The mind is sometimes the enemy. When you try to shut it off, it fires back at you.

The more Jack tried to ignore his attraction for Felix, the stronger it got. For the past couple hours they've spend sharing breakfast and enjoying a walk in the city, all he could hear and see was Felix. It left Jack wondering how he could so easily love this man when all the warning signs were right there, blatantly reminding him to give up.

Being around him was refreshing, but too tiring for his heart.

"Should we go to the aquarium? You said you wanted to go there at least once" Jack asked, glancing at Signe whose face brightened at his suggestion.

"Yes, please!" She beamed. "Let's tell the others—"

"Just the two of us" Jack added, his hand squeezing hers.

Signe paused, then smiled and nodded. She then quickly caught up to the other two who were walking slightly ahead of them.

"Guys, we're going to hang out in the city some more. How about we catch up with you later for a drink?"

"What? No!" Felix started, his eyebrows meeting in the middle to form a displeased frown. "You guys should come along. Everyone's gonna be there!"

"It's fine, Felix" said Marzia, catching up quicker to what Signe was attempting to say. "They can join us after. I'll text you the address later, okay? You two have fun!"

"Bye!" said Jack half-heartedly, hating to see the disappointed look on Felix's face.

Signe gave Marzia an appreciative smile, then she and Jack turned around and walked the opposite direction. It was painful to peel himself away from the man for a couple hours, but it was necessary to calm whatever turmoil was starting to rise inside him.

The Sea Life Brighton was the best thing Jack has seen in a while. The view was wonderful and the variety of fish they got to explore was marvellous. Signe was constantly taking pictures, then tugging and pulling Jack to see the sea star crawling lazily in the depth or the clownfish swirling around itself. The shower of a hundred colourful fishes was the most beautiful scenery of all. It was as if a curtain of wonders and magic opened before their eyes.

It took the two a while to adjust back to the ground after being lost in the depth of the sea for two wonderful hours. When they left the aquarium it was already night time, and when Jack checked his phone he noticed he had an unread message.

Are u ok?

It was from Felix.

Jack read the text ten times as if it had some hidden meaning somewhere in there able to answer the questions of life. But of course it didn't, and it didn't help answering his own questions either.

Why did Felix send this? Was it because of earlier? Did he notice something was off?

Jack was perplexed, and once again Signe came to the rescue.

"Marzia just texted me the address of the bar" she said, checking her phone and giggling. "And apparently, Felix's drunk."

That explained it, Jack thought. Or did it? It still didn't explain whether he's been seen through or not, either way, Jack was ignoring that text message.

Thirty minutes later their cab arrived at the given address, and the couple was given directions to the bar. Upon arrival, the first thing Jack heard at the entrance was Felix's loud voice calling his name.

"Jack!" he went, "Finally, Jesus!"

Brad and PJ were there as well and they were just as happy to see him. Well, PJ was happy and Brad was just happily drunk.

Marzia was quick to steal Signe away from Jack again, finding the one person she could complain to about alcohol and bars and how she wasn't much of a fan. The two of them sat on one side of the table, PJ and Brad on the other, and the only seat left for Jack was right across from Felix.

"Where were you?" he complained, sounding vaguely upset.

"We went to the aquarium" Jack answered. "Did you miss me?"

"Fuck you" he blurted out. "I did."

Jack laughed but Felix didn't, and it sent an instant warning to the back of his mind. The conversation was swiftly led to what PJ thought was the new best game of the year, and they've all lost track of whatever they were previously talking about.

After a couple drinks, the group decided to move on to the next bar. It was closing up to midnight and the city was still alive, which was typical for a Saturday night. Felix was walking ahead of Jack, caught in a conversation with Brad and PJ about which place in the city has the best burgers, Marzia was walking by his side, hand in hand. Jack and Signe followed them in the back.

"Did something happen?" Signe asked calmly. "You and Felix haven't done much talking this evening."

Jack's attention deviated from the group to fall back on his girlfriend. He wasn't aware it was that obvious to a third party. It was, however, true. They haven't talked much since Jack walked in and he was now wondering what it is he might be upset about. For leaving them and going to the aquarium alone? It's something every couple does once in a while. Was Jack missing something here?

"We're good, I'm just a bit tired" Jack lied with a smile on his face, and with a kiss on her cheek, Signe believed him.

When Jack looked back at the group, Felix was watching them. His dark blue eyes lingered for a second or two, then turned back towards the others.

Although he's done nothing to be ashamed of, Jack felt incredibly guilty.