"Thank you for coming with me" Andrea smiled brightly while tapping fast on her phone "Debra is coming up to let us in"
As she was saying that a loud bang followed by a squeaking noise interrupted their conversation. That door needed to be oiled. He blinked and bit the inside of his cheek, honestly, he needed the distraction of being dragged across the city by his sister. Two days had passed since he submitted his primary application to Columbia University and the anxiety was killing him. He knew that process took several weeks and yet his mind was going a mile per minute imagining scenarios where he was rejected and even banned from reapplying. It was ridiculous.
"Hi baby, didn't know you were bringing your brother" Debra hugged his siter and smiled at him moving aside so they could enter.
"I wanted him to get some air, he thinks I'm an idiot but I know he's going crazy refreshing his email after his med school application" She said it while grinning and Alex blushed. Damned her perceptive mind.
"Andrea is always talking about how smart you are and how you excelled at college. I'm sure you'll pass"
Alex bit his tongue, resisting the urge of telling her she knew nothing about what he was going through. His therapist taught him sometimes people talked as if sure of good outcomes as a way of reassuring and comforting others. He followed them to a big room with wooden walls and carpeted floors. Different kinds of speakers rested against the walls, a black drum set in the corner and a lot of cables on the floor. Clumsy people like him could get easily hurt there.
A side door opened and Julian walked in closely followed by Montag and Derek, the fourth member of the band. As soon as Julian saw Andrea, he ran and picked her up in his arms kissing her. They were extremely corny; it was borderline embarrassing.
"For God's sake, guys, have a little pity for the singles around" Derek said and walked past them to plug his guitar to the amplifier.
Montag scoffed softly and got a cable out of his backpack. Alex stared at him without blinking. He was predisposed against the man, and his cynicism, of which he was also guilty of, bothered him. He didn't appreciate people making fun of his sister. Alex decided to confront him.
"What's so funny?" he asked between clenched teeth.
"Nothing and please stop staring. You're making me uncomfortable" he didn't look at him while talking which made Alex even angrier.
"You're one to talk, you made me lose my shit disrespecting my boundaries, I think I'm entitled to make you uncomfortable"
"Big talk for someone who could go crazy with a handshake," he smirked. "Put yourself to use and hand me that cable" he pointed at a corner.
Alex huffed but did as he was told. He was determined to be the bigger person and not unsettle his sister. Montag thanked him with a nod and resumed preparing his keyboard. He was calmed and focused while testing the keys. Alex took the opportunity to study his face: Long, thick black lashes surrounded a pair of green almond-shape emerald eyes that were covered by black rimmed glasses that rested in his straight, slightly deviated nose. A simple ring-like piercing decorated his septum and his full lips completed a face that could be called classically beautiful were it not for the lack of smile and perpetually bored expression. The tip of his tongue peered out of his lips and stayed there as if he was too focused to put it back into his mouth.
Something like electricity rippled from Alex's chest to his lower belly and he felt his limbs tingling. This didn't feel like his usual panic attack. He excused himself and sprinted to the bathroom. His heart was pounding and he felt like hyperventilating, the feeling wasn't exactly bad but it wasn't good either. He looked at his groin, there was a tent in his pants and he could feel the tip of his dick brushing against his boxers.
'what the fuck is wrong with me?'
He went back on his thoughts and realization hit him. Of all the people to be aroused by, of all the times he wondered if there was something malfunctioning in his body because he couldn't seem to behave like his peers, of all his pondering about his lack of desire, he had to end up being attracted to that man, the borderline sociopath, easily-get-on-his-nerves, Montag. He was screwed.
He washed his face with cold water and took several deep breaths. No one had to know, he could keep on going acting normally, no one died of unfulfilled desire. He just needed to put some distance between them and focus on something else.
The doorknob rattled and a knock on the door startled him. Montag's muffled voice traveled across the wood
"Are you taking long? I have to pee".
Alex opened so fast he hit his hand on the wall. Perfect, the pain distracted him. Montag was standing in the hallway with his arms crossed. His vacant stare and statuesque expression excited his heart once again. He could feel the heat rising on his face. Goddammit.
"You okay? your face is all red"
"I'm magnificent, thank you for your concern, maybe it is too hot at the studio. I think I'm gonna go. Please let Andrea know I'll be waiting at home and tell her I'll make dinner. She can text me if she wants something in particular. We went for groceries recently and we have ingredients for almost everything she likes."
He spoke so fast it was almost unintelligible. Montag was smiling, one eyebrow raised inquisitively. The smile transformed his face completely, warming his expression and turning him from an above average man into someone irresistible. Alex never hated himself more than in that very minute.
"I'm sorry, I talk fast when i get nervous"
"Nervous? Why would you be nervous?" Alex could swear his voice got deeper. Montag got closer to him forcing him to retreat until his back was against the sink "Do I make you nervous?"
"Don't be silly, please move, I need to go" He squeezed his eyes shut trying to stop the knot from forming in his throat and chest
"Answer me. Do I make you nervous?" His voice felt closer, the warmth of his breath with its faint scent of cigarette and coffee brushing his cheek. "Are you interested in me? Do you want me to make you feel good? I can make you feel so good"
"Stop!"
Alex pushed him hard and ran out of the bathroom, he didn't waste time checking if Montag was hurt. He kept on running until his lungs burned and his legs felt weak, leaving the studio and the building until the coolness of the afternoon air made his tears run cold and he noticed he was several blocks away.