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Thad woke up the next morning with a pounding headache. His mouth felt like he had eaten something furry and his saliva was non-existent. That's the last time I try to drink myself into oblivion just to stop thinking. He promised himself as he gingerly sat up, reaching for his glass of water, which wasn't there.
Oh yeah, I was so drunk I didn't put one there last night. Wait, how did I get back? Someone must have brought me back because I don't have any shoes on and I'm under the blankets. I guess I owe someone big time.
He managed to find his way to the bathroom cupboard to rummage for painkillers and wash them down with some fresh water before his roommate woke up.
"Well, if it isn't the boy who was trying to do an impression of a sofa cushion most of yesterday evening!" Sebastian smirked loudly. Far too loudly. Thad winced.
"Pleeeeease... my heeeead!" He urgently whispered, hoping the painkillers would work their magic sometime soon.
Sebastian just laughed, hopping out of bed and heading for the shower. "I've got no sympathy for you. I just hope you're in a better mood today, that's for sure! And you'd better thank Trent for carrying you back in here after the party. You're lucky he's still speaking to you, never mind taking care of you that well." I'm so good at pretending to be asleep, but I'm not going to out Trent's obvious crush... yet. That doesn't mean I can't have some fun with it, though.
Thad's gaze shot to his roommate's. "W-what do you mean... that well?"
Sebastian smirked from his position in the bathroom doorway. "Wouldn't you like to know!" He laughed and slammed the door, making the hungover boy wince yet again.
I didn't think about that when I got drunk. His mind flashed with a brief memory of Trent standing over him. What if I said something to Trent that gave me away? I'm an idiot. I've probably messed everything up. It's time to man up and fix this, but first I really need to sober up.
Thad took about an hour to finish getting ready, showering once he felt a bit more human. Once he was finished he picked up his wallet, phone and car keys and headed straight for the parking lot, avoiding all other Warblers and the cafeteria too. I need to clear my head and get my thoughts in order before I speak to Trent.
Once he was in his car, he pulled out his phone and made a call. "Hey, Mum. Yes, yes, I'm fine, I just wondered if you were around this morning? I was hoping to drop in for a cup of coffee and a chat, that's all. Okay, I'll be there in about forty minutes. Yeah, I will. Love you too."
He pulled out of his parking space and headed away from Dalton, ready to finally talk about his feelings with someone, rather than try to ignore them. Because that was getting him nowhere fast.
Blaine, Nick and Nate sat together at the Warbler's unofficial cafeteria table, all of them smiling widely like the proberbial cats that got the cream, even at this ungodly hour on a Saturday morning.
Nick was explaining why he was up already; "I just couldn't sleep! I've been crushing on Jeff for so long and now he's my boyfriend! I'm so happy I couldn't stay in bed any longer!" His eyes kept flicking to the door, hoping to catch a flash of bright blond sometime soon. Knowing Jeff though, he could be waiting a while.
Kurt had returned to his and Jeff's room quite early so out of courtesy Nick had left to shower in his own room. He had left Jeff cutely snuggled up under his blankets with a little note on his pillow which read, Hey boyfriend ;) Keep tonight free because I'm taking you to dinner! I love you, Nick xo
"Same" said Blaine and Nate in unison, both with wide grins to match Nick's.
"Really?" Nick asked, looking at each boy in turn. "This is so cool! Three new awesome couples in the Warblers - we can annoy the hell out of the rest of them with PDA when meetings get boring!" The three of them fell about laughing.
"Seriously though, it is really cool it happened all on the same night. I think we should celebrate! I don't know about you guys but I was gonna take Jeff out for a special meal tonight..." the other two nodded "...we should all go together as a triple date and treat them! We can split the bill three ways."
Blaine nodded, saying "Well, there's this italian restaurant I know that would be perfect, I know the owners and they're not at all homophobic. The restaurant is lovely and quaint and the food is delicious. I was going to take Kurt there tonight on our own, but I could make the reservation for six instead."
Thad's Mum set down two steaming cups of black coffee. She quickly opened the fridge to locate the cream before finally settling down across from her son at their favourite chatting place, the kitchen table.
She waited for Thad to pour cream into his coffee, stirring it while staring at the spoon rotating, before she spoke.
"Is there something worrying you, dear?" She asked kindly.
Thad met her gaze with a matching pair of brown eyes. He nodded and then exhaled loudly.
"There's someone I've developed...feelings for... and I'm not sure how to handle them."
"Okay. Without making you say who it is, are they single? Is it a friend of yours?" She prompted.
Thad nodded, his mind noting that she hadn't used any gender specific words in her questioning.
Just tell her! He cleared his throat, before saying quietly, "Uh,... Yes... he is." He searched his mother's face for any sign of shock or disapproval. To his relief he saw her smile softly back at him.
"Is this the first time you've had feelings for a boy? Your Dad and I have only known you date girls." She reached over the table to squeeze the hand that wasn't fiddling with his coffee cup.
"I love you, Mum." Thad smiled gratefully at her. "...and yes, it's the only time it's happened and I didn't expect it. I'm not homophobic, I just thought I was straight!" He released her hand and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "I guess I must be bisexual then. I just don't know!"
"Never mind about that. Why don't you tell me what's been happening to make you so upset?"
Thad thought for a moment before starting to explain. "I'm not sure. We've always been close friends and we spend as much time as possible together."
His Mum smiled at this, hoping her suspicions were correct.
"The last girl I dated, I remember thinking she was pretty, but her blue eyes weren't as pretty as... er, his green ones."
His Mum couldn't help herself. She interrupted "Yes, I've always thought Trent's eyes were pretty too." Her eyes twinkled mischievously over the rim of her coffee cup.
Thad's gaze shot up in surprise. "How can you guess in one minute, when he still can't?"
"Well maybe he believes that you are 100% straight? Honey, maybe it's time you were a bit more open with him. You can't expect him to believe something he doesn't even think is possible."
Thad nodded. "Yes, you're right. There's just no easy way of saying hey, I thought I was straight, but now I'm not sure, because you have the prettiest eyes I've ever seen and your smile makes my stomach flip."
"Well, call me a hopeless romantic but that was pretty good if you ask me!" She exclaimed. "You know, now you've told me that I feel I can make an observation. I'm pretty sure Trent has had a crush on you for quite a while, but I think he's got a bit better at hiding it recently."
Thad looked skeptical. I wonder what Sebastian was getting at this morning. I wonder... No, I would have noticed if he liked me, wouldn't I?
"Actually Sebastian did say something a bit odd this morning. I, uh, was feeling a bit weird about my feelings for Trent and may have got a bit, er... worse for wear last night..." He looked sheepish as his Mum threw a dutiful mock-stern glare at him "... and apparently Trent uh, carried me back to my room. He made some strange remark about how well he had looked after me. He must have taken my shoes off and put my blankets over me, but I don't know what Sebastian was getting at." He frowned, lost in thought.
"I'll save the lecture about underage drinking for another time under the circumstances. But maybe Sebastian may have noticed something... Can you ask him what he meant by it?"
"I did, but he wouldn't tell me. I'm not sure if he'd tell me straight any way." He mentally smirked at the word choice. Yeah, straight is the one thing I can count on Sebastian not to be!
"Well, lets say I'm right. Trent is a perfect choice for a potential boyfriend for my son, so I think he deserves a bit of good old-fashioned wooing."
Thad blushed crimson at the word boyfriend applied to Trent. His Trent. "You know, I think you may be right, Mum."
"Of course I am, dear. Aren't I always?!"
Thad rolled his eyes jokingly before finishing his coffee.
Flint was worried.
He had been Trent's roommate for quite a while and he was used to the Warbler being sassy and good natured almost all of the time, rarely becoming upset unless it was in a diva-ish over the top energetic hissy-fit type of way. All of those moods he could cope with in his friend.
Today was different though. Flint for once had got up first and showered and got ready before he realised that Trent was still in bed. At first he thought he might be ill, but he soon realised that his puffy-eyed friend was clearly worn out from being upset all night, judging by the amount of used tissues in the bin.
He found Wes at their usual table in the cafeteria and sat down next to him, placing his breakfast tray on the table.
"Hey, Wes. Have you got a minute to talk? I'm worried about Trent. I think he's really depressed." Flint leant in to whisper this to Wes, not wanting anyone else to overhear.
Wes looked immediately concerned. "Yes, I'm worried about both him and Thad to be honest. They've not been speaking and things just seem to be getting worse. At the end of the party last night Trent had to carry Thad back to his dorm, but he took him on his own. I don't know if Thad said anything to annoy him, maybe?"
Flint shrugged. "He didn't say much this morning. I just promised to take him back a coffee and a bagel. I'm not sure he plans on leaving our room for a while."
Wes thought for a minute. "Hey, do you mind if I take them up when I've finished? He might talk to me."
Flint agreed, grateful for the help to get his roommate out of this uncharacteristically bad mood.
Ten minutes later, Wes knocked on Trent's door. There was no reply. "It's Wes, Trent. Flint gave me your coffee and bagel. Can I come in for a minute? Please?"
He heard a bit of shuffling from within, before the door opened a crack as Trent scanned the hallway to check it was indeed just Wes, before he let him in, immediately returning to his bed. He accepted the coffee and placed the bagel on his bedside table. "Thanks, Wes." He mumbled, not really looking him in the eye.
"Did something happen when you took Thad back to his room last night? What's got you so down, Trent?" He asked, concerned over Trent's appearance.
Trent tried to think of something plausible. He had never admitted his crush to anyone, but Wes was a good friend. He didn't think he would betray his confidence.
"Uh, he... started talking about stuff. About a girl he's crushing on. It doesn't matter, it's stupid." Trent mumbled.
What? Wes thought. A girl? Really? Maybe I am wrong. But I don't think so. Maybe Trent is wrong. "Trent? What exactly did he say? Word for word?"
Trent frowned. What does he mean word for word? "Well, first he started talking about pretty green eyes."
Yeah, like yours! Wes thought, feeling a bit more optimistic after hearing that. "Then what?"
"He said he wanted a kiss, but he would be mad, or something like that. Wes, you can't tell anyone! What if it's one of the Warbler's girlfriend's he's crushing on?"
Wes' brain was digesting all the information. How can Trent be so blind? He thought, exasperated. I can't say anything for definite because I've not spoken to Thad, but I'm pretty sure he was talking about Trent. That explains why he got so drunk last night. Maybe he's confused about all this. Oh man, this is awkward.
Wes reassured him. "I think you should talk to him when he's sober, whether he wants to or not. Thad's not the kind of guy to go behind a friend's back like that, so I think there is more to it. Maybe you only heard half of it."
Trent reluctantly nodded. Funny, Wes didn't ask why I'm upset that Thad is crushing on someone else. Maybe he thinks I'm just bothered about him upsetting another Warbler. I think my crush is still secret.
Wes left the dorm a short while later and went to try to find Thad. However, only Sebastian was in their room so Wes didn't leave any message. Hopefully I can catch him later and encourage him to talk to Trent.
Thad ate lunch with his Mum before heading to the shops before he started the drive back to Dalton later in the afternoon. He parked outside the row of shops and got out, heading for the third shop along. The bell tinkled over the door and a friendly lady came out from the back of the shop to help him, smiling brightly.
"Hello! What can I get for you today? Is it a special occasion?"
Thad breathed in the delicious aroma in the shop while he thought. "Yes, I need a bouquet that expresses both friendship and... uh... more." He blushed.
"Ooooh, is this for a special girl?" She asked, turning to the brightly coloured flowers behind her as she considered.
"Uh, no, a special boy actually."
For the second time that day, he was pleasantly surprised at the reaction that statement got. She twirled back around to look at him as she gushed, "Oooohhh, I seeee! How sweet!"
She turned away again and started talking to him as she pointed out certain bunches, most of it lost on Thad. "... and of course there is also roses, which most people know the significance of, so if you don't want your message to be missed, that may be your best bet. Pink is for friendship and red is for love. We also have a selection of cards to put with them and chocolates too."
After deliberating for a while, Thad left the shop with a large bunch of mixed pink and red roses, tied up with pink and red tissue paper and clear cellophane, finished with a thick red ribbon. He placed them very carefully in the footwell of the passenger seat before setting off back to school.
He desperately tried to will away the nerves of what he was about to do. He turned on the car stereo and began to sing along, stopping himself from overthinking.
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