Silent Treatment (boyxboy)

two : dinner with the stags

I opened my mouth to say something. Was I about to stop the silent treatment? I batted my eyelashes and gasped for air, not knowing what to say, but I was going to say something. Before I spilled the beans, Thracia called from downstairs.

"Dinner's ready!" Oh, thank God! Both of our heads turned. Biddy's brothers came rushing out of their bedrooms. They pushed past us, running downstairs, causing Biddy and I to bump into each other again. Biddy's face was really close to mine. I stopped breathing and blushed like crazy again. His eyes bore into mine, feeling his warm breath on my nose.

No... I stepped back, creating a distance between us. I can't... I sighed and quickly made my way downstairs, putting my binder and pencil in my backpack, and walked into the kitchen. Biddy placed his binder and pencil right next to my backpack and quietly following after me.

"Ah, there you boys are! We're having pot-roast for dinner!" Thracia greeted, giving Biddy and I pat on the back, before taking a seat at the end of the table. All the seats were occupied, except for the two chairs next to each other. Mr. Stag was reading a newspaper at the other end of the table. Biddy's older brother was on his phone and Biddy's younger brother was playing with the pea on his plate.

Great! I get to sit right next to Biddy! More awkward situations! I took my seat across from Biddy's younger brother and conveniently next to Thracia. Biddy's younger brother looked at me funny. But it was so cute, so I smiled. Biddy sat right next to me. I cringed and blushed because his skin pressed against me as he took his seat.

"The dinner looks delicious, Thracia!" I commented.

"Thank you, Salem!" She smiled, "Oh, Biddy! He's so nice!"

Wow, Thracia must really like me! I blushed at her comment, seeing Biddy at the corner of my eye. He nodded quietly. I really hope they don't say -

"Grace! Salem, may we do grace?" She wondered, giving me hope in her eyes. "If you don't mind, of course!"

Well, I am Catholic but... I looked down at Biddy's hand.

"Of course!" I beamed, giving a fake smile. Mr. Stag and Biddy's older brother put their stuff down. The family did the sign of the cross and took each other's hands. I did my sign of the cross and took Thracia's hand with no problem, but I hesitated to take Biddy's. I looked down at the vacant hand. Goodness gracious... I lightly placed my hand on his. I felt him tense at my touch. Oh look! I'm blushing again! We all proceeded to tilt our heads down and close our eyes.

"Carr, you're saying grace tonight..." Thracia murmured.

"Bless us, oh Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord we pray, Amen." An older teenager's voice prayed. Biddy's older brother's name is Carr. Cool.

After grace, I quickly pulled my hand away from Biddy's and closed in prayer with the sign of the cross.

Everyone piled pot roast on their plates. I got my portion and dug in. It was delicious! I tasted rosemary and the meat was so tender, it melted in my mouth and -

"Mrs. Stag, the dinner's the delicious!" I gasped. She thanked me; telling me it was an old recipe. I saw Biddy smile at the corner of my eye. A smile lifted at the corner of my lips. I blushed and played with the pot roast on my plate.

"So, Salem!" Mr. Stag spoke. He brought his hands together and laced his fingers. He adjusted himseld and then concentrated on me. "Tell us about yourself."

"Um..." I floored my fork on the table and stared at my food. This is uncomfortable I looked around the table. Mr. Stag was staring at me. Carr was staring at me. Biddy's younger brother was staring at me. Thracia was staring at me, shooting a "you-can-do-it" face. I looked to my right and Biddy was staring, not at me but at his food. So stare. Wow. Awkward silence.