Time After Time

Cupid the Messenger

Mitch had a cloth in his hand, wiping absent-mindedly at the layers of food that covered almost every surface in the room when Kirstie finally spoke up.

"You told him, didn't you?"

"Fuck, Kirst, I never meant to. It was just... I don't know. I was thinking, just feeling and now I've ruined everything!" the brunette man threw the cloth across the room as he finished speaking, his frustration boiling over.

"You haven't, okay? He's just scared and confused, honey,"

"He's acting like he hates me,"

"He's not sure how to treat you," Kirstie sighed.

"Just let him break my heart, then. No need to make it harder for the both of us," Mitch murmured, tears in his eyes. He tried to focus on the sound of the shower running in the bathroom, but that only made it worse.

"Mitch... Mitchie, it's okay. It's going to be okay," she whispered, wrapping her arms around the countertenor, who finally broke down, unable to maintain his happy facade.

"I need him; I can't lose him," Mitch spoke quietly in between harsh sobs. 

"You won't," Kirstie said softly into Mitch's ear, holding the younger man as he wept.

"I just want him to like me," Mitch muttered as he managed to regain a little control of his breathing

"Just give him time."

"I'm scared, Kirst. It's not just that - I-I've... I," Mitch broke down again, hyperventilating in the long haired woman's arms.

"You haven't been eating, have you?" the hushed words may as well have been screamed out at the top of her lungs. Mitch was feeling exposed, undressed, bare, so he fought his way from his friend's grasp, and tried to run. He was a quivering mess, his friend's words replying through his head, and he didn't get far before his legs buckled underneath him. Like a deer caught in headlights, he stared up at the woman.

"How did you?" he managed to choke out. Kirstie kneeled down in front of the shaking countertenor and grasped one of his hands.

"Scott mentioned it, honey. He's worried about you."

"I want to eat," Mitch whispered, "but I'm scared."

"Why are you scared, Mitchie?" Mitch looked away.

"I want people to like me," he spoke quietly to the wall that was now opposite him, not glancing around to judge his friend's response. The woman frowned at the side of the brunette man’s head.

"People do like you, though.”

“I want to be loved, Kirst. I want to be loved and not beaten. The only person I trust enough is Scott and he won’t want me if I’m fat and ugly,” the younger man had rivers flowing from his eyes, dripping down his face and onto the floor below him. Gently, Kirstie reached out and helped to move her friend’s head towards her. Looking into his pain-filled, red rimmed eyes made Kirstie’s own eyes fill with tears.

“You’re not fat, or ugly. Anyone would be lucky to have someone as sweet as you. You’re kind, you’re patient and yeah- sure- you’re a little too sensitive at times, but we all have our flaws, eh? I mean, Scott in there’s too dumb to realize why he’s stuck by you,” Kirstie said softly to her friend, who frowned. His tears had started to slow, and he wiped his face with the back of his hand before taking a deep breath.

“What do you mean?”

“Just give him time, honey. He’ll work it out.”

“I don’t understand... what will he work out?”

“It needs to come from him, Mitch. I can’t keep playing messenger,” she sighed, mumbling, “or Cupid,” under her breath.

“What if he never does?” Mitch murmured.

“He will,” Kirstie began confidently, “or else I’ll kick his butt,” she smiled. Not even Mitch’s sadness could prevent the corners of his mouth from upturning into a smile at the mental image of the long haired woman attempting to take on Scott.

“He’s like, six feet taller that you are, girl!” the countertenor grinned, rubbing his eyes with his fingers in an attempt to remove the last of his tears. Kirstie laughed and wrapped an arm around Mitch, who hugged the short woman.

“I should totally do it though.”

“Only if Avi and Kevin help you,” Mitch chuckled.

“And not you?” Kirstie smiled, rolling her eyes.

“Bitch, please, do I look like I want to be surrounded by sweaty- wait,” the pair burst into hysterical laughter, holding onto one another. Neither of them heard the water being shut off, their incessant giggling smothering all other noise. They didn’t even notice when Scott appeared in the room, but both were snatched from their enjoyment by the blonde slamming his bedroom door. The pair, visibly startled, looked at one another with wide eyes.

“I’m going to go home and let you two talk,” Kirstie said simply, “We can sort the mess out in there tomorrow,” she said, nodding her head toward the kitchen. Still in her food covered clothes, and with raw egg in her long hair, the short woman grabbed her stuff and left. Mitch, after a few minutes had passed, reluctantly stood up and headed towards Scott’s bedroom.

“It’s now or never,” he whispered to himself as he knocked on the door.