Dead On Time (maylor)

Chapter 4

25th December 1969

Brian's P.O.V.

I ordered my finger to press the doorbell.

Riiiiiing

After a few seconds, a tall man opened the door. It was Michael, Roger's father. Thank God it wasn't Rog.

Michael smiled kindly when he saw who was behind the door "Hello. Please come in. Make yourself at home."

I entered the house the last, behind my mother. I was like a little kid, hidding from people. But I didn't want to hide, I wanted to go to Roger and hug him thighly, I missed him so much, though it's only been a few hours and he wouldn't want to even look at me.

To my surprise Roger turned to face me and smiled "Hey, Brian" he said in a whisper. I locked eyes with him for a slight second, then I turned my gaze away. I couldn't do that to him, I couldn't just ignore him completely, maybe just talk when necessary. It didn't matter how badly I wanted to talk to him, or how badly I wanted to touch him, or to stare at him. I couldn't risk it, from that moment on I would follow the rules I made up in my mind. If not, something very bad would happen. He could ask for the clock and I would end up confessing him the truth, making the goddamn clock ruin my laboral life or something as the punishment. And I wasn't planning that the current day.

Thank fucking God our parents were talking and didn't notice anything. Sometimes I was a lucky kid.

The adults here were still talking when Roger sat on the couch patting the spot next to him, inviting me to sit with him. I breathed deeply a few times before giving him a sad look as saying I didn't really want to be that much of an asshole. Then I walked away and left my present with the others. The whole time, his eyes wore a sad dress, but his body stayed firm at my acts. He didn't move an inch, like a wax statue, a very good looking wax statue.

I felt a hand place on my shoulder "Everything okay, Brian?" it was my father, somehow worried about my relationship with the blonde.

"Yes. I think so"

"Well, if it's yesterday's fight you're worried about, I really think you should talk to him the earliest the best. Real friends have arguments, but with each argument solved, their relationship get stronger. Talk to him after lunch, and come to the table, we're waiting for you" and with that he walked away. I followed shortly after, not ready to ignore Rog.

Everyone was already on their chair, waiting for me, as my dad told me.
I felt bad for that.

For lunch we had turkey, roast potatoes, brusell sprouts and a salad. Roger's eyes were still sad, but now he was smiling at the sight of all the food in front of him. He was probably hungry, just like me. Eager to start the banquet, he, and everybody, started filling out plates with a bit of all the food served. I, as expected, avoided to put any meat on my plate, as well as I avoided any eye contact with my friend Roger.

But of course, he wouldn't give up that easily, and what's the best way to obligate someone to do something if it isn't with social pressure?

"Hey, Bri, can you hand me the salad, please?" his voice so kind to hide the teasing.

"Sure, here you are"

"Thank you. Is everything going smoothly?" what a dumbass. Now everything on the table revolves around our little conversation, and he's using it to make me talk, by the look on his face, he liked how his plan was working.

"Why wouldn't it?"

"Well I was just asking"

"I'm sorry" I said to myself. Rog smiled to himself. Maybe he heard me? Impossible. He was very far from me, I think he read lips, maybe that's how.