A Question Of Roomates

Ch. 13

There was a problem. I wasn't quite sure what it was and perhaps that was because Stiles wasn't communicating. Or at least he was but it wasn't truthful. In the following days since I invited him to meet my family he had been distant, different even. The way he touched me even seemed off, and when confronted, all he could do was swear he was fine. But I knew the truth, I had seen a light sparkle and glimmer behind those eyes before so I knew what it looked like when that flare was gone. It had not made an appearance in a while.

It didn't help that I was thinking about this as we were making out on the sofa. Instead of focusing on Stiles' tender lips or his insanely skinny finger toying with my butt. I was focused on the fact that none of it felt the same "Whats wrong Der?"

He brought it up and I wasn't going to let it slide "I want to know that about you? You've been acting...different"

"Different how?"

"I don't know. You're not your hyper happy self. You're quiet some days, irritable the next. The other day you were pissed because I finished the milk and didn't talk to me for two hours. We haven't even slept in the same bed for a week, when you're not in class you're spending a lot of time in your room—should I go on?"

"So, I literally just had my tongue in your mouth and that's what you're thinking about?"

"Yes! Because I care about you—because I lo- I just don't want something to be wrong and you feel like you can't tell me" I loved Stiles, I wasn't denying myself of the fact, but now would not be the time to blurt that out.

"Hey. I'm sorry okay. The last thing I want is for you to worry" he spoke like he was trying to get me to believe him, but that was a the thing, I just didn't "How about...I go shower and meet you in your room?"

"Promise?"

"Just make sure you're shirtless by the time I get in there"

He kept his promise and claimed his old spot beside me some time later. For a large chunk of the night I could tell he was just lying there awake. I figured he'd blow up if I interrogated any further. So I kissed his head one last time before my heavy eyes drifted closed.

As much as I wanted to be the most important person in Stiles' life I knew there was another. Scott cared so much about his friend there was no one he hadn't seen a shift. Luckily he was currently visible from our dorm window. Scott was on a blanket on a grassy section in the quad. He was alone rolling around and eating lunch resembling something of a puppy dog.

Too focused on his burger Scott hadn't noticed me at first. My bones cracked as I lowered myself to sit beside him "D'rek. Hey man" he mumbled around food.

"Sup. Do you always eat like a cave man?" I laughed, pointing at the mustard smeared across his chin. He began to chuckle as well, wiping it away only to take another bear sized bite.

"You looking for your boyfriend or something? He's in class"

"Yeah I-I know. I was actually looking for you, I had a question"

"Shoot"

"Has Stiles been acting a little weird lately?"

"Yeah, okay I thought it was just me but he keeps saying he's fine" Scott practically shouted as he lowered his burger down onto the plate, wiping his hands off "He almost bit my head off the other day cause I called him cranky and suggested he needed a nap. I just figured he's been all pent up, ya know? He's hasn't been laid in a while"

An unexpected cough sent me into a choking fit. No, we hadn't had sex yet, we were taking it slow which only meant nine times out of ten we were both left with blue balls. But now wasn't the time to explain my sex life to my boyfriends best friend "I know he doesn't talk about his parents much but are there any important dates coming up? An anniversary?" I asked.

Scott shoved a grip of fries into his mouth not stopping for a second, washing it down with a slushee looking liquid "No, his mom died in August, and his dad in October"

"I wish he'd talk to me"

"I know man" Scott's face scrunched up at a thought "You know? The only time I seen him like this was when he had started taking Adderall. It threw him off pretty bad and his dad convinced him to stop taking them"

"He wouldn't though. He said he would never take those again"

"I don't know man, it's the only thing that makes sense. But we need to figure something out"

"I'll...I'll do something and let you know"

"Thanks bro" Scott grumbled around a mouth full. I shook my head and stole a greasy fry as I headed off.

I was not proud of myself. In fact I was sure I'd have a permanent rock of guilt sitting in my stomach for the rest of my life. But I decided I'd take a page out of Laura's book, she was always the nosey one. Stiles' class ended a half hour after mine which left a small window of opportunity. As of lately he was spending most of his time in his bedroom, rather than hanging out in mine like in the beginning of our relationship.

It should come as no surprise that his room was a wreck. But it was a surprise because it wasn't just messy, it was chaotic. Like he was up most of the night roaming in his room and looking for anything that would hold his attention. Torn canvases littered the floor and there was the fresh smell of paint in the air, almost as if it had spilled somewhere within the small suite.

I only had a limited time left, Stiles was a speed walker so who knew the exact time he'd come through that door. His desk was covered in old assignments and broken pencils. Inside the drawers was the exact same thing. Filled notebooks, oils, charcoal and...and a pill bottle.

The label was clearly made out to Stiles, the last fill dated just a week or so ago. Instructions on the label called for a pill in the morning and one at night. The small orange bottle was already half empty with a questionable number of pills missing. The drug of choice: adderall.

Scott was right.

The front door closed with a slam and soon my boyfriend was coming around the corner. The door creaked as he pushed it aside. His eyes were wide at the sight of me. It only took him a second to process the object in my hand. And even then his lips puckered, but nothing came out, there were no words. He just stood there in space and waited.

"Stiles, why do you have these?"