They were hiding something from me. It started out as a feeling of rejection. None of them were available. All of them had something else to do. But now I was sure. They were together at Wilson's house. Without me. It was João's girlfriend who told me.
Now that I thought about it, it wasn't the first time that happened. But I couldn't understand why. Just yesterday we had been playing soccer together, the five of us. But this exclusion had been happening for longer.
So...I was the odd one out.
But that was insane. Lucas was my best friend. João was my cousin. Gabriel was Lucas's brother. Wilson was supposed to be the odd one out. How the fuck did I became the left over in that friend group?
I cogitated going to Wilson's at that very moment, barging in like some cheated girlfriend. Of course, my pride didn't let me. I stayed home, in my room, musing over this. My pride was definitely hurt, but I couldn't let it show. A guy couldn't let those feelings show, or it would be over for sure. So I stayed locked in my room, rotting in my bed for the rest of the day.
When night came, I received some messages from Lucas. I made sure to read them, let him see that I saw them, but I ignored them. He was so worried about it that he came to my house. My parents let him in, because of course they would. I couldn't explain to them why I didn't want him to see me.
Lucas came into my room. I was in my computer.
"Hey."
"Hey," I said.
"What are you playing?"
I didn't answer. He could see what I was playing. He came to look over my shoulder.
"You mad?" he asked.
"No."
"Can I crash in?" he asked.
I shrugged. I didn't want to refuse since I told him I wasn't mad, but I also hoped he could read the fucking room.
"Thanks, man."
He lay down on my bed and just slept there. I heard him snore, turned off my computer and looked at him.
He was my age, 19, and Latino. We met in highschool and we've been friends ever since. He was comfortable in my bed because he usually slept there with me. We had no problems with that sort of intimacy.
I looked at him now and I felt a small relief that he still considered me as a friend. But I also couldn't take it. How dared he lie to me and then pretend nothing happened?
I took a shower before bed and when I left the bathroom, he was awake again. I walked with the towel around my waist, a bit of water still dripping. He didn't say anything. Before I dressed up my underwear, I took the towel and finished drying up.
He kept his mouth shut, and I wasn't going to be the one talking first.
I lay down on the other side of the bed.
"Mateus..." he said.
"What?"
"You're mad."
"Why would I be?"
He was silent for a few moments. The anger was building up inside me, turning into jelousy and frustration.
"João told me that his girlfriend told you we were all at Wilson's today."
I waited.
"I know it looks bad. But, it's not what you're thinking."
I was slightly more confused, but I kept my mouth shut.
"Man, I really can't believe how bad it looks. I told the guys I was going to talk to you. The truth is...we were playing a game we knew you weren't going to like, so we didn't want you to be mad at us."
"A game?" I said. "That is the worst fucking excuse I have ever heard. I mean, Wilson? You guys would rather be with Wilson than with me? I like him, but we met him just a few months ago. I've known you for years, asshole. I can't even look at you right now. I thought you were my best friend."
"Mateus..."
"It's not even the fact you guys left me out. It's the lying. You all lied, and have been lying for a while. You guys want to get rid of me like I'm fucking fly, annoying your little group. Well, don't expect me to fucking talk to any of you any longer."
"Can you please shut the fuck up? You acting like a little bitch."
I sat down on the bed, looking away, feeling a little ashamed for my outburst. I was acting a bit childish, I had to admit. But it fucking hurt. I was sure I would regret later.
"Hey...you're gonna hate me when I tell you. But I will tell you anyway...what we have been doing. I have to. I'm feeling too fucking bad right now. I betrayed you. I really did. So I have to tell you. But please, even if you don't want to talk to me ever again, please, please promise me you won't tell anyone else?"
I looked at him, a little scared now. "What the hell were you guys doing?"
"Promise me."
"I promise, dude."