Chapter 8: Performance Anxiety
Once they entered Justin's room, Zeke explained why he was so anxious and why he needed Justin's help so desperately.
Zeke began, "It's Harper, we're spending the whole afternoon together."
Justin looked unimpressed - he hoped that for once they could talk about something other than Harper. Nevertheless, he wanted to be there for Zeke and pretended to be interested.
"So? You've had tons of dates with her. What's the problem?" Justin asked reassuringly.
"It's just… my parents are out of town and we're going to my house afterwards. I think tonight's the night, Justin. I don't know what to do - it's my first time. Also, I want it to be really special for Harper. I thought maybe you could help me out, you know, give me some pointers." Zeke rambled on.
Justin's face twitched, he suddenly was interested. He wanted to prevent it. He couldn't bear the idea of Zeke waking up next to Harper and not him. He couldn't stop it, not if it was what Zeke wanted. He was quiet.
"Hello… Hello, Earth to Justin. You there?" Zeke said as he shook Justin to get his attention.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm here." Justin tried to hide his jealousy, but it was clearly present in his quiet, distressed voice."Umm, so, special night, right. You need three things to make it special for Harper: take her to a good restaurant, dress to impress, and make it romantic. She'll love you long time if you 'nail' those things. Pun intended."
"I think I have that down. We're going to hang out in the park. Then we're going to that Middle Eastern restaurant on Canal Street. I'm actually more concerned about what happens after, you know the sex," Zeke whispered as he continued to nervously pace around Justin's room.
"Okay, sounds good. Make sure you get some candles and maybe rose petals to really make it special, she'll love that. You'll also need a couple of these. Better safe than sorry. The rest will come naturally, just go with the flow." Justin reluctantly handed his best friend some condoms which he conjured up while his friend wasn't looking. The thought of a Zarper baby was enough to make him shudder.
Zeke took them with a slight blush, placing them into his back pocket. His phone beeped repeatedly. It was a picture message from Harper. The photo received showed her in the flirty outfit she bought at the mall.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
From: Harper 3
Meet me at our spot in
Central Park in 30min
xoxo
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
"Wow, Harper's looking so hot I might have to bring a can of liquid nitrogen," Zeke jokingly said. He showed Justin the pic.
"Yeah," Justin said dismissingly. "Remember, dress to impress. What time are you meeting? You should go change," Justin advised.
"Oh, I thought I'd just wear this. We're meeting in like half-an-hour." Zeke looked at his watch. He had on a faded pair of jeans, an Alien Language League t-shirt, and a grey hoody.
"No, that won't do it, Zeke. And you don't have time to go and change. Here, just wear some of my clothes."
Zeke didn't hesitate. He had full faith in Justin.
The wizard watched as his friend put on a nice pair of pants and tried on several of his button-up shirts. He took careful notice of the mortal's shirtless body. His upper arms and shoulders were filling out nicely, although they weren't as developed as Justin's. The pale skin on his abdomen didn't reveal ripped abs, but it clung firmly to his attractive torso; his outie navel complimented it perfectly. Justin literally drooled and proceeded to wipe the corner of his mouth without Zeke noticing. Zeke found a shirt he liked and buttoned it. He then tried on Justin's black jacket.
"It's a little loose on me. Dude, you're getting too buff," Zeke said punching Justin's arm and letting out some laughter. Justin laughed along, thrilled to know that Zeke had noticed his changing figure.
"Nah, dude. You look great. I might have to pour liquid nitrogen on you now!" Justin joked.
Zeke laughed. "Any more tips?"
"Uh, yeah, just one. You should let your hair grow out again," Justin said, playfully rustling his friend's inch-long, silky, light brown hair. He was careful not to linger too long so it would not appear unmanly. Justin found it extremely difficult-almost painful-to recall his right hand to his side as it begged to continue caressing the mortal's delicate bristles.
Justin looked Zeke in the eyes and gave him a friendly smile, but attempted to hide just how much he had enjoyed feeling the sensual brushing of his short hair against the webbing in between his fingers.
"Haha, you think so, dude?" Zeke asked, fixing his ruffled hair by running one hand over the top of his head. "I have been considering it," he added.
"Yeah, man, totally. I would really - I - I mean," the awkward wizard stumbled over his words, "I mean I think Harper would really like it longer." The pale skin on Justin's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he said this.
Zeke noticed his friend slightly blushing, but didn't comment on it. Instead he snapped his fingers and pointed in Justin's direction with both hands, announcing, "So it's settled, then! My long hair's making a comeback! Oh and if Harper doesn't dig it I'm gonna tell her it was your idea."
"Ummm. O-Okay," the wizard reluctantly agreed. Perhaps growing his hair long was a bad idea after all, Justin thought, it would only make it ten times harder for him to keep his hands from stroking that beautiful mane.
With that, Zeke grabbed the black jacket and put it on. "Thanks so much for helping me prep dude," he said, gripping Justin's right hand with his own. He pulled him close and patted him on the back with his free hand; Justin reciprocated the action in a "bro hug" that he felt was regrettably short.
"No problem, Zeke, anytime." Despite of the briefness of their contact , it was the highlight of the wizard's night, everything he had done for his awkward, adorable friend that afternoon was worth it when he got to feel his warm chest grazing against his own, rest his head on the slightly shorter man's shoulder, and catch a good whiff of that manly cologne, which smelled a million times better on Zeke than it did sprayed on his pillow.
Zeke walked towards the door and opened it. "Well, I'm off to my big date. Wish me luck buddy!"
Justin barely managed to half-grin while sucking on his lips. He glanced at the small wooden chest containing the irresistibility potion which he had retained; after briefly considering the possibilities, he quickly—albeit laboriously—shook the thought from his head.
"Yeah… you go get 'em, tiger," Justin muttered to the floor, barely audible and unenthusiastic. He didn't seem very happy for his best friend.
Zeke noticed this too, and didn't comment on it.
Thank you again for all the lovely, supportive reviews! And please keep them coming! xD
More is to come, and I promise I'll attempt to make the wait shorter this time.
