2 | HENRY

I smiled like a kid on a Christmas morning as I looked at the package on the bed in front of me. I stroked my chin thoughtfully as I went through all the safety precautions.

Locked door? Checked!

Closed windows with curtains fully closed? Checked!

Phone set on 'Do not disturb' mode? Checked! 

Busy mom? Checked!

Busy dude who's room was literally across from mine but was busy unpacking? CHECKED!

I sighed in relief. My bedroom was my safe zone and my mother knew that more than anyone. I didn't allow anyone, not even my friends, into my room. Fortunately, my family was quite well to do and we had a small library downstairs so, I didn't have to make up an excuse of why I didn't want them in here.

My bedroom was the only place that I could be myself fully. Without judgement or ridicule. It was tough getting my mom to stop coming here and I promised her to always keep my room tidy. I didn't go back on my word though. Dirt literally irked me.

Getting the package from my bed, I slowly ripped the tape with the edge of a scissors until it was opened. I hesitated. This was the first time that I was doing this and I was very nervous. It was a hobby that I kept in my head but now, I could make it a reality.

Slowly lifting the top, I looked at the contents. Inside were five different pairs of women's thongs and they looked gorgeous. I threw my hand over my mouth to contain the excited squeal that almost left my mouth.

I loved women's underwear. I've never worn any before but the way they looked was so beautiful that I had always imagined myself in them. I grabbed one and pulled it up by the sides.

It was made of black lace and had a cute bow on the front. The sides were see through and the behind was smaller than the front. It was way better than I imagined it.

Putting the underwear down, I stood up and pulled down the shorts that I was wearing along with my boxers before kicking them aside. I quickly pulled on the thong and stared at my reflection on the mirror across my bed.

I smiled as I held my waist and turned this way and that to fully examine the look. If you asked me, I was beyond pleased. I blushed at the thought of wearing women's underwear under my clothes in public. It made me feel like a pervert. Then again, it made me feel more confident in myself.

It was weird. I was weird. I knew that, but this made me so happy. I didn't know if me liking women's underwear meant that I was gay but I didn't think so. I had never felt romantic or sexual attraction towards men. There was just something about women's underwear that gave me shivers. Good shivers.

I turned at looked at my butt and it was looking quite snug, if I do say so myself. I chuckled at how crazy this was. I finally got the courage to buy what I've wanted for a long time and I was in my safe zone. A place where I couldn't be judged or ridiculed.

The sound of the door banging slightly made me want to jump out of my skin. I held my chest as I stared at the door in shock and reminded myself that all safety precaution boxes were checked.

"Who's there?" I asked.

"Ah, it's Andre. Your mom asked me to come and get you. Dinner's ready," the deep voice responded.

I frowned and yelled, "Learn to fucking knock. Did you grow up in a chicken coop!?"

"We're both guys though," he replied nonchalantly and my irritation grew. It just had to be him, of all people, to disturb my peace. 

"Privacy doesn't only apply to the opposite gender." I lifted my shorts from the floor and put them on. "You can't just waltz into someone else's room, dumbass."

"You have a very foul mouth, Henry," Andre said with a sigh. "Hurry up. I can't go down without you."

I rolled my eyes and got the package before looking around for a hiding spot. "Might as well not live without me while you're at it."

"I would but you wouldn't like that."

I froze and looked at the door in surprise. Was he flirting with me? "Give me a minute," I said as I softly shook my head to dismiss the thought.

Why on earth would he flirt with me?

I walked up to the closet and hid the package in the top compartment, under a blanket. Getting down from the chair I climbed on, I walked to the door and unlocked it before pulling it open.

I walked out and flinched when I almost bumped into Andre. I looked up at him, remembering how tall he was. "You're still here?" 

He stared me down and I felt conscious of what I was wearing underneath. What the heck, Henry? There's no way that this dude could have x-ray vision.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm just surprised that the cute little you has grown into such a brat," he said, his eyes meeting mine.

I took a step back, feeling slightly intimidated. "Could you move? I'm starving."

"Now you're in a hurry?"

I pushed him away and walked past him without responding. What was up with him? I let out a breath that I didn't think I was holding on my walk to the kitchen. He hasn't been here for more than a day and he already became a professional at getting on my nerves.

"Where's Andre?" Mom asked as she looked at me and I frowned.

"Your son is on his way here," I answered sarcastically and she gave me an unimpressed look.

"Don't be like that, Hennie-"

"Henry," I corrected before seating across from her.

She sighed. "Henry. I want you to be happy, honey."

"And you're doing a good job, Mom." She really was trying her best to cheer me up but if this was one of the things on her list, it'd make me feel anything but happy.

"Could you at least be a little nicer while Andre is around?"

I stared at her for a while before nodding. "Sure."

After a moment, Andre walked in and for all the places that he could've sat, he chose to sit next to me. Just great.

"Let's eat," he said with a grin and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

~

"He's the worst!" I complained to Ryan and Louis as we sat in the cafeteria during lunch. "My parents literally suck up to him."

Last night, my dad came when we were in the middle of the meal. It was like a happy family dinner that I was watching from a window. By the looks of things, everyone but myself, remembered the incredible Andre and they had a good chat.

I didn't want to get too involved with the happy bunch but Andre was the type of person I hated the most. The outgoing, over friendly type. He'd try to involve me into the conversation every now and then but I gave one word answers in order to shut him down. 

Can't a dude leave an introvert in peace?

"You sound like a jealous child," Louis said in amusement.

I glared at him. "I'm not jealous. I know that they're trying to replace my brother and I don't like it." 

My best friends exchanged worried glances. 

"You said that he's staying for his internship. I'm sure that he'll leave once he finds a place," Ryan said before munching on a fry.

"He said that he's staying for six months. That's half a fucking year! On top of all of this bullshit, I'm in charge of the Entertain Andre Committee."

"Listen, dude," Louis said. "Andre will be out working so, everything will be normal but for the fact that you have an extra person on the table. Don't get too worked up over this."

"How can I not? You guys need to see him for yourself. He's a menace to society with his lip ring and neck tattoo."

"He has a neck tattoo!?" My best friends exclaimed in awe at the same time and I looked at them skeptically.

"I just said that."

"He's so cool," Ryan gushed. "What kind of tattoo was it?"

"I've been thinking of getting a tattoo recently," Louis said thoughtfully as he stroked his chin.

"I didn't pay attention to his tattoo and Louis, I've never been more disappointed in you," I said, feeling betrayed. "You guys should be on my side, remember?"

"If you're getting all stressed out over a guy you barely know, we don't have a reason to hate him, do we?" Louis asked. 

"We also know how much you must miss Nathan but don't get too paranoid. Not everyone who comes in your house is trying to replace him."

I looked at them for a moment before sighing in defeat and aggressively sipping from my juice box. I wasn't going to play house with a stranger who behaved too familiar with me. I didn't understand why these guys couldn't see how suspicious the whole arrangement was.