The last class today is study hall, where everyone is supposed to work on homework and be silent. In reality though, people just hang out and whisper quietly enough so the teacher doesn't tell them to stop. No one that I know is here yet so I just start working on my English and Math homework. I'll finish up science at home.
I feel a tap on my neck. "Hey John," Dave's arm is resting on my shoulder now, his chest on the side of my back. "I have something for you."
I look up at him and he's showing a big, genuine smile on his face. He takes my hand and puts a folded up piece of paper in it.
"What's this?" I ask him.
"Read it," he winks and sits down in an empty seat next to his brother.
I quickly unfold it and read. It's his phone number with a small 'call me' under it. I look over to him and his brother and they're both looking intently at me, but when they realize I'm looking, they almost mechanically jerk away and pretend to talk to each other.
"Real smooth, there, Dave," Dirk teases his younger brother.
"Shut up!" Dave half-whispers, while he covers his face with his hands.
I smile to myself. I got a number from a cute boy on the first day of school. I gotta tell someone. Who, though? Jade's really nice, but I barely know her. I just met Rose, and Dirk already knows. That leaves… Dad. What will he say to that? Will he be accepting? Or will he be mad? Would he not care? I don't know! I could tell him it's from a girl… but how long would I have to lie to him about it? I've never been a good liar, anyway. He'd figure it out eventually. Ugh. I hate this. It would be so easy if Dave was a girl.
"Class dismissed," an old and tired voice announces. Everyone in the class runs to the hallway and outside. I find myself walking slower than usual, hoping Dave will find me in the midst of this swarm of students. After a bit, I figure he's not coming and run up to the bus to get a good seat.
Suddenly a hand is on my shoulder and my heart is racing. "So John, do you want to hang out after school today?"
I smile at him, and in this moment, I feel good in my own skin. No worrying about my teeth, or my shoulder bones, or my hair. I'm just John, and I'm going home with a guy who thinks I'm hotter than irons in the fire. "Yeah," I start. "I'd like that."
When we get to his apartment, I realize he definitely was not expecting company. It was a complete mess in here. Clothes, dishes, apple juice cartons, and bizarre looking stuffed animals. With noses that slightly resemble the male genitalia, and fairly large butts sticking out in the air.
"What are those?" I ask, pointing to the plushies.
"Oh, those are my bro's. They're called Smuppets," Dave says, like it's completely normal.
"Smuppets?"
"You know, smut puppets," he says it so nonchalantly, I can't help but laugh.
"My bro makes them, it's his thing," Dave says casually. "But I wouldn't touch them. God knows what he does with them when I'm not there."
"Gross," I grimace at the thought.
"Ha, yeah…" he starts. "So… do you want to see the rest of the apartment?"
"Sure," I smile at him, and he smiles back.
He takes me around, showing me the kitchen, the bathroom, Dirk's bedroom, his own bedroom, and living room.
"Hey, where is your parents' bedroom?"
"Don't have any," he says, not looking at me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize-"
"Don't worry about it. I've got my bro," he interrupts me. "So do you want to watch a movie or whatever?
"Yeah, sounds good." I nod at him.
About thirty minutes into the movie, Dave starts holding my hand. I smile goofily and blush. I guess he takes that as a good sign, because he leans closer and kisses me on the cheek. I look at him with astonishment. My first kiss?
He opens his mouth to say something, but before he can get a word in, I kiss him on the lips. Our lips glide over each other gracefully. He puts his hands on my back and caresses me softly. Slowly, I run my hands through his hair and he moans quietly. Dave deepens the kiss and suddenly we're both lying on his couch and full on making out. I've never even kissed someone before and I'm already underneath him with our tongues teasing each other.
Dave pulls away and I can't say I'm not disappointed. "John… are we moving too fast? I mean, I don't want to pressure you to do something you don't want to do."
I smile at him and say. "Did I look like I didn't want it?"
He laughs breathily and says, "I was just checking." And we continue kissing like there was no interruption.
