Why the Straight One? | Book 1 | bxb

Entry 12 - It Can't All Be Fun and Games

The first thing I noticed when I got back was how different Elliot looked.

I'd only been gone two weeks, and yet he looked drastically different. Thinner, and tired. I took the first chance I got of speaking to him alone.

Thomas was talking to Walter about something, I wasn't really paying attention, when I saw Elliot walk by. I excused myself, and followed him down the hall.

"Elliot!" He started, and turned quickly. His look of alarm quickly changed to a smile when he saw me.

"Alex! It's good to see you back. How was it? Not too bad?" He stopped walking to talk to me, and I had a feeling that he didn't want me to follow him to where he was going.

"Yeah, it was fine. Better then I thought it would be, actually. Thomas wasn't quite as uptight as I thought he would be."

"Well, miracles can happen." He laughed.

"So what happened here while I was gone?"

"Nothing much for most people." He sighed, and fidgeted with his hands. "I went on a trip as well. I actually just got back a few hours ago." He didn't seem to want to say more, but I couldn't help but be curious.

"Oh yeah? Where did you go?"

"To visit that king I was telling you about." He looked down at his hands, and I could hear the pain in his voice. "It's official."

Those two words broke my heart. He looked so heartbroken, and so vulnerable, that I couldn't help but wrap my arms around him.

"A-and I'm not allowed to see Alan anymore. Because, technically I'm engaged to the king. I-I just-" He struggled to find the words to finish his sentence.

"I understand. Is that where you were going right now?" He nodded. "Just be careful then, and don't let anyone see you."

He had just rested his head on my shoulder, but he lifted it quickly, surprise evident in his face.

"You mean you aren't going to stop me?"

"Elliot, what do you take me for?" He wiped his eyes and straightened up.

"I'm sorry, of course you wouldn't. I just need to see him. He hasn't heard yet. Up till now we thought there might be a way out. Raymond's talking to my dad right now, but I don't think it can change anything. I'm really sorry, Alex."

"What do you have to be sorry about?"

"I thought I was going I be able to be around and help you figure this all out, and now...I suppose there are still an few months. The wedding isn't right away. We can't have one so soon after Thomas'." He said bitterly.

"Yeah, don't worry about me. I'll be fine." He managed a smile.

"I'm sure you'll be able to give Thomas heck without any help from me."

"Of course! That's the easy part about all this." I heard footsteps and turned to see Thomas walking towards us, a slight frown on his face.

"What's going on?" He must have been asking since I still had my arms around Elliot, but seriously, hadn't the man ever comforted someone before.

"Nothing that concerns you." Elliot pushed me away, and stepped back, glaring at Thomas with such a look of anger that it surprised me.

"Okay, calm down. I'll let you guys talk, I was just gonna let you know that dinner is with everyone tonight." He directed the second part to me.