Chapter 4

Sunday / 1:24 p.m.

-Jean POV-

We entered the front of the park, and walked along the short trail I knew well, to reach a certain destination I was determined to reach. Marco followed along beside me, quiet as usual. Once we reached the area I had planned to go to, we set down our bags on a rickety wooden picnic table and sat down on either side. I reached into my book bag and pulled out two folders, setting them both down on the table. "How about we start with social studies?" I exclaimed as I zipped my bag closed. Opening one of the folders, I pulled out a few pages of notes for us to go over. I would ask Marco a question, and he would have to respond with the correct answer. I noticed that as I was looking down at the paper, Marco would just stare at me. Not in a creepy way, but almost as if he were daydreaming. Thinking about it, my face got a bit hot and a rose hue painted my cheeks. When I looked back up at Marco, waiting for his answer to the question, I immediately locked eyes with him. I cherished the calm moment for a few seconds, and smiled a bit awkwardly. Marco's face then developed a crimson tint. "I-I'm sorry… was I staring?" he asked, clearly embarrassed. "It's fine, Marco. I don't mind." I tried to keep my already racing heart calm. He. Was. Staring. At. Me. I can't believe this.

After we studied all of the subjects we needed to study for, we sat at the same wooden bench, chatting. All the while, Marco's eyes still

remained locked to mine, almost as if he thought if he looked away I would disappear. We gossipped about people at school, talked about our favorite bands and their music, and discussed the scenery around us. As Marco viewed the park with his calm brown eyes, I watched him. Yes, I realize that sounds creepy. How about I rephrase that. I admired him. His eyes, his freckles, his lips, his jawline. Am I really falling for him this early? I can't be… I thought, denying my own thoughts.

3:21

About a half an hour of us just talking had passed, and it was beginning to be a bit late to be here. I'm sure Marco had other plans than to be here with me. "M'kay… we should probably start heading back." I suggested, breaking the momentary silence between us. "Right." Marco sounded a bit sad, as if he didn't want to leave. I shrugged it off and stood up, shoving all my study supplies back in my bag. After we both gathered all of our belongings, we walked to the car and got inside, our bags sitting in the back like before. Marco took one last dreamy look at the park, before speaking, "This place really is beautiful." We once again listened to music on the radio on the drive back to Marco's house.

When we arrived at 616 Jinae Lane, Marco looked at me with his typical warm smile and spoke in his usual cheerful and joyous voice, "Thank you, Jean. For taking me out. We should do this again sometime, maybe with a little less study." I could tell by the tone of this voice that he was serious. As he exited my car, I could've sworn he winked at me.

I watched him walk up the drive, making sure he got to the door okay. I then rolled away in my car, and drove home. Once I got there, I went straight to my room and threw my stuff on the floor. Collapsing onto my bed, I groaned and rested my face in my hands. I heard soft footsteps approaching my room, then I saw a shadow projected across my floor. "What's wrong, honey?" It was my mom. "Boys." My voice was muffled by the comforter on my bed. Yes, of course my mom knows that I'm gay. What kind of son would I be if I didn't tell her? "Is there anything I can get you? A blanket? Water? An omelet?" An omelet definitely sounded good right now. "Omelet please." I mumbled. I heard her walk down the hall into the kitchen and begin to cook my omelet. I feel exhausted for some reason. On the bright side, I get to see Marco at school tomorrow.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the short chapters, I've been working on making them longer!