Chapter 15
Davey was the first one to get to school that morning. He was sitting in their hallway long before anyone else got there. His nervousness worked out for the better since Jack and Race usually showed up first.
"Hey, Davey! You're here early." Jack said.
"Yeah, I just woke up early."
Only a minute later, Spot walked in, who Race greeted with a peck on the cheek, and then gave all of his attention too. Which worked out perfectly for Davey.
"Hey, do you want to hang out after school? We could get coffee and have a study session?" Davey somehow managed to say without stumbling over his words, considering he was talking a mile a minute.
"Sure, sounds great," Jack replied. But not without noticing how Davey seemed nervous. Jack brushed it off, thinking it was just early, or it was about a presentation later.
*2:20 P.M*
*Davey texted in 'Davey stop being oblivious'*
Davey: could you guys leave class for like three minutes and meet me in the bathroom?
Race: of course
Crutchie: on my way
Race got there first to find Davey leaning against the wall, perfectly still. "Davey, are you okay?" Davey only shook his head, "I'm not a mind reader what's up?"
"I don't know if I can do this."
Crutchie had finally gotten there, "Davey, what's wrong?"
"I'm chickening out, I can't do it."
"It's normal to be nervous," Crutchie said, "You just have to deal with them, not back out completely."
"Can't backing out be dealing with the nerves?"
Crutchie had to think for a moment, "I mean, yeah, sure but it's definitely not the best way to do it."
This is when Race stepped in, "Look if you didn't ask him out how would you feel about it?"
Davey started fidgeting, "I guess I'd be disappointed with myself."
"Exactly. Remember, you agreed with us, it's senior year, that means now or never."
"I know you're right! It's just… when I actually think about doing it, it seems impossible. I don't think I can actually bring myself to do it."
"Davey you've gone on stage in front of hundreds of people, you have the ability to talk to Jack." Crutchie brought up.
"So many things can go wrong."
Everyone was silent for a moment, it didn't seem like anything they were saying to Davey was helping him become less nervous.
"Hang on," Crutchie said, "If you're nervous about telling him, why don't you write it down in a letter for him, and just be there when he reads it?"
"I can think much better that way, but wouldn't it be awkward?"
"Not with Jack." Race said, "He wouldn't care how you told him. Honestly if this were him, he would've tried to paint you something."
They couldn't help laughing, "Thanks, guys. You should get back to class, sorry I pulled you away."
"Eh, I couldn't care less about Spanish." Race said, hoping to get another laugh from Davey, "Everything will be fine."
Crutchie attempted the same thing, "He's right… for once." Race playfully hit Crutchie on his shoulder, "We'll see you later." Race and Crutchie left, hoping they made Davey feel more at ease. Davey left as well, heading back to class. Instead of paying attention to the lecture, opened his notebook to write his letter to Jack.
With only having twenty minutes to write his note to Jack, Davey was satisfied with how it turned out. It wasn't his best by a long shot, but it got the message across.
When he got to his locker, Jack was already waiting for him, "Hey, you ready to go?"
Davey closed his locker and followed Jack out of school. As they were walking, Davey put his hands in pockets, making sure the letter was still there.
Davey got so lucky. Jack had an amazing day apparently, judging by how much he was moving the conversation in the car, so Davey didn't have to say much. Jack was going on about how he did well, unexpectedly, on a math test and how he would be hearing back from one of the schools he applied too very soon.
They walked in and Jack offered to get their drinks while Davey saved a table for them. Davey sat down and took the letter out of his pocket. Now he was just hoping his hands weren't too sweaty and he wasn't handing Jack something gross.
Jack was back a few minutes later with two drinks, "Hey, nice thinking, we wouldn't have gotten a seat otherwise."
Davey forced out a smile that somehow made him feel better, "Yeah," He waited for Jack to sit down, take off his coat, and then handed him the letter.
"What's this?"
"Something that's a bit difficult for me to say. I figured if I wrote it down, I couldn't go back."
Davey looked away as Jack opened it.
Dear Jack,
This must be a little awkward, but I've always been much better at writing down my thoughts than actually saying them.
I really like you. In the past few months, I've realized that I have a crush on you, and I have for a long time. Ever since we met freshman year, I've wanted to get closer to you. How could I not? You possess so many of the qualities that I admire, but don't possess myself. You're selfless, caring, ambitious, and kind; and somehow you pass that on to everyone you meet.
Crutchie and Race made me realize we don't have much time left. It's already January, and soon you'll be across the country getting one step closer to your dream. So it was now or never.
I'm sorry. Even though I'm sitting right across from you as you read this, I couldn't bring myself to tell you this. So this is my way of asking you to go on a date with me.
Jack finished the letter and looked up at Davey, but he wasn't looking at Jack. He was looking at his hands and picking at his fingernails. "Davey, I don't know what to say."
"How about an answer to the question," Davey said.
Jack laughed, "Of course. That would be amazing!"
Davey blushed, "Really?"
"Yes! I can't wait."
"Wow… I can't believe this is happening."
"I realized a while back that I liked you too. At the time, I thought you were straight, so I just accepted that I had to move on. Now I'm just mad I didn't say something sooner."
They both smiled, and then sat in silence, now occasionally sipping their coffee. They weren't even moving to pick up their phones. Where could they go from there? Jack just agreed to go on a date with Davey, and there they were. Just the two of them.
Jack was the first one to speak again, "So should we study?"
"I'm not sure if I'll be able to focus, but we probably should."
"If you can't focus, there's no hope for me!"
*5:03 P.M*
*Davey texted in 'Davey stop being oblivious'*
Davey: Holy shit
Race: is that good or bad?
Crutchie: good! I just heard from jack!
Race: !