Saturday.
Day 14.
Issa.
"You look like death." I arrive at the library the next day with Lectra to find Blake sitting down at our table we normally resigned at, already judging my not too amazing appearance from not sleeping a single wink last night.
"How nice of you to notice." It took me a moment longer than it should have to realize I was giving him attitude.
"Sorry. I didn't sleep well. Kinda grumpy today." Blake nods like he wasn't all too bothered to begin with anyway and continues typing on his computer, also looking like he hadn't slept too good.
"Well you have every right to be upset. After everything from yesterday."
"Uh oh. What happened yesterday?" Completely forgetting Blake hadn't yet been informed, he sits there gawking at us waiting for an answer. In all honesty, I didn't feel like talking more about it today after what I figured out last night, or even just bringing it up again.
"Lectra would you mind just telling him for me? I'm already cutting it close for me and Georges 'date' and don't feel like hearing from him about being late." I begin getting up from the table and packing up my things when Blake pops up too;
"Date? So are we done pretending?" I could see the sorrow filling his eyes in an instant, and beside him, still sitting was Lectra, rolling her eyes at him.
"No, she isn't done. 'Date' not an actual date." Blake didn't notice her sass as she air-quoted the word, but I sure did. That was my cue to get the hell out of there before it went further south.
"Yeah. So-I'll see you two later." And just like that I was out of there, speed walking down the hallways to Georges room. I had to trust Lectra if she said she didn't have a thing for Blake, but she said the same thing about Wes, and she ended up having it bad for him, so I wasn't sure what to do. I was almost certain I should just end me and Blake's fake relationship. I would, just not today.
I'm sure that wouldn't end up biting me on the ass later.
•••
Before I knew it I was standing in front of Georges door, room 108. I remember when I first left his room the night I was puking my guts up from the pen full of who-knows-what, I had noticed his room was just down the hall from mine. Now it made perfect sense that he would be right next to Cam's office.
I raise my hand to knock but before I can, the door opens and out comes Cam. Behind him staring us down is George.
"Oh. Hi. You're early." Cam wasn't giving me sass or looking at me like he would rather be talking to anyone else at the moment, just like he was nervous to be talking to me. It weirded me out more than anything.
"I'm only like 5 minutes early." I sounded much more grounded than I really felt talking to Cam, which gained me some more confidence. I step to move inside but can't as he was standing in the doorway blocking my path inside.
"Can I come in or-?" He finally takes a small step to the side, giving me barely any space to avoid him. As I slide inside my hand just barely brushes his and I am immediately sick to my stomach all over again.
I get inside and George gives me a lazy wave.
"See you later George." Cam waves me a way too civil goodbye next then heads down the hall. When he only goes to the room next to Georges and heads inside, I can't help but blurt;
"What-his room is right next to yours and his office?"
"I mean, yeah?" I don't know why I was surprised at all, of course he was Cam's neighbor too.
"Nice." George senses the sarcastic tone in my voice and his face goes guarded. Then he was surprising me by not exploding at me but instead acting calm and collected.
"If this is going to work, we all have to act civilized. That means no backhanded remarks." Knowing he was right but still wanting to give him a sarcastic comeback, I simply stay silent and nod.
"I talked to Cam about that too, so he'll be nice. And yes, you'll have to stream with him occasionally too." It would explain why Cam wasn't being rude when he saw me just a bit ago. I suddenly felt like I was being taught a lesson at an actual school and couldn't help but giggle at him at the irony. George stops so abruptly you'd think I'd smacked him, then he asks;
"What?"
"It's like you're my teacher or something. It's a little funny." He finally let's go of his stern look and he let's in a smirk. I wasn't sure why I was feeling so relaxed with him so fast when just the other day we had gotten into a pretty heated argument. I'm surprised when he actually goes with what I had said;
"Yeah, I guess I kinda am." He"s staring at me a little too long so I decided to break the silence.
"So what are we doing today?" He finally snaps out of it and walks over to his desk then simply leans against it.
"Well, unlike what I told you, we won't be streaming. Just teaching you basics." I couldn't help but be disappointed. I had thought he was going to stream so I could see the actual thing. I then remember that I had already technically seen him stream before for me to watch. Only this was at the house.
That was when things were so much better between him and I.
George must notice my saddening expression because he was hesitantly adding;
"Unless you want to actually watch a stream today instead?" Totally surprised that George was letting me get my way, all I can do is grin wildly at him.
"I mean, yeah. It was kinda what I was hoping for." He only takes several seconds to scope me over, then he was sighing and agreeing;
"Hmph. Okay fine. I guess we'll stream a little today, then tomorrow you can 'study' or whatever." It was strange how excited I suddenly was. After everything that's been going on I was remarkably-okay. Even being here with George.
"And by 'we'll stream' I mean just me, obviously."
"Gotcha." I nod his way with a sweet smile then George was leaning off of his desk and taking one uncertain step over to me.
"Hey. Are you okay?" I was sure he was talking about my deathly looking appearance that Blake had so helpfully pointed out this morning. I didn't want him to know about the Boss and everything, at least yet, so I decided to just lie.
"I didn't sleep too great, but I'm good." I guess it wasn't a complete lie, I really hadn't slept good, I just wasn't about to tell him why.
"If it's because of what I said last time we were together, I was angry and said stupid crap. You know I still care about you Issa. Even if Blake is in my way right now." I wanted to yell at him and tell him that Cam was what was in our way, not Blake, but I held it back and kept my cool.
"I know you didn't mean it. I didn't either. Well-some of it at least." This time he laughed and all the tension exploded in midair. I then realized that I was laughing along with him. Our laughter was shortcoming when Georges phone began buzzing.
"Lemme guess, it's Cam asking how I'm behaving, right?" George flips on his phone to read the message and is immediately looking back up at me like I was psychic. Well, he wouldn't be wrong.
"That's exactly it. I'll tell him I'm about to stream. You just sit-" Before he even has the chance to finish his sentence, I was making my way over to his bed, already knowing the drill from last time.
"-on my bed, yeah. So you're out of view." I simply 'mhm' at him making him give me a more attentive gaze now.
"I won't say a word. I've got it." I knew I was probably freaking him out, but it was too easy. I've already lived through this, and the look on his face was too priceless to stop. George clears his throat then turns away from watching me finally. He was typing away on his phone then I heard the dial tone.
"Hey. You mind streaming today instead of tomorrow?" There was a couple seconds of silence on both ends until finally I heard some mumbling from Cam.
"Yes. I know. I'm sorry-Please?" It was clear George was using his charm against Cam, and I didn't have any doubt that it would work. Telling me I was correct, George turned around to eye me with a huge approving smile.
"Thanks Cam. Yeah, 5 minutes." George sets down his phone on his desk then he loses his smile, attempting to look cool and relaxed when he says;
"Easy." I roll my eyes at his cocky arrogance then state;
"Right. So we going to start or what?"
"Yeah. Just like, sit back and watch everything I do." I nodded and did exactly as he asked. And just like that, I was watching George stream with Cam, again. Just before he started the stream, George had turned on his blue sparkling lights in his room, reminding me yet again of how much he used to mean to me.
•••
"I'm gonna call it quits real soon here."
"Oh what? After just 3 hours you're already done? Weak." George and Cam had been streaming for much longer than I thought they would, leaving me to sit on Georges bed with nothing to do besides listen. It didn't take me long to get hungry from boredom, just the same as last time. But now I was just plain hungry and was growing hungrier by each second they stayed on the stream.
"Oh whatever. I've got things to do. So I'm ending it whether you like it or not George." By this point I hadn't really been paying attention, just praying they would get done soon. When I finally tuned in to hear them discussing ending the stream, I couldn't help but let out a big sigh.
I then immediately regretted it. I was an absolute idiot and somehow completely forgot his viewers might hear me. I quickly slapped my hand over my mouth, which ended up making another noise. Wow Issa.
Finally I resorted in just diving my head into George's pillow out of embarrassment, while also hiding from the icy stare he was probably throwing my way. I can't help but flinch at the sound of his voice again.
"Yeah. I'll head out too. It's been fun." George didn't sound upset, but maybe like he was trying to bring the attention elsewhere now. Then Cam was speaking up too, making me jump once more.
"Yup. See you guys soon! Bye!"
"Bye-bye!" I don't bother moving from George's pillow, I keep it tucked away shamefully awaiting his wrath.
"You can get up now. You're not in trouble." My face shoots up from his bed, already missing the smell of him on it, and hesitantly study him.
"I'm not?" I felt like such a kid getting caught stealing a lollipop from a store, getting lectured by my mother. George only stared me down amusingly, then he chuckled lightly as he explains;
"No, it was barely noticeable. I'm sure there will be talk, but nothing they can figure out. If it were anything else though-not good."
"With the Boss right, not the viewers?" He stops smiling then goes serious.
"Yeah, exactly." Taking the opportunity to ask him about the Boss, I blow out a massive breath and go for it.
"Why is it you and Cam just know that the Boss will let me stream?" It was always weird to me to begin with that they were so certain that he would just let me do it, but now knowing what I know, they definitely had to know something too. George looks taken aback hard by my question and pauses before answering.
"I-well, you know. How could he resist a pretty girl like you? It would-surprise him. He'd like the initiative and for sure let you." With all of Georges fumbling over words and stuttering, it was hard for me to tell it from truth or not.
"Oh. Alright."
"It'll work. I promise." All I can manage is a small smile telling him I believed him, even of I kind of wasn't sure if I really did. I'm about to open my mouth to say literally anything to kill the awkward silence forming between us when my stomach growls louder than it ever has before. Just what I needed, something else to embarrass me.
"Um. I'm kinda hungry." George glances over his clock then slaps his forehead.
"We missed dinner. Crap." I was already well aware of this but didn't feel like making him feel worse for it so I simply state;
"It's fine. I can just wait for breakfast." He looks at me like I was on crack then shakes his head hard at my statement.
"Hell no. I'll get you some food. Come with me." George takes my hand then begins tugging me toward the door. I whip my head back around at his clock and immediately blurt;
"Wait! It's almost curfew! Plus we can't get food now, the cafeteria is closed. If we're caught-" I feel George softly squeeze my hand still in his then, making direct eye contact, he was boldy saying;
"Then we just won't get caught." George sends a way too casual wink my way then he was opening his door slowly. He peaks his head to scope around one side of the hallway, then the other. Confused, I let out a sigh and ask;
"What are you scared of seeing? You're basically a guard here too George. And the cafeteria is right around the corner." He sits up straight then studies me like I was an absolute genius.
"I have an idea." I'm about to ask what he could have possibly just come up with when I was suddenly being dragged out into he hallway. Like, literally dragged. My feet could barely keep up with George as we basically sprinted to the cafeteria. When I finally make it to his side after he stops, George pulls me closer then whispers;
"I'll just use you as a prisoner if we're caught. Smart, right?" I didn't even waste my breath telling him that was my exact idea, and that I indeed was already a prisoner, but keep it to myself as we finally walked into the cafeteria. It was then that it finally clicked that I was still holding his hand, so I shook him off abruptly.
"Okay-back here." George was acting like he was an actual fbi agent on a mission as he darted through the couple of doors leading to the kitchen area. I hold back my smile watching him move inside then turn to beckon me to follow him. I do as he says and proceed behind him.
I walk in to find George standing in front of a stove with an apron on with a big spatula in his hand.
"Whatcha want to eat? I'll whip it up for ya." Watching him stand in front of me with the apron on while slapping the spatula against his palm, all I wanted to scream was 'you, definitely you.'
"Erm-spaghetti?" He stops smacking his hand and studies me, then asks with determination;
"With meatballs?" What the hell was it with him right now that was making me want him this bad? And what was it about kitchens that I couldn't seem to avoid with guys?
"Of course. I'm not insane." George straightens up then tightens his apron and starts pacing over to a large fridge. When he finally digs around and finds some hamburger, he places it on the counter then turns to me.
"Alright, you're on meatball duty then. I'll work on the sauce."
"Oh no-I stink at cooking." George rolls his eyes playfully at me then he moves over to a cupboard and pulls out some spaghetti noodles.
"Fine. Noodles it is. I'm sure you can handle that." He tosses me the box which I catch with a loud rotation of the noodles in the package.
"Yes, that I can handle just fine." In the corner of Georges mouth I see a sneaky smirk forming then he was moving to grab some spices. I finally move more into the kitchen with him to grab a pan then fill it with water and begin boiling it.
After awhile of us doing our own things, I snuck a peak at George to see him rolling balls of hamburger onto a frying pan. He was looking much too fascinated with his work so I decided to interrupt;
"Having fun over there Chef?" He rotates his neck around and sends a vibrant smile my way, then he was suddenly looking serious.
"That's Chef George to you, Miss I Can't Make Meatballs."
"Hey, if you wanted some tainted meatballs with your noodles, that shits on you." Like I had just said something offensive, George sets down the meatball he was getting ready to roll, and takes a step over to me.
"Here-I'll show you then." Without giving me enough time to reject him, George was taking my wrist in his hand and pulling me over to his tray of meats and seasonings.
"It's really simple. You just can't put too much seasoning in, or too little, otherwise that's when they get bad."
"Yeah, so simple." He catches my sarcastic tone and tosses me a smile before continuing what he was doing. He had started molding a meatball in front of me, showing me how it was done then setting it on the pan for it to fry. I was then frozen in place when he takes ahold of my hands once more.
"Now just do what I did." He takes a wad of the hamburger and sets it in my hands, making me cringe at the feel of it.
"Put how much seasoning you think it needs. Show me." He finally let's go of me but doesn't move away from my side, still pressed against me as I reached for the spices next to us. I pour as much as he had showed me then ask;
"Is this good?" I speak at last and I sound just as jittery as I felt. Beside me, I felt him shrug then let out a quiet 'eh', debating whether or not I was doing good.
"Let's just try again." George takes my apparently, faulty meatball, and sets it aside, then he grabs me another and mimics what he had done before. This time I sprinkle a significantly less amount of seasoning onto the meat then I wait for his approval.
The second I stop, George let's out a forced disapproved sigh. I glance up to finally study him, knowing exactly what he was playing at. I don't notice right away that I was smirking when I state;
"I know what you're trying to do here George." The minute those words leave my mouth I could hear his breathing delay.
"I have no idea what you could possibly mean by that Issa." By his oblivious tone, I knew immediately that he was being sarcastic and knew damn well what he was doing. Both of my meatballs were perfect, he just wanted some more time together. And I had to admit, it was clever.
"You know what you're doing." It was then that Georges hands found mine once again, and slowly began stroking my arm. I don't move an inch, I just let it happen, not thinking about any bad history he and I had together. I just wanted to take in all of his touch as it sent chills down my spine.
"What is it you think I'm doing exactly?" George had now moved his face just close enough to my ear that his breathing tickled my neck.
"I-I-" I don't get the chance to even start telling him how badly I missed him, because just then there was a loud hissing sound coming from behind us on the stove. The meatball I forgot I was still holding falls from my hand and rolls onto the floor with a hilarious splat. Ignoring the sound behind us, I begin giggling at the poorly timed hilarity of the meatball.
George retracts from holding me and rushes over to the stove. I finally turn and see it was the noodle water overflowing with bubbles onto the heaters.
"Shit-ow-crap!" George turns off the stove and sets aside the noodles with a unforgiving gaze my way now as he bluntly states;
"Well-noodles are done. Sorta." I scratch at my head, feeling heat all over my cheeks. Trying to forget what I had almost just told him, I walk over to my noodles and take one and plop it into my mouth.
"Maybe they're a little over done. Oops." No longer looking disappointed in me, he begins smiling deviously.
"You couldn't even make the noodles right. That's a little sad." Actually offended, I gasp then inform him;
"Hey, this it technically you're fault. You just had to show me how to make those meatballs." Georges smile grows even larger as he watched me this time, then he began maneuvering back over to me again while he said;
"Yeah, and it was going so well too." It was evident that he was trying yet again to make a move on me. Of course I wanted him to do it too, but there was something telling me not to, as bad as I really did want George. I quickly step back from him and say the first thing on my mind.
"You better get working on those meatballs-before they burn." Like I had just flipped a switch, Georges eye widened and was shuffling over to them to begin turning them over before they could burn.
"I think you can handle making the rest on your own then. I'll make some new noodles." With a sad glance my way, he finally grabs some meat and begins making them, clearing understanding him and I wouldn't be happening.
Exhaling loudly, I move over to my old batch of noodles and start all the way over on them. I giggle to myself then, knowing it was definitely too late now to tell him I had completely lost my appetite.
•••
"Fine. I'll admit it. You make a good meatball George."
"Eh-hem. Chef George. Remember?" I swear I could almost see a red lazer from my glare shoot through his forehead, and by the look he returned to me, he might've saw it too.
"Sorry. Thank you. Your noodles were-good too?" I have probably rolled my eyes at him a total of one zillion times tonight and didn't feel like wasting the energy doing it again so I just stayed quiet. That didn't last too long, because seconds after, a very involuntary burp exits my throat, echoing through the kitchen.
"Wow. That was hot, do it again." Catching onto his joke, I shake my head bashfully. George begins laughing at me only making me feel worse.
"Ugh. That was gross, I'm sorry." Shrugging, George stands and begins taking our dishes to the dishwasher and places them inside.
"It's natural. Nothing to be ashamed of." He sits back down next to me with a big yawn paired with a stretch, acting unbothered. Not sure if I believed him, I try as hard as I can to change the subject.
"I bet Cam is wondering where you went off to."
"Yeah, at first he was. I texted him earlier." I nod, acting more engaged than I really was, still feeling embarrassed about my burp.
"Why do you keep asking about Cam today?" Instantly, my embarrassment was gone and replaced with fear. I was happy George didn't sound upset when he spoke, just genuinely curious. I wasn't sure how to answer his question. I wasn't even sure why I was bringing him up alot. Maybe it was simply because I missed the Cam I knew, or maybe just jealous of what George and him had together here.
"I don't really know. Why?"
"I just thought you hated him. It's weird that you care about what he thinks of what's going on." I wanted to yell at George and tell him that I in no way cared at all what Cam thought, but that would have been a lie. Of course this Cam was different, but he still had similarities to the one I cared so much about. It was getting harder and harder to hate him.
"I do hate him. Kind of. It's complicated."
"I know that. Sometimes I kinda hate him too." George shines his smile at me and I can't help but already feel instantly better. It was short lasted though, because soon after his smile was shrinking and turning into a worried frown. We sat there studying eachother for only another moment until finally he spoke;
"Why do you keep holding back from me Issa?" I blink at him, not knowing exactly what to say. Should I tell him it's because of Blake and lie to him or tell him the truth? That it's because I can't trust him to not cheat on me a third time. There was no way I could tell him that, ever.
"You know why." Rolling his eyes, looking ten times more annoyed now, George blurts;
"What-Blake? He's nothing to you and you know it." I roll my eyes right back, also becoming irked.
"He isn't. You don't know anything George." I was only annoyed because he was right. He knew exactly everything. I didn't love Blake, some days I barely liked him, even just as a friend. I was just using him to make George jealous. I absolutely hated how right he really was.
"We-we already talked about this. I don't want to fight again. Please George. Just leave it alone." Almost scaring myself by how calm I sounded, I have to blow out a breath to regain myself. I find myself needing to grip the side of the counter to say my next words, unsure if I'd regret it.
"You have Cam. He's what you need. Not me. So stop trying." Before I can overthink what I just told George, I stand and turn to leave. I make it to the door to the cafeteria and hesitate, unable to move.
"Wait!" His voice echos through me, almost making the damn burst inside me, then I felt a hand take mine and turn me back around. I stand there, a couple inches away from George now, neither of us saying a word. I'm about to speak when he hushes me, then with a shakey breath says;
"I just needed one more." I open my mouth to question him when he pulls me into him and kisses me long and hard, and I let him. I don't throw him off of me and slap him across the face like I should have, I just take in what I knew was probably our last kiss. When I finally remove myself from his embrace, I finally noticed George had been crying through our kiss.
I gulp down the urge to join him in tears and back away, already wanting to crawl back into his arms to comfort him. As soon as I move, George breaks and is weeping mournfully, not holding back his tears. Not wanting to watch him falling apart, I ready myself to say goodbye. My words flow out smoothly when I talk again;
"I'll see you tomorrow." Honestly, I didn't really want to meet up again, but I knew I needed to. George seems to also understand and nods through his sobs. Having seen enough of him, I finally turn and begin walking away.
This time as I make my way to the kitchen door, I don't hesitate to leave George standing there all by himself as I fled to my room.