La Maison 3: Pretty (Complete: mxm)

Chapter 4: Juda Chiroyli

River managed to avoid Mateo for three days. He spent the entire time he wasn't in class on his bed, with an open book in his hand, so James didn't get suspicious. Fortunately, James wasn't the noticing type, and River figured he was probably the only one of his friends who hadn't detected his infatuation with Mat over the last three years. Until day three, anyway.

"Come for dinner with us," James pouted and tried a puppy dog look, though it didn't really work on his narrow face.

"Not hungry," River responded, turning an unread page in his book.

"Bullshit. I haven't seen you eat since we went out."

River waved a half-eaten protein bar at him and turned another page.

"Listen man, you can't keep this up. What are you going to do? Never speak to him again?"

"What?"

"I know what Mat did sucked, and I don't know why he did. Man's an idiot. But you can't keep avoiding him."

"I'm not."

"If you think I believe that, you're an idiot too."

River couldn't get annoyed at James. Him getting pissed was like being savaged by a poodle. A toy one. He kind of got bitchy and snappy but there was no real nastiness to it.

"Fine. If you wait I'll come."

River had to give in. James was right that he couldn't hide from Mat forever, and, the fact is, River doubted Mat even realized why he was being avoided. He wasn't sure if he was upset or relieved at that thought.

River ignored the temptation to dress to impress. He'd already made enough of a fool of himself without layering the 'obvious' on any harder. He just pulled on tight jeans and a tee, sneakers and a zippy light jacket. It probably wasn't warm enough, dusk outside, but he ran hot. And he knew he'd be blushing when he saw Mat, so a little chill wasn't going to hurt him. He made a concession and threw a stripy cotton scarf around his neck.

The others were waiting at the restaurant, and Ellis came over when they walked through the door.

"It's so good to see you, I've missed you."

River furrowed his brow. That was a bit over the top. He'd seen Ellis the day before. Only for five minutes after class, and, sure River hadn't been on top form, but Ellis knew he was alive.

"Well done, James, finally getting him to rejoin the living."

James looked equally confused because that sounded a little sarcastic.

The reason became abundantly clear when they turned to walk to the table. Everyone was there. But now, it seemed everyone included the perky sweet twink Mat had taken home on Saturday, leaning back in his chair, into Mat's arm, which was slung over the back. Proprietorially.

River felt his knees try to let him down, but he sucked in air and straightened his spine. James' face was a picture, so he clearly hadn't known about the turn things had taken. Mat, who fucked everything but never dated...well, he seemed to be on a date. River plastered something that was probably related to a smile on his face, impossibly grateful when Eli and Lex both stood to hug him and James. At least their loyalty was still showing.

"Come sit by me," Eli said, patting the seat he'd saved between himself and Ellis, leaving James to sit next to Mat. Unfortunately, it meant River was right opposite him, and intentionally avoiding looking at someone was a sure fire way to remind yourself they were there and had someone cute gazing up at them admiringly.