In His Eyes Chap.3

Yaaay, chapter three is here! *frolics* Don't forget to vote so this story can make it to the Watty Awards! Or at least i think that's how it goes... anyway, don't forget to comment and vote! ;D

-Shax <3

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In His Eyes Chap.3

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Chris was standing by the door, smiling. Every time I looked up, he had this cocky grin on his face. It made me want to slap it off of his face.

“What are you smiling about over there?”

If it was possible, the grin got bigger, “Oh nothing in particular.” He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and went back to tending to the mugs I had just made. They had to sit on the cooling rack for a day in a half, and then they would be put under the fire again. Drake wanted them by the end of the month, so I was taking my time. They were simple to make, but the design was what took the most time. To be able to paint flowers on glass is easy, but on ceramic? Let’s just say I need to concentrate a little extra than usual.

“Who are you making those mugs for?” Chris said with that nosy tone of voice he gets when he’s curious.

I looked up from the mug on the table and narrowed my eyes at him, “I thought I paid you to work, not stand there all day with that stupid grin on your face.”

Again, the bastard’s grin got bigger.

“I’m just curious, is all.”

I ‘hmph’d and turned my attention back to the mug, Drake had asked for lilies as the design. And not just any lilies, he was very specific about the damn color; which can only be achieved by mixing colors. Colors I didn’t have at the moment.

“Shit,” I uttered under my breath.

“What is it?”

“I need new colors. Go to Mrs. Peter’s store and get me a new set, will you?”

Chris sighed and sat down, “Can’t you get them tomorrow?” He looked down at his watch and then up at me. That damn grin still plastered on his good-for-nothing face.

I looked up at the clock by the door and shook my head. It was already five, which meant that in an hour I would go pick up Micah and then bring him to the studio. Now I understood why Chris was all grins.

“I pay you to work, not to grin like an idiot. Now, go to Mrs. Peter’s and get me a new set or you can kiss your job goodbye.”

Chris got up, glared, and walked out of the studio. A minute later he came back.

“Now what is it?”

Chris extended his hand to me and I stared at it then up at him.

“How do you expect me to pay?” He wasn’t looking at me as he said this.

“Seriously, cheap bastard,” I mumbled as I reached into my back pocket and took out a hundred dollar bill from my wallet. “You better bring the change.” I said before placing it on his hand. Chris looked at the bill then nodded.

Before he was out the door, he stopped and turned around, “Can I buy a smoothie?”

I grabbed the clay I had been playing around with and threw it at him; it hit the wall next to the door and a wide-eyed Chris hurried out of the studio.

Fifteen minutes later, I was in the locker room changing into my street clothes, when Chris walked in with a smile on his face and a shy looking Micah behind him.

What the hell?

“I found him by Mrs. Peter’s store and brought him with me.” Chris winked at me and I rolled my eyes.

“Sorry, Chris had told me that the studio was near the house, so I decided to walk.”

I nodded, “It’s alright. How did you know how far the studio would be though? It’s not in the main street so…”

“I asked,” Micah said with a small blush coloring his cheekbones.

We were silent while Chris just looked between us and smiled like an idiot. I reached out and pinched his arm as I grabbed Micah’s arm and guided him to the front.

“What was that?”

“Oh, Chris is a clumsy little fool, aren’t you?” Chris glared at me with tears pricking the corner of his eyes.

I walked Micah over to where I had been sitting just a few minutes ago. He seemed curious as he was ‘looking’ around.

“Mind if I… touch my way around?”

I smiled and said ‘yes’ as I fought the images my brain was planting in my head.

Micah got up from his seat and gently moved around the place. He’d let his fingertips touch the different ceramics around the place. When his hands came into contact with a replica of a Chinese vase, Micah stopped and picked it up. He gently traced the design carved into it. He’d let his fingers memorize the message at the base and follow down the dragon that decorated the vase. When his finger came to the dragon’s tale, Micah smiled and put the vase down. He continued doing that with the different vases. When he touched the fresh clay I had put out to mold, I saw a genuine smile and a glint in his eyes.

“Want to make something?”

Micah turned in my direction and nodded. His eyes were showing so many emotions, it was a bit overwhelming. Then again, this must be more overwhelming to him. He sat down and placed the clay in front of him. He was quiet for a minute or two and then he looked up to where I had been standing.

“Um…”

“What is it?”

Micah looked shy as he lowered his head, “I don’t know what to make.”

He sounded so vulnerable, it made my chest tighten. The rosy color of his cheeks made him look adorable. Nothing like the first impression I had gotten; gorgeous and sarcastic. Now he was beautiful and humble.

“Make whatever comes to mind. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s stupid. Just remember, to make something special you have to give it the time necessary to become that.” Micah smiled, nodded, and got down to work.

“Hey, Micah, can I steal Dimitri for a minute?”

Micah was focused on whatever he was making that he didn’t seem to acknowledge Chris’ presence. It made me smile a bit.

“What’s up? I said as I followed Chris to the back of the room; out of hearing shot from Micah.

“You’re going to be great,” Chris said in a low voice as he poured himself some green –honey tea.

“What are you talking about?” I grabbed the kettle and poured myself some too. After all, Chris made some really good tea.

“Dude, you’re already waiting for his beckoning call to give you an excuse to touch him, to talk to him, or do something for him.”

I stared at him like Chris had grown a second head. I guess he wasn’t alright with playing the ‘I don’t get what you’re saying’ game, because he rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“You need to be careful, D’. I don’t know how it happened, but I can already tell you’re crazy about him. It hasn’t even been a week or even two days since you two met, and I can tell that he makes your stomach flutter in that I-might-be-in-love kind of way.”

I could tell that I had my ‘am I that obvious’ expression because Chris nodded as he patted me on my shoulder.

“Just remember, Micah needs someone to live with, to be his friend. He doesn’t need a boyfriend.”

I nodded and then stopped. Boyfriend?

“Wait… Micah is gay?” I asked a bit shocked and a bit loud I might add.

We turned to look at Micah. He was looking in our direction with a blank expression on his face.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Chris mumbled something but I was already walking towards Micah. I could tell that he was tensed as he got up from his seat. I stopped in front of him to stop him from walking away.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you’re gay?”

As soon as I said those words, I felt it. Micah’s walls went up so fast nothing could have stopped them. He closed up and I noticed the change in expression in his eyes.

“The same reason you don’t tell people the real reason why you’re looking for a place to live. I might not know the reason of you leaving your place, but I can tell that it’s something you’re not very fond of. In that same way, I don’t want people to judge me by things such as sexuality or stupidity for taking back a cheating ex. I want them to see the real me and get to know me.”

When Micah mentioned the part about taking back a cheating ex, I winced. He didn’t seem to catch it, but Chris did. Chris was standing behind Micah; he had a sorry expression on his face. I just glared. He was the only who knew, other than Drake and Damien, but I was sure that Micah found out about Nick through Chris.

“I’m just sorry you had to find out through Chris.”

I scoffed, “Did you think I’d care?”

“I didn’t know, honestly. I just wanted you to get to know the real me, and if you ever found out about me being gay, then I would put up with the consequences. I know that for a straight guy it’s hard to understand but-“

“Come on, Micah, I want to show you something.” Chris intervened and pulled on Micah’s arm.

“Chris, I’m in the middle of-“

“Come on, it’ll only take a minute.” He sure knows when to interrupt, I mumbled to myself as Micah glanced over at me. The walls around him were still up.

Chris and Micah walked to the back of the room where we had the little kitchen at.

“Straight… who? Me?” I looked towards them and caught Chris’ gaze. He shook his head and I understood. The bastard had a big mouth, but he had decided to leave out the part that the cheating ex was a guy.

I chuckled as I made my way over to them. Each had a cup of tea in their hands and I grabbed mine from the counter. We were standing in silence as we sipped our tea. I could tell that Chris was uncomfortable but I could care less. He put us in this position, so now he was going to put up with it.

“I’ve decided to accept your offer.”

Both, Chris and Micah, looked at me with wide eyes. I guess they were expecting me to back out on the deal.

“Are you sure?” Micah asked, not looking at me.

“I called the movers and they can have me completely settled in three days, so I’ll call them on Saturday.”

Micah’s smile could light up the room in a flash. My heart skipped a couple of beats as I concentrated on not dropping the tea in my hands.

“That’s great, thank you.” He turned in my direction and did his best to stare into my eyes. Damn, every time I look into his eyes I get captivated. I wonder if there’s anything he would ask for that I wouldn’t do. “I know it’s only been two days and that you’re moving in with a stranger, but I really appreciate it. I really need a friend.”

Settle down, my brain said to my heart as I stood there in a trance. Then it dawned on me, I had just been friend zoned. Ain’t that about a…

“You’re welcome, Micah. I need a friend too. Other than my brother and his partner, I’m pretty much alone.”

“No more family or even a girlfriend?”

I chuckled nervously. It felt as if I was about to come out of the closet again, “You see… the reason why I don’t care that you’re gay is because… I’m gay too.” I did my best to rid myself from the nervous feeling I had, but it wasn’t working.

“Oh, alright.” He had a blank expression on his face. The silence between us felt heavy.

“Wait, what do you guys mean you need a friend. Am I chopped liver or something?” Chris said as he glared at the both of us. That eased the tension as we laughed while Chris kept saying that it wasn’t funny.

An hour and a few pieces of clay later, Micah leaned back on the bench as I placed the clay back in its place. Chris had to go thirty minutes before we were doing. His sister needed help with the triplets. I sort of felt sorry for him. Sort of…

Micah and I remained silent as we left the studio and I closed it behind me.

“Do you want to see the house?” Micah asked as he extended his walking stick.

I glanced down at my watch, it was about to be nine and I had to wake up early.

“Sure,” I said as Micah walked in the direction of the house.

“How do you know that you’re going in the right direction? I asked as I followed him.

Micah stopped and turned to face me. He placed his hand on my shoulder, “Close your eyes.”

I raised a brow.

“You’re doing that brow thing, aren’t you? Close your eyes, Dimitri.” I liked it when he said my name, so I did what he said.

“Now, what do you see?”

Nothing, duh; was what I wanted to say but I remained quiet.

“What do you feel, then? Give it a minute.”

I was about to say nothing, but I would be lying. I felt the breeze caress my skin and ruffle my hair. I felt as a leaf fell on my head and it was as if I could hear it fall. The noises around me seemed to become more pronounced as I stood there facing Micah. Something that I became more aware of was him. The spiciness of his cologne, the way his hand felt on my shoulder, the image I had carved in my brain of him smiling, the blue-almost-black of his eyes. I became more aware of Micah.

“Now open your eyes.”

When I opened them, I was pleasantly surprise to see Micah smiling. His eyes were twinkling with an emotion I couldn’t decipher.

“Cool, huh?”

“Cool doesn’t do it justice. That’s what you feel every day?”

Micah nodded, proud of him, and turned to continue walking.  “I rely on my other senses, mostly hearing and touch. Once I’ve been through a place a couple of time, I’m able to find my way around. It’s as if whatever I touch, hear, or smell gets stored in my brain for life.”

“That’s amazing, Micah.”

He chuckled, nodded, and continued walking.

This isn’t love… right?

I followed Micah, quietly, to the house that in three days would be my new home. The house was huge. The front and back yard were big enough to hold a party for the entire neighborhood. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating, but the place was big.

We went up the couple of stairs and Micah opened the front door and stepped in, finding the lights and switching them on. I followed behind him, closed the door, and looked around the foyer. This place has a foyer, for Christ’s sake!

“I know it’s a big house for only two people. It used to be my parents house, and they left it to me before they died. My grandma has been telling me to sell it and get an apartment or sell it and move into one of her ‘facilities’, but I refuse.” Micah said as he set his cane and gab down on a table and walked into what looked like a living room.

“This is the living room, or so I’m told.” The room had vintage furniture, very Victorian like.

“Over here,” Micah walked through a door frame and I followed, “is the kitchen and dinning room. I like cooking, but I need help sometimes.” He admitted a bit embarrassed. The kitchen was elegantly furnished and the dinning room had one of those long tables where people hardly talked because they couldn’t hear the other even if they tried.

“There are no stairs, so the rooms are all in the first floor. The first room is a guest room. The second room, in front of it, is my room. The fourth room is my office. The fifth room is a small home gym, so feel free to use it when ever you need it. The sixth room is the music room and T.V. room.” Micah said as I followed him room to room. He had left out the third room, and curiosity was getting the best of me.

“What’s behind room number three?”

Micah turned and walked towards the room and opened the door. It was full of boxes and things all over the floor.

“It’s your room. It has a door that leads to my room, so in case of emergency or anything I guess.” Micah shrugged.

I looked around the room. It had enough space to fit two beds. The bathroom was very large, and featured a double sink, a shower, and a large, jetted bathtub. My thoughts immediately wandered to what could be done in both the large shower and large bathtub other than bathing. I pulled myself together as Micah led me out of the room and across the hallway.

“The house is amazing, Micah.”

Micah smiled, “Thanks. I wish I could see it most of the time. Having it described to you and actually seeing it are two very different things.” He sighed as he walked towards the kitchen, “Want a drink?”

“Sure,” I said as I followed. I glanced at the first room and smiled a bit, “So the first room is for guests, huh?”

Micah nodded, “You know in case a burglar comes in. I would hear the screams from our guest and would run to your room for safety.”

“Nice, I get to play the hero.”

“Not unless you get killed first,” Micah said and chuckled at the thought I guess.

“I know karate, you know?” I said trying to save my bruised ego.

Micah sat at the counter and poured us some scotch each, “ordering food from Japanese restaurants does not mean you know karate, Dimitri.” I wondered how he knew that it was scotch what he was pouring, but I decided to let it go. The man sure knew his way around the house.

“So, no maids or butlers?”

He shook his head, “A cleaning crew comes every weekend to clean the house, but that’s bout it. I do my own laundry and wash my own dishes, which reminds me the laundry room is in the back-house.”

“No dead burglars in there?” I joked.

Micah laughed, “No, they’re in the basement.” He said very seriously as he sipped his drink.

After that, Micah and I talked about everything and anything. There were still some boundaries between us, so we didn’t touch the subjects that were going to hit a nerve. An hour later, I had to head home if I was going to pick him up early in the morning.

“I’ll have the movers bring my things on Saturday.” I said as I opened the front door and turned around to say bye for the night.

It caught me off guard when Micah wrapped his arms around my neck and hugged me tight. On reflex, I brought my arms around his waist and pulled him closer.

“Thank you for accepting, Dimitri.”

“It’s no problem, Micah.”

We stayed in the embrace for a minute longer and then pulled away. My heart was beating fast against my rib cage.

“Be careful on your way back, ok?”

“See you tomorrow, Micah.”

This isn’t love…

This can’t be love…

It’s too early to feel love…

I love him…

No I don’t….

Do I?

By the time I got to my car in front of the studio, there was a battle going on inside of me between my brain and my heart.

I about leaped out of the window when I heard a tap on the hood of my car. Someone was standing outside. When I rolled down the window, I wished I hadn’t.

“Dimitri, we need to talk.”

I can’t be in love with someone when my heart still aches for another person.

I sighed as I unlocked the passenger door, “Get inside, Nick.” Enough running away…