Who Are You?
Paradigm
.:.:.
Neutral. The aura around the two had been neutral since the night Matt and Elise talked things over at dinner. It sounds to be a good thing but considering they had “patched” things together over a week ago, they’ve had seven days to improve above just “neutral”.
Matt had been spending all his time with the band or in his father’s mechanic shop. He always told Elise they were in the middle of a breakthrough or his dad had a VIP client in the shop who needed all his attention.
Elise, on the other hand, was begging for extra shifts at the restaurant or spending her days off locked away in her room with a book. She always told Matt, when he had the time for her, that she was working or not feeling well which wasn’t a complete lie. Aside from her oncoming depression slowly creeping back from the past, she unfortunately was dealing with something that required constant face-to-face action with the porcelain throne. Even if Matt had wanted to hang out, she would have to tell him no.
So, here she was, staring into the bathroom mirror as the cold water was cupped into her hands. Elise hoped the cool liquid would ease her burning throat if even for a second. It had been years since she had been this sick and didn’t miss the ailments that went along with her body trying to fix itself. Thankfully, today seemed to indicate she was recovering. Her phone buzzed loudly against the counter signaling Elise to return to her room. Word must have gotten around thanks to Leana, seeing as how Brian was asking how she was feeling. A tinge of sadness poked at her stomach. Here Brian was concerned but she hadn’t heard much from Matt except for the occasional messages.
You told him you weren’t feeling well but you didn’t tell him the extent of it, idiot. Even in her dehydrated, sickly state, her brain was right.
Elise responded with an overly confident message of being fine just as another queasy feeling radiated in her stomach. She quickly changed tone and told Brian what was really going on when he offered to stop by.
Brian: Jesus, Ellie. How long have you been sick? Do you need anything?”
I’m alright. (: Thanks, Bri. Lee was nice enough to pick up a few things for me so I’m all set. I’ve only been at this a couple days but I think it’s going away.
Brian: Is this why Matt has been such a pain in my ass? Because he can’t bug you? :b
Elise bit her lip, debating whether or not to open up. She didn’t want to come off as the victim to Matt’s best friend but she wasn’t entirely in the wrong, either.
We haven’t really spoke or hung out much. I think we’ve both been really busy with work and Matt with your band. Everything will go back to normal when I can stop groping the toilet.
Brian: I’ll go over and have a chat with that shithead.
A slight panic set in when she read the message. Elise didn’t want to cause any problems between the two. Especially since she neglected to give Bri the full details. She quickly typed a reply to Brian, politely asking him to let it go. A full-on panic coursed through her when the minutes passed by without a returned text from her friend. Elise didn’t want Matt to be upset with her for spilling their personal business with Brian. It was understandable for the guys to do so, seeing as how they’ve been friends for years. Between Brian’s recent heartbreak and things being rocky with Zack’s relationship, Elise really didn’t want any unnecessary attention being wasted on her issues with Matt. Elise rubbed her forehead in frustration when Brian neglected to pick up his phone call. With an annoyed sigh, she changed into some decent clothes and rushed over to Matt’s. She hoped she could beat him there all without vomiting.
.:.:.
“Fuck!” Elise exclaimed at the distant sight of Brian’s car parking outside Matt’s house. Her eyebrows raised as relief fluttered in her stomach as she drove closer; Brian was still sitting inside. He seemed deep in thought as Elise realized he didn’t notice she was also there. Elise threw her truck in park. As her finger hooked under the button to roll her windows up, a loud call rung out through the street from her truck’s Bluetooth. She cringed and quickly turned the ignition off, only to look up and see Brian was now staring at her. Curses left her mouth as she ran slammed the door shut and raced to the front door. Unfortunately, Brian was a tad bit quicker.
“Elise!” Brian blocked the door handle from her grasp, “What is going on with you?” He quietly questioned while eyeing her suspiciously. This was definitely out of the norm for her.
“I…I don’t know, ok? This is my issue that you shouldn’t be burdened with.” Elise softly admitted.
Brian rolled his eyes, “Jesus, woman. You two are my friends. I want whatever the fuck is going on here to stop. You like him, and he likes you. You’re both stubborn and, frankly, blow things out of proportion while expecting the other to put in the effort to smooth it out.”
His words hit sharply but she couldn’t be mad. The truth hurt but she needed more of it.
“Are we going into this “relationship” business too hard and too fast?” Elise lowered her hands and grabbed at her forearm after using air quotes.
Brian shook his head and smirked, “If anything, you’re not going at it hard enough and fast enough.” He wiggled his eyebrows earning a slap against his arm.
“You’re a perv.” Elise couldn’t help but smile. “Have you talked to him about coming over?”
“No, I figured I’d just come over. I haven’t heard from him since late last night.” Brian turned the handle but didn’t push open the door, “I just hope he isn’t back to his old self.” He mumbled to himself before entering the home.
Elise followed the guitarist to an unfamiliar part of Matt’s parent’s house. It dawned on her that his room was a foreign place. She was a little nervous about being there, especially being uninvited. Would he be mad? It didn’t even feel like a question but a prediction in Elise’s anxiety-riddled head. The only saving grace to her situation was having Brian here.
“Bri, wait,” Elise stopped Brian just as they reached the top of the staircase. “What all do you know about our dinner the other night? Did Matt tell you?”
“Tell me what?” his dark whisky eyes were both curious and concerned.
“Hey, Little Haner!” a man’s voice broke the suspense between the two. “Who’s your friend?”
“Hey, Papa Shads. This is our friend, Elise. Elise, this is Matt’s dad, Gary.” Brian slapped the older gentleman on the back.
Elise extended her hand to which is taller man grabbed, “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“The pleasure is all mine, darling. Well, I should get. The wife and I are headed out to God knows where. And, Brian?” Gary put his hand on the younger man’s shoulder and lowered his head to mutter something.
Elise didn’t plan on running into anybody here let alone Matt’s dad but at least she got that awkward moment out of the way. She tried her best to act natural and not seem as if she was trying to listen in on the two men. Instead, she looked around at every inch of the house within her view. Only a snippet of their private conversation was heard by the curious woman; "I knew Matt was good but not that good.” Brian only flashed a grin as the gentleman gave one last smile to Elise, walked down the stairs, and out the front door.
“I know a part of you is dying to know what he just told me.” He laughed at the fact Elise was prepared to deny it. It was written all over her face. “He was just worried about Matt and asked me to snap him out of it except he used way worse words. His room is just down the hall, come on.”
They approached a door which seemed newer and a different shade of paint than the other doors in the hall. Elise didn’t have a second thought about it when Brian knocked loudly against the wooden border. Surely Matt would have heard it, even if his music was blaring from inside.
“Thank you, Amy.” Brian spoke to no one in particular as his hand fumbled atop the doorframe in search of something. His slender fingers grasped a thin, golden key which was then inserted into the lock.
“Brian, what if he’s…you know,” Elise shied away from what she really wanted to say.
Brian chuckled. “What? Jerking off? We grew up and spent most of our teens around each other. This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve caught him.”
Elise was still dying to ask Brian the same question about her and Matt’s dinner but decided against it. It was too late now. Matt’s door was slowly opened causing Elise to gasp as a wave of nausea hit at the sight in front of her.
This was a paradigm for his behavior.
Neutral. The aura around the two had been neutral since the night Matt and Elise talked things over at dinner. It sounds to be a good thing but considering they had “patched” things together over a week ago, they’ve had seven days to improve above just “neutral”.
Matt had been spending all his time with the band or in his father’s mechanic shop. He always told Elise they were in the middle of a breakthrough or his dad had a VIP client in the shop who needed all his attention.
Elise, on the other hand, was begging for extra shifts at the restaurant or spending her days off locked away in her room with a book. She always told Matt, when he had the time for her, that she was working or not feeling well which wasn’t a complete lie. Aside from her oncoming depression slowly creeping back from the past, she unfortunately was dealing with something that required constant face-to-face action with the porcelain throne. Even if Matt had wanted to hang out, she would have to tell him no.
So, here she was, staring into the bathroom mirror as the cold water was cupped into her hands. Elise hoped the cool liquid would ease her burning throat if even for a second. It had been years since she had been this sick and didn’t miss the ailments that went along with her body trying to fix itself. Thankfully, today seemed to indicate she was recovering. Her phone buzzed loudly against the counter signaling Elise to return to her room. Word must have gotten around thanks to Leana, seeing as how Brian was asking how she was feeling. A tinge of sadness poked at her stomach. Here Brian was concerned but she hadn’t heard much from Matt except for the occasional messages.
You told him you weren’t feeling well but you didn’t tell him the extent of it, idiot. Even in her dehydrated, sickly state, her brain was right.
Elise responded with an overly confident message of being fine just as another queasy feeling radiated in her stomach. She quickly changed tone and told Brian what was really going on when he offered to stop by.
Brian: Jesus, Ellie. How long have you been sick? Do you need anything?”
I’m alright. (: Thanks, Bri. Lee was nice enough to pick up a few things for me so I’m all set. I’ve only been at this a couple days but I think it’s going away.
Brian: Is this why Matt has been such a pain in my ass? Because he can’t bug you? :b
Elise bit her lip, debating whether or not to open up. She didn’t want to come off as the victim to Matt’s best friend but she wasn’t entirely in the wrong, either.
We haven’t really spoke or hung out much. I think we’ve both been really busy with work and Matt with your band. Everything will go back to normal when I can stop groping the toilet.
Brian: I’ll go over and have a chat with that shithead.
A slight panic set in when she read the message. Elise didn’t want to cause any problems between the two. Especially since she neglected to give Bri the full details. She quickly typed a reply to Brian, politely asking him to let it go. A full-on panic coursed through her when the minutes passed by without a returned text from her friend. Elise didn’t want Matt to be upset with her for spilling their personal business with Brian. It was understandable for the guys to do so, seeing as how they’ve been friends for years. Between Brian’s recent heartbreak and things being rocky with Zack’s relationship, Elise really didn’t want any unnecessary attention being wasted on her issues with Matt. Elise rubbed her forehead in frustration when Brian neglected to pick up his phone call. With an annoyed sigh, she changed into some decent clothes and rushed over to Matt’s. She hoped she could beat him there all without vomiting.
.:.:.
“Fuck!” Elise exclaimed at the distant sight of Brian’s car parking outside Matt’s house. Her eyebrows raised as relief fluttered in her stomach as she drove closer; Brian was still sitting inside. He seemed deep in thought as Elise realized he didn’t notice she was also there. Elise threw her truck in park. As her finger hooked under the button to roll her windows up, a loud call rung out through the street from her truck’s Bluetooth. She cringed and quickly turned the ignition off, only to look up and see Brian was now staring at her. Curses left her mouth as she ran slammed the door shut and raced to the front door. Unfortunately, Brian was a tad bit quicker.
“Elise!” Brian blocked the door handle from her grasp, “What is going on with you?” He quietly questioned while eyeing her suspiciously. This was definitely out of the norm for her.
“I…I don’t know, ok? This is my issue that you shouldn’t be burdened with.” Elise softly admitted.
Brian rolled his eyes, “Jesus, woman. You two are my friends. I want whatever the fuck is going on here to stop. You like him, and he likes you. You’re both stubborn and, frankly, blow things out of proportion while expecting the other to put in the effort to smooth it out.”
His words hit sharply but she couldn’t be mad. The truth hurt but she needed more of it.
“Are we going into this “relationship” business too hard and too fast?” Elise lowered her hands and grabbed at her forearm after using air quotes.
Brian shook his head and smirked, “If anything, you’re not going at it hard enough and fast enough.” He wiggled his eyebrows earning a slap against his arm.
“You’re a perv.” Elise couldn’t help but smile. “Have you talked to him about coming over?”
“No, I figured I’d just come over. I haven’t heard from him since late last night.” Brian turned the handle but didn’t push open the door, “I just hope he isn’t back to his old self.” He mumbled to himself before entering the home.
Elise followed the guitarist to an unfamiliar part of Matt’s parent’s house. It dawned on her that his room was a foreign place. She was a little nervous about being there, especially being uninvited. Would he be mad? It didn’t even feel like a question but a prediction in Elise’s anxiety-riddled head. The only saving grace to her situation was having Brian here.
“Bri, wait,” Elise stopped Brian just as they reached the top of the staircase. “What all do you know about our dinner the other night? Did Matt tell you?”
“Tell me what?” his dark whisky eyes were both curious and concerned.
“Hey, Little Haner!” a man’s voice broke the suspense between the two. “Who’s your friend?”
“Hey, Papa Shads. This is our friend, Elise. Elise, this is Matt’s dad, Gary.” Brian slapped the older gentleman on the back.
Elise extended her hand to which is taller man grabbed, “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“The pleasure is all mine, darling. Well, I should get. The wife and I are headed out to God knows where. And, Brian?” Gary put his hand on the younger man’s shoulder and lowered his head to mutter something.
Elise didn’t plan on running into anybody here let alone Matt’s dad but at least she got that awkward moment out of the way. She tried her best to act natural and not seem as if she was trying to listen in on the two men. Instead, she looked around at every inch of the house within her view. Only a snippet of their private conversation was heard by the curious woman; "I knew Matt was good but not that good.” Brian only flashed a grin as the gentleman gave one last smile to Elise, walked down the stairs, and out the front door.
“I know a part of you is dying to know what he just told me.” He laughed at the fact Elise was prepared to deny it. It was written all over her face. “He was just worried about Matt and asked me to snap him out of it except he used way worse words. His room is just down the hall, come on.”
They approached a door which seemed newer and a different shade of paint than the other doors in the hall. Elise didn’t have a second thought about it when Brian knocked loudly against the wooden border. Surely Matt would have heard it, even if his music was blaring from inside.
“Thank you, Amy.” Brian spoke to no one in particular as his hand fumbled atop the doorframe in search of something. His slender fingers grasped a thin, golden key which was then inserted into the lock.
“Brian, what if he’s…you know,” Elise shied away from what she really wanted to say.
Brian chuckled. “What? Jerking off? We grew up and spent most of our teens around each other. This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve caught him.”
Elise was still dying to ask Brian the same question about her and Matt’s dinner but decided against it. It was too late now. Matt’s door was slowly opened causing Elise to gasp as a wave of nausea hit at the sight in front of her.
This was a paradigm for his behavior.
Notes
Two updates and it didn't take months?! Next update might take a little longer since I need to type it up. I'm excited, the chapters are being pieced together!
Well damn! ;) glad you’re back!
6/2/19