The Nerd and The Frog

Crazy

The small studio looked a bit different, the couch from years ago having been replaced with a much more expensive black leather one, a lounge seat connected to it. He could only assume there was a pull-out bed resting within it. His TV was much better, almost covering the entire wall as it was mounted upon it. He still had game consoles, but instead of just two, he had several. His posters were replaced with framed images of different art pieces and pictures of family and friends. His volleyball trophies were lined on bookcases filled with a large amount of books. His small wooden desk was replaced with a sleek black one, seeming to match the décor of the entire place.

Alan stood near the doorway, his entire body tense as he eyed everything in the confined space.

It looks different... but it feels exactly the same.

"You might as well come in and have a seat. Standing there isn't going to really make this any different." Thomas stated calmly, making his way towards the couch and taking a seat.

Even with his mind screaming at him to just turn and bolt immediately out the place, Alan forced himself to walk over to the couch, placing his book-bag down next to it, before he carefully sat on the opposite side of the couch, away from Thomas. He was silent, his lips tightly shut as he stared at nothing in particular.

I want to vomit... I'm so fucking uncomfortable...

"I didn't think you were going to make it, honestly." Thomas spoke in a passing manner. "How in the world did you get here so fast?"

Alan had to mentally break himself away from getting lost in his own mind after hearing Thomas speak, his gaze averted towards the floor. "I... was in the area..."

"You were? Were you at Nicolette's place?" Thomas asked, curious.

Alan didn't answer the question, figuring it best to be silent rather than give any other information.

"Or... were you at Daniel's?" Thomas asked, his expression genuinely inquisitive.

Again, Alan refused to respond.

"It's not surprising if you were." Thomas spoke with a sigh, resting back into the cushions comfortably. "He doesn't live that far from here. We used to ride the bus together before he was able to get a permit to drive to and from school with his Lexus. So, if you were, it's not something to be nervous about."

Alan glanced over towards Thomas, watching him silently. "Why... am I here?"

Thomas looked to him in confusion, not expecting such a question. "It's part of the deal we made, Alan. We discussed this earlier."

"I... understand that..." Alan spoke once again, swallowing before he did so. "But, that doesn't explain why you wanted me here. Obviously, it's for a reason."

"Does there have to be a reason?" Thomas asked with a smile. "What if I just wanted you here to enjoy your company?"

A frown of disbelief immediately came across Alan's face, yet it quickly went away at the fact that any random expression may set Thomas off.

I can't fucking relax around this asshole... I haven't been alone with Thomas with absolutely no-one nearby in such a long time...

He fidgeted with his hands, his eyes resting on the floor beneath him as he waited for time to hopefully pass by quickly, considering he couldn't be away from home forever. "I'm not... planning to stay over. You know that, right?" Alan stated, looking at Thomas one final time.

"I don't see why you can't." Thomas stated with a wave of his hand, grabbing his remote and turning on the TV. "Let me see what we can watch..."

"Are... you crazy?" Alan stated in shock. "My parents will be fucking livid if they know I'm staying here with you."