-IM NOT READY YET! ( Eric x Jack)

Chapter 1 - Meeting

*** Eric's pov.

"Oh! It'll be perfect!" Corey burst out when they walked out of the elevator, Eric, on the other hand, looked around with sceptical eyes. He took in the look of his soon to be apartment, noting the brown walls and the raw scent of wood.

"All I'm asking of you is that, when you meet Jack, just be yourself, ok?" Corey said, knowing that Eric often had the tendency to tell a better version of himself when being introduced to someone new.

Eric, who wasn't listening, nodded his head absentmindedly.

"And whatever you do, please don't flash that big, phony, plastic, cheesy grin of yours!" Corey chuckled, shooting a sarcastic look towards Eric, jokingly showing his distaste for Eric's, oftentimes, creepy grin.

Eric, though, did exactly what Corey precisely asked him not to do.

"No! it really turns people off." Corey said,  opening the door, looking at Eric in disgust.

Corey opened the door in a haste, taking leaping steps into the apartment, Eric stood awkwardly at the door opening for a moment, before he saw the friendly greeting of his brother and his new roommate, Jack, which gaze fell directly onto Eric from behind Corey.

Eric took confident steps, following his brother into the kitchen. He didn't know why he hesitated at first, he felt a strange feeling flare up in his body, especially when his eyes met Jack's.

"Hey, guys!" Jack exclaimed, making Eric even more uncomfortable, unsure of what he could answer to not make himself seem out of place.

"Jack, how are ya? Love the place!" Corey's lively voice lifted the atmosphere. His extroverted personality could save any awkward situation.

"Hey, Eric! Nice to meet the guy in person at last! Your brother has talked a lot about you." Jack excitedly said, a big smile apparent on his face.

"Nice to meet you, too, Jack!" Eric said, trying to avoid jacks eyes as much as possible, while not trying to look into Jack's eyes, usually when Eric gets himself into new situations he tends to be a little awkward as he often say stuff without any context or hesitation.

Although, Eric couldn't keep himself from not looking at him, that would just be impolite, right?

"Do you smoke?" Jack questioned, still keeping the weird look on his face.

"Um, no, do you smoke?" Eric answered simply.

"No!" Jack answered with tense voice.

Eric felt really, really uncomfortable now. He felt the cold sweat on his back slowly forming. He felt the urge to say something, to break the tension.

"You like pets?" Eric asked to make the conversation a little lighter. "Why did I say that?" "Do you like pets? What kind of question is that?" he thought to himself. Having a little fight with his own mind.

"Nah, I have a hard enough time keeping track of myself," Jack said with a small chuckle. "you?" He nodded.

"I'm not a pet guy." Eric answered while shaking his head slightly, focusing all his attention on Jack, he could make out every crevice and wrinkle in his face.

"I got 4 kids, though!" He burst out still looking in to Jack's eyes. He didn't say anything, just watched.

Corey burst out in laughter. Eric and Jack stood there, no one knew what to say after that, their gazes awkwardly shifted everywhere but each others faces.

"I thought it was funny" Corey chuckled out with a bit of embarrassment. Jack looked up from the floor, placing his attention on Eric.

"Favorite color on 3...GO!" He said quickly.

"1, 2, 3, BLUE!" They both said at the same time.

Corey let out a small sigh and looked a lot less stressed now. Some time later...
"See you later, Eric!" Jack said.

"Yeah, nice to meet you too!" Eric said and pat his shoulder. They took one last glance at each other before going their separate ways.
Corey took a breath and looked relieved that it went good.
From nowhere Eric burst out, "I don't like him." And turned away walking back to the door.

Corey's mood changed from relieved to stressed again.
"Eric, what are you doing to me?" Corey burst out, a questioning look on his face.
"We had a deal, you and Jack are so perfect for each other that you should be married!" He almost shouted out, almost too loud.

"I'm not ready" Eric answered with a calm tone. Not realizing what he just burst out. Not knowing that this very moment was gonna grow into something a lot bigger than first expected.

***