Nandor rubbed his head against Alex's shoulder while he sat patiently waiting for Andrea to come out of her room. She'd been spending a lot of time rehearsing for an audition and they hadn't been able to talk since the last band practice 4 days ago. Alex was worried about her reaction but deep down he knew she wasn't going to oppose his relationship with Montag. She always said she was happy if he was happy. And he'd never been happier.
Alex really needed her to know. He was getting tired of having to hide, he wasn't doing anything wrong and after listening to Debra's words he was worried about the fate of his relationship with Montag. Alex didn't want to cause Montag any headaches, he wanted to be a source of joy not a hindrance.
What if he gets bored of me? What if he meets someone better than me? Someone who doesn't force him into a secret relationship?
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
Alex was so lost in his thoughts he didn't notice Andrea sitting next to him. She looked calmed, scratching Nandor's chin. Anxiety filled his body; he didn't know how to verbalize his thoughts. She smiled at him and gave him an enquiring look.
"Ah…I wanted to talk about my relationship."
"Your boyfriend?" She sounded excited and that made him more nervous.
"Yeah, ah, since I submitted all my documents and I'll have more free time I want him to come here and be with me and that's why we need to talk."
"Sure"
"Do you have any specific questions?"
"I was dying for you to open up, gosh." She slid closer to him "how did you meet him? You never go out. Was he your classmate? How long have you been going out? How old is he?"
Alex swallowed and smiled nervously. She was so wrong and so excited at the same time; he didn't want to burst her bubble, but he was concerned about her response because she clearly didn't like Montag. They hardly tolerated each other.
"He's older. We've been dating for a little over 2 weeks, but we fooled around for a couple of weeks before that"
"Oooh, look at you"
"Shush, don't interrupt me or I might lose my courage"
"Ok, ok, keep going. How did you meet this guy? This is probably what I'm most curious about, because you've been living 22 years without even looking at someone in a friendly way, much less a romantic one and you never go out."
"I met him through you. We started with the wrong foot but that changed fast"
"Through me? But I only take you to the studi-" Her eyes widened, and her jaw fell "No, no, no, no, no. Are you crazy, Alex?"
"Wait, wait." He got up and started pacing the room "It happened so fast, and I've never felt anything like it."
"Alex, I've seen him use people like tissues. I know he's super attractive and maybe you're blinded by his sexiness."
"I knew you were gonna say that" he crouched in front of her and took her hands "You don't know him. He's such a good person and treats me so kindly."
"Have you fucked?"
"What?! What does that have to do with anything?!"
"So, you haven't. He probably treats you kindly because he wants to fuck you."
"No, that's not it. I was the one who pushed him to date, he didn't want to get involved with me despite being attracted to me."
"He was probably playing hard to get."
"You're so frustrating!" He got up and stomped his right foot on the floor "you think you know everything! I'm literally explaining to you what I've lived, why can't you trust my judgement?"
The hot tears he felt trickling down his cheeks surprised him. He didn't want to get too emotional; he was aware of how emotions could be perceived as hysterics or manipulation. He knew he was right, and crying might discredit his arguments. Angry, he brushed his tears and took several deep breaths.
"Alex, I love you, you know that. I'm just worried about Montag taking advantage of you."
"I don't understand how you have a comeback for everything I'm saying, and each one of them is wrong." He clenched his fist and tried to speak slowly "I'll tell you the same thing I told him; I'm not a child, I'm responsible for my own choices and I'm aware of what I'm facing."
"Ok" she sighed and got up "I'm here if you need me. Your boyfriend is welcome here but don't expect me to go out of my way to be friendly with him."
"As long as you're cordial it's enough for me."
Andrea kissed him on the cheek and walked back to her room. Alex felt the strength leaving his body and collapsed on the couch. Nandor took advantage of the position and sat on his chest purring. He patted him on the butt and chuckled. Relief spread through his body making him feel like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. Now all that was left was talking to Montag. He took his phone out and called him.
"For a socially anxious person you like to call a lot" Alex could hear the smile in Montag's voice.
"I didn't think a text was enough. I talked to Andrea"
"Baby, no. I wanted to be with you and support you. How did it go?"
"She was not happy but, in the end, she took it well enough to tolerate it."
"She probably hates my guts."
"I don't think so. You probably need to change her opinion on you."
"What did she say?"
"She implied that you're a fuckboy."
"I never got involved with someone who didn't know what they were signing up for from the beginning."
"I believe you."
"But I can totally see what that might look like from the outside. Some of the people I've been involved with have tried to rekindle our arrangement and some of them I've rejected in front of your sister."
"I don't blame them. You're gorgeous"
"Fuck, I never know what to expect from your mouth"
"Compliments, kisses and whatever you want to teach me."
"How did you get so good at flirting in such a short time?"
"I'm a fast learner, remember? The video?" Alex heard Montag hissed and smiled
"Do you have anything planned for tomorrow? I might need you here with me."
"Don't you have to work?"
"I'll ask my boss for some PTO, he's chill."
"I have a better offer then."
"Tell me."
"If we can sleep in tomorrow maybe we shouldn't be wasting time being alone tonight. We can cuddle and kiss."
"Holy shit, I'll see you tonight."
Alex giggled and kicked his feet. He was so happy. After hanging up he stared at his phone screen for a long time and then hugged the phone against his chest. The sound of a throat being cleared made him look up. Andrea was standing in the hallway looking at him with teary eyes and a smile on her face.
"I support you and I'll be there with you whenever you want to talk with mom and dad. Keep on being happy"