My Bubblegum King - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

At almost twenty years old, you'd think I've seen it all and learned it all. Okay, nineteen and four months isn't old and I've still got a long way ahead of me, hopefully, and so much more to learn but I honestly thought I would have known all the basics of surviving, living and loving— well, liking. I should know how to control my emotions, my body, my brain, I'm fucking nineteen. Meeting Paxton Flynn has made me feel like a newborn in many ways.
"So my dorm is basically like other dorms," he talked as he walked, turning around so he could look at me and walking backwards like he had eyes behind him. "Simple and very normal and— wait, have you seen other dorms?"
I bite on my lower lip to hold in a smile and hold his shoulders, turning him around to face where he's walking to. "Not really." Everything about him made me want to smile or laugh, it had to be some kind of ailment.
"Not really? What's not really?" He asked, turning his head to look at me again. I increased a step so I'd put us on the same walking line, so he doesn't keep turning to look up at me.
"I lived in a frat house my first year, remember? I think I've been in a dorm just once and I don't remember it so well, so, not really," I explained, trying to think of what I was doing in a dorm in the first place... Oh.
Paxton nodded, "okay, I understand. What took you to a dorm when you went there?" I stayed silent. He nudged me, smiling now in a teasing way. "Come on, you can tell me."
I forced a frown on my face, holding his shoulder and putting a little space between us. "I haven't forgiven you yet. You don't get to be cheeky with me."
His smile fell and I felt bad, I don't think I've seen a more beautiful thing on any face like Paxton's smile. "Ouch," he exhaled and forced a little smile on. "I deserve that though."
I sucked in air through my teeth and looked away, staring straight ahead and walking silently. I was holding myself back, honestly, I think that's what Paxton was brought into my life for to teach me how to perfect the act of holding back. I've been doing that since the very first day we exchange words. I held myself back from asking him out the very first time— I had to be a civil human and makes friends a little, fucking civilization, I held myself back from grabbing his face and kissing him senseless whenever he acted cute in front of me— which, I must point out, happened every fucking time—, I held myself back from yelling and screaming out why the one guy I felt insanely connected with had to have a boyfriend back home that he was super committed to and in love with.
Before I met Paxton, holding myself back from things and my very own self was the problem, I acted impulsively and stupidly at all times and it always landed me in deep shit. The worst of all happened during my first year in college and I guess that was the final straw to break the camel's back and I swore to be a changed person and begged the universe to help me out— Paxton was an answered prayer. I can't imagine him meeting the old me, the look of disappointed on his face would probably kill me, I can't imagine hurting the little guy, I'd do anything before it ever gets to that. Now every time I thought of doing something stupid, I just needed to think back to him and it'll put me back on track. I don't think Paxton even knew how important and helpful he was in my life, I don't think he knew how he made me feel with two weeks of his absence. Yeah, just friendship meant so much to me, it was madness.
Now I was holding myself back from pulling his body against mine and telling him that I've forgiven him, that he didn't need to frown or pout because at least he was here now and trying to make up for it. Not many would do that. Old Diego wouldn't do that. Old Diego cut off friends that even so much as not picked a call or called back. Old Diego didn't care about anybody but himself. Old Diego wouldn't be going to a guy's room just to talk and eat.
I liked Paxton, I didn't know if he knew that but I liked him way more than I'd care to admit even to myself. I don't know why I still wanted to be friends though, anybody with a common sense who felt this way towards someone in a serious relationship would/should bolt the other way. I knew nothing would ever come from it but I couldn't bring myself to bolt the other way. Maybe I was hoping for something, anything. Maybe I'd be that lucky person who 'gets the guy' at the end or maybe I'd be that unlucky person who gets his heart royally broken.
"This is it, don't get your hopes up," he said, biting on his lip as he unlocked the door, looking like he was shy. I smiled, fucking universe.
"Paxton, thank God," a voice said as soon as we step in and I turn to see his roommate with the dyed blond hair coming towards him with a fork full of...salad. "I need you to try this, asap."
"Uh," before Paxton could say anything the fork was put against his lips and he just takes it in like he is programmed. I watched him chew and watched his face light up as he covers his mouth with his hand and laughed. "Sim! You fucking genuis, this is really good. You perfected it!"
Sim smiled so hard and did a silent bump. "Really? Is it really good or you're just saying that because you're a nice roommate?"
"It's really good, like really. Are you sure you didn't order it from somewhere? This is perfect."
"Nope, made it all from scratch," then he scratched his chin. "But now, why I don't I trust just your judgement to be completely sincere? Perfect seems too much."
Paxton groaned, throwing his head back in disbelief, "well, thank God Diego is here," he grabbed my hand and started walking making me follow. "He can taste it."
"Oh hi Diego," Sim said.
I chuckled, being dragged by the little guy. "Hi Sim."
"Here," Paxton took a fork, grabs some salad and fed me just like his friend did. It's surreal how I tried so hard not to blush. "How is it? Am I exaggerating?"
I chewed and it was okay, tasted like every normal salad out there. "Um, it's fine?"
"Ugh," Sim groaned, face palming and walking back to the kitchen with a pout. "I knew it. What I'm I missing now?"
Paxton smacked my arm, making me look at him with wide eyes asking what. "It's not just fine. It's really good. One of the best salads I've tasted." He took another fork and nodded to himself as he ate as if confirming it more to himself.
"I didn't say it's bad, it's okay. Tastes like salad, isn't that the goal?" I asked, making them turn to look at themselves. "Honestly, maybe it's because I don't see all the fuss in a salad, I'm more of a real food guy."
Sim turned his head and body towards me, "Salad is real food."
"Eh, salad is something eaten out of wise health choices or poor health choices, either one depending on what you're aiming for. It's like this 'necessity' society has forced on people. Do you ever wake up and is just craving salad?"
"Not really," Paxton said, just as Sim is saying. "Yes."
We both turned and raised our brows at him. He gave us a disbelieving look. "I've been craving salad is why I've been stuck on perfecting it." Followed by a duh look.
Paxton and I exchanged a look and he shrugged and I wanted to smile at the fact that we share the same thought. "Whatever, salad is food and I think it's perfect Sim."
Sim shook his head and looks at me. "You know one would look at you and think you're vegetarian."
"Why?" I scrunched my face up in confusion.
"Because you're like a vet?"
Paxton laughed, "yes, Diego. Are you supposed to eat the animals you treat?"
I shrugged, "I loved meat before I loved animal and I think I should eat them especially since I treat them."
"What?" They both gave me confused looks that make me laugh.
"Because I love them, I should value them when alive and dead. Plus Chickens, pigs and Cows rarely come to the clinic and that's what I eat all the time."
Paxton bursts out laughing and Sim smiled, shaking his head to himself.
"What?" I asked Paxton.
"Nothing," he walked to his bed, dropping his bag and jacket.
"Tell me?"
"What would you like to eat?"
I walked up to him and grab his hand, "tell me."
His hazel eyes met mine, still in a smile. "It's just weird, how much you remind me of Seb."
Seb, I repeated. The boyfriend. I'm conflicted if that should be a good thing or not.
"Now what would you like to eat?"
I smirked, ruffling his hair with my hand. "Surprise me."
He pouted, "what if you end up truly surprised, like in the bad way?"
"Then I would have learnt my lesson."
He laughed, "okay then. Make yourself at home and try not to look at me while I cook."
"Sure," I fall down to his bed, picking a book and doing exactly what he said I should try not to do. Well, I tried in a second and failed.
As I watched him, I wondered how on Earth people got to meet angels and fall in love with them and vice versa. Seb clearly did it but was it permanent or do angels get their hearts broken too and get people's heart broken?
I didn't know and I wanted to find out.