Alienated [✔] » k.th

30.

Joey

   "What is it that you wanted to talk about?" I asked Ricardo as I closed the bedroom door behind myself.

He seemed distant lately. Probably caught up in his thoughts. Meanwhile, I've been spending most of my time with V. He never gets boring. "What's on your mind?"

He looked at me with concern in his eyes.

   "It's about V."

   "Ricardo, I told you. I'm not getting rid of him."

   "No. That's not what I want to talk to you about." He explained. "It's more about the both of you."

   "Well, what's wrong?"

   "... I think we're drifting apart."

   "Why do you think that?" I frowned.

   "You've been spending most of your time with V. I'm always forced to sit around and watch the two of you together."

   "What are you saying?"

   "Just admit it. You have feelings for him."

   "What?! No. I don't. Why would you say that?"

   "Joey," he touched my shoulder. "You make it so obvious. The way you look at him, you're always talking about him. You even go out of your way to protect him and provide for him when you could have kicked him to the curb a long time ago."

   "That doesn't mean anything."

   "Joey, stop denying that you have feelings for him."

   "But, I love you."

   "I don't think you do, Joey. You won't even let me touch you or kiss you anymore. You've changed." He sighed.  "I think... You just like the idea of me. Joey, you don't have to pretend anymore."

   I took in his words. Deep down I did have feelings for V. But, I still was attached to Ricardo. We've been together for so long that life would just be strange without him.

I knew that it would be wrong to try and hold onto him and make us both miserable. It was best if we just broke up. I never would have thought that someone from outer space would come and break us apart.

   "So, what now? We break up?"

   "Sadly, yes." He rubbed his thumb on my cheek. "Besides, I think V has feelings for you too."

   "Huh? What...?"

   "He's always talking about how wonderful you are. He always wants to be around you, and the way he looks at you is the way I look at you."

   "But, he's an alien his feelings can't be the same as humans."

   "He's a guy, Joey. Our feelings are just about the same."

It made sense now. Why he always wants to make me happy. Also why he almost kissed me the other night. The only reason why I didn't kiss back is because I was still with Ricardo. I just thought that all this time, V was experimenting with emotions.

I was going through so much at the moment, a breakup was a step backwards.

   "Well, what about you? You're fine with this? You're fine with breaking up with me so I can be with V?"

   "I know when I'm not wanted. I still love you. I just don't think you're in love with me." He said. "So, I think you'd be happier with him."

My eyesight became blurry and I shut my eyes to keep the tears in. I pulled Ricardo into a hug and he rubbed my back, comforting me as well.

After a while, I pulled away and looked up at him.

   "I guess I should go pack up now."

   "Why?"

   "Because I can't keep living with you when we're not together anymore." I explained.

   "I understand that you're trying to hide V. But, you have nowhere else to go. You should stay here until you find a place."

   "Really? You'd let V and I stay?"

   "Of course. You know us latinos love company." He joked.

   I chuckled but was still hurting inside. I did like V, so why'd it hurt so much?

I hugged him again.

   "Thank you."

   "If you ever need something, just ask me. Okay?"

I nodded. There was a loud crashing sound coming from the kitchen. We rushed to see what happened and we found V standing in a pile of broken glass, pots and pans.

   "I was trying to get a bowl so I could partake of the cereal. But, these cooking instruments fell down," he explained.

   "I'll get the broom," Ricardo sighed.

   "Please don't get upset, Joey." V looked worried as I approached him.

   "I'm not upset, I know it was an accident. Next time, just ask for some help."

   "I understand," he replied happily once he saw that I wasn't going to blow my top.

   "Let's clean this mess up."

   "Ok," he knelt down to help me, flashing his smile.