The season of joy and goodwill towards all men was present in the air of the University, but Craig's mind was awash with fiscal policies, supply and demand graphs, high and low consumer involvement and the foundations of the Irish constitution
Music is by Angie Hart this time.
Part Five – Blue
The season of joy and goodwill towards all men was present in the air of the University, but Craig's mind was awash with fiscal policies, supply and demand graphs, high and low consumer involvement and the foundations of the Irish constitution.
Three weeks since his downward spiral had led to his first experience with drugs, alcohol and casual sex, Craig had become a pioneer. He had remained in his room, avoiding Connor, studying for the up-and-coming end of term exams for Christmas or in the company of his one true friend in Dublin.
He had taken a positive step though. He'd started participating with his course mates. He made friends, much to his surprise, with this stunning Irish girl from Monaghan. Her shimmering red hair fell just above her shoulders as her emerald eyes danced with her mischievousness comedic ways.
He had read and re-read John Paul's text, so much so that he had memorised the message. He still hadn't found the courage to pick up the phone and dial his number. His picture's of himself and JP had reappeared and had assumed right of place at the centre of his bedside table and study desk, surrounded by his notes and clothes.
Connor had left earlier that evening, catching the train back home to Mayo, his exams having finished the previous day, so Craig had called up his new friend Caitrin and invited her around.
Craig replaced his picture of two boys in suits, their arms wrapped around each other, to his bedside table, grabbed his notes for his final exam of the Christmas season and moved downstairs.
He boiled the kettle, dropped two tea bags into mugs and heard the clap of a knuckle against his front door.
He quickly answered it and let his friend in, guiding her to the kitchen.
"How ya fixed?" She asked, nodding towards his pile of study notes.
"It'd be alright if I could understand any of it… why did Economics have to be our final exam?" He whined, dropping into a chair at the dinner table.
Caitrin chuckled before reaching out for his study material. One quick glance at it and she tosses it back on the table.
"It would probably help if you had the right notes!" She said, laughing out loud. She collects the paper from the table and offers to get the correct notes.
"Cheers… my rooms just up the stairs and to the left, my folder should be on the bed." Craig directs her, pouring the boiling water into his mug first.
Caitrin exited the kitchen, humming a song as she climbed the stairs to her new friends' bedroom. She looked towards the bed and saw no folder. Eyeing the room, Caitrin noticed a blue folder peeking out beneath a pile of shirts and vests.
Sighing heavily, Caitrin lifted the edge of the folder, knocking over the tossed clothing and accidently knocked a couple of picture frames from there perch. She jumped quickly as the glass shattered against the floor.
"Oh bollocks!" She exclaimed, hunching down to carefully clean up the glass. She gathered up the largest pieces and placed them on the wooden table before her before collecting the broken frame.
"Everything alright in here? Heard ya scream!" Craig called out, taking the steps two at a time. He entered his room to find his floor reflecting the light like a disco ball thanks to the glass. Wondering where it all came from, Craig looked to his friend for answers.
And gulped painfully when he saw what she was holding - his blue eyed boyfriend could be seen as clear as day.
"I'm so, so sorry Craig! It fell when I picked up your econ notes!" The feisty redheaded apologised, sitting now on the edge of Craig's bed, her eyes locked on the picture in her hands. She dared not look at his face.
When Craig had first spoken to her, he had been reserved and polite. She invited him out with her boyfriend and her housemates the following night. He was reluctant to come out at first, but was quickly persuaded. The following night, around nine o'clock, they had met up in Mustang Sally's for a few quiet drinks (Craig was on Cola all night) before heading to Sin.
Craig clung to her all evening, and when she pressed him to go on the pull, he'd retired into himself and took a major interest in his finger nails. Caitrin sent their party goers off to the bar while she escorted Craig to the smoking area. Offering him a cigarette, which he declined, and front out asked him if he was in love with someone. And that's when the out pour started. Craig told Caitrin everything - the last summer, the airport, even Connor. He'd cried against her shoulder and spilt out his heart and soul in the smoky beer garden.
And he felt so much better.
Now, she had finally seen a photograph of the one Craig called 'the love of my life.'
"He's cute."
Craig laughed, "He's more than just cute."
"Have you text him back yet?"
Caitrin passed him the picture of the two boys in their school uniform, arms wrapped tight around each other, back to its rightful owner.
"I haven't found the words to say yet… I mean, what can I say that I didn't already? I still love him, still want him so much, and I feel like I can give him what he deserves now… a public relationship…"
"Craig, tomorrow we have our last exam before Christmas break, you have your flights back home booked for the day after… you need to arrange to meet up! Go on a date – a proper date, in public, maybe dinner and a movie – and talk about where you both are in your relationship."
"Well then, help me!" Craig implored, grabbing his phone from his bed side table. He opened a pre saved message and began to read it to Caitrin.
I'm coming home on the 21st; can we meet in the Dog that evening? I still love you… I'm ready to give you what you deserve. Cx.
"That's grand! How long have you had that message saved?" She inquired, watching him add a contact to the message.
"Since… since the morning he text me…" He replied sheepishly.
"Craig!" Caitrin whined, hitting his shoulder. "Send that message right now or I won't help you ace econ!"
"Okay, calm down, I'm sending it now!" The message left his outbox and a delivery report quickly followed. "It's done."
"Excellent! Now, let's go downstairs and rock on Fiscal! Woohoo!" Caitrin jumped to her feet, grabbing Craig's folder with one hand and his free hand with the other and jogged downstairs.
He dumped the now cold tea, re-boiled the kettle and took his spot at the kitchen table.
Less than 24 hours later, Craig was free from his stressful revision and was heading to meet with Caitrin and her boyfriend in a small pub just down from her flat. He'd packed his bags, checking his phone every three minutes to see if he'd received a text from John Paul… but he hadn't. His sister and dear mother had text saying they can't wait to see him again; it's been too long… all the same niceties. Craig still hadn't warned them that he was heading home to reclaim that which he lost.
He entered the pub to find it busier than usual, it being the last night before Xmas holidays began. A traditional Irish band was in the corner, playing 'O Danny Boy' whilst a wide screen TV behind the bar played cheesy Christmas music videos.
Finding his friend, Craig moved to the bar and stood beside a gang of lads. He tried to avoid them as they all swallowed what could only be called arsenic and slammed their glasses onto the table top.
Ordering a bottle of beer (he was celebrating!), the blonde haired bloke accidently hitting Craig's arm as he reached out to receive his bottle of Bud, effectively knocking it to the floor.
"Oh, sorry bud, let me buy ya a fresh on…. Don't I know you?"
Craig rubbed his soaked jean leg one final time before glaring at the pillock who'd spilt his drink. Recognition hit, followed by an ill feeling, as Craig's face paled.
"M-Ma..Mark?" Craig broke out.
"Craig? It is you?" Mark asked, ordering another drink for his one-time lover.
"Ye..Yeah." Craig shied away, glancing at Caitrin for help.
"Haven't seen you in a while… how you been?"
"I've been… busy, but good. Wha… What about you?" Craig asked, gulping painfully as the awkwardness failed to pass.
"Oh, just finished my last exam before Christmas, heading home tomorrow."
Craig recalled the taste of those pink lips, the feel of that musucalar hand on his chest, the safety he warmed in as he watched Mark pay for the new bottle. Craig accepted it and, to his own shock, remained at his side as the small talk soon passed to genuine conversation. Craig realised that Mark Gaffney was more of a gentlemen than Craig had once thought, that he was funny, and friendly and majorly fit…. And he liked the idea of someone else wanting to love him for him, not just his status.
Connor and Mark soon joined Caitrin and her boyfriend Oisin at their table, and Craig introduced Mark as a friend. They quartet laughed and drank and had an actual good time. It turned out that Mark and Oisin were on the same course during the conversation between the four that led them in a new direction of topics.
Deciding that the night needed to get a little more lively, Caitrin persuaded Craig in helping her get some shots from the bar.
Standing at the bar, Caitrin ordered 4 Mexican Taxidrivers (half tequila, half sambuca) and 4 shots of Kola Kubes. While the bar man poured, Caitrin prodded for info.
"He so likes you!" She teased as Craig explained that they had met out a few times before.
Blushing, Craig glanced back at the two men at their table.
"He is pretty hot."
"Have you two already…" Caitrin pressed.
"Just the one time… and it only happened because I was depressed, and hammered." Craig explained, conveniently forgetting his experimentation with drugs also.
"Have ye spoken since then?"
"Not until tonight, no."
"Why not?"
"The morning after was when John Paul text me back."
"Do you think you can resist his charms tonight?"
"I hope so… but I feel myself being torn in half now. One part tells me that Mark and me could last a long time, but the other says that me and John Paul are soul mates…and then I think that Mark doesn't want to date my label, just me, and that with JP, I have to know if I'm gay, straight, bi… ugh, did that make any sense?" Craig asked.
"Not one bit at all!" Caitrin laughed, handing over the money for the drinks.
"I need some direction as to what I should do!" Craig whined, lifting the tray of shots.