You Don't Even Know Me... (Bennoda)

Chapter Five

Mike's POV

As Chester and I walked up the stairs to my bedroom my thoughts became warm but nervous. I'd never had anyone up to my room before, so this would be interesting. As soon as he walked in, I would be completely vulnerable, he would see my whole life all over the walls. I opened the door.

I had painted nearly every inch of my room with my art and had posted my drawings on the board above my desk.

"Woah..." I heard a voice say softly behind me.

I turned around and realized he was here, too. "What is it?" He thoughtfully gazed around the room, walking from wall to wall.

"Nothing, nothing," he shook his head. "..this is just amazing. Did you do this?" He met my eyes with wonder, which made me happy.

"Yeah," I said with pride. "...you like art?" He sat down on the edge of my bed.

"I...like to write." He said sheepishly. That peaked my interest and I sat down beside him.

"Oh, really...like what?" He tried to hide his face. "I write a bunch of songs...they're not that good, though."

I smiled. "That's absurd, I'm sure they're great." He played with his sweatshirt sleeves. He groaned dismissively in response.

"...Well, what I saw was good."

He quickly looked up at me, puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

I got up from the bed and reached into a drawer and pulled out Chester's books and sat back down.

"That's what I wanted to show you." I put the books in his lap, and he went through them. "...you forgot them the other day when I ran into you."

He looked up at me again and was quiet for a second.

"You...you were the person who ran into me?"

I laughed a little bit. "Yeah, you don't remember me?"

He got quiet. "I didn't notice your face, I just wanted to get the hell out of there."

"Why?"

Chester sighed. "I was just...afraid. Usually, when people run into me, it's to knock me down or beat me up or something."

I thought to myself. God, does this kid ever catch a break? I let out a weak sigh.

"...Is that why you suddenly ran off? You thought I was going to beat you up?" Chester nodded.

"Oh, Chester..." I sighed. "..I wish you didn't believe everyone was out to get you."

I could see tears welling up in his eyes. "It's just the way it goes. Most of the time, I deserve it anyway."

I grabbed his hand to redirect his attention. "But you don't."

"Yeah." He said passively.

"No, I mean it," I said sternly. "Chester, you are a nice person, and I'll keep saying that until you believe it. You don't deserve all the shit that you get. You do nothing wrong, and somebody has a problem with it. Well, you know what? Fuck everybody else. I like you. I think you're great, Chester."

He was silent for a few seconds and his eyes were fixed on me. "You...like me?" He said quietly.

Once reality caught up my mind to what I had just said, I almost tried to swallow my words, but it was too late. I put my head down and bit my lip and spoke quietly.

"...yeah. I like you."

I glanced up and Chester looked like he was hiding a smile.

"What are you smiling about?" I said, laughing.

"Nothing," I saw the deviousness in his eyes. "...I think I like you, too."

I blushed, trying to register what had just happened. I turned and scooted closer to Chester and looked in his huge, innocent eyes.

I felt my heart begin to beat faster and faster in my chest. I could feel the room quieten as if it was suggesting something specific. I knew Chester could feel the same intensity I was feeling, but we both didn't say anything.

I could see him trying to be subtle and creep himself closer and closer. I could feel chills down my back as he gently moved his hand onto my leg.

Whatever was about to happen felt weird and scary but exciting. I kept my eyes on his lips and I saw him slightly part them as if to speak.

I moved in closer than before and I could feel his breath on my lips. I moved in to break the tension once and for all, but right as I was about to react I heard a loud knock on my bedroom door.