It just... happened? (boyxboy)

Chapter 12

"So... I was thinking we could start off with the structure of cells. I know it's basic but I'd prefer to start at the beginning.", I look up shyly towards Charlie from his bed. I don't want him to think of me as an idiot but I am also in desperate need of help or else I'm done for this semester.

"Yea sure, let me just run downstairs and grab my book bag.", Charlie says.

I nod in reply and take his absence as an opportunity to depict his room. Dark blue walls with an oak desk pushed up against a windowsill, a matching oak bed parallel from the desk with a white comforter. A normal dresser next to the door with pictures of sunsets hung above. It seems plain for Charlie, I would've thought his room would have more personality but it seems... empty. No clutter or dirty laundry- although that is sort of expected. I won't lie, Im still unsure of why we're in here. Do guy friends usually do this? I walked into this situation thinking we'd just hang out in his living room but when I arrived he led me straight upstairs with some sort of knowing grin. Is he trying to make me uncomfortable? 

A door closing pulls me away from my thoughts. Charlie walks in with a bag of pretzels in one arm and his green book bag slung around the other. I cant help but notice how toned his arms look gripping the bag.

OH MY GOD ACE, WILL YOU EVER STOP?!

Charlie holds up the pretzels and sits on the ground, patting the spot next to him. "I thought we could use a little snack. Come sit down here.", I hesitate before lowering myself off the bed and get an all too familiar feeling.

My mind suddenly rushes back to that night at the party. Both of us on the floor, Charlie's hand on me. I pray every day that it was all a dream but the things we did seem too vivid in my brain for it to be one. Why am I always thinking of this? I thought that the confusing feelings were over and we could just have a normal... friendship, I guess.

Charlie snapping in my face must mean I've been spaced out. Oops.

"Earth to Ace!?", Charlie giggles a bit while trying to grab my attention.

"Heh sorry about that, just lost in thought", I reply sheepishly.

"Don't be, we all do it.", he reaches into his bag for his binder and slides over next to me so both our backs are touching his bed. Charlie begins to ramble on about cells and their forms but my mind is else where. I cannot concentrate for the life of me and decide on nodding along like I get what he's saying. F*ck biology, I'll just become a shoe maker or something. Is that job even a thing anymore?

-

"And that my friend, is why the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell!", Charlie closes his binder and stands up. I wipe my eyes and groan as he helps me up out of my fetal position on his floor. It's been three hours and we have only just covered the basics of our course. Charlie called me out on being flaky around 2 and since then I've tried my best to listen but it's so tiring.

"That's enough for today.", I say. I begin to gather up my things but what Charlie interrupts me.

"So umm... my parents are working late and I was gonna order in pizza for dinner, do you maybe wanna stay and have some?", he must see my eyes widen because he immediately starts to stutter and take back what he says.

Now, let me tell you what I say next shocked me. Like I didn't think I had this social confidence in me.

"No- Id actually like that. Nothing's at home for me anyways heh.", I awkwardly scratch the back of my head and set my things back on the ground.