"I love you" said Felix
I didn't know how to respond so I just squeezed him tight and said "We should wash up" and kissed him on the cheek.
The gloom and disappointment in his heart was visible. "Felix. I like you. Let's start there. Okay?"
I took his hand and said " Lets take a shower and have some dinner, okay? "
"Okay" he said
It was an awkward shower and dinner. It was like there was an elephant in the room. After dinner Felix went home. We had an uncomfortable kiss goodbye at me front door.
Alone in my apartment I wondered how this whole thing happened. I've lusted for guys and I've had boyfriends. However, with Felix there was an urgent need to have sex right away, which isn't normally me.
The next morning there was a rude awakening to the Pandora's box I had opened last night. I checked Felix's phone and I had 12 missed calls and a lot of text messages.
[Good morning Michael.]
[I hope you're feeling okay.]
[I know you said you were sick all day yesterday and I may have been too rough last night.]
[Are you okay?]
[If you're not feeling well, let me know.]
[I promise I'll take good care of you.]
[Do you need anything?]
[Have a good day today and don't over work yourself]
[I miss you]
[I've called you a few times to check on you but you didn't answer, I hope your feeling okay.]
When I got to work there was a delivery of flowers at noon. They were from Felix 'Thinking of you' said the note.
"Wow, are these from the guy I saw you kissing at the Festival?" said Harvey .
"Yes." I said
"You don't look too happy about it. "
"I guess I feel odd, getting flowers."
"Don't worry about it. The flowers are pretty. Accept them."
"Okay" and then I grumble under my breathe, "Not like I've got any choice."
When the work day was through and I was driving home, I stopped by the store to buy some groceries. I just needed some necessities and I decided to toss in some impulse buys. I added some beef jerky, wine and cigarettes. As I was walking to my car in the parking lot. There was Felix waiting for me at my car.
He runs up to me "Michael. I missed you. You should have told me you were gonna go shopping, I was worried when you were late coming home. Did you get the flowers I sent? Did you like them?".
" Hello Felix. Yes, I did. They were very pretty. Thank you. "
"Let me help you with the bags." As Felix loads a few bags into my car, he pulls out my cigarettes. "You smoke?" He asks
" Yeah, sometimes. "
"You should stop. It's not good for you."
I reach for the cigarettes "It's just a bad habit". Felix pulls them away. "Don't worry about it." I say as I grab the box. I put them in my shirt pocket and finished loading the groceries.
I guess Felix can sense my irritation. "Sorry, you can do what you want with the cigarettes."
" I know" I say and get into my car.
Felix gets into the passenger side. "Felix, are you inviting yourself over again tonight?"
" You dont want me to come over tonight? "
"Actually I'd like to spend this evening alone"
"Why Michael? After last night, we were so close. I thought you liked me?"
"I do like you, but I need some time to process our relationship. Everything happened so quickly. I just want to reflect on it by myself."
The mood changed. There was a tension that felt imposing.
"Michael..." Felix just said that but he didn't say anything more. He seemed to be brooding. I reached out my hand to comfort him but he growled in deep rumble that made me draw my hand back.
He opened the passenger door and rushed off. He didn't close the door behind him or look back as he ran off.
That was weird. I know Felix said he was a werewolf but he never acted like an animal before.
I get out of my car and walk over to close the passenger door. I look in the direction Felix ran away. I feel like I should run after him. However, the impulse to chase Felix didn't feel like I wanted to comfort him or apologize. It was more of the feeling you get when... I don't know, when you're playing tag and you're it. Even that isn't exactly the right feeling either.
I get into my car and drive home.
When I get there I put my groceries away and make myself dinner. I miss Felix.
I open the wine I bought and pour myself a glass. I start to think about him and all we've been through. I really miss him. I miss him more than I think I should. This does doesn't make sense. I begin to feel tense. I feel like I'm angry, but I'm not angry. What am I feeling?
I reach for Felix's phone. He hasn't messaged me since this afternoon.
[I miss you too. Will you come over?]
He replied instantly, [I'm sorry for growling at you and running away. *crying emoji]
[You miss me? *emoji with hearts for eyes]
[I'll be right over!]
It's not long before there's a knock at my door.
I open it but it's not Felix.
Or it is Felix but a werewolf Felix.
Felix is standing in my doorway wearing his black hoodie to cover his face but even without seeing him directly I knew he was different.
"Come inside, quick." I said and pulled him into my apartment. " What happened to you? Why are you a werewolf? I thought this only happened during full moons? "
Felix walked to the couch and sat down. He removed the good from his head. "Sometimes when werewolves are very emotional they can lose control and transform too. I guess our fight really made me unhappy"
I say down beside him. I didn't know what to say. He looked at him. His whole face was covered in fur. It was a glossy black with tuffs of grey. He had a slightly elongated nose like a dogs. I wonder if his nose is wet? This is kinda awkward.
"Do I scare you Michael? Are you weirded out? Am I hideous? I guess you think I'm a monster."
" Felix, I would be lying if I said it's not weird but you don't scare me. " I reached out and parted his head. I guess it was by impulse cause he looks kind of like a dog. He laughed. Then I laughed.
"I'm glad you came over, because I thought some things over and we need to talk."