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Trent walked past Thad's shared dorm five minutes before he was supposed to meet him. The door was open and Sebastian spotted him trying to hurry past unnoticed.
"Hey, Trent! Have you seen Thad?"
Trent shook his head, "No, but I'm meeting him in a few minutes. Do you want me to pass on a message?"
"No, I was just wondering who he's taking on a hot date tonight." Sebastian smirked as Trent paled. Haha! I'm right! You do have a crush! This is fun!
Trent tried to swallow but his throat was suddenly dry. "W-what do you mean?" He desperately tried to keep his voice from getting too high.
"Oh, nothing, he wouldn't tell me. Almost bit my head off just for asking. Maybe he'll tell you."
Trent's mind was reeling. No! Don't fall for Sebastian's games, he's done it before. Ignore him and give Thad a chance to explain or you might really lose him as a friend!
Trent breathed in and out deeply to calm himself, before sassing back, "Of course he'll tell me and not you! I am the awesome best friend, after all." He tweaked his fringe with his hand, held his head high and flounced off, leaving a rather surprised but impressed Sebastian in his wake.
Trent was a few minutes late, thanks to Sebastian cornering him. As he neared the room where he knew Thad would be waiting, he heard piano music drifting out of the gap in the door. He quietly opened it and slipped through, shutting it softly behind him before turning around.
His best friend was sat on the piano bench, sideways on to Trent, his fingers nimbly picking out the music. Trent tried to recall the song, but came up empty. Thad looked up and gave him a hesitant smile, still playing, nodding at the space beside him meaning he should sit next to him.
Trent gulped. We haven't sat close together for a while, since he's been off with me. Carrying him yesterday doesn't count. I've missed us being close. He smiled softly back and joined him on the bench.
Thad began to speak over the music, still not singing.
"I'm sorry, Trent. You deserve an explanation, but first I'd like you to listen to this." He locked eyes with the green ones he was so fond of, waiting for a sign. Trent nodded and he began to sing.
Hello, tell me you know, yeah, you've figured me out
Something gave it away
This was one of the sassy Warbler's favourite songs, Jason Mraz's If It Kills Me. Why didn't I recognise it?
And it would be such a beautiful moment to see the look on your face
To know that I know that you know now
And baby that's a case of my wishful thinking
You know nothing
'Cause you and I, why we go carrying on for hours on end
He knew only too well that it was about a guy who loved his female best friend, who had a boyfriend. He steeled himself for those particular lyrics, but they never came.
We get along much better than with anyone else
Thad had changed that line, meaning there was no boyfriend in the picture.
But I'm his best friend! How can these lyrics about getting on so well with a girl be true when I've never heard of her? Wait... He can't mean me, can he? No... he's straight! I think?
Well, all I really want to do is love you
A kind much closer than friends use
Me too! Thought Trent.
But I still can't say it after all we've been through
And all I really want from you is to feel me
As the feeling inside keeps building
And I will find a way to you if it kills me, if it kills me
Well, how long can I go on like this, wishing to kiss you
Before I rightly explode
And this double life I lead isn't healthy for me in fact it makes me nervous
If I get caught I could be risking it all
Well, baby there's a lot that I miss in case I'm wrong
All I really want to do is love you
A kind much closer than friends use
But I still cant say it after all we've been through
And all I really want from you is to feel me
As the feeling inside keeps building
And I will find a way to you if it kills me, if it kills me
If I should be so bold, I'd ask you to hold my heart in your hand
If you give your heart to me, I'll keep it safe, always. Trent thought.
Tell you from the start how I've longed to be your man
But I never said a word I guess I'm gonna miss my chance again
Well, all I really want to do is love you
A kind much closer than friends use
But I still can't say it after all we've been through
And all I really want from you is to feel me
As the feeling inside keeps building
And I will find a way to you if it kills me, if it kills me
I think it might kill me
And all I really want from you is to feel me
It's a feeling inside that keeps building
And I will find a way to you if it kills me, if it kills me
It might kill me
Trent stayed quiet as the song ended, because he had absolutely no idea how to react. It's like he sang my own feelings back to me! I'm so confused!
Thad shut the piano lid and went over to the seat at the window, looking out onto Dalton's grounds, beckoning Trent to follow. Once they were both sat down, Thad began.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you the other day. You didn't deserve it, I know it was just a bit of fun. I'm sure they're all really grateful now, anyway. Sebastian tells me they are all couples! Way to go apprentice Cupid!"
Trent laughed, anxious for him to continue explaining.
"I've been a bit preoccupied recently because... I, uh, realised I had developed feelings for someone and I didn't know what to do about it. I didn't know how they'd react and it scared me.
I guess trying to drink myself into that state yesterday wasn't the best way to avoid thinking about it. The song explains exactly how I feel... about... uh..."
Trent interrupted, "Yeah, I guessed that last night when I took you upstairs. You were mumbling some things about her."
Thad looked surprised. Her? He thought. "What did I say?"
"That she had pretty green eyes and you, uh, wanted to kiss her. But he would be mad with you, I assumed she has a boyfriend? Is that what the problem is? Why are you laughing? Are you blushing?"
"Sorry, but I think you must have heard it wrong, just let me explain properly, okay? As i said before, i'm sorry for snapping at you, it's my fault not yours. I really like someone..."
Trent mumbled, "I know how that feels!"
"Huh?" Thad asked, pausing his explanation. "Oh, nothing. Carry on!" Trent blushed.
Thad continued, his train of thought lost now.
"Well, let me ask you this. How would you know if someone liked you? I'm asking because I've really tried to let them know subtley but theyre just not getting it. Besides being completely blunt and asking them out, which is a bit complicated if it turns out they don't like me, what can I do?"
Trent was crushed. He was sure now that Thad was talking about a girl.
Thad saw a look cross Trent's face like he was hurt but trying not to show it.
"I wouldn't know, I don't have much experience." Trent looked out into the grounds, willing his eyes not to fill up.
Thad asked gently, "What if it was a guy in Dalton, what would you do?"
Trent laughed a humourless laugh, saying, "Thanks to me I'm practically the only out one left that's single, except Sebastian, but he doesn't count."
"Come on, just humour me." Thad urged.
Trent rolled his eyes. "Okay, well, I guess I'd buy him coffee in the morning, sit with him at lunch, offer to study together, sit with him in class. If that didn't work then maybe a more direct approach, tell him how I feel and ask him out?"
Thad smiled. "Yeah, I've done all the non obvious stuff, but he's just not getting it."
"He?" His green eyes shot to brown in shock. HE? He's gay and I didn't know! And now he likes someone else! A guy! Who's not ME! This is so unfair!
"So, Trent, does anyone do any of those less obvious things for you?" He said, a mischievous twinkle in his brown eyes.
Trent went pink. Thad does. He suddenly realised that Thad brought him coffee most mornings, no one else. He was his study companion and Thad hadn't missed any recently to be with anyone else. They sat together in most classes, but it couldn't be, could it?
And I have green eyes. He gulped audibly and his heart started going faster, licking his lips at everything else Thad had said whilst drunk.
While Trent sat there shocked, Thad got up and went behind the piano, bending down to pick something up. He returned to his place beside Trent at the window, hands behind his back.
"Trent, short of bashing you over the head Flinstone-style, I've tried everything to get you to notice me. So, now you get the direct approach." He took the roses out from behind his back carefully and presented them to Trent with both hands.
"These are for you. I want to take you to dinner tonight, on a date, definitely NOT platonic."
Trent's eyes were as wide as saucers as he accepted them. He held onto them like they were the most precious things in the world. He breathed in deeply, steadying himself before speaking, the fragrance of the roses wafting over him.
"But...why? I thought you were straight?"
"I know, so did I until I met you. Any way, it's not other guys. There are plenty of gay guys in the Warblers, but I never found them attractive."
He shuffled forward on the bench, taking Trent's right hand in his left. "It's just you. Only you."
The boys stared at each other over the roses as Thad continued."I thought we were just really good friends until recently. Last week I finally admitted to myself that I love staring at you, your eyes are so pretty, such amazing shade of green."
His eyes flickered down to Trent's lips, then back up. "Please say something?" He pleaded. "If you want to just be friends, I'll be okay with that eventually, but just let me know what you're thinking."
Trent squeezed his hands as he replied. "I'd love to go to dinner with you." He was too emotional to trust himself to say anything else.
Thad's grin almost split his face in two. He brought Trent's hand up to his face and kissed his knuckles. "Great! I'll pick you up from your room at 6.30."
Kurt and Jeff were looking at each other, exasperated. They were perched on the edge of Ryan's bed, watching him turn his entire wardrobe out, desperately trying to decide what to wear tonight.
Thank goodness Jeff and I chose our outfits before we came to help Ryan. I wonder if slapping him would help?
Kurt stood up and grabbed Ryan by his shoulders, stopping from pacing and pulling his hair out. "Unless you want me to slap you stop now!" Ryan stopped and actually looked mildy scared of the brunet diva who had his bitch face on.
"Right, now go and shower and fix your hair. Jeff and I will lay your outfit out for you while you're in there. Go!" He had one hand on his hip and the other pointing to the bathroom door.
Ryan looked briefly at Jeff who looked like he agreed with Kurt. "Okay! Sorry!" He mumbled and disappeared into the bathroom.
Kurt and Jeff first cleared the mess of clothes on the floor and hung them back in the wardrobe neatly. Then Kurt put Ryan's black flat boots from the performance on the floor next to the bed. Jeff selected a simple dark brown button down shirt with black pinstripes going down it and laid it on the bed. Kurt thought for a minute before selecting a pair of skinny black jeans and placing them below the shirt on the bed, above the boots. He nodded, pleased with the overall outfit.
"I like it, the stripes accentuate his slim body, the brown brings out his eyes, the pants are tight enough to make Nate drool and the boots finish the leg line nicely. Also, if he keeps the shirt open at the neck it's nice and simple so he can't fiddle with it when he gets nervous."
Jeff smirked "Yeah, and it gives Nate a good view of his collar bone... and even better easy access to his neck later tonight!" The boys' laughs were cut short by Ryan coming out of the bathroom.
"What was that?" Ryan asked suspiciously.
"Oh, nothing, Kurt and I were just talking about our plans after dinner tonight. That reminds me Kurt, I was wondering if it's okay to bring Nick back to our room tonight for a while?" Jeff looked embarrassed to ask.
"Sure, just text me when it's okay to come back. Don't look so worried, you and Nick have practically been a couple for years, I kind of expected you two to get, er... physical before the rest of us."
"Thanks Kurt, you're a good friend. I'll do the same for you and Blaine when the time comes." He winked, getting a slap on the arm from Kurt.
Ryan spoke up while he reviewed his clothes and selected his tightest pair of black boxer briefs, clinging onto his towel. "Thanks for helping me guys, I guess I have a tendency to panic a bit. And Kurt, you can always crash here if you ever need to."
"Thanks Ryan. I might have to take you up on that if Jeff gets too carried away to text me!" He laughed at Jeff's blush.
Once Ryan had finished dressing, he reached up for his hat box. He rummaged inside before selecting a black trilby and perching it on his head, before he could chicken out.
Nate sat at the table in the dimly lit restaurant, Blaine to his left and Nick the other side of the curly haired Warbler. He gazed across the flickering tea light on the table in front of him and smiled softly at Ryan, throwing him a sly wink. The redhead held his gaze and returned the smile with interest.
They were all scrutinizing the delicious sounding menu before the young blond waitress came happily over to take the drinks order, promising to return soon for the food orders.
Ryan had made his choice, mozzarella and tomato salad followed by a ham and pepperoni pizza, so he placed his menu in front of him on the table and rested his hands there. Almost instantly one of his hands was claimed by Nate's warm one. He blushed faintly and squeezed back affectionately, earning himself a smile from the black-haired boy. My boyfriend! Ryan thought, in a daze. I would pinch myself, but if this is a dream I don't want to wake up yet!
Kurt and Blaine were busy discussing whether to share their dishes or not and Jeff and Nick were flicking pieces of rolled-up paper napkin at each other, and at others when they weren't looking, earning numerous eye-rolls from Kurt.
Once the drinks arrived and food orders had been placed, Kurt cleared his throat and raised his glass of cranberry juice.
"I think we should have a toast. There is a Warbler not present tonight that I think we owe our thanks to. If he hadn't been so underhanded, sneaky and conniving as well as one of the biggest shippers of Niff,Klaine and Ryte before they even happened, then maybe we wouldn't be here tonight, as happy as I think we all are. Whether or not we can thank him in person and then put up with him being completely insufferable by reminding us regularly or not, I don't know, but for now, I propose a toast... to Trent!"
The boys at the table broke out into laughter and then sipped, in agreement with the toast, silently thanking the sassy meddler for their respective new boyfriends.
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