chapter 5

Alex stood under the shower head, making sure there was enough distance was covered between the two because, boundaries. Again, that awkward stretch of silence. The pattering of the water drops against the tiled floor and the rumbling of thunder outside was thankfully there to fill the atmosphere with something but that something just wasn’t enough.

Alex was adamant on keeping his gaze anywhere but to his side where Xavier stood. With all these weird fuzzy feelings, he wasn’t ready to risk his sexuality not to mention how self-conscious he’d grow of his own body. T was no secret Xavier looked to be built like a god, as unrealistic as it was for someone in high school, but that fact was only made much clear when he stood there. Completely bare.

Its not like he was a little twink, far from it really. He was just the right balance of height and muscle and made an effort to maintain a good enough body. Standing beside Xavier, however, made him feel like he was what he strived not to be. A tiny little twink.

But it proved much harder to actually keep his gaze away when curiosity was just itching at him. He was quick to just take a little peak and it lasted no less than a second. However, in that millisecond they met eyes and just from that brief eye contact there was an explosion of emotions bursting within him. His heart had skipped several beats and his cheeks burned with heat.

What was going on? Was he actually catching feelings for a guy he barely even knew? No, there’s no way. He’s just appreciating other dudes’ physical appearance, that’s all. Yeah, that’s it.

“Alex.” Xavier said, making the man in question almost topple over. It took a while for Alex to come to. The way the deep voice called his name making him feel some type of way.

Taking a deep breath to prep himself, Alex turned to look at Xavier, his amber gold eyes instantly snatching his. Time seemed to stop in that moment, all the pattering and rumbling phasing away. Alex was suddenly aware of his increased breathing and the thundering of his heart.

His eyes journey down, tracing the hard lines of each muscle that perfectly sat sculpted on his torso. The lower his eyes ventured, the hotter his cheeks burned.

“Yeah,” Alex answered, snapping himself out his perverted trance. This time he made sure to take his eyes to the side, now fearing his wondering thoughts.

“Could you pass the soap?”

“Sure, yeah. Of course,” Alex mumbled, wishing he could shut his mouth. Rambling was at the top of things he despised yet now he fell victim to it.

Passing the soap was an easy enough task, there was no way he could fuck that up right? Wrong.

As if all the god nestled u in the heavens were against him, he slipped. On what still remained a mystery. And it was as if he was watching himself fall in slow motion, that one protruding tile seemingly ready to give him a nice little kiss yet he never reached the floor.

He was left stunned for a moment before realizing he was floating, no there was someone holding onto him. Two large hands supported his sides, slowly getting him to stand straight.

It took a good minute to calm the adrenaline coursing through his veins, but when it did, Alex was painfully aware of how close they were. He was basically leaning on the other, his hand pressed against his chest like some damsel in distress. Xavier’s hands still securely held his sides, dangerously close to his waist at that and the feeling left on Alex’s body was a different type of real. However, none could compare to warm breath fanning his neck, sending shivers rippling down his back. His heart went from a few measly flutters to pounding against his ribcage, his breath growing quick and his skin all the more sensitive.

He’d never felt such sensation with anyone, much less someone of the same sex. He wasn’t against the idea but wasn’t too keen on it being towards someone who he barely ever heard speak.

“Be careful,” Xavier said, unaware of just how hypnotizing his voice was, especially when it as just a hair’s length from Alex’s ear. A sensation rushed through a part he definitely wanted to say dormant so he was quick to back away, his body still burning with Xavier’s touch.

As coolly as he wished he could’ve played off the whole ordeal, he couldn’t. He’d barely cleaned himself off yet he was already stepping out the showers and toweling himself dry all whilst trying to brain wash himself that nothing happened. He could always just shower at home.

He didn’t bother glancing back at Xavier and instead threw his clothes on and was out the door. The hallways were bustling with people trying to get out the doors, Alex getting pushed into the wave.

He was beyond grateful that gym was the last period of the day and he could finally go home. He would never be able to face Xavier after that. His heart was still doing the cha cha in his chest whilst his stomach tangoed along with his insides.

“I barely know him,” Alex repeated, finally making it outside where rain was mercilessly pounding anyone who stepped under it. It was days like this he wished he brought his car but there was no choice since he’d be coming out later than Jamie meaning she have to wait several hours at school before he finally came around plus his mum had a doctor appointment etcetera.

He squinted his eyes, making sure there really was the yellow bus parked all the way across the parking lot before running out under the downpour.

Getting home, Alex shut the door to his room, threw his bag onto the floor and fell onto his bed, screaming into his pillow. It was more of an internal scream but still a scream nonetheless. The bus ride hadn’t made the events of earlier any better. Over and over again was the scene played in his head like some broken record.

Its just a phase, that’s right, just a phase.