Page 17 of Nothing to Fear
“Whoa! We have bedrooms for this kinda thing! What the hell, guys?” I yell as I walk past Parker, who has an old hookup of mine, Jay, straddled on his lap, their mouths fused together while Jay dry humps the shit out of him on our couch.
“How’s my sloppy seconds, Park?” I jest as I pull a soda from the fridge, closing the door a little louder than necessary.
“I like it sloppy! And don’t be rude!”
“Is this a fling, or do I need to get used to seeing you twoindecent like this more often? ’Cause I am not into the whole voyeur thing, and I really don’t want any stains on the couch.”
Jay reluctantly slides off of Parker, pulling his legs up to his chest and shoving his feet under Parker’s thigh. Well isn’t that cozy. A little part of me is slightly jealous. Not of Parker or Jay, but more so, I can’t remember the last time I had someone over like this.
“We were waiting for you to get home so we could do the final preparations for Fright Night.”
With five Fridays in October and five houses, it worked out well that each house would get one week, but everyone wanted Halloween. After an advisor from each house pulled a straw, the honor was awarded to Crimson Hall, which is a bit ironic, since Halloween is the night the veil between our world and the spirit realm is the thinnest, and Crimson Hall is rumored to be the most haunted place at Corvus. A fact that we plan to exploit to make Fright Night one that will be remembered for years to come.
“And you just so happened to fall on top of each other?”
“Kinda? Boredom will make you do crazy things. If you had feelings for him, though, Asher, I’m sorry . . .”
I put my hand up to stop Parker from babbling while Jay starts to laugh.
“No feelings. We filled a completely primal need a few times. Have at each other,” I confess. Jay nods his head eagerly in agreement. Parker visibly relaxes. I know he’d never do anything to cross a line, and I’m completely unaffected by finding them hooking up. Well, not completely unaffected. My body and my mind are craving it, just not with Jay.
Parker, Jay, and I spend hours collaborating on Fright Night, and I’m positive that it will beat Ravensmere. Not that it’s a competition, but it’s our senior year, and we want to go out with a bang.
I glance at my watch, noting the time, my stomach rolling with the oddest fluttering sensation. There’s no way I’m feeling butterflies like some playground crush. Jesus. I groan out loud, gaining the attention of my two friends.
“Everything okay, dude?” Jay asks.
“Yeah, just time for me to head out.”
“Hate to break it to you, but you live here.”
Parker makes a choked snort sound. “He’s got to go hang out with Silas Blackwood.”
“We aren’t hanging out,” I correct, using my fingers to air quote. “I’m tutoring him.”
“We graduate soon, don’t you think it’s too late to teach him how to use a pencil?” Jay jokes.
“Or that one plus one equals two?” Parker adds.
“He’s actually wicked smart.” I don’t know why I defend him. I don’t even realize it comes out until the words are strung in the air and Parker and Jay are looking at me like I’ve sprouted two heads, but it’s the truth. “I’m just sayin’, maybe he’s not all that bad.”
“This is a classic case of Stockholm syndrome. I’ve learned about this before. You’re feeling empathy for your abuser. Blink if you need us to get you out.”
“Shut up, Park. I feel empathy for everyone because that’s who I am. I don’t believe anyone is inherently evil. Maybe he’s just had a hard run and is taking it out on everyone around him? Maybe no one’s in his corner?”
“Definitely Stockholm syndrome.”
“Jesus. You two are ridiculous.”
“The Asher I know would never say that! He’s got his claws in deep!” Parker dramatically wails.
“I just called you a fuckin’ twat yesterday. You’ll survive! I’ll be home late.”
“Good luck! Text me if you need to be saved.”
“Will do. Don’t make a mess on the couch!”
“No promises!”
