Chapter 15 - Top Secret (Posted 22 December 2011)

Ethan walked into school one morning feeling sick. It only got worse when he saw Raoul standing by Benny at his locker. Kissing him. It had been like that every day since they'd had their first date.

He was happy for Benny. Really. But he still felt so bad about... something. Something just felt wrong.

"Hey, Ethan!" Sarah yelled excitedly as she ran up and hugged him. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks," he accepted her kiss with a smile.

"Are you excited for tonight?"

"Um..."

She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Foreign Zombies Seven? Benny got us tickets for your birthday, remember?"

"Oh yeah. I'm totally excited."

"You don't sound excited." she pouted.

"I am, really," he gave her a convincing albeit fake smile. "I can't wait."

"Yay!" she squealed. "And listen, I know you're a little bummed about not getting to spend your birthday with Benny, but he's trying to do something nice for you, okay?"

"I know, I just... it's a little weird for me, you know? But I am looking forward to being with you tonight."

"Great." she smiled. "If I don't see you I'll call you after school, kay?"

"Yep." he said, and she walked off to class. He walked over to Benny and Raoul, who had finally stopped kissing. "Hey, guys."

"Hi, Ethan." Raoul smiled brightly.

"Hey, bud." Benny's smile was a little shallower, and he couldn't quite look Ethan in the eye.

"What are you guys doing tonight?"

"We have a date." Benny answered quietly.

"Oh yeah?" Ethan feigned interest in their date. "Doing what?"

"That's top secret." Raoul said with a wink.

Ethan's eyebrows went up and his jaw hit the floor as he blushed. His eyes bounced back and forth between Benny and Roul. Benny still couldn't meet his gaze and had trace amounts of red on his face. Raoul was positively glowing.

"Oh my god..." Ethan said, unable to think of anything he could possibly say to that.

"Well, I'm off to class." Roul said with a smile. "See you guys later!" he gave an energetic wave and danced off.

"Benny..." Ethan pleaded with a whisper. "When Raoul said 'top secret,' did he mean..."

"He meant a lot of things, E." Benny answered, staring at the floor.

"Is one of them what I think it is?"

"Probably."

"Benny you've only been going out for two weeks! You've only known him for a little over three..."

"It's not your decision." Benny finally looked up. There was sadness in his eyes, and it cut through Ethan like a hot, jagged knife. "I really like Raoul. And... I think I've figured out a way to turn us human again."