Principium

The clock always seems slower when you're waiting for something important. Andi and Echo are in class, so all I can do is wait for them. My newfound reputation keeps people from disturbing me... I'm hoping that doesn't stick around too long.

There. The bell rings, and I head to where Andi's classroom is located, I don't know what class Echo has, but she's guaranteed to go straight to meet Andi for break, just in time for me to speak to both of them... These hallways are so winding, I should've just waited there, but I didn't want to give the wrong impression. If Echo saw me there, she'd think I'd made my decision.

I'm close now, the crowds have dispersed, all I can do is hope that Andi hasn't left yet. Holding myself back from breaking into a sprint, I reach the end of the hallway, turning the final corner, to see Andi... And Echo... Kissing.

My stomach does somersaults as my heart's already rapid pace picks up into overdrive. I don't know how to react, I should be aroused, that'd be the male default, right? I don't though... I just feel like I shouldn't be here. I'm intruding. I pull myself back behind the corner, hearing the girls head in the other direction.

My breath... It's gone again. The room feels like it's spinning at a thousand RPM, but in slow motion. I can't stop it, I'm losing my chance, they're moving on without me. I can't take this. The weight of my body drags me down to the ground... Can't think... Can't speak... Can't...

"You're really a glutton for punishment, aren't you?" A voice asks me, ushering me back to the land of the living. "Breathe into it, it'll help." It tells me as I realise that a paper bag has been placed over my mouth. I manage to regain enough sight to recognise my saviour. "You're lucky, my parents told me to carry one of these, just in case." Marie explains, sitting down next to me.

Figures Rouge and Trish would be prepared for this eventuality, don't think I ever really explained my condition to them, but I suppose my little display at the funeral yesterday would've tipped anyone off to the symptoms.

"Thanks." I offer my cousin, as my breathing returns to normal. "It was a bad one, probably would've passed out." I admit.

Marie takes the bag off of me, tucking it away in her coat. "I never really figured you as the type to have panic attacks, ego trips, sure, but not anxiety." She jokes. "What set this off?" Do I tell her? She did just rescue me, it only seems fair.

"I... Like Andi." I begin, but don't know how to continue, making Marie think I was finished.

"Yeah, no shit, I figured that when you asked her out." She snorts, prompting me to continue my explanation.

"And Echo." I sigh. "Both of them, and... I think they both like me. Andi kissed me yesterday, and said Echo felt the same as her... I came to talk to them, and I found them... Making out." Okay, the story makes very little sense when you know all the details, this abridged version does me no favours.

Marie takes a minute to put everything I've just said together. "Wow. Shit." She exclaims. "Well, you're better now, why don't you go and find them?"

I mean, she could've asked a worse question. "To do what? They're the star-crossed lovers, pushing myself into their relationship is just... It's not my place." I point out. "They've made their decisions, it's not for me to change their minds."

"Oh, fuck off!" Marie yells, rising to her feet. "I've had to deal with you walking around like you're a gift to all women, and that's all you've got? Boohoo, the girls I like also like each other, who cares? You've gotta shoot your shot, even if you know you're guaranteed to miss, otherwise... Otherwise you end up like me." I look at my cousin's furious face, and make a note to ask about that later. "So, get up, dust yourself off, and go after them, because trust me, no matter how much of a train wreck it is, you'll regret not doing it more." She concludes, offering me a hand to my feet.

I'm pulled up and feel imbued with a new sense of determination... Probably from all the adrenaline pumping through my system right now. I give Marie a thankful nod, and set off in pursuit of my targets. The long winding hallways work in my favour, those two are so distinctive I'd spot them a mile away.

Bingo.

I turn a corner and see them walking towards the front entrance. They must be going to hang out at Andi's, that's actually perfect. "Andi! Echo!" I shout, rushing to catch up with them, luckily for me, they stop to wait for me. "We... We need to talk."

*

Andi's room is a lot less pink and fluffy than I imagined, I never really paid much attention to the room from my window. It's mostly white, with dark brown detailing, the bedsheets match too. Echo makes herself comfortable and sits on the bed, leaning back against the wall behind it, while Andi sits on the edge, offering me a chair near her desk, which is... Much tidier than mine.

We didn't say much on the way over here, it's not exactly a conversation I wanted to have while strolling. That being said, now that I'm here, in this chair, with their eyes on me... I realise I have no idea what to say anyway.

"Your room's lovely." I observe, but Echo just groans in response. "Okay, small talk's not a good idea, got it... I saw you kissing." I reveal.

Andi's eyes open in surprise, whilst Echo just seems intrigued that I'd mention that first. "Yeah, well, that's fair, she kissed you yesterday." Echo points out. I didn't realise Andi told her about that... It's now occurring to me that I kissed the love of Echo's life, and then put myself in a room with her. I take my head still being attached to my body as a good sign.

"True... And you kissed me. Twice." I counter, Andi seems less surprised about that... I guess Echo mentioned our excursion to the boat as well. "Anyone notice that we all keep kissing each other?"

Andi goes to answer me, but Echo scoots forward and raises her hand, signalling her to stop. "He has to make the choice." She reminds Andi. I have to make a choice? How's that fair? I'm the least certain person here.

"You're saying I have to choose between you?" I ask, but neither girl answers me, clearly not wanting to influence my decision. It's an impossible choice. Echo's terrifying, but she's also tough and dependable, and I feel stronger just being around her. Andi's frustratingly vague at times, but she's everything anyone could want in a girl, every second with her is like a dream. I'm supposed to pick whoever I want? As if this is factoring in what I actually want?

"Fuck that." I decide. "You want the truth? I like both of you, in completely different ways, but equally as strongly. I racked my brain trying to figure out who was making me feel so good, and it only made sense when I put both of you together. I know it's selfish, I don't deserve either of you, let alone both... But if the choice is to pick one of you... I'll never make it... Because I can't stand the thought of not making you both feel as good as you make me feel."

There. I said it. No matter what, I was honest with myself. Echo stands with an unreadable look on her face, I instinctively stand in response, as if a duel is about to occur, and in an instant, my face feels like lightning hit me. Echo's slap leaves my ear ringing, but I can tell she was holding back.

"I'm guessing that's the wrong answer?" I surmise.

"No. That's for taking so long." Echo informs me, before launching herself into me, her lips locking into mine. What did I miss? We break apart, and a smiling Andi appears beside us.

Echo throws her arms around Andi, who reciprocates the hug, before turning to me. "We... Well, we already kinda got together." She reveals. "And... We realised it felt wrong without you... But we couldn't exactly date you if you only like one of us."

So, it wasn't a test exactly, more a prevention tool to protect us from jealousy. "Wait, so... You want all of us to get together?" I try to clarify. Andi just responds by moving her lips to mine, and kissing me much more gently than Echo did.

"Obviously, idiot, you... You complete us." Echo confirms, sounding as awkward as I've ever heard her... But that's absolutely the sweetest thing she's ever said to me. I break odd my kiss with Andi, trying to take a second to process all the information my brain's receiving. "So... Can we?" Echo asks Andi.

Andi looks uncertain. "It's... A bit quick, isn't it?" She responds reluctantly. "He might not want to..."

"Okay, my brain's still in the 'I'm dreaming' phase, but... Are you guys saying what I think you're saying?" I ask, believing I must have gotten the wrong end of the stick.

"Sex, genius." Echo answers bluntly. "Andi refused to do anything until we'd made sure if you were part of it or not. I'm literally on the verge of exploding." She adds, her voice **** but in a weirdly sexy way.

Andi seems to disapprove of Echo's direct approach. "Don't put pressure on him, we literally just got-" She begins, but I can't hold myself back.

"Bit of unsolicited advice, it's rude to keep a lady waiting." I answer, giving Andi a wink. "Let's do it." Andi rolls her eyes, but can't hide her smile, while Echo jumps straight into my arms, wrapping her legs around me.

Wow... Is this actually happening?