Mike's teacher's words rang in his ears as he walked to his next class. I don't know why you're friends with that boy. He gets you into so much trouble.
It was true. Trevor got him into a lot of trouble. Mike wouldn't have it any other way. He knew that Trevor would be there for him if he ever needed him. Or he knew he'd at least try to be and that was more than he could say about anyone else. Besides, trouble could be fun sometimes.
Mike wanted to congratulate himself on staying calm. He had almost taken the day off of school but he hadn't wanted Grammy to make a fuss. On top of everything, he didn't want to have to defend his oldest friend before he'd even seen him. He had Biology next, one of the many classes in which the teacher had realised that they probably shouldn't sit together.
He spent the next forty minutes listening to the teacher talk about protein synthesis, making unnecessary notes on mRNA and tRNA whilst Trevor made faces at him from across the room.
"Do you get this?" his lab partner asked, looking frustrated.
"Yeah, what's wrong?" he asked.
"I don't understand the difference between the rough and smooth... reticulum? Where does the smooth stuff come in?"
"The smooth endoplasmic reticulum? It isn't involved in the protein synthesis," Mike said, trying not to sound like he was recalling it straight from the text book. "It makes lipids and steroids."
"Oh! Thanks," Jenny said, smiling and scribbling a note in the margin of her book.
Trevor rolled his eyes at Mike from the front of the class. He was always telling him that Jenny seemed to like him.
When the bell sounded for lunch, Mike packed up quickly to make sure he'd catch up with Trevor. They were friends but it was pizza day so there were no guarantees. To his surprise, Trevor was standing outside the classroom waiting for him.
"You alright man?" he asked him.
"Uh yeah," Mike replied. "Trevor. Pizza day."
"I know, I know. Just wanted to make sure I got a chance to ask you if you wanted to come round tonight. Free house, weed and bad movies?"
That did sound perfect and Mike had been hoping he could get out of the house tonight. He agreed and they headed off to the cafeteria.
When Trevor let him have the last slice of pepperoni, taking the vegetable for himself, Mike knew something was up. He wasn't just in a good mood about the free house; Mike had known Trevor long enough to know that nothing came between him and pepperoni. He'd remembered. Trevor knew what day it was.
"You can have the pepperoni," he said, when they found seats. "You don't have to be nice to me just because... you know."
Trevor rolled his eyes.
"I was that obvious? Just wanted to make sure you were alright, man."
Mike wished his Literature teacher was there to see this. Even he was kind of surprised that Trevor had remembered that it was the anniversary of his parents' death.
All things considered, Mike's day hadn't been as bad as it could have been. His grandmother hadn't even stopped him from staying over at Trevor's even though it was a school night. He grabbed some clothes for the next day and headed over straight after dinner.
The basement was already set up how they always had it when he got there. The double mattress from the guest bedroom was on the floor in the corner, sheets in a pile on top. There were snacks piled up on the table, two joints already rolled and the tv was ready on the DVD channel.
"Fuck, I love it when they leave town," Mike said. It had been way too long since they'd been able to do this.
They flopped down onto the large beanbag in front of the tv; it was hard to arrange themselves in a way that wasn't awkward, but it was cooler than the couch.
It just was.
"What level of terrible do you want?" Trevor asked.
Mike never knew where he found these movies but they were always dreadful and he exactly which ones Mike would love.
"The worst. Absolute worst."
"Well I have two for you. One is much worse technically. Bad CGI and stuff. Want to save the worst for last?"
Mike nodded and looked down at the DVDs Trevor had burned himself. His untidy writing was on both of them: Black Swarm and Sharktopus. This was going to be a good night.
Half way through Black Swarm, Trevor passed the first joint to Mike but he declined.
They always had two, but not one each. They split them both, saving the second one until the high started to fade. Trevor offering him the first hit was pretty much as big as him giving up the pizza.
Mike watched Trevor light it, laughing a little when he fumbled with the lighter. He took it when it was passed to him and inhaled deeply.
The film only got worse (so much better) and the slight high added to it.
Mike passed the joint back to Trevor and tried to focus on the film. Did that man have wasps in his ear? What? He felt Trevor un-tense next to him, sliding down the beanbag slightly, no longer focusing on holding himself upright. Mike kind of appreciated the contact; if Trevor got a little affectionate when he was high (which he did) he was going to let him. He turned on the beanbag a little to get comfortable, rolling into a half-cuddling position. He barely thought anything of it. They were friends, it was cool and Trevor only made a big deal out of it in public.
When the film ended, Mike didn't have too much to say. He was laughing too much at the ridiculous ending and the way that Trevor was completely failing to get up to change the DVD.
"It's not funny! Help me? It's like it's eaten me," he said.
"It's hilarious, actually," Mike replied, letting him struggle for a second or to before pushing him up.
Trevor struggled to change the DVD. Mike always tried to be sensible, meaning he usually ended up smoking more than half his share of the weed. He'd thought he was fine until he'd tried to stand up but now everything seemed to be a little further away than it looked. Or something like that. Once he'd successfully changed the DVD to Sharktopus, he turned and flopped back down onto the beanbag, curling around Mike. He seemed happy, which was good. He'd felt a bit awkward being extra nice to him but he still remembered how upset he'd been last year. That had been pretty heart breaking. You know, if there was a way to say that without sounding ridiculous.
"Trev?" Mike asked sleepily. "Pass me a soda?"
Trevor felt around behind him, grasping around for anything for anything can shaped. He found one and handed it to Mike, laughing as he struggled to open it. He lit up the second joint, passing it to Mike after a few hits.
They spent the rest of the film laughing at he horrendous CGI and the fact that "Sharktopus" actually meant something with the head of a shark and the tentacles of an octopus.
They still had school the next day so as soon as it finished, they stumbled over to the mattress.
Mike tried to pull the sheets into something that resembled a made bed as Trevor undressed behind him. He should have done this before but he never learned. He did his best before kicking off his shoes and jeans and getting into bed. When he felt Trevor slide in beside him, he wanted to thank him. He knew he'd put thought into taking his mind off of everything tonight and bad movie night was the best way to do that. He tried to think of a way to put it that wouldn't make Trevor laugh at him but then he heard his soft snoring and made a note to remember in the morning.
Mike had to work hard to convince his Gram to let him go to a party with Trevor. She never really liked him but she was polite enough to never say anything about it. He hadn't done anything with him for two weeks, not since he'd stayed over.
Somehow, since then, Trevor had gotten together with Jenny. It had been strange at first, the two of them hadn't shown much interest in each other before, but Mike didn't mind. The only bad thing was that Trevor had been spending most of his free time with her and even more texting Mike about it. Mike wasn't jealous. Not one bit.
He checked himself over in the mirror quickly before running downstairs. He thought Jenny would be coming too but Trevor told him that she'd had to work.
The party was in full swing by the time they got there. Drinks were passed around, Trevor filled him in on what he'd managed to get up to with Jenny (kissing, a little more) and then someone suggested spin the bottle. Every one protested but it ended up happening anyway.
Trevor sat down beside Mike but then someone, a girl he didn't recognise, squeezed between them. She was pretty drunk.
The bottle began to spin and landed on a girl opposite Mike, then Gary, the person who had thrown the party. They kissed, a few people giggled.
Five minutes later, there had been seven more kisses with little protest, not even when the girl next to Mike had to kiss Charlotte Harris.
Trevor was starting to get a little bored. People had gotten a little overly excited that two girls had had to kiss but it wasn't really a big deal. When the bottle picked two guys, they protested and Gary told them they'd have to pay a forfeit of $5 each for backing out. They paid up. The next spin landed on Mike and then a girl named Elle.
Trevor watched as Mike leaned forwards as Elle crawled towards him. They kissed and there were a few noises from the people who could see as she slid her hand up to cup his face before pulling away. Mike flashed a grin at Trevor before sitting back down.
Trevor began to worry a little. The alcohol had started to wear off and he was now wondering if kissing someone in a game of spin the bottle counted as cheating. Then it landed on him. There were whispers from the circle as the next spin landed on Mike.
"I don't have any cash on me," he said looking at Mike quickly.
He knew that Mike didn't have any, either. They hadn't seen any point bringing money to a house party. He didn't mind. He hadn't kissed anyone yet and it was Mike. It was fine.
The girl between them moved back, giving them room to move forwards into. Mike just shrugged and Trevor tried to ignore the feeling of everyone's eyes on him. Suddenly they were kissing and Trevor was trying not to think about the way his heart was pounding in his chest. He had another warm body pressed up against him, it was only natural.
When they pulled apart, Mike didn't meet his eye. Trevor was pretty sure that it was because, for a moment, he'd forgotten who he was kissing and he might have gone a little too far.
By Sunday evening, when Mike hadn't heard from Trevor, he was starting to worry. Not that it should be a big deal, they just kissed, but some of the people at the party had gone on about it for a while and Mike was worried that Trevor was going to be awkward about it. He hadn't been to great on the walk home.
He logged into Skype and was relieved to see him online.
[7:47:47 PM] Mike Ross: Hey.
[7:48:09 PM] Trevor Evans: hey
[7:48:32 PM] Mike Ross: Um, how's everything?
[7:48:50 PM] Trevor Evans: alright why?
[7:48:55 PM] Trevor Evans: you sound worried or something
[7:49:40 PM] Mike Ross: No, I'm not worried. I just...well, we didn't talk at all on Saturday.
[7:49:57 PM] Mike Ross: I was just wondering if everything was okay.
[7:50:08 PM] Trevor Evans: yeah its good I guess
[7:50:16 PM] Trevor Evans: I slept pretty late because of the party
[7:50:28 PM] Trevor Evans: didnt sleep much when I got in
[7:50:34 PM] Trevor Evans: are you alright then?
[7:50:49 PM] Mike Ross: Yeah. I slept in, too.
[7:50:51 PM] Mike Ross: It was a fun party, though.
[7:51:01 PM] Trevor Evans: er yeah
[7:51:03 PM] Trevor Evans: I guess
[7:51:21 PM] Trevor Evans: I mean we didnt really know many of them but it was alright
[7:51:45 PM] Mike Ross: I suppose.
[7:52:03 PM] Mike Ross: I meant that it was fun because we haven't done that sort of thing in a while?
7:52:12 PM] Mike Ross: IDK
[7:52:24 PM] Trevor Evans: yeah I get what you mean
[7:52:29 PM] Trevor Evans: we dont exactly get out much
[7:53:02 PM] Trevor Evans: do you think anyone will make a big deal out of the spin the bottle thing?
[7:53:39 PM] Mike Ross: I don't think so.
[7:54:00 PM] Mike Ross: I mean, we had to. It was part of the game.
[7:54:05 PM] Trevor Evans: well yeah but
[7:54:15 PM] Trevor Evans: the other guys didnt they just paid the forfeit money
[7:54:30 PM] Trevor Evans: I mean I know we didnt have a choice because we didnt have any but still
[7:54:48 PM] Trevor Evans: I guess if we just act cool about it it wont matter?
[7:54:58 PM] Mike Ross: Hey, I think that because we didn't chicken out makes us better than them
[7:55:03 PM] Mike Ross: or something, lol
[7:55:08 PM] Trevor Evans: yeah I guess
[7:55:29 PM] Trevor Evans: I probably wouldnt have done it if it was anyone but you
[7:55:33 PM] Trevor Evans: not in a weird way
[7:55:35 PM] Trevor Evans: just like
[7:55:44 PM] Trevor Evans: I know you and stuff so it isnt weird
[7:55:48 PM] Trevor Evans: yeah?
[7:56:20 PM] Mike Ross: I understand.
[7:56:27 PM] Mike Ross: We're just so comfortable, you know?
[7:56:56 PM] Trevor Evans: to be honest I was kinda scared it was going to be awkward
[7:57:01 PM] Trevor Evans: it was a bit on the way home
[7:57:40 PM] Mike Ross: Yeah...
[7:57:43 PM] Mike Ross: it was
[7:57:59 PM] Trevor Evans: sorry about that
[7:58:37 PM] Mike Ross: No, man, it's not your fault.
[7:58:55 PM] Trevor Evans: k
[7:59:04 PM] Trevor Evans: I wasnt sure if Id done anything
[7:59:16 PM] Trevor Evans: if youre okay about it Im cool
[8:00:18 PM] Trevor Evans: obviously you were just overwhelmed by my fantastic kissing skills
[8:00:23 PM] Mike Ross: Obviously.
[8:01:24 PM] Trevor Evans: I know Im good and everything just dont be trying for more next time were high okay?
[8:02:15 PM] Mike Ross: Okay, I promise.
[8:02:36 PM] Trevor Evans: I would and everything but I dont think Jenny would like it
[8:03:05 PM] Mike Ross: Did she say something to you?
[8:03:20 PM] Trevor Evans: no man I was kidding
[8:03:23 PM] Trevor Evans: you know that right?
[8:03:28 PM] Trevor Evans: I havent told her yet
[8:03:36 PM] Trevor Evans: I hope she doesnt actually mind
[8:04:10 PM] Mike Ross: I hope so, too.
[8:04:33 PM] Trevor Evans: man
[8:04:37 PM] Trevor Evans: you knew I was kidding right?
[8:04:54 PM] Mike Ross: Yeah!
Trevor took a deep breath and tried not to freak out. For a second, he'd thought Mike might have thought he was serious about liking the kiss. He didn't want to think about that. Not that that stopped it. It was pretty much what he'd been thinking about non-stop since he'd gotten home on Friday night. He'd decided to tell himself it was no big deal. He was allowed to enjoy a kiss with his friend without it meaning anything. He wasn't sure he believed it, though.
