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Daniel and Zachary
DANIEL:
I stare at Zach, and my stomach does hundreds and thousands of flips. I'm one-hundred percent certain I should NOT be feeling this way. He rubs his neck, water dripping down from the side of his face. My heart flutters. Ew, that shouldn't be allowed. Can someone's heart even flutter? I don't know. Either way, this is not how I imagined my lunch break would go, watching Zach win swimming races.
?Daniel! Hurry up mate, we gotta head to class!? Jakob yells,
?Shoot, coming!? I jog after my friends, staring at Zach's back. Which is wrong, I admit, but that dude is ripped
?Dude, you're an absolute demon, you smashed the other swimmers!? Dylan exclaims, and Zach shrugs.
?I'm not great at swimming, better at basketball. Thanks though,? Has he always been this modest? Probably.
?What do we have now?? Dylan asks,
?Science,? I reply automatically, and he chuckles.
?Damn, Daniel. I don't need a timetable, I have you,?
?Yeah, I'll remind you when you have to use your brain for classes.? Dylan gives me a thumbs up.
?Sounds good!? Zach and Jakob laugh, and we all head to class.
ZACH:
I am so gay for Daniel, it's not even funny. That's grammatically incorrect, but it's the truth. He probably doesn't feel the same way. He probably is heterosexual, he's probably-
?Zach! Get your ass into gear, man! Class started a few minutes ago.? Jakob nudges me, and I hurriedly pull my binders and books out of my locker. Daniel has already started walking to the labs, he might not play a lot of sports, but that boy can walk quickly. We take our seats in class, our teacher is late, thank goodness.
?Hey, Daniel,? I poke his arm, and he turns around to face me. I freeze, can someone's jawline be so sharp? His warm brown eyes stare back at mine, and I remember who I am and what I'm doing.
?Yeah?? I panic, I just wanted him to face me, I don't have a reason to talk to him.
?Uh, are you- um, are you free tomorrow?? Smooth, Zach. Smooth. The ?um's' and ?uh's' were nice touches.
?Yeah? It's Saturday, why??
?I have a game tomorrow, I was wondering if you wanted to chill at my place after,?
?Sure, I think my sister has her girlfriend over tomorrow anyway, they're so cheesy. It's probably better if I'm not there,?
?Oh, your sister is-?
?Gay? Yeah. I think it runs through the family,?
?You're-?
?Yeah,? Huh, so he IS gay, score! What do I even say to that?? Congratulations? Have you come out?
?Oh, cool. Me too,? I say quietly. Alright, Zach, ?me too' is a good answer too.
?Huh, nice. Guess we're two gay dudes then.? He jokes, and I really want to photograph his smile.
?Yeah, I guess so.?
DANIEL:
I want to scream. It's not every day your crush asks you to hang out with them, but then again, he's my best friend. Still. I'M NOT READY FOR ANY OF THIS. The last two periods go by quickly, and before long it's the end of the day, and we're all giving each other fist bumps and saying goodbye.
?Bye Danny boy!? Dylan shouts as he and Jakob exit.
?Later!?
?See you tomorrow, Daniel!? Zach winks, and I nearly die, right then and there.
?Yep, see you.? I smile giddily, something I didn't know I was capable of doing.
?Well, someone looks happier than usual,? My twin sister, Asa, notices, as she leans on the gate, waiting for me.
?Can't a guy be happy??
?Sure, I'm just wondering, what's made you more excited today??
?Hmm, nothing,?
?Hah, you can't lie to me, bubs,?
?I'm not your baby brother! How many times have we been over this?? Asa starts laughing, as we walk home.
?You will always be my little brother, Daniel. Now, tell me, is it a guy? A guy I know??
?Stop it, Asa!? I poke her sides repeatedly and she squeals; she's very ticklish.
?Come on, Daniel! I want to know!?
?I know you do, and that's why I'm not telling you,? She gasps,
?You're so mean!?
?That's my middle name,?
?No, it's not! It's Daniel Lucas Childerstone,?
?Wrong! It's Daniel Lucas ?I keep things to myself and don't tell my sister, Asa' Childerstone.? Asa looks ready to tackle me, so I start running, as she chases after me.
?Get back here, you!? She yells, and we both run all the way home.
ZACH:
Saturday's basketball game can't go any slower. ?Sometimes,' I think to myself, ?Being the star player is the worst.' At 7 am, we finish the match as winners, and I race back home, texting Daniel he can come over now.
Me: U can come over now
Danny boi: Sweet, coming now
Me: Nice
A few minutes later there is a knock on the door, and I rush over to get it, nearly tripping in the process. I scowl at myself, imagine opening the door and Daniel found me sprawled on the floor.
?Hey!? I open the door and Daniel takes a step back, surprised.
?Oh, wow, I didn't think you'd open the door that quickly,? I laugh,
?You can come in? unless you wanna go for a walk?? I propose the idea, and Daniel shrugs,
?Sure,?
?Gimme a second,? I go back into the house, grab my phone and keys and then lock the door.
?Alright, cool, let's go,? I say, flustered, and we both start walking to nowhere in particular.
?Where should we go?? Daniel asks, and I grin, I was waiting for him to ask.
?I like the idea of going wherever, with no place in mind,? He nods in approval, his hair shining in the sunlight
?So??
?Hey,? We both say at the same time, and Daniel gives me an adorable smirk.
?You go first,?
?No, you,? Daniel groans, a big smile on his face.
?You go first, Daniel,?
?Ugh, fine. I was going to ask, have you come out to your parents?? Oh, so we're going here, okay.
?I? no. I haven't, have you??
?Yeah, they went crazy. Do you know what my mum said??
?Oh no, should I be scared?? His smile lingers,
?No no, it's good,?
?Okay? hmm, what did she say?? I kick a lone pebble on the floor, and Daniel kicks it when it gets closer to him, then passes it to me. I kick it back to him.
?She said, ?You're gay?' And when I said yes, she said, ?MY LITTLE TWINS ARE GAY AWWWW!' Asa was laughing so hard, it was great,? I smile,
?That sounds amazing, congrats dude,?
?Do you need help conspiring a plan to come out?? I think about it for a second.
?I was just thinking one day I'll come home and show up with a boy. They can figure out the rest,? Daniel throws his head back when he laughs, and he looks so good I want to confess to him right here.
?Okay, okay, what did you want to say earlier??
DANIEL:
Is this a date? I hope it is. I'm pretty sure it isn't though. I watch Zach rub his neck, a habit he has when he's nervous. I bite my lip, what is he thinking?
ZACH:
This is my chance, I have to say it now when we're alone.
?I- This might sound really out of the blue but??
?But?? He prompts, and concern is written all over his good looking face.
?I LIKE YOU DANIEL!? I blurt out in a rush, and the tension I didn't realise that was hanging around us, is lifted. Daniel is laughing uncontrollably, and I'm confused as to what I did wrong.
?That's what you wanted to tell me?!?
?Yes???
?Oh my God, and here I was thinking you didn't like me!? He screams and runs his hands through his hair, and I can't help but stare.
?Do you know what this means?? He asks, and I shrug. I'm just a simple gay basketballer. I have a simple life, and I do simple things and- Daniel takes a step closer to me,
?I don't know? It could mean a million things, Daniel,? I reply, and his eyes light up as he smiles.
?It could mean a million things, but I'm only thinking of one.?
?Hm? And what ?one' might that be?? He looks up at me, grinning before kissing me.
DANIEL:
It's like everything I've imagined, but better.
ZACH:
I don't want to ever pull away.
DANIEL:
He's.
ZACH:
So.
DANIEL:
Perfect.
?Zach,? I pull away first, breathing heavily.
?Daniel,? I take in everything about him, God, I'm actually in love with him.
?Is this a date?? He asks jokingly, and I think about it for a minute.
?Only if you want it to be,? He smiles, and I take that as a yes.
?First date, and our first kiss. Wow, we're starting off strong,? Zach teases and I take his hand.
?Strong, just like the way I like my men.? Zach chokes, and I pat his back.
?You really went there?? I don't say anything, smiling. Zach ruffles my hair with his hand and drags me to a playground across the road.
ZACH:
?What are your thoughts on swings?? I ask Daniel, an idea forming in my head.
?I used to have competitions with Asa to see who could go higher,? He smiles fondly at the memory and my heart warms.
?Okay, get on the swing, Daniel,? He follows my instructions, and grabbing the chains, I lift him and the swing as high as I can, before letting go. The momentum hits, and soon enough, Daniel is swinging.
?How hard are you pushing me?!? He yells, ?It's so high, oh my God!? I laugh, sitting on the other swing, watching Daniel go up and go down. I swing a little but mainly watch Daniel. Not to be creepy or anything. After a little while, we get off the swings and walk back to my house.
?Hey, Zach??
?Yeah??
?Are your parents home??
?Yes?? I reply, not sure where this is going.
?Didn't you say you haven't come out yet?? And if you were to, it would be because you're bringing a boy home?? The gears in my brain start grinding together, clicking everything into place.
?I have found a flaw in your plan,? He gives me a nod for me to continue. ?My parents know you as Danny, one of my best friends.?
?Hmm, perhaps we'll have to change that.?
DANIEL:
We make it back to Zach's house, my plan already set in motion.
?Ready?? Zach nods, and he quickly taps the window, before running over to me. From the corner of my eye, I see Zach's mum, Nadine, looking out the window. I press my lips onto Zach's and he holds my shirt, pulling me close. We hear the front door open violently, and Zach and I grin.
?Zachary! What on Earth are you doing?!? Nadine shouts,
?Saying goodbye,? He replies smugly, waiting for his mum's reaction.
?I? That's how you say goodbye to your friend?!?
??Boy' friend, that is,? I almost feel sorry for Nadine, she looks so confused.
?What?? Are you gay?? She asks, and Zach nods cheerfully,
?Yep! This is my boyfriend, Daniel,? Nadine takes a good look at me,
?Daniel Childerstone??
?That's right, ma'am,?
?Well?? She mutters, ?I'm glad it was you, rather than Jakob,? Zach and I share a shocked glance, before bursting into laughter.
?So? you're okay with it?? Zach asks after we stop laughing.
?Hm? Oh, of course. It was a bit of a shock, it was an? interesting way to come out, Zach. Your aunt Cecelia is a lesbian. You're telling your father though, good luck with that one,?
?Huh, okay,? Zach shrugs before linking his arm with mine.
?I'm going to take Daniel home, we can talk more later.? He says, and Nadine waves us off, smiling.
ZACH:
?That went well,? I announce, as we walk to Daniel's house.
?I'm just surprised it worked. A lot of things could've gone wrong,?
?Agreed. I'm never going to get over what she said about Jakob,? I chuckle and a grin forms on Daniel's face.
?Don't tell him a word,? He adds, as he unlocks his front door.
?Fair warning that my sister is home,?
?Oh, she is? Okay, no worries,? I check my watch.
?I have some time to kill, I'll let my mum comprehend everything,? I wink at Daniel, who flushes slightly. I greet his parents with a polite hello, who notices us holding hands, and gives us thumbs up.
We walk down the corridor to Daniel's room, when suddenly his twin sister, Asa, and another girl, burst out of her room, nearly colliding with us.
?Oh, hey,? Asa takes a good look at me, ?Ohh, hi there you two,? She says slyly, what did Daniel tell her??
?Hi Asa,? I turn to the girl who's standing behind her, hands on her Asa's shoulders. ?Hi, I'm Zachary, a pleasure to meet you,?
?Ooh, he's polite,? She snickers and I bow.
?Heard you're a basketballer, are you any good?? Asa asks me, pretending to act like she's never met me in my life.
?Eh, I'm not that great,? I admit,
?He's lying!? Daniel suddenly bursts out, ?He's terrific!? I feel my cheeks grow warm at his compliment. ?We have to go!? Daniel cries out, taking my hand, and drags me away.
?It was nice to meet you!? I add before Daniel takes me back downstairs.
DANIEL:
?We literally went upstairs, then back down,? Zach points out, as we trudge down the stairs.
?I know, I know. Asa had Courtney stay the night, and whenever her girlfriend is around, she gets super hyper. So, I'm doing you a favour, we're escaping to the clear zone,? He laughs, waving at my parents again, as I shut the front door.
?Thanks for today,? I whisper in his ear, and he flashes me a dazzling pearly white grin.
?So, we're a thing now?? He asks, pretending he doesn't know the answer.
?Nah, we're just friends,? I joke and he laughs, stretching his arms up, his t-shirt lifting up to reveal the bottom of his torso.
?See you on Monday,? He quickly kisses me, before ruffling my hair, again. I think that's going to become a habit of his, since I'm shorter than him, not that I mind. I stare at Zach, and my stomach does hundreds and thousands of flips.
?Yeah, see you,? I breathe, still feeling the sensation of his lips. He turns around, holds up a peace sign, and gives me a goofy grin. God, he's so cute.
?I love you, Daniel!? He shouts to the sky, walking further away.
?Love you more!? I yell back, I can't believe I just said that. It feels so? right.
?No, I do!?
?Nope, I do!?
?Alright, alright, we'll call it a tie,? He looks back one last time, ?Just kidding, love you more, Daniel!? He cries, and I've never seen him so ecstatic before. I don't say anything, smiling, watching the boy I love run home.
Lauren stepped back to survey the table, wondering briefly if the heart-shaped foil confetti was a bit too cheesy She shook her head to dismiss the thought; questioning herself was becoming a habit, one she didn't want to stick. She was hoping tonight would set things on a smoother path, help her unravel the knots her mind had kinked itself into lately.
Lauren tensed when the doorbell rang. Was that a normal reaction? She wasn't sure what normal was anymore although her best friend, Cameron, told her she was certainly missing the mark. But tonight would be good: her parents were out of town, dinner smelled delicious, and she was a woman in a committed relationship.
She reached up to tighten the ponytail that flowed down her back in a mass of beachy curls and opened the door with a smile.
And there he stood: Barrett Malin, with his dark tousled hair, hands resting lightly on his hips, and his mouth turned up on one side, the same expression he wore the first day he fixed his eyes on Lauren. She remembered that moment as magical even though Barrett had had his hands shoved into Arin Malone's front pockets as she leaned back against him. But Barrett had ended things with Arin that day, and Lauren had been his ever since.
She reached out a hand to draw him inside. ?Hey, there.?
He stepped forward, but frowned. ?I thought you'd be wearing your hair down.?
?Oh. I was just trying something--?
?It looks best down.? Barrett reached out a hand to touch her face, his expression earnest.
?So I'll take it down.? Lauren reached up to pull the elastic free, allowing her hair to tumble around her shoulders and, in that moment, decided to veer off her planned course for the night. ?I was actually thinking of cutting it. Might make it easier to deal with in the mornings and give me more time to practice before school.?
?Bad idea. Leave it like it is.?
Lauren smiled tightly. ?Let's eat before everything gets cold.?
They moved toward the table, but before she could make it to her seat, Lauren felt Barrett come up behind her. His arms circled her waist, pulling her close. He spoke softly in her ear, ?You know I only say that about your hair because I want you to look your best. Because I love you.?
Lauren felt a bit of the ice that had started to form in her heart thaw. She turned herself in Barrett's arms. ?I know.? He tangled his hands in her hair and drew her in for a kiss, only releasing Lauren when she was breathless. Barrett glanced toward the table and raised his eyebrows.
?This looks amazing. How long are your parents out of town?? His smile spread slowly.
?Until tomorrow evening. They take weekends like this every once in a while. Something they learned in a marriage retreat a long time ago.? Lauren took her seat, spreading a napkin across her lap.
Barrett's forehead creased. ?Marriage retreat? What a crock. No offense. I mean, I'm glad your parents are out of town. But my dad said he and my mom went to a marriage retreat once, a long time ago, and he said it was like being brainwashed. Like they were trying to make him into a woman, all emotional and mushy.?
A question wormed its way into Lauren's mind. ?Did your mom like it??
?Huh??
?Did your mom like the marriage retreat??
Barrett shrugged. ?Oh. I don't know. She never said.?
Funny that in their time together, Lauren had seldom seen Barrett's parents in the same room together. Their conversation was stilted, not unlike that of two strangers trying to find a bit of common ground while waiting for their turn in the doctor's office. Come to think of it, Lauren mostly saw Mrs. Malin in the kitchen, always dressed beautifully in tailored suits, her hair styled to perfection, flowing down her back in long waves. Lauren had always wondered why she didn't pull her hair back when cooking, and now she felt the beginning of an alarm bell in the back of her brain.
?My parents loved their retreat.?
?Okay. Great. Are we going to argue about pros and cons of marriage retreats?? Barrett furrowed his eyebrows.
Lauren gave herself a mental shake and took a moment to chew a bite of salad, her first of the evening. ?No. That's not what I want to do. Argue, I mean.? Barrett's face relaxed at Lauren's relinquishment. ?I've actually got something really exciting I want to tell you.?
?What's up??
?Zeke and Cameron have asked me to come back to the band. To be their drummer again.? Lauren succumbed to the hope that bloomed in her chest. ?We'll have to practice hard, but there's a competition coming up this summer and--?
?And what?? Barrett snapped off the words, and Lauren sneaked a glance at his hardened face before glancing back down at her salad and continuing.
?And. . .I want to do it. I've missed being part of a group.?
?Would you miss me more??
?What??
?You heard me. Would you miss me more??
?I don't understand what you're asking me.?
?We won't survive you being back in the band, Lauren. Not with Zeke and Cameron. She's always putting ideas in your head, and he's always standing a little too close to you.?
Lauren decided to try a different tack Barrett had always been more physical, and maybe she could work that to her advantage.
She stood and moved over to his seat, leaning back against the table and placing her hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly. ?I really want to do this, Barrett. Can you just be happy for me?? She hated that her words sounded like a plea for permission.
Barrett sighed under her touch and lowered his head. It'll all be okay, she thought. A brief image of double dating with Zeke and Cameron flashed through her mind. It might take a while, but they would get there. She began to relax until she felt Barrett shoot upward, heard the chair clatter to the floor behind him, saw her arm fall from his shoulder, and registered the grip of his hands on her upper arms. ?If you do this, if you pick them over me, we're over. You better think about what you'll be giving up.?
Lauren gave herself a moment to absorb his words, to let the feel of his thumbs pressing into her flesh sink in, and then felt herself finally emerging as if from a fog.
?I think you should go, Barrett.? Her words were quiet, but firm. ?Now.?
He released Lauren and she took the opportunity to side step, putting some distance between them. She saw a muscle twitch in his neck.
?Yeah, okay. Maybe I'll give Arin a call. Heard she's been asking around about me still.?
?You do that, Barrett. I've got some phone calls to catch up on myself. And some practicing.?
He attempted to pin her with a glare, apparently decided she wasn't worth the effort, and slung himself out the door, slamming it behind him.
Lauren allowed a few tears to fall as she fixed the deadbolt in place.
When her phone rang a few moments later, she was relieved to see MOM lighting up the screen. She sniffed once and swiped at her eyes before answering.
?Hey, Mom.?
?Lauren! How's it going, honey! Dad and I just wanted to check in on you. We've got dinner plans coming up shortly.?
Lauren heard her dad's voice murmuring in the background and her mother's effusive laughter. ?Your father is finally taking me to that little family-owned Italian restaurant. Oh, and he had chocolate covered strawberries delivered to the room. I'll save you some and bring them home.?
Lauren smiled in spite of the events of the evening. ?I'm fine, Mom. You guys have fun. I think I'm actually going to stay at Cameron's tonight. Did I tell you she and Zeke invited me back to drum??
?Lauren, that's wonderful! Jack, Lauren's going back to drumming! Your father is thrilled. You know we met in band class.?
?I know, Mom. You've told me the story.? She paused and felt her heart lighten a bit. ?But maybe you can tell it to me again when you guys get home, over the chocolate covered strawberries.?
?Will do. See you tomorrow, sweetie.?
Lauren ended the call and headed to her bedroom to get some clothes together. She knew Cameron would be thrilled when she called. It had been a long time since she'd spent the night with her friend.
She passed the small table that stood against the wall in the hallway, her eyes instantly drawn to the framed wedding photo of her parents from so long ago, their hands clasped, smiles lighting their eyes. They hadn't had just a happy moment; they were creating a happy lifetime.
Lauren ran her fingers lightly across the beloved faces in the photo: ?This is what love is,? she quietly reminded herself, while at the same time taking a moment to mourn the fact that she had clearly seen what it wasn't.
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