Friday.
The only day that the school serves curly fries, and the day Lance and I will have our second date. I have everything I need set up once I get home, and Hunk said that he will make his caramel popcorn just for me to enjoy. Hunk is the best and I can't express that enough to him.
As of right now, Hunk and I are enjoying said curly fries. We always buy a lot since it's the only good school food here and then we share it amongst ourselves. Hunk loves mustard and ranch with his, and I only like ketchup. I wonder what Lance would like on his curly fries? Does he even like curly fries? I don't think I can date someone who doesn't like curly fries.
"Helloooo? Earth to Keith?"
I snap back to reality, and I notice that I haven't even cracked a good dent into my curly fries.
"Oh, sorry Hunk. I didn't sleep much last night."
Hunk doesn't respond. Instead, he gets up to throw away his curly fry containers. Wait, why is Hunk mad at me? All I said was that I didn't sleep last night. Maybe it's because while I was thinking he was trying to talk to me? Knowing how Hunk is, he hates confrontation, but I'll have to confront him on this end. Hunk returns shortly after and I can tell that anger is festering inside him.
"Hey Hunk, are you mad at me?"
The moment after I finished my sentence, Hunk's face lightens up instantly.
"What? No why would I be mad at you? You've done nothing wrong, Keith."
Oh? I guess I either read his face wrong or something besides me made Hunk angry. I still don't buy it though.
"Are you sure Hunk? You can tell me anything, you know that."
Hunk's eyebrows furrow and he stares me directly into my eyes. This is the signature 'Garrett lying face'.
"I'm fine Keith. Thanks for your concern though buddy!"
Why is Hunk lying to me about how he's feeling? I was going to press further, but the bell signaling Lunch ending rings throughout the school. Crap, I still have all these curly fries left. Good thing I have an empty brown paper bag in my backpack. I start to fill the bag with all of my curly fries, and I see Hunk get up and start to walk away... Without me.
Now I just feel like I did something completely wrong and it's all my fault that Hunk feels bad right now. I don't even know what I did, but ideas start to form in my head as I walk to my next class.
What if he is starting to realize how terrible of a person I am? I'm honestly such a shit friend when it comes down to it and without Hunk, I would have nobody to talk to in school. I need Hunk more than anything, and here I am fucking it up.
I walk into Algebra II and almost slam my head on my desk from how much I hate myself right now. I sense that the other students are staring at me, and it just makes me hate myself more. I want to go home and Skype with Lance and make myself feel better.
"Please hand in your homework as you walk in. We have a tight schedule today."
At first, I make no movement since I never have my homework done, but then I remember that yesterday Lance helped me not only do my homework, but also everything previous to that. I grab my folder and pick out eleven sheets of homework from the past month. I get up and turn all eleven assignments in, and my teacher looks extremely surprised.
"You finished all the homework that you have missing?"
I turn to her and I shrug in response. I turn around and return to my seat in the back corner. I feel a sense of accomplishment and I know that I have Lance to thank for that. I should thank him right now.
Special K to Baby Blue: I stunned my teacher today with turning in all my Algebra II homework, so thanks :)
I smile again at the nickname I gave Lance, and I can't think of any other name that would be better than Baby Blue. My thought process was going through stereotypical names like 'honey' and 'sweet pea', which landed me on the word 'baby'. Then I added his favorite color blue, and the rest is turning into history.
The thoughts of Hunk subside for a bit since I figured I could talk to him after school on the bus and everything will be okay once we talk it out. We've been best friends for about eight years, and I'm not letting myself or him get in the way of that. For now, I will focus on class and a little bit of Lance on the side.
Baby Blue to Special K: AWW I AM GLAD THAT I COULD HELP OUT! HOW IS YOUR DAY SO FAR BB?
Lance so far today has been calling me every single cute name that he can think of. I, of course, keep dying whenever I read any of them.
Special K to Baby Blue: Doing okay. I feel like Hunk is mad at me though, and I don't know why he would be?
So far Lance has been amazing. Even if he can't give out any good advice, it's still nice to talk to Lance about it.
The class continues to take notes, and I sort of listen. It's not like I don't care, it's more like Lance has already taught me this and I'm still distraught. I feel numb, but I think that may just be the feeling of guilt. Time starts to fly by quickly as I stare at the board and tap my pencil against the desk repeatedly. Slowly I forget that Lance probably texted back, and I fall into a lifeless cycle of pretending to be listening while my inner turmoil starts to grow bigger and bigger. I know that I was going to push this off until I seen Hunk again after school, but I can't help but worry about Hunk.
The bell eventually rang me out of the darkest corners of my mind, and before I knew it I was sprinting down the hall and into the bathroom. There were people in here, so I took a stall and leaned myself against the door trying to catch my breath.
Why am I like this?
I take some time to gather myself. I think about Shiro and my parents, and about what dad will be preparing tonight for dinner. I think about Lance and how he Skyped me this morning. He introduced me to Kaltenecker and I seen him give a cow a kiss. I try my best to think of all the good times Hunk and I have had, and I find myself back to normal.
Whatever that means.
I hear the bell ring again, therefore I'm considered truant now. It's not like I wanted to attend my last class anyway. My mom is going to kill me, but for right now my mental health is more important. I wanted to call Shiro, but I realized he might be working so I called my Dad instead.
"Keith? Shouldn't you be in class right now?"
"Yeah... But I sorta don't feel good right now and I'm mentally exhausted. Is there any way that you could pick me up and I can go home?"
"Hmm... All right but you owe me a full explanation in the car ride home."
"Thanks, Dad. I'll wait for you in the front of the school."
We said our goodbyes and I exit the bathroom stall. I see what I look like and I look much paler than normal. I did forget to eat lunch, so I take out my paper bag of curly fries and start to eat them on my way out of the school. They're cold now, but the crunch is still there and it's making me feel better.
Once I found myself outside, I took a seat on a bench that's right next to the entrance of the school. I think I can read Lance's text now... Or the five texts he sent.
Baby Blue to Special K: Hmm that is odd. I'm sure that you guys can figure it out though!
Baby Blue to Special K: Babe you doing okay?
Baby Blue to Special K: I wish I was there to comfort you better
Baby Blue to Special K: I just want to let you know that I care about you a lot and that I'm here for you if you need me
Baby Blue to Special K: As my dad always says "Al mal tiempo, buena cara". Which roughly means "Put a good face to the bad times". I'm cheering for you -heart emoji-
Now I feel like a bigger asshole. I don't deserve Lance at all, yet here he is.
Special K to Baby Blue: Thank you so much, Lance. I'll tell you all about it later today. -heart emoji-
Though I still don't feel quite there yet, I feel better between eating and reading Lance's texts. Since I'll be leaving school, I shoot Hunk a quick text letting him know I won't be here after school.
Dork to Nerd: Hey I got sick and left school early, so I won't be at the bus stop. Sorry.
It's kinda the truth, but a really stretched out truth.
My Dad comes up the school's parking lot soon enough, and I climb in and buckle my seat in silence. We don't start talking until we are out of the parking lot.
"So, tell me about your day?"
"Well, it was pretty okay until about Lunch time."
"What happened at Lunch time?"
I was adverting my Dad's gaze since when he wasn't paying attention to the road he was trying to catch my eyes. I watch the road with him instead.
"Well, I think Hunk is mad at me."
My dad doesn't laugh like Shiro does, or scoffs like my Mother. Instead, he is quiet and asks questions.
"Why would Hunk be mad at you?"
"I have no idea. I keep torturing myself with what the possibility could be, and I think I had a panic attack between that and forgetting to eat lunch."
"Well, I'm sure whatever Hunk is thinking he will tell you soon. You know Hunk can't keep secrets to save his life."
That is really true. I'm surprised he even lied to me at Lunch, especially since he knows I can tell when he's lying. Whatever Hunk is internalizing much be much worse than what I'm going through, so tomorrow I'll get to the bottom of this.
The rest of the car ride was my Dad and I singing to terrible country songs. My Mom loves country music, and the rest of the family only knows the words because of her. Now we ironically enjoy country music?
We arrive at home, and since it's just me and my Dad we decide what to make for dinner. We thought after careful consideration that tonight was a good night for burritos, so we both made them together. It's been awhile since I had time together with just my Dad, and honestly, I need to spend even more time with him. Maybe this weekend we could make dinner again?
The burritos were done, but it was another two hours until mom and Shiro arrived. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to eat with them since I have Lance tonight, so I told my Dad that I'll be eating the burritos upstairs.
"Why are you eating upstairs?"
Oh shit. Is this the time I mention Lance? I can't ever lie to my family, so I guess this is it.
"Well, I sorta... Have an online date tonight?"
Great wording Keith. You are such an amazing writer, why can't that translate into speaking?
My Dad instead of looking confused, looks really happy?
"That's great! Who is he?"
"Uh, his name is Lance. He lives in Wisconsin."
My Dad pats me on the back.
"Wisconsin? How did you meet a boy that lives so far away?"
"There is this thing called the internet Dad."
"Right. Well, I hope that works out for you, and that I better meet him if it does!"
That went a lot better than expected. I bet once my Mom finds out she will be just as extra as Shiro.
Now, it's almost time for Lance and I's date!
I bring my food up to my room and I check to see if my setup is still good. I have my Bigfoot footie pajamas out for me to change in, and I have the movie that Lance and I are going to watch ready to go. So far I feel like I've gotten to know Lance pretty well, so therefore I'm assuming with all my previous knowledge that he is a High School Musical fan.
I think movie nights are a perfect date idea in my opinion.
I proceed to change into the footie pajamas and I go to text Lance to see if he is ready, but I notice that Hunk texted back from earlier.
Nerd to Dork: Ok
All he did was respond, but man do I feel like shit now. Here I am trying to woo someone and my best friend isn't doing okay? This isn't right.
Special K to Baby Blue: Is it fine if I delay our date by a half hour? I need to know about Hunk right now.
I change out of my pajamas and into sweatpants and a hoodie. I rush myself across the street and almost run into the Garrett's door. Hunk's mother opens the door and gestures me inside. We don't exchange words, but I think we both know that Hunk isn't doing well right now. I climb the stairs to Hunk's door, and I knock.
"Come in."
The door slightly creeks when I push it open, and Hunk is playing on his DS in bed.
"Oh, hey Keith. Feeling better now?"
"Uh, kinda. Not really though."
I take a seat on the beanbag chair on the floor. I always sit here when I'm at Hunk's, so the bean bag has my body shape.
"Are you mad at me Hunk? Please be honest because I can tell something is up and I don't know what to do about it."
Hunk looks at me shocked, but he closes his DS and gives me all of his attention.
"I'm not mad at you Keith, I'm just not feeling the greatest."
I almost burst out of the bean bag chair and started screaming, but I didn't.
"But I know that something is up and I want to help out! I am your best friend and I can't stand knowing that you're hurt! I can't just stand by and ignore that!"
Hunk looks away from my eyes and I feel myself just get angrier. It's taking everything I have not to walk out of this room and hit the first thing I see.
"Okay, I get it. The truth is I've been jealous of Lance."
What? Lance?
"What do you mean?"
"I mean all you ever talk about now is Lance. It hasn't even been a week yet and you've been cramming every single minute of the day with him even when I'm sitting right next to you! It's like you don't need me anymore... But the thing is I'm so happy that you found him. I am ecstatic that you and Lance get along and that you both like each other a lot. I just can't help but feel I'm being left behind."
Oh no... Hunk...
"You know, nobody in this entire world could ever replace you Hunk. There is absolutely no way I could ever think of leaving you behind. We've been through so much together, and I would be a fucking idiot if I didn't see that you are incredible. I'm so sorry that I've been accidentally ignoring you, cause I would never make that intentional. I guess I got way too excited with Lance?"
Both Hunk and I were in tears, but both of us were smiling.
"A little excited? Try that you are over the moon and you are waiting for a marriage proposal."
"HUNK?!"
Hunk bursts out laughing, and I start laughing as well. Why was I even concerned in the first place? Then a thought came into my mind.
"Hey Hunk, do you want to meet Lance tonight?"
Hunk is wiping away his tears with his hand, and I'm doing the same.
"Really? Isn't tonight your big date night? Wait- OH MY GOSH I JUST RUINED YOUR DATE NIGHT DIDN'T I?"
"No no no, you didn't buddy. I just delayed it a bit. Besides I would rather be here making sure you are okay than be on a date, okay?"
Hunk smiles and nods at me. Hunk agrees that he wants to meet Lance, so I pull up Skype on my phone and text him the details. He agrees and that's how I got Hunk and Lance to meet.
"HEYYY SPECIAL K AND CHIPHUNK."
Chiphunk? I'm gonna start using that one now. Since Hunk is a lot more friendly than I am, he imminently takes a liking to Lance. It was a short five minute conversation, and it was mostly Lance and Hunk who talked through it. I told Lance that I'll be back on in fifteen minutes for our date, and he looked like he was bursting with excitement.
"Okay! It was awesome meeting you Hunk!"
"It was nice meeting you too Lance! You should add me on Tumblr and I'll give you all my gaming information!"
"Ditto!"
Once I hit the end call button, Hunk grabs me by the shoulders.
"I had no idea Lance was that awesome? Man, I am so glad that out of everyone you picked him."
"Yeah, I'm glad I picked him too."
We said our goodbyes, and I rush home to get ready for Lance again.
The pajamas are on, the movie is ready, and Lance has already texted me multiple times within that fifteen minutes.
Baby Blue to Special K: ok ok ok but Hunk is amazing? He is such a sweetie omg
Baby Blue to Special K: like he is so precious? his blog is amazing too
Baby Blue to Special K: also I am so excited to see you again even tho I saw you like five minutes ago
Baby Blue to Special K: holy shit that sounded gay... ayyyeee ;)
My heart is filled with affection, and I just really want to hug Lance to death?
Special K to Baby Blue: Hunk was the person who made me realize I was gay. Also are you ready?
I make sure that my door is locked before I get settled it. Can't have Shiro randomly barging in like yesterday. My burritos are now kinda cold, but hey food is food and I don't want to go downstairs in my Bigfoot pajamas just to heat them up. My phone vibrates shortly after I have the movie up and ready to play.
Baby Blue to Special K: Just got my pajamas on! I'm ready to get my flirt game on ;)
Baby Blue to Special K: Also holy shit Hunk made you realize you were gay? For me I realized I was bi when I had a crush on both Danny Phantom and Kim Possible.
I really really REALLY like Lance. The Skype call notification starts, and I put up the hood on my pajamas as I click on the green button. The screen loads to Lance, but it's him in a Stitch footie pajamas. It's completely unfair for him to be even cuter.
"Omg... Keith, do you really own Bigfoot pajamas? Because holy shit you look cute."
"I look cute? That's funny coming from the cutest Cuban I've ever laid eyes on."
I see Lance bury his face into his hands, and he starts screaming.
"KEITH WARN ME BEFORE YOU SAY SUCH CUTE THINGS AHHH! I AM LEGIT DYING RIGHT NOW. THIS IS THE BEST DATE I HAVE EVER BEEN ON."
I start to laugh really hard. I want to stop laughing, but I can't control it. I start to cover my mouth, but my attempt to stop my laughter failed.
"KEEEIITTHHH STOP LAUGHING YOU AREN'T ALLOWED TO BE THIS CUTE WHILE YOU ARE THIS FAR AWAY FROM ME. YOU HEAR ME MISTER?"
I start to laugh even harder. I want to stop laughing, so I try to hold my breath. I take in all the air I could muster, and I hold in the rest of my laughter. That does work, but I'm still a little giggly. I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard? Have I ever laughed that hard?
"Keith buddy, are you alright?"
"U-Um, yeah I'm fine. I don't know why I thought it was that funny?"
"Either way you are adorable when you laugh. I want to see you laugh more."
My face was already warm from all of the laughing, but man it's on fire now.
"S-So um... Any guesses for what I have in store for you tonight?"
Lance repositions himself on his bed, and while he was doing that he had the same cute thinking expression from the past few days. He is now laying down on his bed, but he has his head tucked in his arms as he is sprawled on his stomach.
"Well, I thought maybe we would play a board game of some sort."
"A board game?"
"Yeah, or a video game. I mean there are limited things to do while online dating, so my guess was a game of some sort. Was I right?"
"Well, you are right about the limited things to do part. You are wrong when it came to the game idea. We can do that for next time?"
"Awww babe there's going to be a next time?"
My heart jumps every single time Lance calls me anything else besides Keith, whether it's through voice or text.
"Well, I am assuming that we both like each other enough to continue, yes?"
Lance gives me a wide smile, and I melt.
"I like you lots! So for sure next time we have something planned!"
I smile back at Lance, and I tell him to pull up . I tell him all the needed info, and I click the play button. I see Lance's face light up once he realized that is was High School Musical playing.
"HOLY SHIT HOW DID YOU KNOW I LOVE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL?!"
"I sorta just figured that it was in your top ten favorite movies."
Throughout the movie, Lance quoted about half of it. Even when there wasn't music, he had all of Sharpay's lines memorized. In the beginning of the movie, we both decided that I was Troy he was Gabriella. Then, of course, Lance was Sharpay and I was Ryan. We made the deal that whenever 'our characters' would sing, we would have to as well. It was sorta awkward when I sang by myself, but Lance didn't make it as awkward. I had a break for the 'Status Quo' song, and I could really appreciate Lance's face and voice. I sometimes forgot some of the lyrics because I was too focused on Lance. We did have some conversation between the movie, but most of the conversation was just flirting with each other.
Not that I minded.
The screen goes black, and both Lance and I are laughing idiots.
"Keith, you are now officially my Troy oh my god."
Okay, this is it, Keith. Establish that relationship.
"Well, if you want me to be the Troy to your Gabriella you're gonna have to ask that first."
I'm praying that Lance took the hint and I think that maybe he did because he stopped laughing.
"U-Um... Was that what I think that was?!"
My mind goes blank. How am I supposed to respond? I don't respond, so Lance and I have a staring contest for a few seconds before Lance spoke up again.
"Well, I'm just gonna say it since it's been on my mind since the first song came on. Keith, will you officially be my boyfriend?"
My heart jump starts to life and it is beating faster than ever before. I thought my mind was blank before, but now I have temporary amnesia. I tried to speak, but I couldn't form the right words. I didn't Lance to think I said no, so I start nodding my head vigorously. Lance beams.
"Yes! I have the most amazing boyfriend ever!"
My mouth feels like cotton candy, so I quickly take a sip out of my water bottle. I feel like I can talk again, so I say the first thing that came to mind.
"Holy fuck."
Woot woot I managed to update before I had to work again! Also, we just hit the chapter ten mark, which should always be celebrated. Thanks for all the support so far~
The icingonacoke- Thanks so much! Also thanks for following me on Tumblr!~
Space Mullet- OKAY BUT I LOVE ANGST, BUT IT HURTS TO WRITE IT? AND FOR SURE I AM GONNA KEEP WRITNG THIS GAY SHIT
The Best Guesst- I meeaaannn I can't write angst because it hurts too much. I am fluff king over here. SO HERE IS MORE FLUFF!
Mikihiko Tada- Ooooo there will be more POVs in the future! Also Shiro is Klance number one fan confirmed js