Disclaimer: Everything stated in the first chapter still applies.
Author's Note:I finally got this done. *huge sigh of relief* Okay, so it didn't come out as quickly as I had hoped, I'm sorry. *hides from (relatively small but seemingly devoted) crowd bearing pitchforks, sharpened sticks and torches* I ~tried~, I really did, but that whole graduation thing and finding a summer job and well, I won't rant here, but anyway
Huge, ~huge~ thanks to shimmercat who sat up on the phone with me for ~several~ hours helping me revise the final copy of this. And to Rachel Lynn and Musouka who, once again, were wonderful enough to read this through for me. Thank you so much.
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Shades of Grey
Chapter 2: More than What Meets the Eye
~*~*~*~
There's something bothering you, Matt. Please, I'm your best friend, just tell me what it is
I stare down at him from my bed, wondering what he could be thinking about. He was flipping through a magazine, but now he's just gazing at my wall, with a very pensive look on his face.
Normally, I would ask what's occupying his thoughts, and normally he'd tell me. But recently I don't know, he's just been so distant. I can't help but wonder if I've done something wrong.
After ascertaining that there really isn't anything on my wall fascinating enough to merit ten minutes of intensive study, I look back at him, deciding to ask anyway.
"What's on your mind, Matt?" He starts at the sound of my voice and blinks at me, slightly perplexed, as if he's just remembered that I'm here. Wow, he really was "lost" in thought.
"Wha–? Oh, umm nothing." Is he blushing? He is! This idea shocks me slightly. Matt hardly ever blushes, and then only when he's really embarrassed or thinking something he shouldn't be does he have a girl he hasn't told me about? I raise my eyebrows, considering the idea. That would certainly explain his recent behavior but why wouldn't he tell me?
"It can hardly be nothing' if you're blushing like that." He glares at me but I ignore him and continue. "Come on, Matt. Something has been on your mind ever since I ate dinner at your apartment last week. What's up? Did you meet a new girl?" I grin teasingly, but he just looks away, not even smiling in response. My own cheerful expression fades. Something is definitely not right. "Did you have an argument with your father? Is something wrong at school?" I hesitate, not wanting to bring this up, but needing to know, "Is it something I did?"
His eyes are wide with surprise when he snaps them up to meet mine. "No. Oh gods, no. No, it's nothing you've done, Joe. I would have told you, would have explained I value our friendship too much to let something come between us"
There's a distant, almost regretful quality to his words, and I have a feeling I'm missing something, but for the life of me I can't figure out what it is.
"Then what's wrong?" I ask. He just looks away again.
This is killing me! Matt is obviously worried about something and for some reason, he doesn't want to tell me.
I want to respect this, I really do. It isn't very often that he won't share his thoughts with me, so he must have a good reason It just tears me up to see him so distant and confused. I want to help, but unless he tells me what's wrong there's nothing I can do.
"my father's." It takes me a moment to register that he's just finished mumbling something.
"What was that?"
"I said, If this is anyone's fault it's my father's.' Although–"
"Why? Did you two have an arg– I'm sorry, continue."
"it would be a long stretch to blame it on him."
"Oh." I raise an eyebrow. "Then what–"
"He asked if we were if you and I were" he pauses uncomfortably, still avoiding my gaze. "He asked if we were together'."
"Together'? What do you– Oh." That's not what I was expecting. "Your dad thought that we were gay?" Matt just nods, still looking at the floor. "That's absurd! Of course we're not gay. Why would he even ask that?'' His dad thinks we're a couple? Me and Matt? Where would he even come up with such an idea? Matt's had plenty of girl friends and I know I've told Mr. Ishida about Emiko. I've told everyone about Emiko. And he was home two days ago when I came over to tell Matt that I had finally done what he suggested and asked Emiko on a date. I still can't believe she said yes I sigh happily at the thought.
But my mind quickly returns to the blonde man sitting on my floor. So why would his dad ask that? I'm not gay. And neither is well, at least he's never said anything, but is it possible he would tell his dad and not me? But he and his dad aren't that close. The whole situation is ridiculous. "You're dad must not be getting enough sleep to come up with an idea like that" I laugh, but even to my ears it sounds hollow, forced.
"Yeah." Matt's quiet statement snaps me back to reality like a hard slap. Why am I trying to make light of this? Something about this situation is really bothering him and I'm laughing about it. Some friend I am. If it was just something his father had said, he'd be laughing with me. What's this really about?
I look down at him again. He's resumed flipping through the magazine and is whistling a seemingly random little tune. If I were paying more attention, I'd probably be able to recognize the tune in the next song he composes for his band, but I'm still trying to figure out why he's been acting so strangely. I know he reassured me that it wasn't something I did, but what else could it be?
He, on the other hand, seems to be completely ignoring the fact that the conversation just occurred. Why doesn't he want to talk about this? It has to be something I've done, or he wouldn't be so hesitant, would he? Even as I watch him, he starts laughing at the article he's reading, almost jarringly nonchalant.
"Joe," he chuckles, "you have to read this." I slide off the bed and move to sit beside him, curious despite myself. He hands me the magazine and points to the article, a grin plastered on his face. Just before he looks away, though, I think I catch a glimpse of something else in his eyes, something deeper that he's trying to hide. Pain? Fear?
Matt, why won't you tell me what's wrong?
There's more to this than meets the eye.
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To be continued