Chapter 94 Chapter Ninety
Chapter 94 Chapter Ninety
Omniscient Narrative
Chris noticed it first, he had noticed the glances, the pauses.
The tension in a room when Alex and Demi happened to be in it at the same time.
But he also noticed the smaller things.
The ones that didn't announce themselves, like the others.
Although he had his own love life and feelings to deal with, he had to take up one story at a time.
.
It was late afternoon when Chris finally put the pieces together.
He sat at the kitchen table, laptop open, half-working, half-observing.
Demi was in the living room, he was on his phone as usual, scrolling through it.
Alex was in his room probably engaged in a thing or two.
And yet, Chris could feel both of them.
There was this kind of invisible thread between them that hadn't gone away, no matter how much time had passed or how many words had been spoken.
Chris had tried not to think about it at first.
Because it wasn't his place, but come on, who were they kidding.
Chris exhaled slowly, closing his laptop.
This wasn't something he could fix.
But it was something he could understand.
.
Demi didn't mean to look.
He really didn't, but sometimes he would catch himself staring at the blond boy.
Alex walking through the apartment, Alex talking quietly on the phone, Alex laughing at something when watching the television.
And every time, every time, Demi's chest would tighten.
Because part of him still reacted to Alex the same way it always had.
And that scared him.
"You're spacing out again Demi” Chris said one evening, nudging him lightly when he noticed the other boy wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying.
Demi blinked. "Sorry” he apologized half heartedly.
Chris smiled faintly. "You know, if you want to talk to him, you can always just go knock on his door”
Demi looked at him panicked a bit before he turned away. "I don’t want to talk to him, I was just lost in thoughts because I’m tired that’s all”
Chris didn't call him out on it, but he noticed the way his eye twitched. He knew the thought had crossed the other boy’s mind.
“Then why do you usually stare at his door or let your eyes linger on him when he’s not paying attention” Chris rose his brow at him.
“Uh-“ Demi was cut of guard with that question “be-because I’m a bit uncomfortable” he lied
Whenever Alex was nearby, Demi became more aware, more guarded.
He felt everything but discomfort and Chris noticed it.
“But I make sure to ask you how you feel everyday and you’ve never mentioned that before”
“Yeah, well the discomfort just happened okay” he said in a tone that meant he was done with the conversation.
It was then that Alex had walked out of the room, he greeted them both and went into the kitchen.
Chris noticed how Demi’s whole body tensed, how he tried his hardest not to look at the shirtless boy.
“Went to grab a cup of water” he said to Chris when he noticed the boy watching his move. He went back to his room and Demi relaxed immediately.
‘Does he think I’m a fool’ Chris asked himself.
Chris leaned back in his chair, thinking.
‘This isn’t going to be simple’
‘If I have to interfere, I guess I’ll have to do it quick’
.
.
Demi on the other hand hated that Chris could see through him in just the short period of time they’ve gotten close.
But it wasn’t because Chris judged him, but because he didn't.
Chris understood too easily because he too was facing a one sided love, but at least Demi got to be with his for a short period of time. Chris has to pretend to be best friends with his.
“You thinking about him?" That came out of no where. Alex had gone back to the room and it had been a few minutes since then
Demi hesitated.
"Yeah” he didn’t see a reason to lie
Chris didn't react the way Demi expected him to.
"Do you still want him back?" Chris asked, he has been dreading this question.
Demi's first instinct was to deny it.
To say no.
To protect what he and Chris had, even though it was a facade and one day they’ll have to move on to people they actually love.
But the truth didn't let him.
"-I don't know," Demi admitted.
Chris studied him. He didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he processed what Demi had said.
Chris exhaled slowly.
"Okay” he said.
Demi frowned slightly. "Okay?"
Chris nodded as he shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah”
Demi looked confused. "That's it?"
Chris smiled faintly. "What did you expect me to say?"
Demi hesitated. "I don't know. Something, more."
Chris shook his head.
"No," he said calmly. "I'm not going to get involved with you and Alex, you two need to figure this shit out yourselves. If you’re waiting for an advice or some sort of encouragement then you’re not getting it from me. You need to focus on this all on your own”
Demi's chest tightened.
Chris leaned back taking the remote in his hand and changing the channel.
"We’re going to have to stop pretending we’re together” he said.
Demi blinked. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Chris said, "you’re going to get your man and this whole relationship thing we have going on is done”
Demi's heart pounded slightly.
"Chris-“
"I'm not leaving you," Chris added quickly, seeing the worry in Demi's expression. "I'm just trying to help the little I can. And I already have a lot in my plate with Kyle”
“So you think Alex and I can go back to how we used to?” Demi asked
“I’m certain, remember before you guys got together, the whole school already thought you guys were a thing. There’s no Demi without Alex” Chris brought his hand to comfort Demi’s.
“I’m scared Chris, I don’t want to be hurt anymore”
“I promise you won’t” he brought his pinky and out and Demi crossed it with his.
Demi cuddled up to Chris and they started watching television.
“How’s Kyle doing? It’s been a few days since he visited Alex”
“He had to go to his grandmas place. She’s very sick. I would have gone too but he told me he just wants to be alone”
“And I know it’s killing you” Chris looked at him with a questioning look.
“Not being able to be there for the one you love” he added.
“Yeah, I mean why do you think you constantly have your eyes on Alex like a hawk” Chris winked at him. Demi playfully smacked his chest and cuddled it
.
.
One evening, Alex and Demi ended up in the kitchen at the same time.
Chris had gone out earlier.
The silence between them wasn't as heavy as it used to be.
"Hey Demi” Alex said carefully.
Demi glanced at him. "Hi”
There was pause and it wasn’t awkward.
Alex hesitated.
"Do you want help with that?" he asked, nodding toward the food Demi was preparing.
Demi looked at him for a second longer than necessary.
Then nodded.
"Yeah. Thank you."
It wasn't much, but it was something.
When Chris returned later that night and saw the two of them in the kitchen, they were talking.
“No, Rosie was the one who killed manuel, did you see how she didn’t even shed a tear when his death was announced?” Demi cried out.
“I’m telling you, it’s Jose that killed him” Alex argued back.
“Why would his brother kill him? Ughh!” They were arguing over the Mexican drama Alex had accidentally started watching one random day which had become the house’s new show.
Chris watched them and didn't interrupt, he didn't step in, instead, he just leaned against the doorway for a brief second, watching.
‘Watch them get together in a month’ he scoffed and made his way to the room, trying not to make a sound.