I stand outside the toilet in the dimly lit corridor, pleased to be away from Blue's heavy, hateful stare.

Ledger and I are here for our usual Thursday catch-up, so our visit is not a surprise. He must be having a bad day, though. He's not let up for a second since we arrived, his eyes having burnt into me every second that I've sat with Ledger.

His tone has been even more clipped and surly than usual, and he'd been completely intolerant of Ledger's attempts to lighten the mood.

I cringe just thinking about the coffee cups that read 'Fat cow' and 'Fatter cow' that await me on my return. I remain unsure whether I should feel pleased or offended that my drink was 'Fat cow'.

Do I want to be 'Fatter cow'?

I sigh in resign, wondering when my life was reduced to wondering such questions as 'Fat cow' vs 'Fatter cow'.

I tap my foot absently as I stare at the door to the staff break room which is directly opposite me. There are two tasteful art prints on either side of it, depicting black and white trees in different seasons.

My attention is broken when I hear a familiar voice, usually so composed, but this time impatient and aggressive.

"I don't understand why you're so hostile towards the guy. His tips are single handedly feeding your sorry arse."

I purse my lips, a small frown pinching my brows. It's not like Rex at all.

"Yeah, because he's fucking rich. Why not take advantage?"

That voice I recognise all too well, and a terrible feeling of dread starts to pool in my stomach.

They're probably not talking about me...

"You don't know that." Rex refutes.

"Please, he's an actor. He's fucking loaded. Plus, have you seen the shit he wears?" Blue argues.

I sigh heavily, looking down at the intricate cuffs on my shirt. I touch them gently, biting my lip.

"He's an actor? That's cool, I didn't recognise him."

"He's in the theatre, not Hollywood. He literally plays Marius in Les Mis." Blue says dismissively.

I stiffen, wincing to myself. If I had had any reservations about who they were talking about before, I sure don't now. This is very awkward.

"Oh my god...I didn't recognise him. He's so talented." Rex states, a little in awe and I feel my cheeks heat.

A long silence follows and I begin to fidget. I should go.

"That's not the point. Point is, he's annoying and I don't like him, so why does it matter?"

"What's not to like? He's polite, friendly and a good tipper. The other day he even helped me clear up a mug that someone broke. He's the sweetest, plus he's hot." Rex says.

"Dude, what the fuck?" Blue hisses and I cringe.

"What? Just because I don't swing that way doesn't mean I don't realise. Sam's attractive, you must know that." Rex states.

"You know his name's not Sam, right?" Blue asks, avoiding the question and I cringe even further. If it were possible, I would be part of the wallpaper right now.

"What?"

"His name is Greyson. Grey."

"Wait, really?" Rex asks.

"He didn't want to correct you, so he's been living as Sam for the last two fucking years." Blue says, something akin to dark amusement colouring his tone.

"Oh man, now I feel bad."

"Whatever. He's too nice, that's the problem. I've been a dick to him for two years and he still smiles at me every morning. It pisses me off." Blue mutters.

"Yeah, I can see why that would really piss you off." Rex drawls.

"Now you're pissing me off."

"Have you ever wondered why he pisses you off so much?" Rex questions suddenly and I still.

I should really go.

"I just told you why." Blue says impatiently.

"No, I don't think that's it." Rex argues.

"Don't. Don't even go there." Blue threatens.

"I didn't even have to say it." Rex says, amusement colouring his tone.

"Because I know you and you're wrong."

"Am I?"

"Yes." Blue says determinedly.

"Well, it seems like you care about him. A lot." Rex points out.

"No, I don't?"

"You notice what he wears, you're interested in his life, you've memorised his order, you think he's talented and good looking, you look forward to seeing him." Rex lists.

"When did I ever say that?!" Blue shouts.

"I'm not an idiot, Blue. It's not a coincidence that you happen to feel like taking orders the minute he walks through the door." Rex spits.

"Take that back." Blue says venomously and I begin to hyperventilate a little. I begin to wonder if I really need the loo that badly?

"Make me." Rex taunts.

I nod to myself quickly. I'll come back later. Or never. Whichever works.

"You have no idea what the fuck you're talking about, Rex." Blue spits, erupting suddenly from the break room.

I cringe against the wall again, wishing that I had walked away sooner the moment our eyes lock. I feel panic seep into every part of me, settling in my bones. Just as I think I'm about to combust on the spot, the toilet door unlocks and a middle aged woman sidles between us, giggling to herself.

I don't hesitate, taking the opportunity to dive into the bathroom before my heart can beat out of my chest.

I lean against the door heavily, my hand pressed against the base of my throat as I stare at my reflection in the mirror.

I am so dead.

I take my sweet time in the bathroom, wondering if maybe I should start a new life in here. Or I could just walk right out the building. Move to Mexico perhaps? I'm pretty good at being inconspicuous now, having learnt how to blend in. Surely it would be easier. Safer. Less humiliating. Ledger will assume I've fallen into the toilet, he'll alert the authorities. Maybe. The family will move on.

I nod to myself as I leisurely dry my hands.

I'll just walk right out.

I unlock the door, stepping delicately into the dimly lit corridor.

My stomach sinks as I stumble into a tense, shadowy figure. His eyes look even darker than usual, and absolutely poisonous. His arms are folded tightly against his body, his biceps bulging against the background of his black t-shirt.

Fuck.

"What were you doing in there? The worlds biggest shit?" He asks blandly and I press my lips together firmly.

And it gets worse.

"Hiding." I admit.

His eyes narrow a fraction, his jaw ticking.

"What did you overhear?" He asks.

I swallow anxiously, biting my lip.

"Nothing bad." I say automatically. This answer however seems to tick him off more.

"What you heard..."

"I know." I say immediately, cutting him off.

His eyes widen a fraction, his expression melting into distrust.

"I'm not deluded, I know you don't like me very much. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, it really was an accident." I add quickly, smiling apologetically, although it feels much more like a grimace.

He stares at me for a moment longer, a strange tension bubbling in my stomach the longer we linger in this dim corridor, each of us just close enough to touch.

"'Don't like you very much' is an understatement." He mutters, his arms still crossed firmly across his chest. I try not to ogle. Now is so not the time, and my heart aches a little in my chest as the meaning of his words.

"Right. I'm sorry." I say, brushing my arm awkwardly.

He huffs impatiently, glancing away in irritation.

"Stop apologising." He demands.

I roll my lips together to prevent myself from saying anything further. Especially sorry.

We stand at an impasse for another second or so before the tension becomes unbearable.

"I'm just going to...go." I say quietly, attempting to slip past Blue without being any further inconvenience.

But he turns suddenly as I pass him, his body pressing me into the wall.

His eyes burn as they stare into mine and I'm helpless to do anything but remain frozen in place. His features, which are so much prettier up close, pinch into a painful expression as his eyes roam my face.

The air feels thick and for a fleeting, terrifying moment, I worry he's going to hit me.

But then he sighs, a motion that seems to take everything out of him as his shoulders sag in defeat.

"I'm sorry." He whispers.

His voice is low and soft for the first time ever and it steals the breath from my lungs.

And then, just like that, he's gone.

The corridor feels brighter and bigger now that he's gone, and my body feels strangely bereft and cold without his presence against me. I exhale shakily, rubbing my forehead as my heart continues to hammer in my chest.

What the hell was that?

_

A/N 

You wanted more, you're getting more! Things are going to start picking up now, I promise. Who doesn't like a slow burn?

Leave me a comment- what would you prefer? Fat cow or Fatter cow?

-F