Page 14 of The Substitute
They’re so different, why do I like them both?
SEVEN
AMBROSE
Tobi is so closed off, and it’s driving me nuts. He’s spent a little more time with me this last week, but he’s encased himself in a wall and won’t open up. The only time he will actually spend with me is when I put on movies. It’s not much, and probably only because we can’t talk while watching, but I’ll take it.
I just want to talk to him about that night, let him know I’m here for him, and I can’t figure out how.
Fuck it.
I have a few hours before I have to go to class, and I’m going to make sure I see him.
I knock on the door and wait, but nothing makes a sound inside.
Maybe he’s asleep?
I knock again, louder.
Still nothing.
Why am I knocking on my own damn door?
I open it. “Tobi?”
The front door opens behind me, scaring the shit out of me. Like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar, I slam the door closedand spin around to find the man I’m looking for stopped in his tracks.
“What are you doing?” He doesn’t look happy, but I am full of elation at him being alive, and the urge to touch him has me smiling.
“Looking for you.” I force my body into a relaxed stance and lean against the wall. “You’re not an easy man to find, despite living in the same room.”
“What do you want?” He shoves his hands in his pockets and sways a little.
“To talk to you.” I shrug. “Get to know you.”
“Why?”
Good fucking God, he’s infuriating.
“Why not?” I say.
“You’re the one stalking me.”
“We are roommates. That’s hardly stalking.” I cross my arms.
“You’re kinda acting like a stalker, slamming our door.”
“Just my PTSD from my childhood, but you can mock me for it!” I deadpan.
“Wait, you have PTSD.” He looks a little sympathetic.
“Yeah, I really do, but it’s not a big deal. I’m teasing you.” I shrug it off because at this point, I don’t really want to tell him more about me when he doesn’t want to open up.
We fall into an uncomfortable silence.
“Let’s watch a movie again or something.” I reopen the door and give him a grin as I gesture towards it. If he turns me down, at least this will prove he’s avoiding me.
“Don’t you have practice?”
