Between Two

Chapter 5

"You're awfully quiet, Avi." Chris nudged me in the side, a secretive smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, it's just... you don't know your dad and..." I trailed off, not knowing how to say what I'm feeling.

"You feel bad? Don't be, I mean, some days I wish I'd have some moments where I'd have that fatherly guidance or whatever. Bright side, I'm basically the man of the house. Down side, I usually get stuck with Gracie." I looked up at him, curiosity making it's way to me.

"Who's Gracie?" He smiled some, scrunching his nose.

"My little sister, she has quite an attitude for a six year old." I bit my lip to keep from smiling.

"I always thought you were an only child." Chris stayed quiet for a bit, running a hand through his hair.

"I was until I was eleven, my mom got pregnant with Gracie, but that guy had left too. So, she's basically my half sister, yet still my sister. I love her and I do not throw that word around often." He chuckled to himself, staring down.

"What about Jonah? Do you love Jonah?" Chris looked at me, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, I love Jonah. I've been friends with that asshole before we could even walk." I held in my laugh and instead, reached over and poked his cheek.

"Awww, the bromance is real." He poked me in the ribs, playfully narrowing his eyes at me.

"What about you? What's your favorite food, color, music? Your story? Wait, actually let me guess." He stepped back, biting his lip and looked me up and down.

"Hm... I'm getting a seafood kind of vibe. Favorite color, purple but not any kind of purple, like a pastel purple. Music... definitely Shawn Mendes with a bit of Melanie Martinez here and there. Your story, I'm willing to figure out along the way if you allow me too." I stared at him with my lips slightly parted not fully understanding how he got that right.

"How'd you know? Are you a stalker or something?" I eyed him suspiciously, taking a step back.

"No, just an observer. I pay attention and not to sound creepy or anything, but I've paid attention to you. You always write in a pastel purple pen and when you're listening to music it's always Shawn Mendes. Not really my t-"

"Hey, hey, do not hate on the amazing musician that is Shawn Mendes." He rolled his eyes, stepping closer to me.

"I'm not hating, just not my type of music. He does have good songs though, I can't lie about that." I smiled, looking back over the water.

"How'd you know about the seafood?" Chris licked his lips, averting his gaze.

"I used to work at that seafood place... Every weekend you came in with some old guy and order a shrimp cocktail. Fuck, I'm sounding like a damn stalker." I laughed a bit, shaking my head at him.

"That old guy is my grandpa and I love shrimp. I didn't know you worked there, I didn't know you worked at all." He sighed, closing his eyes before looking back at me.

"Well, I have to since my mom needs help paying the bills and we need money for food and shit like that. I don't mind though, it's less stress on her... Also, the shrimp cocktail you always ordered was always made by yours truly, me." I blinked, trying to comprehend the change in his mood.

"Damn, okay, fast subject changer." He laughed then bit his lip.

"I just didn't really feel like talking about that right now. Hey, I know this is sudden, but do you w-"

"Damn! I heard you two have been making quite the ruckus!" I jumped, turning around to see Jonah stumbling onto the balcony.

"Yup, totally been getting into trouble." Chris said, moving over to help him.

"You're drunk, man, I'll take you home." I walked over, biting my lip.

It seemed like it was a routine between the two, like they've done this countless of times. Chris helped him, sending me a I'm-so-sorry look. I followed them out, watching in amusement as Jonah muttered some things then bursted out into song for some odd reason.

"He's always like this." Chris commented, reaching back to grab my hand.

I let him, no longer wary like when I had been the first time I met him. Tonight I felt closer to him, I got a glimpse of who he is and what he's like without everyone else. And so far, I like what he's shown me. He isn't the guy I thought he'd be, I thought he'd have Jonah's type of personality. The one to be drunk right now, but he isn't. There's more to him than what everyone sees. I'm lucky enough to have gotten to know him tonight and hopefully there will be more times like this.