Andante

XLII

He followed Brett meekly along the corridors to their room. He wanted to talk about what happened approximately as much as he wanted to walk over red hot coals with his bare feet, but he knew he had to. 
Why? Why would his body betray him like this? 
Brett opened the door without a word and closed it again as soon as Eddy had walked in. 
He led him to his bed and pushed him softly so he'd sit down, and then he sat down on his own bed, opposite him. 
¨Eddy, please, talk to me. Why are you feeling so bad about this?¨
Angry tears started spilling out of his eyes unbidden and he finally said his first words of the day. 
¨Brett, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry.¨
He wanted to throw his arm over his eyes again, but he knew hiding wouldn't help. 
Brett shook his head. ¨Eddy, you have nothing to feel sorry for. It doesn't even matter what you were dreaming about, this happens to everyone.¨
¨In front of their best friend?¨ he said, and he knew his tone was bitter. 
Brett smiled briefly, but then he looked serious again, his eyes questioning.
¨It.. this wasn't your first time, was it?¨
Eddy closed his eyes for a second. He knew he had to be honest. 
¨No.¨
¨Please believe me, Eddy. It's fine.¨
Eddy sighed deeply, and suddenly he had to get it off his chest.
¨You do know who I was dreaming about, right?¨
Instantly Brett's face coloured bright red, and he could hear he stopped breathing. Suddenly his eyes had that intensity again and he cleared his throat.
¨Um.¨ he said. ¨I... I'd be lying if I didn't admit to hoping for that.¨
¨So... so you don't mind?¨
¨What?¨ Brett said, clearly surprised. ¨Why would I mind? You know how I feel about you.¨
The tears started up again now, but they weren't angry anymore. 
¨I... I was so embarrassed. And I was so worried about what you would think.¨
Brett shook his head slightly. ¨What would you say to me if it happened to me?¨
Well, that was easy. 
¨I'd tell you it was fine, and not to worry... oh!¨ 
Brett grinned widely as he looked at him. ¨You look like one of those cartoon characters when a light bulb goes off above their heads. I should have led with that one, this morning.¨
Eddy didn't say anything, but he could feel himself relaxing. 
¨So, we good, now?¨ Brett asked. 
¨Yeah, I think so. Thank you.¨ 
¨Cool. Well, let's head back, the rehearsal will be about to start again, hey?¨
Eddy nodded, got up and quickly walked into the bathroom to splash some more water in his face. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. His cheeks were a bit splotchy, but that would be easily explained by Brett's excuse of the headache. 
¨Thank you for understanding.¨ he said, as he walked back out. 
¨Are you kidding?¨ Brett replied. ¨you'd do the same for me. It's no big deal.¨
Eddy nodded and started walking out of the door. 
¨Eddy?¨ Brett said then, an edge to his voice. 
¨Hmh?¨ He turned around and saw Brett looking a bit sheepish.
¨Erm... was it a good dream?¨
He smiled, and he felt that he wasn't nearly as embarrassed anymore. So he went for the truth.
¨They always are.¨
He just about saw Brett's mouth open wide and his eyes widen in shock. Yes!
He didn't wait for an answer, he just walked out the door and started in the direction of the auditorium, his mood suddenly very different now. 
Brett caught up with him after a moment, and he knew they wouldn't talk anymore. 

¨You okay now?¨ Lizzy asked, the second they walked back into the auditorium.
¨Yeah, thanks, a bit better already.¨
They walked on the stage and took their places next to each other, and soon Eddy was playing again, but for real this time.