CHAPTER 26 — Uninvited Feelings

Justin had the uncomfortable feeling that someone was following him.

At first, he tried to ignore it. University corridors were always crowded, and he told himself he was simply overthinking things. But the sensation didn't disappear. If anything, it grew stronger.

He tightened his grip on his backpack and hurried toward the nearest restroom.

"Maybe I'm just paranoid," he muttered under his breath.

The men's restroom was empty and unusually quiet. Justin let out a relieved sigh as he walked toward one of the cubicles.

"Finally."

"Hello, handsome."

Justin nearly jumped out of his skin.

He turned around to find a familiar face leaning casually against the sink counter. It was the same girl from the university cafeteria. The one who had practically interrogated him about the Smith family.

She smiled brightly."It's been a while."

Justin stared at her in disbelief.

"Oh. You." He forced a polite smile. "Can we talk later? I really need to use the restroom."

"No," she replied sharply, crossing her arms. "Not until you get me close to Charlie Smith."

Justin blinked."What?"

"You heard me."

He let out an incredulous laugh.

"First of all, this is the men's restroom. Second, I never promised you anything. Third, this is actually very creepy."

Her smile vanished."Just introduce me to Charlie."

"No."

Justin walked past her and entered one of the cubicles, locking the door behind him.

A few minutes later, he stepped back out, still shaking his head.

"People have officially lost their minds," he muttered.

He washed his hands slowly, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

"You're finally done."

Justin froze.

He slowly turned around.

Leaning against the wall near the entrance, dressed in an expensive black coat, stood Charlie Smith.

Justin nearly choked on air.

"H-hi."Charlie smiled.

"Hi again."Justin awkwardly adjusted his shirt.

"You know," Charlie said casually, "I was beginning to think someone paid you to stare at me."Justin frowned.

"What?"

"The party. You kept looking at me."

Justin immediately remembered.The party.The drinks.The accidental glances.His face burned.

"I wasn't staring."

"Really?" Charlie asked, amused.

Justin returned to washing his hands."I wasn't."

Charlie pushed himself off the wall and walked closer."You know, you're surprisingly cute."

Justin nearly dropped the soap."And I think you like me."

"What?!"

Charlie laughed softly.

"Relax. I said I think."

He stopped only a few inches away."Actually, I like you too."

Justin stared at him."I'm sorry, is this speech supposed to be for me?"

"Obviously."

Justin's irritation finally won over his embarrassment.

"Well, sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Smith, but no. I'm not giving you my number."

He grabbed a paper towel and dried his hands.

"Try harder next time."

He turned to leave.

Suddenly, Charlie leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss onto his cheek.

Justin froze.The entire world froze.

"What the hell?!"

He stumbled backward, staring at Charlie as though he'd lost his mind.

"I'm not gay!"

Charlie raised an eyebrow."Noted."

"And me looking at you doesn't mean I like you!"

"Noted."

"And you're nothing like I imagined!"

"That's disappointing."

Justin's face had turned completely red.

"Stay away from me!"

He stormed out of the restroom.

Charlie watched him disappear down the hallway.A slow grin spread across his face.

"Now that's what I call cute."

Presently...

Aiden finally began sobering up after Justin forced him to take a cold shower.

Wrapped in a towel and looking thoroughly miserable, he collapsed onto the couch beside his best friend.

"Sean or whatever his name is told me to tell you to answer your phone calls from now on," Justin said, taking a sip of juice.Aiden blinked.

"Sean?"

"Yeah."

"When did you meet Sean?"

Justin looked at him like he'd lost his mind.

"Earlier. Outside our apartment. You were too drunk to remember."

"Oh."

Aiden rubbed his forehead. "Whatever."

He stretched. "Mind if I join you?"

"Fine. But if you throw up again, I'm not cleaning it."

"Deal."

The two friends sat together drinking and talking.

Tomorrow's classes had already been cancelled, so neither of them cared about waking up early.

Eventually, one drink became two. Two became four. And four became enough to make terrible decisions seem like brilliant ideas. Neither of them noticed that the apartment door hadn't been locked.

Ring.Ring.Ring.

Aiden squinted at his vibrating phone.

"Who calls people this late?" He answered.

"Hello?"

A long silence followed. Then a familiar voice.

"Where are you?"

Aiden blinked slowly. "Uh... me?"

"Yes. You."

"I'm home." Another pause.

"Who is this?" Aiden asked.

"Damien."

Aiden burst into laughter. "Damien?!"

He laughed harder.

"I missed you."

Silence.

"Would you like me to come see you?" Aiden asked drunkenly.

"No."

Aiden frowned.

"But why?"

No answer.

"I know you missed me too."

Still silence.

"Fine. Bye."

"No. Hold on"

Aiden blinked.

"What?"

"Can I come get you?"

Aiden suddenly looked serious. "No."

"Why?"

"I don't want to see you."

The silence this time was painful.

Then Damien spoke quietly.

"Okay."

The line disconnected.

Aiden stared at the phone for exactly three seconds before collapsing sideways onto the couch and passing out.

*******

At the Smith mansion.

"Sean." The voice echoed through the hallway. Sean turned around.

Damien was already halfway down the staircase.

"Get me the car keys. Now."

Sean blinked. "Sir?"

"The keys."

Everyone froze. The servants. The guards. Even Mrs. Kate.

Sean quickly grabbed the keys. "Should I prepare the car?"

"No." Damien snatched them. "I'm driving."

Without another word, he walked out. The front doors slammed shut behind him.

Silence. Heavy.  Shocking silence. Mrs. Kate was the first to speak.

"What happened?"

"I don't know," Sean admitted.

At that moment, Charlie emerged from upstairs wearing pajamas.

"Why is everyone standing around like somebody died?"

"Master Damien left."

Charlie's expression changed. "What?"

"He drove himself."

That got Charlie's full attention. "He never drives himself."

Sean was already grabbing his coat.

"I'm going after him."

Mrs. Kate nodded anxiously.

"Please be careful."

Hours later.

Mrs Kate phone finally rang.

"They're on their way back," he announced.

The entire mansion exhaled.Before anyone could ask questions, Mrs Kate phone rang again Damien's voice suddenly came through the speaker.

"Everyone can clock out."

"Sir?"

"I said everyone."

"Yes, sir."

The call ended.

Nobody asked any further questions.Because whatever had happened tonight...None of them is to know.