Should He Matter? (BXB)

Chapter 4 - Adrien

Adrien Walker

Tuesday morning rolls around, and my limbs are still slightly aching from yesterday's tryouts. It's currently 4:50 am, my alarm should be going off in ten minutes, but before it has a chance to ring, I turn it off.

I quickly change into a grey tank top with black shorts and slip on my running shoes. When I'm finished, I head downstairs. Just as I pass the living room, I see a lump on my couch. I stand there, confused for a few seconds before remembering that Ethan spent the night. 

I can clearly see him shivering; the house isn't even cold. Has he been shivering the entire night? I run back upstairs and grab my duvet. I toss it over him, but then I feel a little guilty so sort it out a little. He instantly stops shivering.

After looking down at him one last time, I head towards the front door. Fingers crossed he doesn't wake up whilst I'm gone. I shove my earphones in and do a few stretches before setting off on my run.

I love being out watching the sunrise. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those philosophical guys, but there's just something about watching the early morning sunrise while it's dead quiet. It's truly amazing.

Even though it's the end of September, the weather is pretty decent. It's not humid, nor is it freezing; it's just a nice breeze.

After half an hour of running, I arrive at the gym. I head straight to the top floor, work out for an hour, and then do my thirty-minute run back home.

When I get in, I quickly glance at Ethan to check if he's still sleeping before heading straight towards the bathroom. I hop in the shower, get dressed, grab my backpack and head back down to eat breakfast.

It's currently 7:15 am. It usually only takes me 15 minutes to eat, pack my bag and leave, but with Ethan still asleep on the couch, who knows when I'll be setting off.

He's been asleep for more than 12 hours; he better not still be tired. Twelve fucking hours, man. Doesn't oversleeping also cause tiredness and a load of other shit?

Should I shake him awake or make a load of noise to see if he'll wake up himself?

Nah, that'll take too long.

Quietly I make my way over to him and gently shake his shoulders.

"Ethan, man, wake up," shake shake, "Ethan, come on we've got school."

He slowly lifts his head and gives me a confused look.

He may still be drowsy from the painkillers.

"You fell asleep so you stayed the night. Bathroom's upstairs, you've got 15 minutes so hurry up and get ready."

Once he nods, I make my way to the kitchen.

The first thing I do is bin the microwave meal I took out for him and my uneaten chicken salad from yesterday; I wash the container before making myself some more. Jayden better not put me off my fucking food again.

Just as I reach for the lid, I hear him coming down the stairs.

Well, that was far quicker than I was expecting.

He awkwardly stands in the kitchen doorway, shuffling his weight between his feet.

"What's the matter?"

He doesn't respond for a few seconds, he softly asks, "Where's my bag?"

I vaguely gesture towards the staircase, "At the bottom of the stairs."

Did he not see it? He must have walked right past it.

He doesn't respond but instead turns around and leaves.