Recovery {wRoNg sequel}

18

"Come get your fucking pancakes!" Grayson interrupted.

"Damn, someone's mad." I rolled my eyes and got up and walked into the kitchen. It smelt like burnt toast in there and Ethan began to cough dramatically.

"Grayson, why the fuck does it smell so bad?" Ethan covered his nose being dramatic.

"It's the smell of good food." He replied.

"I'm scared." I announced looking at the pile of pancakes.

"Just try one." Grayson urged me.

I picked up a knife and fork and cut a small piece off, both of the boys watching me. I gave Ethan a small look before taking a bite.

They tasted nothing like normal pancakes, they were over sweetened and had a sour taste at the end.

I stopped chewing and walked over to the bin and spat it out. Ethan let out a victory squeal and Grayson huffed.

"Grayson, what did you just make me eat?" I ran my tongue under the sink trying not to get my hijab wet.

"You guys wouldn't know real food if it fell into your mouths." He said before walking out of the kitchen. He was still shirtless and his arm muscles tensed from time to time. I know I shouldn't be watching, but I was.

"I guess I'll take over from here." I said moving the bowl of banana pancake mix away from the stove.

_____________________

"I'm so full." Ethan said with a bit of maple syrup on the side of his lip. "Those pancakes were heaven. Can you live with us forever?" He held my hand.

"Ohh I wish." I was leaning on my elbow and supporting my head with my palm. I wiped off the syrup on his lip and then licked my finger and smirked at him. I really needed to consider my actions before doing them. Ethan looked at me and there was a burning look in his eyes, the one he always had before he kissed me.

From my corner of my eye I could see Grayson chewing loudly and watching us like it was damn movie.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated the whole table causing us to break our long eye contact. I prayed silently in my head and answered the phone. It's not like I didn't want it to happen, but I shouldn't.

"Hey Mike, you here?" I asked, my back to Ethan.

"Yeah, open the door." He said and I got up and opened the door and grabbed his arm and dragged him inside.

"I missed you Mal." He said putting his arm around my shoulder and giving me a little squeeze. He then looked at me up and down and narrowed his eyebrows.

"I'll explain later." I whispered.

We walked further into the room and both of the twins head snapped in out direction.

"Hey guys, sorry to intrude." He gave them a wave.

"Nah, it's fine dude." Grayson said cleaning up the plates in the kitchen.

"Yeah." Ethan said after him.

I sat beside Ethan again and Mike sat beside me. We didn't speak, I knew I really needed to speak to Mike. Something was off.

I tapped mike on the leg so he'd look up at me.
"Can I talk to you for a sec?" I asked him and he nodded confused that I'd ask. Usually I'd just drag him.

"I'll be back." I mouthed to Ethan and he gave me a blunt look. Was I angering him? Did I accidentally do something I wasn't suppose to?

We walked into Ethan's room where I had slept and Mike sat on his bed and kicked off his shoes.

"Tell me what's wrong? You haven't been speaking to me lately?"

"I know and you're my best friend and I shouldn't be keeping things from you." He said.

"Okay then tell me." I crossed my arms.

"It's just something I've been feeling for a long time and i didn't know how to tell you." He began to say and my mind raced. He was tugging his beanie on his face like he always did, like he was hiding his face in shame.

My mind raced back to what Mohamed had said to me about Mike and I being a couple. A lot of people always questions our friendship asking if it was more than that, but it never will be. They had also said that girls and boys could never be friends. One would always fall for the other.

I was jumping to conclusions but it I couldn't help it. If he was confessing his feelings for me I had to stop him. I would just ruin our friendship or make it awkward till the end of time.

"Mike, if you're saying what I think you're saying?"

"I am." He simply said and looked at me with sad eyes.

"I don't like you like that Mike! You're my best friend!" I began to rub my temples.

"What?" He semi yelled.

"I only like you as a friend." I repeated not wanted to sound harsh.

"What are you even talking about? that's not what I was gonna say." He leaped to his feet.

"So you're not confessing your feelings for me." I felt my heart sink in embarrassment.

"No! I was gonna say I think I'm bisexual." He said and I slapped my palm over my mouth.

"I'm so sorry, I just assumed because of what everyone kept saying and that Mohamed guy said it too, so I tho-" I began to blabber.

"It's fine." He cut me off laughing. "You're like a sister to me Mal." He came closer and squeezed me. "And stupidly I thought you'd judge me because in Islam being gay is wrong."

"I know that , but guess what? The prophet said "treat others as you want to be treated" so I'm gonna treat you the same way if you were straight, there's no difference. You will always be Mike to me no matter what, I'll always be by your side."

He put his had over mine and gave it a little squeeze and I could see his eyes were red like he'd been crying. My heart ached that I hadn't noticed this, that he was hurting and I was here having the time of my life.

"So how did you know?" I asked.

"I was scared to tell you guys because I didn't know how you'd react, but I manned up and told myself I had to tell you. I haven't told anyone yet. " he turned his back to me. "I guess I kinda found out because I had this crush on that guy in one of my lectures, Johnathan."

"I remember him, the tall guy with the beard. He's hot."

"Yeah." I could see him blushing as he scratched his head.

"Well I liked him for a long time, but I didn't really think much of it, until I asked him if he had a girlfriend and he said yes and I just-" his head hung low.

"I'm sorry." I rubbed his back. "There's other guys out there and girls."

"Yeah I know. I just felt so angry because I knew he wasn't into guys but I still asked and this whole thing is new to me."

"It's okay. You have plenty of time to figure stuff out. You're young, handsome and you got a fat ass so I don't see why you can't get anyone you want." I told him and he smiled.

"Thanks Mal." He towered over me and engulfed me into a bear hug. "You always know what to say to make me feel better."

"Don't worry, I got you."