Chapter 8: Warming Up
The rest of the night was awkward for the two young men who were still holding hands as the string didn't seem to loosen. They were both still at the bar. Minutes seemed like hours. Levi felt a jab on his arm. Looking back Levi saw Marcus walk by causally while whispering in his ear. "If you don't open up to him, you'll be holding hands the rest of the night."
Levi groaned looking back seeing his group talking with Kyle and Stan. Levi looked back at the guy seeing him hiding his face with his head resting on his arm. This guy was clearly not enjoying the situation any better than Levi. Levi swallowed the large knot in his throat trying to gain the smallest amount of courage to speak up to this guy. "Hey, I'm sorry we are stuck together." Levi said unintentionally in a snarky tone. The guy didn't seem fazed but one thing that saddened Levi the most was he didn't speak from the beginning. 'Is he ashamed I'm the one he's tied to? I mean... The first thing I said was very rude.. The fact I would rather cut the string than deal with someone for a week. Oh my fucking god... I'm such a fucking dick!! Now I have to be around this guy for a week.. Why me?!?!'
'Why me? Why did this have to happen to me... I thought I was bettering my life. The first day of bettering myself I run into him... The one I publicly humiliated back in high school. This is the worst day of my fucking life. Is this punishment for all the crazy shit I did to this guy? I know he's acting this way because he doesn't want to be tied to his bully. God.... Why me?!?!?' "Hey uhh... What's your name?" Craig looked up slowly seeing the skinny brunette with sadness in his eyes. 'Did he ask me what my name was? Does he not remember me? Wait... I'm almost positive he ..... Oh my god. He was never in any of my classes. People only called me by a nickname.. Never by my full name. Oh my god. He doesn't recognize me. I'm not a blonde anymore...oh...my....god.. what do I do? Do I tell him or do I wait until the week ends then tell him... That's what I have to do.. I can't tell him as we are attached or he will cut the string.. Shit I should probably speak now.. He looks even more upset that I haven't said a damn word.' "Uhh I'm Craig." He said hoping Levi didn't show a bad reaction.
"Oh well my name is Levi... Levi Baker." Levi said giving a sympathetic smile still feeling guilty for his nasty comment from earlier.
"Oh uhh my last name is Tucker.. I didn't know were were giving last names." Craig said looking away slightly embarrassed.
Levi gave a better smile. "I like that name, it suits you." He said while looking at Craig's appearance.
Craig was caught off guard by the sudden compliment as his cheeks highlighted in a bright pink. "Oh uhh thanks." 'God I seem like a nervous idiot around him.. How embarrassing. How can I not be nervous after all the things I did to this guy?'
Levi could tell Craig was acting shy. 'I guess he's shy too..this guy has no idea how difficult it is to speak up first. It's so awkward but... My pinky is beginning to hurt...' "Hey uhh do you live around here?" Levi asked trying to get to know Craig a little better.
Craig looked back at Levi and simply nodded.
"Do you go to college?"
Craig shook his head.
"Don't talk much, huh?"
Craig's face grew red as he looked away, not understanding what has gotten into him. 'I'm never shy... Why am I now?! I'm so fucking scared he will figure me out just by my voice. God damn it, this is so fucking embarrassing!!'
"Hey, it's okay to be shy.. You don't have to be embarrassed, I won't judge you." Levi said while squeezing Craig's hand. Craig immediately locked eyes with Levi. At that moment the harsh pulling released as the string loosened completely around their finger. They both looked down at their hands seeing they were still together. They both tensed while pulling away fairly quickly. They both looked up in each other eyes. Something sparked in both their hearts just by the simple eye contact. They both couldn't gain the willpower to break their gaze. The moment was broken when an obnoxious "Awwwwwwww" was heard. Both boy looked over seeing Marcus looking at the two looking like a total fan girl. Both the boys backed away while looking away becoming flustered.
"Damn it, Marcus look what you did!" Said Zack nudging his boyfriend.
"I couldn't help it it was an instinct!!" Marcus yelled in defense.
"Anyway before Marcus decided to interrupt your moment. We were going to head out soon. Do you two know where you would be spending the night?" Stan asked while looking at the two young gentlemen.
"We.. Didn't really think about it." Levi said nervously as he didn't think this far ahead.
"Well you should probably talk to both your parents and let them know. It's a pretty big deal even if it's not a soulmate bond. The parents should understand your stuck with that person for a whole week." Kyle said.
The two boys looked at each other. "Uhh we can go to my house. My uncle wouldn't mind." Levi said voluntarily.
Craig nodded in response.
"Okay, Levi do you need a ride?" Marcus asked while getting his keys out of his pocket.
Levi looked over at Craig seeing him pull out his keys. "No I'm good Marcus, seems I have a ride." Levi said looking back at his group.
"Okay, sounds good. Well we are heading out you two. We will see you tomorrow at work Levi." Marcus said while grabbing Zack's hand with Ethan following behind.
"If you two have any questions or need any advice, don't hesitate to contact me and Kyle. Kyle would you have any advice for them before we leave?" Stan asked while looking over at Kyle.
"Uhhh... Oh yeah.. The string seems to lengthen by your heart rate through your finger. It's like it can sense when you feel awkward. When you feel awkward it tends to force you closer even if your unwilling. I can't tell you have many times me and Stan ended up holding hands. When you calm down it tends to loosen up. We tried figuring out some loopholes but we couldn't find any. So... Try avoiding any awkward situations." Kyle said with a small reassuring smile knowing that was an impossible thing to avoid.
"Anyway.. You two have fun. But not too much fun." Stan teased while patting Craig's back as he and Kyle both walked off.
The two young gentlemen stole one last glance at each other seeing they were both blushing toward the last comment. 'How the hell is this going to work?'
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