"What do you want?"
"What?"
Alex glared at Martinique, feet planted and knees tensed. The face she made back at him was disbelieving and offended, and it only made him glare harder.
He'd lasted two and a half weeks. Two and a half weeks of suspicious looks and subtle stares from Martinique.
To his complete surprise, there had been no nasty rumours, no hushed whispers. Nothing to herald his return to school the day after his run in with Martinique. And she didn't approach him. Didn't even speak to him.
So. She was keeping what she'd realized to herself...
Which meant she wanted something.
He cornered her in the parking lot on Wednesday after her Quiz Bowl practice ended. Day and Tom were both still in clubs of their own, so it was the perfect time. It had been easy enough to follow silently behind her, the wind and the fuzzy black hat stuffed low over her ears obscuring his footsteps. She'd started badly when he'd called her name, but the surprise had not lasted long.
"Martinique. Just tell me. What do you want."
"What do you mean 'what do I want?'" She planted her own feet and crossed her arms, glaring back. The keys to her blue sedan were clutched tightly in her fingers, and her knuckles were white from the power of her physical indignation. "You're the one who'se cornered me in the parking lot demanding things."
"Because I'm tired of waiting. Just get it over with."
"Again, what do you mean?"
"I know you noticed. And you've been sending me looks ever since then. So. Ask me to do whatever the hell it is you've been considering, or, if you haven't figured out what you want yet, don't ask me anything. Just let me turn you down so that we can get this over with." The tightness of his jaw hurt all the way down his neck and he rolled his shoulders in an attempt to shrug off the twinging pain. He promised her, "Because I am Martinique. I'm saying no."
There was a moment of pregnant silence, but for the sharp wind whistling past the car squaring up Martinique's back. Thoughts whirled visibly over Martinique's face, and her dark eyebrows, at odds with her pink hair, slowly furrowed as the thoughts deepened. "Wait." Martinique said finally. "Alex, you think… Correct me if I'm wrong, because your hinting is awful, but you think...You think I'm blackmailing you about being gay."
He huffed a sigh. "Right right, you're not blackmailing me, you're just, hmm, helping me help myself? Working with me to reach a common goal? Doing this for my own good?" He could go on for hours. He'd heard it all before.
Martinique was staring at him like she couldn't quite believe her ears. Her jaw was hanging half open, and it took her an obvious moment to recover. "Jesus. You're serious."
"Seriously saying no," he repeated. "I'm not ashamed of liking boys."
"Wow. Christ Alex. Wow. I'm not blackmailing you."
"Oh." That had been easier than he'd anticipated. He hesitated uncertainly, confused by the easy victory. And Martinique must have realized something because she slashed her keys through the air in an aggressive arc, anger sparking in her eyes.
"No Alex, shut up, are you kidding me? I mean I'm not blackmailing you because I'm not trying to blackmail you! Arsehole!"
He blinked. "What?"
"Areshole," Martinique repeated. "Is that seriously what you think of me?"
There was another of silence, more confused this time, while Alex tried to absorb what Martinique was saying, and Martinique scrutinized him judgingly.
"It's not just me is it?" She finally broke the silence. She sounded certain. "You're like this with everyone. Makes sense why you're friends with Tom I guess."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"He's so painfully transparent."
And that could not be further from the truth. Tom was not transparent, he was just honest. And he wasn't even as honest as everyone seemed to think he was; he lied about a lot. Some of it to protect his secrets, some of it to protect Alex's.
"Just…" He held up a staying hand, somewhat offended on both his behalf and Tom's. "Back to the point please. You're genuinely telling me you're not blackmailing me." He looked at her for confirmation. She glared back in silent affirmation. "You don't want anything." Another check. Another glare. "And… you won't tell anyone." Another, even more furious glare. "Huh."
"How are you the dumbest person I've ever met while simultaneously having the highest Physics grade in 10 years?"
"Physics makes sense. This doesn't."
"It doesn't make sense that I could see something that's not my damn business and then keep it to myself because I'm not a homophobic prick?" She demanded.
"But… you don't like me."
"That doesn't mean I'm going to threaten to out you to the entire school!"
"Then why have you been watching me so much?"
"Just— I—" Martinique faltered in a way she had yet to do, even in her abounding confusion. "I wasn't… watching you, I—"
"You were." His eyes narrowed at her, sensing weakness like a shark senses blood. "But if you aren't going to blackmail me then why?"
"I just think…" She trailed off. She tried again, "I really just wanted…"
He felt his brows crinkle. He had never seen Martinique wear her current expression before. She looked… miserable. And hopeful? And really really nervous. Huh. Interesting mix.
"I was just excited," she managed to finish finally. "I've. Um… Never really known another gay person before." The last few words came out in a hasty stuttered mumble, and as soon as the words left her lips, she leaned back against the car behind her with a heavy gasp, seemingly exhausted by just the action of speaking such things.
Alex's eyebrows shot high and he blinked at her, completely taken aback. "You're—" He darted a quick look around. The parking lot was still empty, but he leaned in anyway. "You're gay too?"
Martinique gave a shuddery nod her eyes round and blurted, "I've never really told anyone before."
"I'm the first person you've told?" Alex asked in disbelief.
"Yes. Christ. Yes. Because I thought Day might be gay or something but I was never really sure, but then he started hanging out with Ruiha who is one of the only openly gay girls in the school, and then you started hanging out with him and you did turn down Amanda Delcaroix so I thought maybe, and then I saw you guys holding hands and I just— I just knew. I've never just known before, but somehow this time I did." She fidgeted with her keys, jangling them nervously. "And I wanted to talk to you but I wasn't sure how, especially because my apology didn't go so well that day—"
"Wait, apology?"
"Yes! Again, you jerk. Why did you think I approached you two weeks ago?"
"To accuse me of something?"
She shook her head. "Unbelievable. No. I was trying to apologize. For being an arsehole at Day's house. Obviously I didn't approach the whole subject very well—"
"You told my crush you thought I was in a gang."
"No I didn't! I was just saying what other people said—"
"You didn't have to say any of that! Do you know how frustrating it is to have to explain to the guy you like that you're not some violent gang member?"
"You're not?"
Alex ground his teeth together so hard he heard it, and Martinique winced and held up her hands, keys clinking. "Okay. Sorry. Damn it. Sorry."
"Is this what your apology was going to be like? Because I'm kind of glad you didn't get to finish if it is."
Martinique made a face at him and he made a face back.
"And anyway," he continued in a huff. "If you really think I'm violent, why are you antagonizing me so much?"
"Well I'm not doing it on purpose. And I literally just came out to you, I obviously don't think you're that violent."
"Just a little violent." He crossed his arms and glowered.
"I mean… Alex. You beat the ever-loving shit out of three people a few weeks ago. And not for the first time either. You're a little violent."
"Wow."
"Look…" She sighed gustily. "I am sorry for saying all that stuff in front of Day. That was kind of shitty of me, I guess. I didn't really think about what I was doing. Just... You're kind of a curious guy."
"Right." And liking guys obviously just made him more interesting. Great.
"Yeah."
Silence.
They both shifted awkwardly.
More silence.
Alex eyed Martinique and Martinique eyed him back.
The wind blew around them in heavy gusts.
Christ. This was probably one of the most painful things he'd ever experienced, and he'd been literally tortured.
"So…" Martinique said finally, clicking her tongue. A creeping of nerves reappearing on her face. "Um. You're not going to tell anyone are you? About me?"
"...No." How the tables had turned.
"Okay. Well. Thanks."
"Yeah."
And he was going to go then, just turn around and leave… But he hesitated. Memories of the night at the Harris house with all of Jerry's friends were slithering across his mind. Completely against his will. The awe that there were others like him, the surprise and gratitude that they would help a stranger, just like that, the weird sense of tempered belonging… He wavered a little more and then decided Ah, fuck it.
"Do you want to talk about it or something?" He asked abruptly, turning back to face her. "Sometime?"
She stared at him like he'd lost it. "What?"
"I have Day. And Tom. And others. To talk to about this stuff. But you just came out. So." He licked his lips and pressed again, "Do you want to talk about it sometime with me?"
"You…" She stared some more. "Seriously?"
Her tone made him flush. "Never mind, this was obviously stupid—"
"No no! Um no, I just—" Her eyes were still round and surprised. "I mean, we obviously don't uh— vibe. Exactly."
"No. But I don't, like, hate you or anything. And it makes you feel less alone to have other people who know your secrets." It felt like they were veering a little too close to certain truths for comfort, so he hurried on. "So you could text me if you wanted? Or you could call. Or we could hang out or something."
"I think I'd like that?" She still looked bewildered, but a light had entered into her eyes that he had never seen before. And then she grinned at him, and it was like looking at a whole new person. The patronizing, aloof schoolmate he'd always known melted away into a happy, dimpled young woman. He couldn't remember ever seeing her smile before. Huh. "Thanks Alex. I'll text you."
"Okay. Cool." He rocked back on his heels. "Er. See you tomorrow I guess?"
"Yeah, see you." She climbed into her car and drove off.
Huh. Yeah.
Didn't see any of that coming.
"Ugh I hate this stupid bird," Day mumbled, spinning his finger furiously on his phone screen. "Keeps jumping."
Alex hummed an acknowledgement, steering Day around a puddle with a hand on his elbow.
"Why doesn't it just stay still? I want to— no, oh my god, whatever, I don't even care."
"Escaped?"
"Yeah," he sighed, lowering his phone. "Whatever. I didn't need it anyway."
Alex patted his elbow sympathetically at the hopelessly glum look on Day's face and asked, "Where to next?"
"There's an Alolan Geodude at a coffee shop two blocks down that way. Want to go?"
"Of course."
"Awesome." Day's phone buzzed and he ducked his head to it, eyes brightening. "Oh, an Electrike! Love them."
Alex slipped a finger through Day's belt loop and began to guide the other boy again, feeling fondly like the parent of a wandering toddler. "Puddle," he warned, and then asked, "Alolan means from that other island, right?"
Day spared him a beaming grin of pride, before his eyes darted back to his phone. "It does. You're awesome, Alex."
They were Pokémon hunting. Or rather, Day was, and Alex was trying to absorb all the technical jargon that came with that. The first time Day had asked if he'd like to play Pokémon Go, Alex had just stared.
"The CIA owned app?" He'd checked.
"What?"
"Niantic. Owned by the CIA."
"Um…" Day had blinked at him, surprised. "I don't know. It is Niantic. But I don't think they're actually owned by the CIA, are they?"
"I'm not sure. I've read some articles and it's given me pause."
"So… You don't want to play?"
And no. He truly did not want to. He'd rather chew broke glass than hand the CIA practically gift wrapped personal data.
"I'd love to walk with you while you play though," he said earnestly, and that surprised and pleased look returned to Day's face.
It was always there when he realized that Alex actually listened to him when he talked about his interests. When Alex remembered what his favourite Pokémon was, when he asked about type advantages… and when Alex had bought Day a small stuffed Bulbasaur he'd found online, Day literally had to sit down.
It was both amusing and frustrating. He wanted to find everyone who had ever made Day self-conscious about his hobbies and break their noses in.
The jingling of the bell above the café door was swept away in the moaning of the wind, and Alex shuddered off the cold as they stepped inside. The muggy warmth of the café was almost overwhelming after the bitter chill of outside, and Alex and Day quickly shrugged off their outer coats.
"You want to get something and sit?" Day asked.
"Maybe something little. My jaw has been killing me recently." He rubbed the side of his chin, wishing he could scrub away the twinging pain. He didn't understand why he was hurting. Nobody had hit his face in months. His stitches had been removed, most of his bruises had healed almost away: he was almost fully recuperated to total health.
Day frowned as they stepped up to the counter. "Maybe it's a tooth thing? Could be a cavity?" He turned away for a moment to order.
"I'll have a blueberry muffin and a water," Alex leaned in and added quickly. "And I've got both orders."
"You don't have to do that," Day said, looking startled but pleased.
"I know. I want to."
He handed his money to the frowning cashier, who eyed them somewhat leerily as she rang them up. There were only a few others in the café, and Alex and Day were able to easily find a cozy spot tucked into the corner.
"I've almost got it," Day told him apologetically when they'd settled. He'd popped out his phone once more, and was tapping on the screen, pastry set off beside his elbow. "Sorry!"
"We're here specifically for the creature. You don't have to apologize."
"Yeah, but, I mean… It's still probably kind of boring, right?"
"I could sit and watch paint dry with you and I'd have fun," Alex responded offhandedly, breaking apart his muffin with a thick plastic fork. "Quit apologizing."
It took him only a second or two to realize that Day's tapping had abruptly stopped. He looked up from his muffin to see Day looking back at him, a pleased grin on his face.
"What?" He said self-consciously, and Day's grin softened into a gentle smirk.
"Nothing, nothing…" A few more taps, and then Day flipped his phone around to Alex. "Check it out. Hardcode, right?"
He looked at the Pokémon. It was grey and shiny and looked almost exactly like a boulder with arms and a face. "It rocks," he agreed.
Day snorted at the pun and clicked off his phone, setting it facedown on the table with a soft click. "Horrible."
"You started it."
Day kicked him under the table and he kicked him back.
"I did want to ask you something non-Pokémon related though. You remember Dima, right?"
"The Russian kid you were tutoring?"
"Yes. He's in the school play this year and I told him I was going to come see it this weekend. Did you want to come?"
"Alex, I would love to. Is it just going to be us?"
"No, Tom's coming too, and James said he might drop by, although I kind of doubt it."
"Oh, so not a date?" Day teased.
"No." He ducked his head, flustered and overwhelmed by Day just saying the word date. "I didn't —um— I mean, maybe if you wanted some other time, but not— not to a school play."
"Really?" Day put his elbows on the table and leaned across, bringing his face painfully close to Alex's own flushed one. There was quiet delight in his eyes, and his proximity only made Alex blush harder. "So, you'd want to go on a date with me? Sometime soon?"
His voice came out strangled when he answered. "I mean— If you want? If it's not too fast?"
"I don't think it's too fast." Day slowly reached across the table, making sure to telegraph his movements, and, when Alex did not make any movement away, wrapped gentle fingers around Alex's hand. "It's been a few weeks. And just going on a date doesn't mean we have to do anything else, you know?"
"That's true."
"Yeah." Day gave his hand a gentle squeeze and then let go. Alex wished he wouldn't. "When is it?"
"We could go either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday."
Day hesitated for a moment long enough to give Alex pause, and then asked, "Would you like to sleep over?"
"...What?"
"Not like—" Day waved his hand, flustered. "I mean we could go to the play and then hang out at my house after. And you could sleep over because it might be kind of late for you to go home."
"Um." He rubbed his hands, suddenly sweaty, against his jeans. "Would your mom be okay with that?"
"I already asked her. She said yes."
"Well, if you're sure it's fine…"
"I'm sure. But only if you want to. I just think it would be fun to hang out. We could watch some movies, play some games…"
And okay yeah, he really did want to, because that sounded fun. He loved spending time with Day, and hanging out as his house sounded new. Exciting.
"I would love that," he said decisively, and Day grinned at him, broad and happy and sparklingly white.
"He's sleeping over at your house?" Ruiha glanced between Alex and Day, and then turned to Kelly, a faux shocked look on her face. "The impropriety! He move that fast with you?"
"You sound like my grandma," Kelly commented, unruffled, and Ruiha reared back, expression slipping into affront.
"Grandma?"
"Sorry," Day muttered to Alex. "This is her natural state."
"Hey I heard that!" Ruiha turned back around to face him. "And I was just saying, a cozy evening, snuggling in front of the TV… A little Netflix and chill, huh?"
"Oh sure," Day said sarcastically. "Netflix and chill, with my mother and sisters, aged three and nine, asleep in their beds. Definitely, Ruiha."
"I'm sure Alex is good at being quiet, aren't you, Alex?"
"You have a complex," Alex decided. "I think you'd get along with James."
"Oh shit, now there's an idea," Ruiha mused, leaning back in her seat at the lunch table. "Your friend group and our's, hanging out. I feel like Tom would make this group about 10 times more chaotic."
At least 20, Alex thought privately. He also thought, to himself, that that actually sounded kind of fun too. Their entire joint friendship circle getting together. Even though Ruiha definitely had an overly sexual mind, which was at odds with his rather less so own, he quite liked her quick wit. She was really funny, in a rather brash, crude manner. Definitely a lot like James, except James had a more refined edge to him that Ruiha somewhat lacked.
And he liked Kelly, which he didn't necessarily find odd, exactly, but… she was Day's ex. And he thought he might have been a little jealous of her or something, except that she was actually one of the most easy-going people he'd ever met, and she was clearly head over heels for Andrew, her new boyfriend.
Andrew himself was definitely the quietest of the bunch and Alex didn't know much about him yet, but if Day liked Kelly, and Kelly liked Andrew, there must be something fun about him too.
Nathan, his football playing friend, was also part of Day's lunch group, but Nathan was conspicuously absent from the table that day. He was sitting with the rest of the football players, something Alex knew, because Tom was also sitting there.
This had left James and Abhaya and Alex alone, and after Abhaya had split to sit with different friends of his own, James had gone off to slide into the seat next to Yazmeen Peterman, while Alex went over to join Day and his friends.
And so far things at the Day and co. table were very very interesting.
"That would be fun though," Kelly admitted. "I'd love to get to know you better, Alex."
"Same," he responded, trying not to betray how flattered that made him feel. Once upon a time, he'd been an outcast of practically the entire school, what with his absences, failing grades, and notable injuries. Most people had whispered unsavory things about him when they thought he couldn't hear.
But look at him now.
"Okay, hey." Ruiha said. "Maybe we should all get together this weekend. I mean, you and Alex can get together alone some other time, right?"
"We could," Day said doubtfully, glancing over at Alex, who shrugged back at him.
"No come on," she continued, warming up to the idea. "You guys have a long future ahead of you of doing— whatever it is you were going to do for real, probably watch bird documentaries or some shit, right?" The disgusted wrinkle of her nose betrayed her thoughts on that. "You have loads of time for that shit later and you already hang out after school almost every single day. Why don't you let us have some time with Alex, huh?"
"I mean…" Day trailed off.
"Hey," Andrew objected, frowning. "Don't let her talk you into anything Day. You've been wanting to get Alex alone at your house for weeks— and sorry Alex, I mean that in a respectful, non-creepy way, despite the way that came out. Don't let Ruiha bully you into anything."
"I could bribe you into it if that would work better," Ruiha offered, holding up a baggie of goldfish. "A little snack to loosen you up?"
"I literally watched you spill half of those on the ground in first block."
"Still delicious, man." She popped a handful into her mouth before their disgusted eyes.
"I cannot wait for you to get salmonella," Kelly muttered.
Day shook his head and directed the conversation back around. "Look, Alex and I have already made plans. We can all hang out some other time."
"If you say so, mate." Ruiha crunched on another handful of goldfish.
It was only later that night on the phone with Tom that Alex truly began to contemplate it.
"My mom called." Tom's voice was tense and stressed, and a pit immediately opened in Alex's stomach at those opening words.
"Tom…"
"She wants to send Jerry a birthday present. Like, wow right? What a manipulative thing to do."
Alex got up and locked his bedroom door, just in case. He needed to give Tom his undivided attention for this conversation.
"She hasn't been in your life for years," he agreed softly, beginning to pace. "When's the last time she got Jerry a birthday present?"
"Like, 8 years ago? For his 16th birthday? And then when he started at that boarding school in Italy she just gave up. She's terrible, why is she sending him something now?" There was a shaky quality to Tom's voice that he didn't like one bit. He hadn't heard Tom sound so on edge in a long long time and the pit in his stomach was immediately filled with resentment for Tom's mother, for how she could reduce her son to this state with just a few text messages.
"Like, how dare she pretend to care, right? She doesn't care about anyone but herself."
Alex worried his bottom lip between his teeth and chose his words carefully. "Do you think she'll really send him something? Or was it just an excuse to talk to you, do you think?"
There was silence from the other end for a moment, before Tom finally spoke up. "Do you… Do you think that's it? She's just using Jerry as an excuse? To try to get back into my life?"
"I don't know, Tom."
"Here, let me send you screenshots."
His phone chimed with the incoming messages a moment later and he took a moment to scroll through them, reading carefully.
"I don't know," he said, bringing his phone back up to his ear. "I mean, she did at least remember that his birthday is soon, so maybe she actually wants to send Jerry something. But the fact that she hasn't gotten him anything since he was 16 doesn't make me too hopeful that she actually will. I think she might just want to talk to you, and she's subconsciously come up with a reason. She could have asked Jerry what he wanted for his birthday. I mean, he'd know better than anyone, right?"
"Right. Fuck. I hate her."
"Tom—"
"No Alex, I do, I really do. She thinks she can just leave me, after— after hurting me, for years, and then just send me a quick message or two and think that I'll want to talk to her again? I mean, really? Is she out of her stupid little mind?"
"She very well might be," he agreed cautiously. "Have you told Jerry that she's reached out?"
"No. I don't want to worry him, and besides, it's not like she's going to keep trying or anything. Probably just give up after she gets a drink or two in her." He scoffed bitterly and Alex winced.
Things with Tom and his parents had gotten worse just around the time that Alex was living with the Pleasures. And so he had missed the end of things between them, to his complete horror and guilt. He hadn't been there for Tom when both his parents had deserted him, leaving Jerry to fill the space of a responsible adult. It was one of the reasons Alex had decided to come back to Britain.
Living with the Pleasures had been weird. And exhausting. And full of guilt he couldn't quite explain, existing just under his flesh like a second skin.
Going back to Britain had fixed a lot of things. Adults weren't kind to him anymore, which had mediated some of the exhaustion that came from being in a constant state of paranoia about why? Why were these people he barely knew still being so kind and caring after all the problems he'd caused for them?
And the guilt had lessened too. He wasn't an outsider taking up space in Sabina's family anymore, and going back to Britain helped him heal some of the guilt he had about not being there for Tom.
So overall, a great decision.
It was times like these that reinforced that.
"Any word from your dad?"
"Not a single bloody thing. I hate him too."
"I'm sorry Tom, really. You deserve better than your arsehole parents. They're really missing out on a relationship with one of the most amazing people in the world."
"Thanks," Tom said quietly. "Just… can we talk about something else maybe? Please? I don't want to think about my stupid parents anymore."
"Course. Did you watch that dog video I sent you?"
They chatted on for another hour or so, but Alex's mind was buzzing all the while. As soon as he hung up with Tom, he called Day.
"Alex?" Day answered immediately. "What's up?"
"Can we have a group gathering this weekend instead please?"
"I… Yeah. We can definitely do that if you want."
"Sorry," he blurted, horrified at the tone of Day's voice. "Not because I don't want to be alone with you or anything because I do, like I really do, just— Tom's going through something and I think he should be with friends this weekend."
"Oh. Huh. So it's not anything I've done to make you uncomfortable? Or maybe something Ruiha said?"
"No! No I promise, I just… I'm worried about him is all. And I want to hang out with you, but I also want to keep Tom company."
"Okay." And to Alex's surprise, he sounded quite sincere. The disappointment and quiet hurt had faded immediately at Alex's words. "Sorry to hear that Tom is going through it. I'll ask my mother if I can have more people over."
"Thanks Day… I'm sorry though."
"No, don't be. Tom's a good mate. And anyway, Ruiha was right about one thing at least— we have loads more opportunities to hang out alone together in the future."
"Watching bird documentaries?"
"Maybe," Day said offhandedly, and Alex laughed. And then Day said, "So you really want to be alone with me, huh?" and Alex's laughter died off with a choke.
Day snickered and there was a creaking sound. Alex easily imagined in his mind's eye how Day was leaning back in his bed, long legs spread out in front of him, one arm propped up across the pillows behind him.
"You're so fun," Day chuckled. "I think we'll have a good time with everyone else too, but I'm also looking forward to some one on one, I hope you know that."
"I'm looking forward to it too," he responded, pretending his heart wasn't beating like he'd been electrocuted.
In the end, they decided to go to James' house, because his parents were out of town for the weekend, and because Rosemary was hesitant to have so many people in the Webster household with a three year old trying to sleep only a few rooms away.
But first, the play.
"So can we sit wherever?" James asked, much too loudly, inspecting his ticket with interest. "There are no numbers on this thing."
"Um. Yes, you can sit wherever there's space," the wide-eyed girl selling tickets at the door responded. She was staring with something close to bewilderment at the large group.
They were, Alex realized, a large and eclectic bunch. They'd all decided collectively to join Alex and Tom and Day at the school play, so all eight of them had made their way back to the school around 7 PM and joined up in the parking lot.
The wind outside was biting, and so they'd all come bundled up. Day had layered a dark hoodie under his leather jacket, and Ruiha had done the same. Tom and Nathan were wearing their football lettermans, James had on a preppy jacket over his usual sweater vest, and Kelly was wearing a fuzzy white winter coat with fur trimmed around the hood. To his own surprise, Andrew, Kelly's boyfriend, was wearing a nearly identical outfit to Alex's own: casual jeans, and a long sleeve sweater, the sleeves peeking out from under a thick canvas jacket.
"Thanks love!" James winked at her and she blushed bright red, clutching the stack of tickets closer to her chest.
Entering the building, they were all immediately overwhelmed by the contrast in temperature, the warm halls of the school almost too hot after the frigid bite of the wind outside.
"I'm dying," James complained, immediately tearing off his coat, and the rest of them followed suit.
Ruiha, leather jacket slung over her shoulder, sidled up to James with a slick side-eye. "You know," she commented, falling in beside him. "I've heard rumours about you. Like, a lot of rumours."
"I love to hear that," James replied cockily. "I really do."
"Yeah." She trailed an appraising eye over James, and Alex and Tom glanced at each other.
The truth of the matter was, James did sleep around. Often. And enthusiastically. And neither of them had a problem with it, of course, because he was very careful with his health and very careful with his partners' comfort. But people did talk. And that was something they did have a problem with, sometimes, because people could be arseholes.
It usually wasn't so bad because James was a guy and when guys had a lot of sex they were 'players' not 'sluts', but still… There were instances.
Not that James ever particularly cared, but...
Alex and Tom did. They cared.
Which was why Ruiha's next words were going to be very important in setting the tone of their future relationship with her.
"Is it true you hooked up with Elaine Lawson last month?"
"I don't kiss and tell."
Ruiha nodded thoughtfully. "Okay. Mad respect mate."
"I just said I don't kiss and tell," James corrected. "I'm not telling you that I did sleep with her."
"No no, I know. That's what the respect is for." She clapped him on the shoulder, and, looking somewhat bemused, he clapped hers back.
Alex and Tom exchanged relieved looks.
"Ruiha's more mature than she lets on," Andrew said to Alex quietly, noticing the look between the two of them. "You don't have to worry about her."
"Good to hear," Alex responded, somewhat surprised by Andrew, who was definitely more astute than Alex gave him credit for.
Andrew just smiled at him and moved over to Kelly, who had tugged off her hat and was fixing her hair. Or at least, trying.
"Guys, we should probably hurry up," she said, smoothing the top of her head fruitlessly. Her hair remained frizzy and wild, and Alex grinned at her grumpy expression of defeat. "Check out that freaking massive group, good lord."
A group of about 10 people had surged through the door across the lobby, chattering and grinning and laughing loudly. It was worth pointing out that the other group only had two more people than theirs, which consisted of eight. So they weren't that massive, at least in comparison.
"Hang on…" Tom squinted over. "Wait, that's Kelli!"
"With an 'i'," he heard Day clarify to his ex from beside him.
"Sasha!" A tall figure squeezed between two raucous adults, and then Kelli Berlioz, Dima's older sister was hurrying her way over, smiling widely at him. "Sasha, привет!"
"Привет Kelli," he greeted. "Как дела?"
"Хорошо, спасибо." She broke into English, noticing the rest of his group. "Dima is very happy you have come to watch the play. I think he will be surprised by the amount of you though!"
"Dima's a good friend. And he's a very talented performer."
"He is," Kelli boasted. "You know, he has been practicing for this production since school began. It has been hundreds of hours. Our entire family is here to watch him." She waved at the group she'd come with, and half of them waved back, beaming. Alex noticed that most of them were older people, and he spied one very hunched babushka, arm curled around an equally older man's elbow.
"Awww," Tom cooed. "I love that your whole family is here for him! That's so cute!"
"Yeah, but we need to hurry or we will not get seats!" Kelli said. "I will see you all in school." She leaned in and added to Alex lowly, "And I would very much like to talk to you later."
He nodded slowly. Kelli looked… very serious.
"Пока-пока!" She waved at them all again, bouncing back immediately into beaming pride, and hurried back to her family.
"Okay, maybe we should just let them go on first," Nathan said, eyeing the Berlioz family. "Not very sporting to run over a 90 year old woman on the way in, is it?"
"It would be so easy though," Ruiha complained, which made Day huff a quiet laugh.
"We can just split into groups if we have to," he compromised. "Dibs on Alex though."
"Obviously," she rolled her eyes. "But I call James."
"Oh." James looked particularly flattered at that. "Well, alright."
Nathan shook his head. "I'm just chopped liver then, huh? Ruiha, I thought we were mates."
"We are, but James is way funnier than you, sorry. Just go with Tom, he's your football nerd friend, isn't he?"
"Football is the exact opposite of nerdy," Tom said. "But for the record I would love to sit with Nathan!"
"At least someone loves me," Nathan muttered.
Alex bit his lip to hide his smile. Everyone was getting along much better than he thought they would. He was so looking forward to seeing how things developed.
He'd considered inviting Abhaya but he'd thought that this group might be a bit too… well... gay for him. And he didn't want to make the others uncomfortable by inviting a guy they weren't out to yet. He'd also thought about inviting Martinique. But again, same issue, going both ways. Maybe next time.
In the end, Day, Alex, Tom, James, Nathan, and Ruiha managed to snag a grouping of five seats near the back, while Kelly and Andrew split off alone as a couple.
There was a collective hush throughout the theater hall as the lights finally died down and the director came on stage to say a few words. Alex subconsciously straightened, tilting his head to peer clearly down to the stage.
And then it began. And it was amazing.
He hadn't seen a play in so long, and he found himself completely captivated, a grin on his face the entire time. Dima was fantastic, whirling and singing with the rest of the ensemble cast, and he heard Kelly shout in Russian at him during bouts of applause at the ends of scenes.
At one point in time, Tom gasped loudly and darted out a viper quick hand to clutch at Alex's forearm. Five minutes later he burst out laughing and slapped Alex's knee as well as his own. Not 10 minutes after that he buried his face into Alex's shoulder, eyes teary.
Like always with Tom, the outing was much more hands-on than he'd expected. By the time the play ended, he had minor bruises all along the right side of his body and a huge wet swatch on his sleeve from Tom's tears.
"I loved it!" Tom shouted as they re-entered the lobby, energy still through the roof. "Oh, that was so good! Where's—" He spotted him. "DIMA!" He grabbed Alex by the wrist and hauled him over to the other side of the room, waving madly. "DIMA!"
Dima's head whipped around and a dazzling grin broke across his face. "Alex! Tom! I saw you guys! You were in the back!" He bounded away from what must have been his parents, eyes crinkling in glee. "Did you like it?"
"We loved it," Alex said honestly. "I was really impressed by how tight your choreography was, and I noticed that little flip you did when the giant set you down. That was really good and added a lot of flair to the scene."
Dima flushed bright red and his smile grew even wider. "Really?"
"Of course!" Tom sounded almost offended at the question. "You owned, Dima! All of you were so good! Are those your parents?"
"Yes—?"
But Tom was rushing away, a mad grin of his own on his face. "Mr. and Mrs. Berlioz! What a show, huh? You must be very proud!"
"Oh my god." Dima watched after him, expression verging on horrified, a hand hovering over his mouth. It made Alex laugh.
"Just let him talk. We both really did love the play, Dima. Thanks for inviting me."
"Thank you for coming! And you brought so many people!"
Alex looked back across the room at the reminder, and made eye contact with Kelly, who was looking his way. He waved her over. She came, dragging the rest of the group, and Dima's eyes widened at the amount of people.
"That's— That's more than I thought!"
"Sasha!" And then Kelli with an 'i' was pushing her way over through the crowd, tugging Tom behind her. "My parents want to adopt him, please keep him away!"
"Your parents are awesome!" Tom said cheerfully. "Hey guys!"
Kelli pointed at him. "You, stay here. Sasha and I will be right back. Do not go near my parents again. Ладно?"
Despite having no idea what that meant, Tom beamed at her and shot her a happy thumbs up. "Ладно!"
"We will be back." And then Kelli took a hold of a very bemused Alex's elbow and escorted him out of the lobby, pulling him into a quiet side corridor.
"Kelli? What's going on?"
"Shh." She held up a finger and gave the corridor a quick up and down glance. It was darker and echoey and completely empty. "Okay. We are alone." And then she plunged forward and engulfed Alex in a massive bear hug.
"Whoa!"
"You are a good friend," she said fiercely into his shoulder. She pulled back and held him by the shoulders, staring into his eyes so firmly it was almost a glare. "I do not know how to thank you for what you did for my brother."
For...?
Oh. Right.
He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck awkwardly. "It was nothing really, Kelli. I just talked to them."
"With your fists." She nodded approvingly. "They deserved it. Dima told me what happened last week. I have been meaning to talk to you about it. To say thank you." She squeezed his shoulders firmly for a long moment and then let go. "I do not know how to display my gratitude to you in any meaningful way. I would say, "I am in your debt" but that is very Game of Thrones-esque so maybe not."
"Kind of," he agreed. "I don't really need anything, you know. Dima is a great friend and a great person. It was the only thing to do."
"No. It really wasn't. If you think of something you need, come to me. Do not hesitate. You understand?"
She glared at him so fiercely, all he could do was nod. "I understand."
They rejoined the lobby, and Kelli immediately made her way to her brother's side, nodding to Kelly.
"Kelly with a 'y'. I have been wanting to meet you."
"Same."
They shook hands. Alex watched in bemusement from his place on the outskirt of the group. He glanced over to shoot a look at Day next to him, but the other boy's eyes did not meet his face. They were glued to the vicinity of Alex's throat, an inscrutable expression on his face.
Alex nudged him and quirked a brow. What's up?
The expression cleared.
Day popped a thumb into his mouth and sucked, and then reached out and rubbed his spit-slick finger over a spot on Alex's neck. The contact sent a shiver rippling down Alex's spine and he felt his cheeks heat, eyes widening. "You have a lipstick stain," Day said quietly.
Lipstick…?
And then it hit him. When Kelli had hugged him. It had transferred—
Oh no.
His eyes widened to saucer-like proportions and he glanced quickly from Day to Kelli, horror on his face.
"Day, I didn't, I would never—"
And to his shock, Day cut him off with a laugh. "I know, Alex. I trust you, okay?"
"You… Really?"
"Of course I do." Then Day leaned in close, a teasing smirk on his face. "And not be arrogant or anything, love, but I can tell it's me you want. Not her."
His face immediately ignited, cheeks scorching bright red.
The proximity, the pet name, the statement, said so confidently— it was all too much for him, too overwhelming. For the first time in his life, he buried his face in his hands to hide his blush. 'Love' rang over and over in his ears like a claxon, insistent, consuming.
Oh my god.
"Yeah," Day chuckled, sounding a little breathless himself. "Not really any doubt."
"Shut up."
He was more than eager to say goodbye to Dima and Kelli, if only to gulp in the crisp air from outside like a drowning man. The wintery bite of the wind cooled his burning cheeks somewhat, and for that, he was thankful. As it was, Tom and James were side-eying him hard.
They split up to get to James' house, Alex, James, and Tom all piling into Nathan's car. The rest of them rode with Kelly. He had to admit, he was a little glad for some distance from Day at the present. If Day so much as looked at him for too long, he thought he might literally explode.
"Let's get this show on the road!" Tom shouted, leaning forward and cranking up the volume. Ke$ha blared from the speakers, and Alex felt some of his tension drain away, a grin reforming on his face.
James cranked down the window and stuck his head out to whoop into the night air, and Alex laughed out loud, the beginnings of exhilaration zipping through his body.
It was going to be an entertaining night.
A/N: This chapter was actually suuuuper long so I split it in two! I have the entire next chapter already written, I just need to edit it! So the next chapter will be posted tomorrow night at the latest. Keep an eye out for it! It's one of my favourites so far! :D Thank you all for your patience, I hope a double update at least somewhat mitigates the wait lol!
Also uhhhh I am basically Day in this chapter, playing Pokémon Go everywhere lol, so if anyone wants to message me their gamer code this is an open invitation haha
Reviews:
Em0Wolf: Alil IS sus :( And he'll get worse lol! I'm excited for the stuff I have planned for Alil though, hopefully he gets some better characterization too!
Charlotte: This was such a nice review, thank you! I appreciate you letting me know what you liked, that makes me so happy! :D :D
I am so happy that you and your grandparents are oké! : Thank you, me too! They have learned nothing from their sickness by the way. Deep sigh. Glad you liked the chapter, please stay healthy too!
LoveRider: I'm glad you like their relationship! They get a bit closer these next few chapters, I hope you like it! :D
Chockie: aslkjdk I'm glad you liked it! :D :D Abhaya will definitely show up more in the future, he's a side character that I actually rather like lol! And ahhh I'm excited about what's going to happen with Alil, I've gotten some of it written down and I think it's so fun haha
IDK: Thank you! Love the comment! UwU
I love this story so much, glad you and your family are doing better xx : THANKS! :D I appreciate that so much!
Charlie: You are the real mvp lol, I love this way of responding to guest reviews! Great suggestion! :D
I love the interactions between Alex and Day, I just hope that Alex can someday tell him the truth... : I promise you, Day will absolutely learn the truth about Alex, one way or another haha. Glad you like their interactions!
So, so good! It is such a unique and incredible story! I love it! : Man, this is such a nice review, I really appreciate it so much. I'm glad you think it's unique, that's something I worry about a lot!