Chapter 2 – Sid

Simon was sitting on the back porch playing his guitar. He was getting better at it, and it was one way he could let out his emotions. He was still thinking about Sid, too. What if Lucy liked him and started dating him? She claims to be madly in love with Kevin, but it would just be too hard if she started dating Sid. He would be around all the time. It would just be awkward.

"Hey Cutie!" Simon couldn't believe his ears. Had Sid just called him cutie? No he must have been hearing things. Stuff like that only happens late at night when everyone else was asleep. He would think of what to say, it was always so much easier talking into his pillow.

"Umm…Hey." He couldn't think of anything good to say, especially after what Sid had said. With girls he relied on his looks. He didn't have to sound smart because they were usually not all that bright, either. Still in shock, Simon just sat there trying not to smile or give away how delighted he was.

"What are you up to?"

"Just sitting around, nothing much. How was dating Lucy?" Sure, bring up what he dreaded would happen, Sid liking her.

"She's psycho, but in love with Kevin. " Good, he didn't like her, so at least if he didn't like Simon, he wouldn't be hanging around. He took out a cigarette and a lighter. "Hey, you want one?"

"Umm…I don't smoke. " Simon contemplated taking one, at least he would have something in common with Sid.

"I know, but I had to ask. Your dad told me I should quit." Simon knew his dad was like that, always telling Simon what to do. He hated when his dad made him feel so little. He wanted to be a man.

"Yeah, he does that a lot. Tell people what to do. What to think, even."

"What do you mean?"

"You know, the whole Christian thing…the Bible?" Of course, that was his father's job, to spread God's messages. Sometimes it didn't make sense. If God was so sure he was right, why would there be opposing views?

"I'm an atheist." Simon raised an eyebrow. "I know, complete opposite of Chandler. He chose faith, I chose drugs and alcohol." Simon gave him another questioning look. "I don't do drugs anymore, and I've been sober for a long time. I was mostly rebelling against my father."

"Well good," Simon took a chance, "I couldn't date anyone who did drugs." Simon was having a hard time breathing. Did he really just say that? Did aliens adduct him and take him to another galaxy where it was okay to say that? All these questions flooded Simon's brain and stomach. He felt like fainting or throwing up, but couldn't choose. When Sid looked him in the eyes, he tried to keep cool.

It was Sid's turn to raise his eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I just thought you called me 'cutie'." Simon thought he was cute, too. He liked looking at himself when he stepped out of the shower. The hot steam raising off his lean, sexy body. That's why he dated pretty girls. Like Cecilia. He deserved them, right? But right know he thought Sid was more attractive than any girl he had gone out with. Did he deserve Sid?

"Well you are cute. I didn't think you were…you know…like that." He just said he was Christian, there's no way he could like guys. He was a walking wet dream, however.

"I'm not…yet. Are you?"

Sid leaned in to kiss Simon. Simon pulled away. This couldn't be happening. It was like with Cecilia, except better. It was like in his dreams. He felt more of a connection. He had even less in common with Sid than he did Cecilia, but he felt like he knew him. "Does that answer anything?"

"No," replied Simon, "that makes it a lot more confusing. But I liked it." Someone closed the porch door. Simon knew he was caught. It was probably Ruthie.