Dance With Somebody [Discontinued]

Twenty-Eight

"Alex, can I talk to you a minute?"

His heart sped up. "Yeah, of course."

Wes pulled him aside, far enough that nobody could hear them, but still able to be seen by people in the hall– including Thad. "It's about the end-of-the-year party. I didn't really tell you the full story."

Alex got worried, seeing his face. "Oh god, what did I do?"

He took a deep breath, not meeting his eyes. "I was organizing some things in the council room and you came over, absolutely wasted. We talked normally, but then you got annoyed that I wasn't paying attention to you. You ripped the folder I was holding and the papers inside in half, threw it across the room, and asked if I could pay attention to you then. But then... It's also, um..."

"Wes, please tell me."

"You-slammed-me-against-the-wall-and-forced-me-to-kiss-you," he said, all in one breath.

Alex was absolutely horrified with himself. "Oh my god. No wonder... Oh my god. I'm so sorry. I'm never drinking again. I can't believe I'd do that."

"I couldn't either," Wes admitted. "It... It was just a shock."

"I–" Alex unconsciously went to hug him, stopping when Wes flinched away. "Sorry. God, I'm so sorry. I didn't– I shouldn't have tried to hug you. I'm so sorry."

Wes wanted to reassure him that it was okay, but he couldn't. It wasn't okay. He was terrified. "I just... figured you should know."

"What can I do?"

"What?"

"What can I do to make it up to you?" Alex repeated. "What can I do to fix it?"

"I..."

"Please, Wes. Tell me what I need to do."

"I don't think you can do anything, alright?" Wes blurted out. He immediately regretted it, voice getting quieter. "I don't think there's anything you can do."

"There has to be something. Please, give me something," he begged, taking Wes's hand.

"Please let go of me," he half-whispered.

Alex immediately did, backing up. "Sorry! Sorry, sorry, I– it's habit, I'm so sorry."

Wes couldn't meet his eyes. "I don't think you really understand, Alex. I'm scared of you. It took me this long to build up the nerve to even talk to you about it, and I had to be talked into it. I just– I don't feel safe around you."

He looked heartbroken, but he nodded. "Okay. I– again, I'm so sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me– you shouldn't forgive me– but I'm sorry."

He left, and Wes exhaled deeply, relieved the conversation was over. It went as well as it could have.

Alex was a good guy, he really was. Wes wished he wasn't afraid of him. If it weren't for other factors, perhaps he wouldn't be.

But he was. And he couldn't change that.