and his face in his hands. That was it. He was never sitting in a position where he could look at that table again after today. From now on he was going to sit with his back facing them.

"Hey?"

He jumped at the unexpectedly close voice. Sliding his hands from his face to see who'd decided to interrupt his private freak out. It was Pete's little boyfriend. The one in the fedora. Patrick was his name. Ryan remembered because he had the same name as the stupid Spongbob character.

"What do you want?" No need for politeness.

"I was just wondering if you're going to eat that?" He pointed to the tray.

"No." Ryan slid it towards him. "Have fun."

"Cool." He pulled the seat across from him out and sat down. "Thanks."

"I prefer to sit alone."

"Yeah." He bit one of the unappealing fries. "I've noticed."

"So if you don't mind-"

"I've also noticed that you like to stare at Brendon."

"What? I do not!"

"Sure you do." He smiled. "You've been doing it all day."

"No I haven't."

"If you like him, why don't you just tell him? He might like you too." He ate a few more fries.

"Okay first of all, he has a boyfriend. Second I don't like him at all. I barely know him."

"But this place can be a bonding experience. Makes people closer."

"I don't like Brendon, okay? He's the most annoyingly optimistic, loud mouth, pushy-"

"Yeah, yeah." Patrick rolled his eyes as he stood up. "Just be a little more discrete when you're staring at him then." He pushed the plate back to Ryan. Lifting the pizza from it. "Pete's favorite." He explained, walking back over to his table.

Ryan's eyes followed the short man. He sat the pizza in his boyfriend's plate. Pete looked incredibly pleased by the small gesture. He kissed Patrick's cheek when he sat back down beside him. Brendon laughed with the rest of the table. His smiling eyes found their way over to Ryan again.

This time Ryan wasn't in the mood for a staring match. He pushed himself away from the table. Keeping his head lowered as he passed them. Exiting the cafeteria.