Best + Bitter = Better

Twenty Nine days after

Geoff wakes up from the morning sun, he lies still for a little while the sleep falls away from him. Memories flush back into his head as if someone had just opened a dam. For a little while, he's not sure if last night was a dream but the sick taste in his mouth tells him it actually happened. He groans a little, turning over. Jawn is not there, so he checks his phone almost twelve. He sighs, but realises that he has a lecture at twelve.

Shooting up and running through the living room and into his bedroom, Geoff franticly searches for clothes. He gets dressed and brushes his teeth so he doesn't have to taste the acid that is still present in his mouth.

When he's done, he grabs his backpack and phone. He heads into the living room, all eyes fall to him. It's like they expect him to explain himself, but he doesn't know what they want. He opens his mouth to ask them what they want, but shakes his head.

"I'm gonna be late for my lecture." He mutters, loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Awsten stands up from the sofa. "Me too." He pipes up, grabbing his wallet and phone from the table in front of him.

Geoff pauses, suddenly unsure of everything in the universe. "Um, okay. Want a ride?" He asks, thinking maybe that was what Awsten was hinting at.

Awsten's face lights up, "Yes please. If you wouldn't mind." He hops towards Geoff, too sprightly for the morning.

Geoff nods and they leave.

-

In the car, Geoff is still rubbing sleep from his eyes while Awsten can barely keep still. It rained last night, so everything looks gloomy. Not to mention the traffic due to the poor weather.

Awsten turns his head to Geoff as he sighs when they come to a stop at traffic lights. "You were sick last night." He states. Geoff looks over to him and nods, not in the mood to talk about much right now. "Was it something you ate?"

Geoff shakes his head, changing gear and setting off as green highlights his face. He doesn't want to talk, as much as Awsten wants to. In fact, just being in a car with Awsten is almost insufferable. The pain of not being loved back hurts. The thought of never being with Awsten hurts. As it is, he can barely keep it together and the amount of shooting pain in his heart is going to send him into cardiac arrest. But, Awsten is going to stay at his place until his sister goes home. He should have never moved in with Jawn. Or maybe he could just convince Gracie to go.

"If you didn't want me here, you could have just said." Awsten sighs, almost bitterly.

Geoff nods, eyes on the road. He hears Awsten sigh again, this time more forcefully and it hurts his heart again. Awsten is beautiful.

-

Geoff stands outside of Awsten's lecture hall - he learnt Awsten's schedule ages ago. Geoff was still silent when he parked, letting Awsten go do whatever he needs. But now, he needs to take Awsten home to his place. He thought about just leaving Awsten to make his own way, but decided that it would be cruel. It's awkward just standing in the hall waiting, the more time passes, the more unsure he gets about driving Awsten home.

Just as he is about to leave, people gush out of the doors. He anxiously waits to see Awsten's face among the crowd. Since neither of them are particularly tall, it's kind of hard to pick him out; but the colourful hair gives it away.