Alienated [✔] » k.th

14.

Joey

   "V, you're acting weird... Well, weirder than usual," I said as I watched him do pull ups from the ceiling fan.

   "Me? Acting weird?" He chuckled. "No way."

   "Ok, so since when have you been interested in exercise?"

   "Ever since I watched the health channel yesterday."

   "Oh, really?" Skeptism was clear in my voice.

   "Yes really. Care to join me?"

   "No, I have to get dressed for work. Have fun with that."

  I went to my room and got dressed. I put on my blacks shorts, white button up top, black suit jacket and white sneakers. I was going for business casual today. No one actually knows what business casual means, but everyone just goes along with it.

   I stepped back into the living room and he was now doing push ups with his legs up in the air on the coffee table.

   "Um, are you sure you're ok?"

   "Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about me," he insisted.

   "I'm gonna go to work. I'll make you some breakfast before I go." I walked into the kitchen and poured some orange juice.

   "No, I'm fine!"

   "I could make you some scrambled rocks or some shiz like that," I joked.

   "No you should go, it's almost noon."

I turned to see him standing in the doorway.

   "Why do you care about when I go to work?"

   "No reason," he shrugged. "No reason at all."

   I raised an eyebrow.

   "Are you hiding something from me, V?"

   "No." He frantically shook his head.

   "You sure?"

   "Yes."

   "... Because you seem to be sweating pretty hard."

   "That's from all the excersize." He tucked his hands under his sweaty armpits.

   "Are you sure?" I asked again.

   "I said yes." He nodded. "Please stop repeating yourself."

   "Ok, if you insist." I placed the juice back in the fridge. "I'll be going now."

   "Thank you." He sighed under his breath.

   "Are you... Trying to get me out?"

   "No," he shook his hands. "I mean, Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'm so grateful."

   "Oh." I said not really convinced.

   "Thank you Joey." He pulled me into a tight hug. It was so tight that I couldn't pull myself away. I inhaled his strange yet satisfying scent and just accepted the hug.

He pulled away and smiled at me. His hands on my shoulders as he looked deep into my eyes.

   "Is everything alright?"

   He nodded with a slight smile.

   "Now go out there and earn some currency." He handed me my messenger bag and ushered me towards the door. "Bye!"

He opened the door.

   "Ok, see ya..." The door shut in my face. "Later."