Alex spent the walk back to his apartment not being able to shake an uncomfortable feeling. But his discomfort wasn't coming from the sudden strong arctic winds. Rather, he thought it was coming from his unsettling interaction with the two strangers he had met on the corner of Astro Hill and Queen Elizabeth street. He didn't like the muscular one for the way he had described Amaruq, but considering how his husky dog had practically bullied the stranger for his ketchup chips, Alex knew that he wasn't the one at fault and couldn't be blamed. The other one, who called himself Jack, was the real problem Alex was facing. He didn't like the way the dark outsider had looked him up and down, how he smirked at him, or how he talked to him. It was clear that this person--Jack, was too arrogant to understand when a person clearly wasn't interested. The brunet was glad he had avoided giving Jack his number, but prayed to whatever greater power there was that he wouldn't arrive to his art show.
He shook his head, scolding himself for being so silly. Of course Jack wasn't going to arrive at the art studio. Jack's intentions were painfully obvious; he wanted to hook up with Alex, nothing more. People like him were never interested for more than a couple of hours, let alone an entire week. He shrugged off the entire experience as he reached his apartment door, Amaruq still trailing behind him. As he fumbled for his keys, he could hear chatter and laughter from behind his apartment door. Panic bubbled in his chest, until he realized that he recognized those voices. He rolled his eyes, knowing that his friends had let themselves inside his apartment again. Ever since Alex gave his friend Aputi a spare key to his place, she abused that privilege with reckless abandon, along with their friend Rian. He would have to get that key back from her someday, he thought. For now, he used his own key to unlock his door. Before he was to push his way inside, he heard Aputi cuss "oh shit, get the lights!" followed by what sounded like scrambling feet. Amaruq started to get excited, and barked at the door loudly.
Alex pushed the door open after the noise had stopped, and was greeted to a completely dark apartment. He wasn't falling for it, though he was confused as to why his friends were acting so strangely. Deciding to toy with them, Alex sighed with exaggeration. "Boy, I sure hope nobody's here." He said loudly, throwing his keys away before turning on the lights. He heard a loud groan come from behind the couch, and Aputi emerged lethargically with Rian.
"Surprise!" She exclaimed, lacking enthusiasm. Rian didn't even try to keep up the act; he simply went around the couch and over to Alex to give him a hug.
Alex, a little startled by the affection, wrapped an arm around Rian as he looked on, befuddled. "What's all this for?" He asked, after Rian separated from him.
Aputi climbed over the couch as she explained "You're having your first art show and sale in a year. Thanks for only telling me about that this morning, by the way." She scolded, gaily. "But anyway, Rian and I thought that this was kind of a big deal, so we wanted to throw you a shitty surprise party."
"Gee, thanks." Alex rolled his eyes and had a sarcastic tone, but he truly was grateful for his friends.
"It's the thought that counts." Rian said. He grinned, showing off his incredibly white teeth.
The evening was spent with them sitting in Alex's living room, eating a store-bought vanilla cake, and chatting away about mindless things. Alex decided to avoid telling Aputi or Rian about the encounter he had that afternoon. Knowing his friends, they would either be overjoyed that he met an attractive man, or they would be furious about the way Jack had made him uncomfortable. They were both very black and white; it was either one extreme or the other, and after the incident that occurred over a year ago, they were very protective of him. But he couldn't complain, he was lucky to have friends like Aputi and Rian; others weren't so lucky. And even though it sometimes vexed him how safeguarding they were, he knew he'd be nothing without them. For that reason, he was appreciative.
About halfway through their evening, Rian suggested they go over to the bar, the Storehouse which was over by Astro Hill, to have celebratory drinks. Alex was reluctant at first, but after some encouragement, he agreed. He didn't want to disappoint his friends, and he couldn't see the harm in having a few drinks. It'd been a long time since he'd been in a bar, and he kind of missed the ignorant bliss of it all.
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The Storehouse wasn't crowded, which all three friends were thankful for. Both Alex and Aputi had anxiety about large crowds, and Rian just hated the smell of body odour. The place was dark, safe for a few dim ceiling lights illuminating each table, and the chandelier over the actual bar. There were also a couple of pool tables, one of which was occupied by a group of four people. Alex scanned the area, taking in his surroundings and enjoying them. When he spotted who was working at the bar, washing down the counter, he couldn't help but grin. While Aputi was distracted by her phone, Alex nudged Rian in the arm to get his attention.
"Look who it is." He nodded over to the man at the bar, still smiling. He looked at Rian to see his reaction, and grinned even wider when he saw his eyes light up.
"Is that Tonraq?" He said, in disbelief. Tonraq was a short, middle-aged Inuit man, with a ponytail and wrinkles outlining his mouth and eyes. Alex grew up next door to Tonraq, and always remembered that he was certainly a character. He wasn't frightening, but he was quite loud and eccentric. Tonraq's real name was actually Toklo, but because of his small size, the locals dubbed him as Tonraq, the Inuktitut name for 'tiny man.' As Alex grew older, he began having regular conversations with the short man whenever he would be sitting on his porch. The first time Tonraq acknowledged him, he tried to get away. The older man had a reputation for being unhinged and a lunatic. But after conversing with him more than twice, the man's character grew on Alex, and he even started to think of the so called 'lunatic' as a mentor. He always had some sort of strange advice to offer him, and he was a good listener. However, two years ago, Tonraq went missing. In the weeks leading up to his disappearance, there were whispers about his wife wanting to leave him, and how she wanted to take their daughter, Meriwa, with her. Seeing Tonraq at the bar was the first Alex had seen of him in two years, and he'd be a lying fool if he said he never missed the man.
Alex walked ahead to the bar without his friends, too focused on his old friend to think of anything else. Tonraq's back was facing him as he approached the bar and took a seat on one of the elevated stools. The man was busy washing glasses, making Alex feel awkward as he just stared at his back. To get his attention, he coughed. When Tonraq didn't even seem to hear him, he tried again.
"Tonraq?" He said, cocking his head to the side.
Toklo, now aware of Alex's presence, spun around to face him. A look of confusion, then of surprise overcame his face. When Tonraq grinned, Alex couldn't help but return the gesture. His old mentor had gotten more wrinkles since the last time he saw him, but his face was still all too familiar. Alex would never forget his face. "Alex!" He exclaimed, excited. "I haven't seen you in so long! How have you been?" By now, Rian and Aputi joined him at the bar. Tonraq seemed equally as happy to see them as well. When Aputi was in high school, Tonraq was dealing her cigarettes that he rolled himself with his own tobacco. Rian, much like Alex, just thought he was good to converse with.
"Rian and Aputi too! What brings me the honour this evening?" He grinned, and Alex noticed that he was even louder than he was 2 years ago. He had a boisterous and powerful voice for such a small man.
"Alex is having his first sale in over a year next weekend. We're here to celebrate his comeback in the art world." Rian explained, beaming with joy.
Tonraq turned to Alex, his eyes wide and eyebrows raised. "I thought I told you never to quit your art." He reminded the brunet, scolding him lightly. "You have a gift, don't waste it."
Alex smiled softly. "Don't worry, I never stopped creating. I only stopped showing and selling. But I'm starting up again."
"That's good!" He turned to Aputi. "And what about you? I hope you've stopped smoking. I always regretted enabling your delinquency." He confessed. Aputi burst into laughter, her smile so wide that it reached her ears.
"Well, don't be concerned. I stopped the smoking. Never stopped the drinking though, as you can probably tell." She elucidated.
As the night dragged on, the three young adults continued catching up with their old friend. The bar started to get busier, and so eventually, Tonraq couldn't spend as much time to tittle tattle with them. He was being payed to work, after all. At one point in the night, around 10:30 or so when all three friends had reached the point of intoxication, Rian left to use the washroom. That left Aputi and Alex to take care of each other, but midway through the conversation, Aputi noticed a dark stranger who seemed to have an eye for her friend.
"Hey," she slurred, poking Alex in the ribs. He jolted, and then glared at her. She ignored him as she went on to say, "there's a hot guy staring at you in that corner over there." She gestured to the corner next to him.
Alex, at first a bit excited and flattered, turned to look at his secret admirer. For a moment, he couldn't see him properly, but as his vision cleared, his heart sank to his stomach. It was that dense, dull-witted imbecile from earlier. Alex wracked his brain, trying to remember the idiot's name. John? Jason? James? Jack? Yes, Jack! Before he could look away, Jack winked at him for the second time that day, as if he was trying to get on Alex's nerves. Alex quickly turned away, scowling at his drink. Aputi noticed his expression.
"What's wrong?" She asked "Don't you think he's hot?"
Alex couldn't deny that Jack was handsome. But he was also a moron, so that settled any feelings for him. Alex's pride, to him, mattered far more than Jack's dark hair; the black locks he had the urge to run his hands through. Or even his tan skin, that looked like it would be warm against his own, or his—Alex, stop that. He scolded himself, embarrassed. The brunet turned to Aputi and shrugged, telling her he wasn't his type. Instead of responding to his explanation, she squealed quietly.
"He's coming over here." She shrieked, getting off of her stool.
"Where are you going?" He asked her, slightly panicked.
"You can do this, Alex. I know you can." She slurred, patting him on the back and collecting her drink.
"Do what?"
"Get 'em, boy!" She yelled, before taking off to another unoccupied table.
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I was going to upload this tomorrow on Sunday, but it's been sitting in my drafts since last week and I couldn't wait any longer. How did you guys like this chapter? What are your opinions on some of the characters so far, like Aputi and Tonraq? I hope you guys are having a good weekend so far. The next chapter will be up next Saturday or Sunday. Love ya'll! <3

Notes

I was going to upload this tomorrow on Sunday, but it's been sitting in my drafts since last week and I couldn't wait any longer. How did you guys like this chapter? What are your opinions on some of the characters so far, like Aputi and Tonraq? I hope you guys are having a good weekend so far. The next chapter will be up next Saturday or Sunday. Love ya'll! <3