Is Blake avoiding me? Because I was drunk, puked all over and then passed out in the bar like an idiot last week? I knew I shouldn't have drunk anything and just stuck to good old soda. But no! I wanted to fit in so badly, but instead of that, I made a complete fool of myself. Great. I honestly don't blame him for avoiding me. It still sucks, though.
I bumped into Louis a few days back and he told me that Blake was the one who brought me home and then joined them again afterwards. That must have been such a hassle. I've been meaning to apologize to him, but I haven't seen him on campus or in our shared lectures ever since. I think he's deliberately not showing up, I feel it in my guts. I texted him and even thanked him first thing in the morning after I woke up from that embarrassing night, but all I got as a response were emoji reactions.
I sigh as I stare at the text message I sent him earlier today. "Can I come over today?"
No response. Usually, Blake answers within one or two hours. It's been five hours since then. I'd normally just give up and go home at this point, but for some reason, I'm walking the opposite direction from my apartment. I shoot Blake another text, saying that I'm on my way to his place, before shoving my phone back in my pocket. I don't care at this point, and if he's not home, then so be it.
My heart sinks as my fifth knock is left unanswered yet again. I've been standing in front of his door for the last five minutes, but no matter how hard I pray that Blake will answer, he never does. So, what now? Did I come all the way over here to just turn around and leave? It honestly a better idea to do just that, but instead, I drop to my knees and take a seat on the cold ground. Maybe Blake's at his part-time job right now. Or he's showering. Or he's sleeping. Regardless, at some point, he'll have to come and I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here. While I wait, I'll catch up on some manga I haven't gotten to read yet. It's a fantastic idea, alright.
This is a horrible idea. It's been two hours and there's still no sight of Blake. This is just cruel if he knows I'm waiting and sitting right in front of his door. But I know he isn't like that. Definitely not. So, I keep waiting, and waiting until I shut my eyes for a second.
In that split second, I hear footsteps echoing through the hall. I straighten up, and just then, Blake rounds the corner, and he comes into view. I release a breath of relief, my tiredness fading upon seeing him. So, he wasn't home after all.
Blake looks tired, but his eyes instantly grow alert as he spots me. His steps quicken and before I know it, he's already right in front of me, towering over me with his large frame.
"Charlie, what are you doing here? Why are you on the floor? Don't tell me…"
I cut him off, standing up to his height. "I waited for you."
Blake's brows crease, confusion and concern in his eyes. "Why would you do that? Why didn't you text me first to see if I was home?"
I frown at his words. "I did text you, Blake. But you didn't answer."
Blake looks at me, even more confused, before grabbing his phone out of his pocket to check. He curses. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't have the time to check my phone today at all. But still. You figured sitting here for hours, waiting for me was the way to go?"
I nod, not backing down. "It was my decision. And here you are. It all worked out just fine."
"Charlie," Blake's voice softens. "You could have come on another day. I was busy."
My stomach twists. "But I wanted to come today. Are you still busy now?"
His shoulders slump, but he eventually shakes his head and grabs his key. "Come on in."
I quickly grab my bag from the floor and step inside the moment he unlocks the door. The scent of laundry hits my nose, and that's when I see laundry hanging around. Now I feel bad for barging in like this.
"Sorry for the mess," Blake says as he rounds the table, setting his things down.
I slowly follow him. "No worries. Sorry for coming unannounced. Were you at work?"
He shakes his head. "I was at the gym."
"Oh. I didn't know you go to gym."
Blake shrugs and passes me a glass of water after returning from the kitchen. "I haven't been in a while, but I needed to take my mind off of something. I don't go that often."
He doesn't go that often? Judging from his build, I would presume otherwise.
That doesn't matter right now. I didn't come here to stare at his body and watch the sweat droplets roll down his exposed chest from that low undercut of his shirt. Blake looks great, that's no secret, but right now I can tell behind that handsome exterior of his that something's bothering him. And I can't help but feel that something is me. He's still probably agitated by my behaviour last time. I need to fix this. Setting my glass down after taking little sips of it in an attempt to seem composed, I step closer.
"Look, I'm really sorry."
Blake turns his gaze to me with a brow raised. "Sorry for what?"
I take a deep breath. "For getting drunk. I heard you had to take me home. Sorry for the trouble. I will make it up to you. Whatever you want. Just don't be mad at me anymore."
"Wait, stop." Blake holds his hand out, looking even more dumbfounded than before. "You thought I was angry at you? For that?"
I nod. "That's why you've been avoiding me. Right?"
Blake shakes his head. "Charlie, I was never mad at you. I never thought it was a hassle to take care of you. And of course, I'd bring you home. Everyone gets passed out drunk sometimes. So, no need to apologize for that too."
I can feel the knots in my stomach loosening with each word he says. But I can't shake off this odd feeling. "Then why have you been avoiding me?"
"I haven't," he states, looking away for a moment.
"I don't believe it."
Blake sighs. "Charlie. I really haven't been avoiding you. I was just really busy. I promise."
I release a sigh of my own and nod. "So, that means you'll stop ignoring me? Please?"
Blake closes his eyes, and I can see the inner turmoil he's battling with. But whatever it is, it vanishes and he looks at me with soft, genuine eyes and his dimples return. "I have never ignored you, Charlie. And I never will."
He'd better mean that.