As Jack fidgeted into his theater seat, Eric was busy munching on a bag of popcorn.
The Catherine Stone movie was called "Dressed To Kill" and it was a watery plot with a few naked girls (including Ivanka Vanvekei, played by the lovely Mrs. Stone), yawn-inducing chase scenes, and some cheesy espionage themes thrown in. It was a mediocre movie at best, and Jack didn't see how it had such rave reviews. He supposed it was the steamy sex scene between Ivana and Charles Strong (portrayed by Peter Fox, the dreamy new firefighter on 30 Chances), that drew the critics and fans to rate it so highly.
As the rowdy guys in the rows behind them hooted their frat boys calls, Eric glanced over at Jack with a nudge and wink, and Jack had responded with a suggestive chuckle, even though he had only watched it to see Peter take off his shirt. He had watched the girl in the scene as well, noticing the curve of her breasts and the dainty little fingers she drew down his back, and he had felt nothing. It only added to his evidence that he really was, in fact, gay.
Jack felt a bag shove into his arm and looked to his right to see Eric offering him popcorn. He munched on a few pieces and gestured his thanks. Turning his attention back to the movie, he was met by the seductive smile of another one Strong's lovers. He silently groaned to himself, not wanting to sit through another hour of the awful, awful movie.
"How did you like the film? That Catherine Stone is a babe! Man, did you see her during those sex scenes." Eric whistled airily, looking at Jack. He replied with a slight nod and a weak smile.
"Peter Fox is a really good actor, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess, but it wasn't his acting I was focusing on." Eric laughed, putting his shoulder over Jack's as they walked back to his car. The sensation of having his hand on him made Jack feel like he was in high school again. He liked how Eric could still give him butterflies.
The minute the boys came home, Jack rushed to the computer, logging onto his dating website profile. He had a couple matches, one of them being a guy who described himself as "orally talented" and looked like a serial killer. Jack shuddered slightly at his photo, clicking through to see the other person.
His profile was picture-less, but the description told plenty. He was around the same age as Jack, even went to the same college as him, and seemed like he had a lot of the same interests. He noted the stranger's favorite color (blue) and his favorite movie (The Godfather, Part II) and nodded to himself in approval. He scrolled down and saw even more things they had in common and decided to take a chance. Even if he didn't know what the other guy looked like, he had a gut feeling he was a good one. Besides, he would suggest they meet in a public place and if the person turned out to be a psycho, Jack was a strong guy who could throw a punch or two.
Plus, Eric had a lot of the same interests as well, and if Jack were to ever out himself to his roommate, Eric would definitely approve of the guy he was seeing. If everything turned out well.
His breath hitching slightly, he clicked the "send message" icon and began to type.
Hey! I'm Jack!
Backspace.
Hey, I'm Jack. ;)
Backspace. Jack popped his knuckles to keep himself steady and resumed typing. He had to think of a greeting that was friendly, not too forward, and perfect enough so that the other guy would accept his offer to meet up. Jack hadn't put a profile picture himself, in fear of his Pennbrook classmates finding it.
Hey, I'm Jack. I saw your profile and you look like you have a lot of the same interests as me. :) I was wondering if you'd like to meet up somewhere to get coffee or something. Respond if you'd want to.
Jack
Jack sent the message quickly before he could change his mind, letting out a nervous breath. He was unbelievably terrified, but also so, so excited.
