Them and Us

three

Chris took his time walking up the stairs. Aberfaye told him that the bathroom was the third door on the right. He opened the door slowly and peeked his head round to make sure that was indeed the bathroom. He shut the door behind him, turned the shower on and tested the water with his hand before stripping.

He stepped in and ignored the water matting his hair down, transitioning from warm into scalding hot. His dirty blond hair and hung way below his brow, making him almost unable to see. Christoph thought about how this morning had felt distant and long ago. He thought
about his family and where they could be at this moment in time or if they were no long breathing.

Chris started to break down at the thought of his family missing, in danger or dead. He started making up unrealistic scenarios with his imagination. His tears blended with the water and he didn't realise he was crying until the water had gone cold from overuse but his tears were warm on his face.

The door slammed open and Aberfaye was present holding a fluffy white towel in her hands.

"Ch- Oh, I'm sorry I didn't realise you had started your shower," she stuttered while her cheeks blushed a blazing red colour. She tried to keep her eyes above his shoulders but they kept slipping. Her face softened as she became sympathetic and she saw his eyes were red and bloodshot.

She chucked the towel over the glass barrier, maintaining the solid, awkward eye contact they held since she came in. He quickly wrapped the towel around his waist and opened the glass shower door.

The bathroom was really small, so they were literally breathing the same air and Aberfaye was less than an arms reach away. Chris stepped closer, in attempt to go past but Faye read
this wrong and took a step towards him. She held her breath at the proximity between them.

"Faye?" Chris' voice broke as he had been crying earlier.

She didn't answer. He put an arm on her shoulder to get her attention. In response, she put a hand on his toned chest and her eyes fluttered closed.

"Faye? Can you get me some clothes?".

Her eyes snapped open. "Wha-? Oh, yeah okay." She stepped back and coughed. "Follow me."

Aberfaye lead Christoph to a spare room and handed him some of her dad's clothes. After he closed the door, Aberfaye rushed downstairs in sheer embarrassment.

Bob looked up from the couch when he heard Faye coming downstairs. "Are you alright, love? You're as red as a tomato!" He said in a British accent.

Faye only smiled awkwardly and walked into the kitchen to get a drink. She grabbed a bowl, filled it with dog food and sat next to Bob, who had Silas on his lap. After a bit a small talk, Christoph jogged down the stairs and smiled slightly at them.

"Hey guys, what are you talking about?" He said as he slid up and sat onto the kitchen counter.

"Not much, come sit here lad." Bob pats the seat next to him.

Chris' eyes widened at the sight of Silas and grimaced, "I'm good on the counter thanks."

After few moments of petting the dog, Bob exclaimed, "You do a good job of feeding your guests Aberfaye, I'm starving!" He lifted Silas off his lap and headed to the kitchen to scavenge into Faye's fridge. Once he opened it he saw it was almost empty. He turned around to the two and grinned. "We are having a feast tonight."

Bob started to grab pots and pans, turned on the stove and got Christoph to help him sort out the only five ingredients he found in the fridge. Faye stood up and was dumbfounded by the scene in front of her.