The Cold Shoulder.
I stared at Parker. Dread filled me, did he really think that? Did he really think that I would go back to my old ways? I hadn't done anything im two years. That was major progress.
Parker frowned. "Khlo?"
My breathing elevated and stopped at the same moment. My throat constricted, and my eyes became wide. My vision was hazy and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was going on.
"Oh fuck." I heard Parker whisper. My eyes meg his and his face looked pale. He bent down and pressed his lips to mine, making me gasp. I stared at him in surprise.
"I'm sorry," Parker whispered against my lips. I nodded.
"What were you doing with Ian?" Parker asked, taking and pulling me towards the couch. I didn't say anything.
"Khlo?"
"I was just talking to him. Getting to know each other again."
"Do you have a history with him, Khlo?" Parker asked, making me look at him im surprise. How did he know? But I decided to play the dumb card, hoping that it would throw Parker off this topic.
"We know each other, but we don't have a history," I lied, my heart hurting to even get the words out.
"Okay then." Parker said, satisfied with my answer. He looked at me with concern. "You okay though?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I haven't has a panic attack since last time."
Parker frowned, but just dropped the topic. "Want me to order some pizza?"
I grinned at him. "Of course!"
"I'll ask Ian to come over," Parker said, taking his phone out of his pocket and walking out of my apartment.
I sighed, thinking about how worried Parker was about me. He knew me like no one else. He was there when I came here after ending things with Ian. After that one drunken night.
A shudder passed through me. Tears welled in my eyes, and I shut them. I heard Ian's deep voice and quickly opened my eyes, blinking my tears back.
I quickly walked into my room, calling out to them, "I'm going to take a shower, you guys make yourself comfortable."
I heard Parker's affirmative response, and I stripped and walked into the shower. The hot water on my body felt almost cathartic.
Parker's words brought back memories. Things which I hadn't thought about for almost six months. I didn't want to remember those things.
"Khloe?" I heard Ian say. "You done? You've been there for half an hour."
"Uh... Yes! I'll be out in five minutes," I replied quickly, getting out of the shower. I wrapped a towel around me, walking into my room. I expected Ian to be there. I was half surprised when he wasn't there.
I pulled on some underwear, shorts and a tee shirt, and walked into the living room. Parker and Ian were watching a cricket match, but something about Ian seemed off.
"Can we watch a movie?" I asked, rolling my eyes at the match.
"No." Parker said quickly.
"You're the only one here who wants to watch the darn match," I grumbled. "I'm sure Ian doesn't know how it works either."
"I do," Ian said, making me look at him in surprise. He gave me a blank look, before turning back to the tv. I walked into the kitchen, pouring a glass of water for myself. Since when did Ian start watching cricket?
"Pizza's here!" Parker yelled.
Dinner was a quiet affair. Ian turned down any efforts that Parker or I had made to talk to him. He seemed off. I hadn't seen Ian this quiet since freshman year. He was probably thinking so hard about something, that he would bottle it within him. And it would burst, one fine day.
The only time I had seen him like this was when he had a fall out with his parents. And he didn't talk to anyone for almost a week. And then, he just snapped.
"Ian?" I probably asked for the hundredth time.
He looked at me, questioning. "Yeah?"
"Are you okay?" Since Parker was here, I couldn't ask him what was wrong. Parker could sense stuff like a bloody snake, and when it came to me, he knew exactly what was going on.
"Yes. I'm done for the night, you guys have fun." With that, Ian got up and walked out of the apartment.
I frowned after him, resisting the urge to run after him. Parker's expression was also pretty much the same. He looked confused.
"I haven't seen him like that," Parker commented, and I shrugged. He got off the couch. "I'm going to call it a night too. Sleep well Khlo."
He kissed my forehead, walking out. I took out my phone, texting Ian.
**Are you okay?**
His reply was almost instantaneous. **Yes.**
**Ian, what's wrong? I know you well enough to know that you aren't okay.**
By now I was contemplating on going over to Parker's and talking to Ian. There was nothing more important to me than Ian. I had fallen for him, all over again. In just one day. I looked at the phone when it binged.
**Maybe I don't know you well, Khloe. **
I frowned. What did that mean? **What are you talking about?**
Ian didn't reply. I was sure I was looking at my phone screen for about a good hour, before I finally realized that he wasn't going to reply. I sighed, clearing up, and going to bed.
*********
It had been three days since Ian spoke to me. Every attempt I made to talk to him went unheard. He took the stairs every morning, avoiding me in the lift. He came home at about ten every night, and was too tired to sit for a few minutes.
I was out of my wits. I had to know what was going on with him. I couldn't take this anymore. I knew Parker had a date tonight, and he wouldn't come home. Or even if he did, he would come home somewhere in the early hours.
I waited at Parker's place for Ian. At exact ten, the door opened and Ian walked in. If he was surprised to see me, he didn't let it show.
"Ian," I called out as he walked into the guest room, which I presumed was his room.
No response.
"Ian!" I walked into his room behind him. "What is wrong with you?"
"What do you want Khloe?"
"Why are you behaving in this way?"
"Do you have something to talk about, or you just here for some nip chat?"
I stared at him in surprise. "What the hell, Ian? What's wrong with you? You were okay until we came back from the park."
Ian pulled me towards him, making me gasp in surprise as I collided with his hard chest.
"Why didn't you tell me Khloe?"
"Tell you what?"
"That you and my cousin are a thing."
"We are not!" I almost shouted. "Why would you think that?"
Ian's eyes stared into mine, hardened. "Don't lie, Khloe. I saw you and Parker kissing."
