Silence

{26.2} Blare

{Aspen's POV}
(Peep chicky at the top^ SIMP for hand flex<3)

When I pull Arlo out of the room, I drop his hand reluctantly. As I do, he stops, making me look back at him in question. He takes a deep breath and nods at me to continue walking.

We walk side by side down the hallway with far too much distance between us. But unfortunately, this is just how it has to be.

We make it to the main room where I see Kohen, Jasper, Hudson, Buttface and Short Stuff all seated, playing poker it seems.

"HA!" Kohen slams his cards on the table, "Get wrecked f*cker!"

"F*ck you." Jasper drops his cards down.

"Watch the language." Hudson chastises, "There are innocents among us."

Suddenly all eyes are on Arlo and I. Kohen looks indifferent to us whereas Jasper has a stern look on his face. I glance at Arlo to make sure there is a safe distance and conclude it should be good enough for them not to suspect anything.

"You play poker, Dolores?" Jasper asks, gathering all the cards in his hand.

"I have." Arlo replies simply, walking further in the room and taking an empty seat.

"Aspen?" Kohen asks, inviting me to play.

"I'm good." I reply, realizing Trev is also sitting out.

I walk towards Trev and take a seat beside him. He looks at me and give me his classic boyish grin.

"How goes it Beefcake?" He asks.

"Just dandy, Short Stuff and yourself?" I retort.

"Peachy." He replies.

Trev has a super friendly aura around him. I bet if you had the time he could talk about random stuff for hours. Although, there's something about him that's almost unsettling. He masks himself with joy and friendliness, he has clear pain hidden underneath.

"You know how when we first met, I asked if your name was short for something?" I ask as Jasper begins dealing cards. I ask in a relatively low tone as not to let anyone else hear.

Trev immediately tenses at my question. I almost regret asking, but my curiosity is getting the better of me.

"I do." He replies, his low voice suddenly hoarse.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to," I reassure him. "But I was wondering if you might want to share?"

Trev takes a deep breath, his eyes trained on the game being played.

"I trust you Beefcake, not only because of Arlo but you're just that kind of person, you know? Someone who seems like they would have experienced enough themselves that they wouldn't care about any f*cked up thing you've been through." He takes a pause along with another breath, the topic is obviously sensitive and I find myself softening at his perception of me. "But it's a lot. It's some deep sh*t I can't bring myself to open up about right now. Eventually I will, Beefcake. But right now- I just can't."

"I completely understand." I reassure him quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push. My curiosity just got the better of me. Please don't feel pressured to ever tell me if you don't want to."

Trev looks at me, giving me a soft smile that clearly holds a lot of pain. I return the smile, hoping he find some comfort in it.

"Have you guys done the dirty yet?" Trev asks suddenly.

I literally choke on air.

Everyone turns to me at my sudden outburst and Trev sheepishly pats my back in an effort to help me.