Silent Pain

Part 7

"You sure you want to watch it?" Aleks asked Chris, knowing that something had happened between them. She snuggled with him on the sofa.
"Yes, I want to see what's kept him so busy." Chris said and turned to the channel.
Throughout watching, Aleks kept an eye on Chris, knowing he was vulnerable to things upsetting him. They both watched, Chris seeming anxious. When they got to where he and Craig used to live, he seemed more attentive. But, when he wasn't mentioned, he seemed to somewhat become reserved. Infact he seemed upset.
When it had finished, Chris got up rather quickly,
"You alright?" she asked, watching as he walked to the stairs,
"Im fine." He lied and walked into his room.
Aleks wanted to follow, but decided not to. He needed his own space.

By the time Chris had woken up, he knew he was going to be late. He hadn't said a word to Aleks all night or this morning. He felt bad about it, but he couldn't express how he felt. As he drove to UKTV Live, he wondered how things would be between him and Craig today. Parking the car, he saw Robert's already there. Locking up, he wondered whether Craig had even thought about him. Had he even once thought about how he'd feel.
Walking to the 'blue room', he saw Doug, Craig and Robert waiting, holding drinks. A 'steward' confirmed that Chris was there.
"Aah here he is." Doug said happily,
"What took you so long?" Robert asked, giving him a look which asked 'you okay?'
"Traffic. It erm, was bad." Chris smiled, trying to hide the fear of Craig. Craig seemed to ignore him completely. The reason for his lateness was because Aleks wouldn't let him leave until he'd eaten something, but he wouldn't tell Robert that.
"So, erm, how's the leg Craig?" Chris asked, noticing he was limping slightly.
"its fine." He said, almost too harshly.
Robert looked as if he was going to say something to him, but resisted. Doug, Robert and Craig left together onto the 'blue carpet'. Chris went in minutes later, on his own.
As they all had their photos taken, Chris felt somewhat nervous. He knew Craig had something against him, but didn't know what. He acted friendly around him when they had a group photo, but that was all.

************

As they walked as a group to interviews, Chris tried to talk to Craig. When as they waited to go onto periscope for their interview, he'd tried to start a conversation. Nothing. He was too busy using Robert as a leaning post and talking with him. He wanted that to be him. He wanted Craig to use him as a post instead. Why Robert? Why everyone else but him?
When they got to the interview, it made Chris feel rather nervous. All this technology wasn't his area, and he was worried he'd do something wrong.
"Alright, we ready?" The presenter asked them.
They all said they were and a person started the periscope. They held their tablet in the air to record them. Chris became confused at the fact that they were filming on one, but there was a screen below them showing the same thing.

As they did the interview, the pain from his side began to remind him it was there. He tried to hide it, which he managed, but he knew soon he wouldn't be able to. Craig's actions weren't helping him anyway.
When they were told that the connection had cut out, Chris took the opportunity to speak to Craig.
He tried, but wasn't sure, watching as Robert spoke with him. He felt he should speak to him, but he was scared.
Then, the presenter asked Craig what he was drinking. When he told him, he wanted to join in. When he did join in, Craig didn't reply and it was just him and the presenter now. He sighed internally, hoping it wasn't showing.
When Robert recorded the Periscope, he felt somewhat happier and could get near Craig without getting attacked. When Robert wanted to know the hashtag, Chris noticed it was on the side of the booth they were in. He told Robert where it was, but it was Craig that took the credit. For some reason, everyone seemed to love Craig right now. He sighed and looked around, cameras everywhere. He didn't like this. He wished he'd stayed at home. Why did he come here? He felt so alone. He wanted attention. He knew it could have a bad impact on him but he got his phone out anyway. He had bought his first mobile in 1995 and never upgraded it after that. The comments he received from Robert and Craig didn't impact. He had attention, he liked it. After the interview, they walked down the corridor to find another interviewer. Chris sighed, another one? He didn't want to be here. He wanted to be home.