Thanksgiving finally came around. I was really glad because it meant that I no longer have to worry about tests and homework and Matt anymore, but it also meant that I had to see my parents more. Ever since I had that big argument with my dad, we haven't spoken to each other at all. Plus he no longer looks at me or acknowledges me. I guess I should be happy about that, but I hated the tension and the silence. My mom has been trying to act like a good mom to me, but I know she probably is still having trouble accepting the fact that I'm dating a boy. At first, I thought that this year's thanksgiving break was gonna suck and be really uncomfortable until Nathan called and invited me to have Thanksgiving dinner with him and his mom. So now things are looking up.
I called Nathan on the phone and asked him what food his mom was going to cook for Thanksgiving dinner, but he told me that they were gonna go out for dinner like they always do. I didn't mind since sometimes, me and my parents would go out for Thanksgiving dinner too when they weren't in the mood to cook, but this year felt extra special since this will be me and Nathan's first time celebrating a holiday together and Thanksgiving will definitely not be the last because Christmas is coming next month and I'm pretty excited for that too.
When Thanksgiving Day came and it was almost time to head over to Nathan's place, I made sure to look my best, but not too formal. I button up my black shirt, made sure my trousers were clean and slipped on my shoes. I even sprayed on a little cologne because I wanted to smell nice.
"Is this too much?" I asked myself as I stared at myself in the mirror then I sighed and shrugged.
Once I finished making sure I looked alright, I headed over to Nathan's house.
...
When we got to Olive Garden, I felt completely calm and anxious to be having dinner with Nathan and his mom. Though, once we stepped inside and were shown to our table, I saw Alex and his mom sitting at the table. Suddenly, I felt my stomach drop and my heart race as I stared at Alex's fake smile. I quickly stopped in my tracks which caused Nathan to stop walking because we were holding hands. He looked at me with concern.
"What's wrong?" He asked, standing next to me.
"What's...what's he doing here?" I asked, feeling my voice shaking.
"Remember when I told you that the only times I get to see Alex was on camping trips and holidays?" He said.
I looked at Nathan and nodded.
"Yeah...well..." He trailed off.
I sighed heavily and shook my head then squeezed Nathan's hand.
"Simon," Nathan called out, placing his hands on my shoulders and giving me a light squeeze.
"Don't worry about him alright? I'll be sitting right next to you."
To be honest, Nathan's words didn't make me feel any better, but since this was a holiday dinner, I didn't want to ruin things for everybody so I decided to just suck it up and act friendly towards Alex. For Nathan's sake of course.
"A-alright. I'll act civil with him..." I mumbled.
"Good." Nathan said, smiling.
I briefly glanced over at Alex, seeing that he was still watching us before I looked back at Nathan and got an idea.
"Can you give me a kiss?" I asked, sweetly.
"Oh. Sure." He said then he leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine.
I suddenly felt a wave of relief and calmness wash over me and once Nathan pulled away, I smiled at him before looking back at Alex to see him giving me a disapproving look. I didn't care, though. I wanted to show Alex that Nathan is mine.
...
When we all finally sat down, I looked at Alex to see him staring at me from across the table so I gave him the same exact look back. That's when I felt Nathan squeeze my hand under the table. I briefly looked at him to see that he was giving me a look so I sighed and turned my attention back to Alex. I cleared my throat.
"It's uh...nice to see you again, Alex." I said, forcing the words to leave my mouth.
Alex simply smiled innocently at me. "Likewise. I was hoping to see you again." He said then he looked at Nathan.
"I'm happy to be seeing you again too, Nathan~"
I looked at Nathan to see him smiling.
"Same here."
"So, Simon, have you and Nathan settled your differences yet?" He asked.
I narrowed my eyes. "What...differences?"
"Oh you know."
I suddenly felt a pang in my stomach and I knew exactly what he was talking about. I was seriously hoping he wasn't going to bring THAT up again.
"Of course we settled our differences like we always do." I quickly shot at him.
Alex's eyes widen. "Oh really? Because I've heard from a source that you used to be in a mental hospital."
My eyes slowly widen and my heart stopped. At first, I thought he was talking about me not giving Nathan a blowjob, but he's...he's talking about my past. Right here at dinner!
"Alex," Nathan called out to him.
"I'm just curious is all, Nathan." Alex said, innocently to him before looking back at me with that smug smile of his.
"So, is it true? Because I would hate to think that Nathan is dating a mental person."
I quickly stood up, alerting everybody at the table so I quickly tried to reassure everybody.
"I'm...I'm going to the restroom. Excuse me..." I said then I quickly left for the restroom.
Once I got to the restroom, I looked under the stalls, making sure that nobody was in the restroom before having my meltdown. This felt like deja vu because I remember the night when me and Nathan came across Matt and his friends and Matt ended up holding me up in the bathroom. I was almost close to stabbing Matt that night and that's what scared me. Luckily, I left my pocket knife at home, but then again, it's also not lucky of me if Alex decides to attack me.
I splashed cold water on my face and looked at myself in the mirror.
"C-calm down, Simon. Don't...let him win." I told myself.
"Aww. Is Simon about to have a meltdown? That's pretty typical from a mental patient like you~" Alex said, taunting me as he walked in with a smile.
"Alex, don't start please." I pleaded.
"Why? Are you afraid of Nathan finding out about you?"
I quickly spun and stared straight at Alex.
"News flash, asshole. Nathan already knows so you're late to the party." I spat at him.
Alex crossed his arms, staring at me.
"I wonder what Nathan sees in you. You're just a weak little boy that needs to go back to the mental hospi-"
I smashed my hand against Alex's face, causing him to stumble backwards and land on the restroom floor. I felt my hand throb in pain, but I didn't pay any attention to it. I stood over Alex with my fists bald, ready to attack him again. I felt all kinds of adrenaline pumping inside my body.
"T-take that back, bitch..." I growled.
Alex wiped the corner of his mouth then he glared up at me.
"You're a freak. You deserve to be locked up in a mental hospital!" He shouted.
I stomped my foot on Alex's stomach then I got on top of him and raised my fist up, ready to swing when I was suddenly stopped by Nathan's voice. I looked up and standing there in the restroom was Nathan.
"Simon, what the hell are you doing?" He asked.
I was too shocked to say anything. That's when Alex pushed me off of him and ran to Nathan.
"I'm so glad you came! He was about to beat me up!" Alex cried, burying his face into Nathan's chest.
I stood there, watching Nathan. I really, really hoped that he wasn't going to take Alex's side. I felt my body shake as I waited for his reaction. Nathan finally sighed and pushed Alex away from him.
"Alex, I'm sure Simon had a reason-"
"REASON MY ASS! YOU'RE TAKING HIS SIDE!?" He shouted.
Nathan nodded then he walked over to me and wrapped his arm around me.
"I trust Simon because I love him."
I quickly looked at Nathan, seeing him in a new light.
"YOU'RE FUCKING SICK!" Alex shouted then he rushed out of the restroom.
Once Alex and my adrenaline left, I immediately collapsed onto the floor, feeling exhausted. Nathan sat next to me and held me in his arms.
"N-Nathan...I.."
"Shh. Don't say anything okay?" He said then he pulled me closer to him and kissed the top of my head.
I slowly closed my eyes and listened to Nathan's heartbeat. Though, our moment was suddenly interrupted when a man walked in with his son. Me and Nathan quickly got off the floor and walked out of the restroom.
The rest of the dinner was pretty calm. Alex never taunted me anymore. I guess it was because he felt hurt by Nathan choosing me over him. Luckily, Nathan and Alex's mom's never caught onto our rivalry and when we all finished dinner, we left the restaurant in good spirits and I hoped that this was gonna be the last time of me seeing Alex.