Chapter 2 – I've adopted myself a puppy
Mad as I was at the Cullen kid, I decided to keep what happened at school from my dad. He has, from day one, been completely supportive of me coming out which is awesome but with that comes a willingness to, as he calls it, "go to bat as an ally".
I don't have any issue with people, eventually the whole town, knowing I'm gay. I'd just like to settle in a bit first, make some friends and not start a liberal crusade against one stupid boy who acted like an asshole. Sadly, though he would mean well, that's probably what dad would end up causing. So, no I didn't tell him.
The next day at school was definitely better than the first. I was still very much the new specimen but I'd made a few connections and had hope for some burgeoning friendships. Mike, who in my rush, I hadn't noticed the day before was in my English class and decided to sit next to me. We were getting on pretty well after knowing each other just a day and he walked me to my next class as he was also in building six. I noticed over-helpful Eric giving him the stink eye along the way though. I actually managed to answer the question Mr. Varner asked me in Trig and sat with the same people at lunch again and actually remembered more of their names.
Also, better than the day before, was that Edward Cullen was not in school. Admittedly, I still wanted to give him a piece of my mind and was still pretty put out from his attitude and actions but not having to deal with that for a day and just settling in was great. I first got an inkling of his absence when I got to the cafeteria for lunch. His siblings were all in their usual spot but he was missing. I checked the food line and he wasn't there either. I settled in at the table with Mike, Jessica, Angela and crew and did my best not to think about him.
When the bell rang to start Biology, I realized it was truly a Cullen free day. Mike had chatted with me the whole way from the cafeteria about a group trip to the beach he was planning. It was nice to realize he was just a pretty chill guy and somebody I could be friends with even if nothing else came from it. Something in his eyes as he looked at me though, told me something else was probably on his mind too.
Gym was fun again, although I'd decided to bring some of my own clothes from home to dress out in rather than borrow clothes every day. Since gym was my last period of the day it gave me the freedom to either shower at school or just head home in my funky clothes. Today I had errands planned so after saying goodbye to Mike, I hightailed it out of school, just stopping for a quick grab of some books I needed from my locker.
Growing up, it became apparent quickly that if I ever wanted to eat good cooking it wouldn't be prepared by either of my parents. Don't get me wrong, I'm no gourmet either but around age ten I decided that since I could now safely reach the stove, I would begin learning to cook more things. When you are six, mac and cheese every night is awesome, not so much by the time you are ten. My time with dad was even worse. If it wasn't fish, he couldn't cook it. Well, he could do a decent breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast but almost nothing else. There is no way I can keep in shape like I want to eating delivery pizza and take out from the Lodge for the next two years.
We had discussed this before I came and it was decided that I would have free reign over the kitchen and do the grocery shopping. I already had some great ideas for meals that would be healthier for him to start eating as I realized he must honestly think butter is its own food group.
Pulling my truck into the Thriftway, I noticed a small sound coming from the engine I didn't like. It would probably be the weekend before I could really investigate it but I made a mental note to remember. It had been such a blissful, Cullen free day that I nearly turned around but at that moment I noticed extra-large Cullen, I still couldn't remember his first name, and a slightly older woman come of the store with an obvious load of groceries. They obviously saw me but I got very mixed reactions from the two. The woman, who had to be Mrs. Cullen gave me a soft, kind smile. It was the sort of smile that could only be pulled off by people who were actually nice folks. Extra-large on the other hand, shot me an epic sneer. Had he been alone I'd have totally flipped him the bird but since he was with his mom, I just decided to let it go. Obviously, there was at least one other homophobe in the Cullen family.
When I got back home, I whipped up a quick garlic rub to go with the chicken thighs I was making for dinner. I did the basic prep to make cook time quick when dad got home and put it all away in the fridge. Knowing I still had a while before he would be done with work, I decided it would be a good time to check my email. I had brought my laptop with me from Phoenix and made sure dad got with the current century and had high speed internet installed before I came.
I had seven new emails, not counting all the spam. I quickly deleted all of that junk and looked at the ones from real people. Three were from various friends just asking about the move and three were from my mom (good god mom, it's only been two days). Even though it was no longer anywhere near the top of my inbox, the months old email from HIM still lingered. Still not in a place to deal with that, I went back to the ones from mom.
"Dan," mom wrote…
Honey you won't believe it, not two hours after you got on the plane the personnel department from the Miami Marlins called and offered Phil a new contract so we're moving to Florida! Mom
Phil is actually a professional baseball player. Not one you would have heard of since he's never been in the majors but he's only twenty-six and I guess the Miami Marlins think he can still play. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this sudden relocation on the part of my mom. We've lived in Phoenix for the past twelve years but I guess I really can't say anything since I was the one to actually leave first. Only by a couple of hours apparently but the premise is there.
I opened the second email, Dan, why haven't you emailed me back yet? What are you waiting for? Mom
The last email was sent around 8am this morning.
Brendan Swan, if you haven't responded to me by 5:30pm today I am calling Charlie.
Looking at my clock I still had nearly an hour to meet her deadline so I hit reply.
Mom, it's been an interesting start to things. I'm happy to be able to spend time with dad and school is not terrible so far. I already have a crew of people I'm eating lunch with and would already consider myself to have one friend, his name is Mike and potentially a few others on the way.
Dad got me a truck can you believe that? It's an old 60's Chevy and runs pretty well but you know I'll have fun improving it to my liking.
Tell Phil congratulations for me. Will he be back in AA again? Call me around noon on Sunday and we can talk about this big move of yours. I love you and I'll talk to you soon. Dan
With that done I turned my mind to what I wanted to do until dad came home. I had a little homework and should get started on some reading but in the end, I plopped on the couch and turned on Sportscenter.
That's how dad found me a half hour later when he came in from work. He took one look at me sprawled out on the couch in basketball shorts with a ridden-up t-shirt, scratching my abs and muttered something that sounded like "such a teenage boy" on his way his gun safe in the pantry.
Dad was a big advocate of gun safety. He taught courses at the local VFW and of course had been teaching me not just safety but shooting and hunting since I was seven. He kept his work gun in a safe that only he knew the combination to. We had other guns in the house, rifles mostly but a hand gun locked in a safe in each of our closets in case we needed to protect the house. I was taught from the beginning to always be out of the room when he used the safe for his work gun. With that in mind, I waited until I heard him close the pantry door to jump up and make my way into the kitchen to start dinner.
"What's on the blotter sheriff?" I asked knowing it was unlikely any crime was committed in Forks today.
"Absolutely nothing, criminals live in fear of my department."
"Or this town is just that boring to not have anyone adventurous enough to try?"
Dad just shook his head at that. I started to take the dinner fixings back out of the fridge.
"So, what's for dinner then kiddo?"
"Garlic rub chicken thighs and Spanish rice. I promise you'll like it. Now go sit down, there's bound to be a basketball game starting."
"I'll leave it to you then my good chef."
A little less than thirty minutes later I called him to dinner.
"Smells great son." He told me as I set a plate down in front of him.
We ate in silence for a bit. Dinner come out pretty good in my mind and dad seemed to agree since he was shoveling it in. Eventually he started to wind down his speed and the conversation started.
"So how have your first couple days of school been? Knowing you, you've got tons of friends already."
"It's been ok so far. Still feel a bit under the microscope but I've got a group I'm sitting with at lunch and a few people I'm friendly with. One kid in particular has been really nice, his name is Mike." Although I don't mention him my mind can't help thinking of the one kid that has been particularly not nice.
"Ah Mike Newton I presume, blond kid a little shorter than you." I nodded. "He's a good kid, nice family. They own the sporting goods store in town. Did he happen to mention…"? Dad trailed off but I already knew what he was referring to since Forks is definitely small-town America where everybody knows everybody's business.
"That he's bi? Yes, he did. He saw my rainbow pin on my backpack and we came out to each other."
"So, are you two…?" He moves his hand in a back-and-forth manner when he asks this, it's pretty funny.
"Just friends right now dad, I only met him yesterday. I won't eliminate the idea of it being something more but right now I'm still not really over… everything." My voice gets quiet as I finish that sentence. We really haven't talked about all of that since the one and only time.
"There is no hurry for you to jump into anything."
I know this is a perfect place to let the conversation die down but instead I find myself asking, "Do you know the Cullen family?"
"Dr. Cullen's family? Sure. Dr. Cullen is a great guy."
"The kids seem a bit different…" Again, I find myself trailing of not quite finishing my sentence.
I'm surprised by the slightly angry look I get back from him. "Dr. Cullen is a brilliant surgeon who could have moved anywhere in the country and somehow chose our little community because his wife likes small town living and fresh air. I have yet to have any kind of incident involving any of those kids and every time I've met them, they are polite and respectful. Adopted teens can be a tough bunch but the Cullen kids are mature and well behaved. Better than some kids who've families have lived here for generations. They stick together like a real family, go camping, just because they aren't everyone else's norm doesn't make them bad people. I'm surprised you of all people would have an issue with someone being a little different son."
I hadn't expected this. Dad must really respect the Cullens and the doctor in particular. Now I'm not really sure what to do. Do I explain my issue with Edward and maybe damage his relationship with Dr. Cullen? I decide on damage control.
"I just noticed they seem to keep to themselves. Rather attractive bunch." I added that on to hopefully change the tone of the conversation.
"Ha, I suppose so, yeah. You should see the doctor. I've heard the nurses at the hospital have a hard time keeping to their duties when he's around."
I took that as my cue to start clearing the table and doing the dishes. I was certainly thankful for the upgrade to the appliances in the kitchen. Last I remembered dad didn't even have a dishwasher. After that I returned to the living room and watched a bit of the game dad found to interest him but ultimately found my homework calling so I didn't stay up too late.
The rest of the week continued much like the second day including the absence of Edward Cullen. I should have remained just as ecstatic as I had been that first day that he didn't show up but as the week went on, I found myself obsessing more and more over why he was still gone. The rest of his family were all accounted for but I certainly wasn't going to be asking them anything about him. The continued stink eye I was getting from jumbo Cullen was indication enough I was persona-non-grata.
Conversation around the lunch table had come to center around the upcoming trip to the beach Mike had been planning.
As the days went by it was obvious that Mike and I were getting closer. Still firmly on the friend side of things but I had a feeling that if we did any sort of one-on-one activity, we could easily cross that line.
Finally, the weekend arrived and I made up my mind to put a certain pint-sized Cullen out of it. My list of things that could break my not-a-morning-person rule was small but fishing with dad made the list. We were up before the sun and having gotten everything ready the night before we had lines in the water with the sunrise. We were in dad's small boat, maybe too small now that I was full grown, at a familiar spot on the Calawah River. We fished for about three hours and in the whole time probably said ten words apiece. I had thought he'd take the opportunity to grill me more about how I was settling in and everything but instead we just sat in the boat in companionable silence.
On the ride back home, I couldn't help but crow a bit about getting the catch of the day, an eleven-inch rainbow trout, along with an eight incher too. Dad caught a couple of eight inchers himself so we'd be eating good that night.
Once home, I jumped into the other activity I'd been eagerly waiting all week for. Not homework, I like to read but I'm not that big of a nerd. No, I was ready to get under the hood of my new-to-me truck and see what I was really working with. Fortunately, it was only overcast and not actually raining since I had no cover to work under. I started by going into the shed to collect the basic tools I suspected I may need. Besides leaving my baby back in Phoenix, I also had to leave my expansive set of tools.
My original passion for cars was sparked by a neighbor we had when I was twelve. One day a tow truck showed up with a '64 Chevelle up on the flatbed, which was promptly dropped into Mr. Colburn's driveway. It was in rough shape. The engine was completely blown, a rear quarter panel was missing and the rest of the remaining exterior was either dented or rusted.
As a couple weeks went by, I couldn't help noticing that Mr. Colburn was out tinkering with that car every free minute he had. One day after I hopped off the bus from school and finally asked him why he was playing with such a beat-up old car.
How was I to know that that simple question would lead to big passion for cars. Mr. Colburn ended up not only telling me about his project but started teaching me too. For the next three years until we had to move, I learned everything I could about auto repair and maintenance from him. He had actually helped me find my Nova and gave me some of the important first parts I needed as a fourteenth birthday present. We kept in touch after that but mostly by email.
Mr. Colburn was a mentor and a friend. I think he was probably my first crush too. Thinking about him made we want to send him an email, he didn't even know I'd moved back to Forks.
Taking stock of the engine I was staring down at, I had to once again admit that whoever had worked on this engine knew their stuff. Sure, there were a few lower quality parts I saw that I would replace to improve performance but the engine was clean. I easily found what was causing the sound I'd been worried about. The alternator belt had some odd wear, so I would replace that too.
I spent all afternoon after a quick run to the auto parts store tinkering with the truck. I was glad I noticed the flagging light before it got completely dark so I could put everything back together and put the tools back. I went to bed that night happy after what felt like a nearly perfect Saturday.
On Monday I was beginning to feel settled into my routine. It was now mid-January and temperatures were heading downward. Being raised since I was five in Arizona did not prepare me for near freezing level temps. After English, Mike and I were walking out of the building I saw something I had never before seen.
"Wow, it's snowing."
"Ugh" Thanks Mike, as if I couldn't have figured that out myself.
He turned to me surprised. "You don't like snow?"
"Well, seeing as how I've never actually seen snow before I shouldn't claim to hate it or anything but the basic idea is snow only happens when it's too cold to rain and I'm not really down with that."
"Aww, well if you need me to, I can help keep you warm." He said this as he leaned over and gave a sort of side hug. It was the first real contact we've had like that. Mike was definitely more forward than guys I've connected with before but in that moment I didn't really mind. Mike was a big happy puppy and obviously showed affection like one.
Of course, the moment was ruined when a loosely packed ball of slush hit Mike right in the back of the head. I got a bit of it but it ended up running right down the back of Mike's jacket. As we looked around for the guilty party, I noticed too-eager Eric slinking away and got a feeling he might be the one. Mike seemed to have the same idea as he suddenly took off after him yelling back to me that he'd see me at lunch.
After Spanish, Jessica and I carefully made our way to the cafeteria. Neither of us were feeling like being pulled into the ongoing slush battles. Mike caught up with us as we arrived at the cafeteria covered in remnants of slush balls proving he hadn't been able to stay out of the line of fire. As we got in line for food, Mike was regaling us with his exploits but I was hardly hearing him. As had become my custom, upon entering the cafeteria I take a quick glance at the Cullen table. Instead of the four people I had come to rely on being there, today there were five. Edward Cullen was back in school.
I felt someone pulling on my arm and looked to see it was Jessica. "Earth to Dan, what do you want for lunch?"
I focused all my will into not reacting outwardly to him being back. Things were going well and I wouldn't let some jerk homophobe knock me off kilter.
"You know, I'm just going to get a soda today. Not really feeling very hungry." I went to move out of line and my arm was caught again but I could tell it wasn't Jessica this time.
Mike leaned kind of close and asked, "Are you really, ok? Is it the cold? We could just take lunch out to my car and get warm out there in closer quarters." His voice was low, so Jessica wouldn't hear even a few feet away.
For some reason I took another look back at Edward Cullen. While his eyes didn't have that same crazy fury as when I last saw him, his look was pure disdain. There was no way he could have heard what Mike said so was he just offended we were whispering so close together? What an asshole.
Normally I would have said no, because I don't think Mike and I were quite ready to be more than friends yet but because of that jerk Cullen, I found myself nodding and agreeing to Mike's suggestion. We got to the door before Mike remembered I'd wanted a soda so he told me to wait there for him while he got me my usual Diet Dr. Pepper.
While waiting, I couldn't help but take one last glance over at the Cullen table expecting more hostility. Instead, I found them huddled together in silence. None of them were looking in my direction and instead of glaring at me, Edward seemed hunched in on himself. The others had piled in close to him, the short girl had her arm over his shoulder as if giving him support. That was the moment extra-large Cullen looked up and sure enough his gaze was once again scorching.
Breaking my eyes away from the Cullens, I saw that Mike had stopped back by our usual table, probably to let them know we were eating elsewhere. As Mike walked back over to me, I noticed Jessica giving him a look I hadn't expected. I could read her like an open book. She was into him. I've seen him throw her a look here and there too, maybe they have history. It was the kind of drama I always hoped to avoid but I put it aside for now and walked with Mike, so close our shoulders kept touching, out to his car.
Ultimately, we did end up spending that lunch period as Mike suggested huddled up in the back of his Suburban with the heat on full blast. Warming up was exactly what I needed, as was getting my mind off stupid Edward Cullen.
Lunch was nearing its end when I decided to lean in and kiss him. I was really glad that he hadn't actually taken that away from me. Maybe it's stupid and macho or whatever since we're both guys but I've always been the aggressor, the pursuer with guys I've wanted before.
I've always been most attracted to smaller, shyer guys. Mike didn't really fit that mold but when my lips met his it became obvious that this blond puppy definitely met my third criteria which was that the guy was happy to be led. I held his head in place with my left hand at the back of his neck. I had him angled slightly left and back so that his head was slightly below mine. I absolutely dominated our kiss and he went with it. Not even the slightest move to balance or assert control. I finally broke the kiss but kept my hand still firmly in place on his neck. He was wearing that sunny puppy smile I'd really started to enjoy.
"I really liked that, Mike." I think he would have nodded his head but I was still holding it in place. "We should talk about this some to decide where were at before we do more but I'll gladly take a repeat of that soon," was what I told him, adding another quick kiss to his lips before finally releasing him.
As we walked to Biology, that beaming smile never left Mike's face. He was a pretty happy guy in general but his puffy lips were likely to give us away if he didn't tone it down. Even the couple of other snowballs that found their way to him, didn't seem to dimmish his mood. I could relate. I may not be beaming on the outside but it felt good to connect with someone like that again, to have somebody react so positively to my affection. Looks like I've adopted myself a puppy.
That said, I didn't really see Mike and I becoming an actual couple. Maybe it's the fact I think he also likes Jessica or just that I'm not in the right head space for an actual boyfriend. Either way though, I'm too much of a hormonal, teenage boy to turn down potential benefits with our friendship.
Walking into Biology just as the bell rang, I was brought out of my good mood because sitting at our table for the first time in a week was Edward Cullen. Mr. Banner was just setting down a microscope and some slides on our table as I took my seat. Wonderful, a partner exercise just in time for Mr. Angry to get back.
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for what I would have to do just to interact with this kid. Before I could make the first move though I heard a quiet unsure voice say "Hello."
My eyes snapped to him and for the first time since I had first seen him in the cafeteria, he was looking at me without the burning hate or disdain. In fact, he looked quite shy.
"My name is Edward Cullen. I didn't properly introduce myself to you last week. You are obviously Dan Swan."
I was confused. Has the Cullen I met last week been replaced by a pod person, or maybe the pod people have actually returned the real one? Whatever the reason, the kid before me know was not like the one I met last week.
"You're the first person I've talked to that didn't start out calling me Brendan." Not the best of comebacks but I was really knocked off my game here.
"Would you prefer I call you Brendan?" His head tilts slightly to the right when he asks this, which my natural response is to think how adorable he looks. My brain catches up to my hormones though, reminding me I have no reason to like this kid.
"No, and but usually I reserve being called Dan to people I'm friendly with." His face crumples a little at that, which was kind of what I was going for but a small part of me felt bad about it.
Thankfully, the moment is interrupted by Mr. Banner bringing the class to attention to start the lesson. I quickly realize this is an exercise on the phases of mitosis was something I've already done back home so it'll be a piece of cake.
After being told to get started I took initiative to load the first slide into the microscope. If I was going to have to work with Cullen, it was at least going to be on my terms. "We should both look and then compare our answer."
Without waiting for him to respond, I leaned down and looked in to the microscope recognizing it as Prophase.
He was slightly too far away to look in the scope properly so I went to move it over to him. He must have thought the same things as our hands actually met, both of us reaching to move the microscope. Both of us snapped our hands back which made me think he felt the same odd electric current that I did when we connected.
"You hand is freezing!" came blurting out of my mouth.
His face got really sheepish and he mumbled, "Sorry" so I could barely here it.
I recovered from the moment sooner and moved the microscope over so he could look. As he looked into the scope, I couldn't help but think how cute he looked. His hair was a mess from obviously having been playing out in the snow/slush earlier, most likely with his family as they had all been a little disheveled at lunch; probably why his hands were so cold. Even not looking his best this boy was stunning and I couldn't keep myself from appreciating that, even with how off-putting his earlier hostility had been. That thought made me realize while he wasn't hostile today, he made no effort to apologize for his prior behavior.
Once he pulled back from the scope, which he really only looked at for a moment, I gave him the rest of the game plan. "I'm going to count down from three, then we will each say which phase we saw, OK?" He just nodded.
"Alright then. One, two, three… Prophase" "Prophase." We both saw it as prophase, that was good. "Ok, go ahead and write that down for the answer since we agree." I was a pleased to find him following my instructions.
We repeated our process through the remaining slides which was a pretty quick process since we came up with the same answer each time. Once the exercise was finished, we lapsed back into silence. I wasn't normally somebody who liked sitting quietly but I really had no idea what to say to this boy. Even earlier that day if given this chance I would have let him have it as I had originally planned over his behavior but something about this new interaction with him cooled my anger and made me decide to let it go. Maybe he was having a bad day or was sick? Whatever the reason, I wasn't going to bite his head off over a week later but if there was a repeat then I wouldn't hold back again.
As I was thinking, I realized something and my mouth went before my brain caught up. "Did you get contacts?"
He jumped slightly when I spoke to him, obviously not expecting it and a confused look crossed his face. "No." was his simple, again shy response.
"That's weird because your eyes are totally different from last week." I could easily recall that his eyes had been a dark charcoal color the week before. Now they were a shining gold color.
A moment of shock crossed his face before settling back to neutral. The only other response I got was for him to shrug and turn away. So back to jerk mode then.
I glanced around the room and noticed that we had finished before everyone else in the room. Poor Mike and his partner seemed to be having a really hard time identifying the slides. Before long Mr. Banner came by our table and noticed our lack of activity.
"So, Edward, didn't think that Brendan should have a chance at the microscope?" the teacher asked.
Although the question was posed to Edward, I bristled at the assumption that I wouldn't have done the work. Before I could give Mr. Banner a piece of mind over that, I heard Edward's quiet voice again.
"Actually sir, he identified three of the five slides and he prefers Dan."
Mr. Banner turned to me, still skeptical "Have you done this lab before?"
"Not with onion root." I couldn't help but smirk at him in response to his assumption.
"Whitefish blastula?"
"That's the one." Still smirking.
He nodded, his face showing his change in attitude. "You were in advanced placement in Phoenix then?"
"Not just a dumb jock here sir."
I basically zoned him out after that and returned to silence of our table hoping the period would end quickly and I could head to gym.
"I didn't see you out with the masses enjoying the snow." I was surprised that he actually decided to try talking to me again since it went so well the first time but here, he is.
I decided to bite and join his weather discussion. "I'm not sure I would put snow and enjoying in the same sentence."
"You don't like the cold then?" Amazing skills of deduction.
"I've lived my whole life in a place where the temperature never drops below forty-five degrees and almost never rains." I tell him like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"Fork's must not be an easy place for you to live then," he mused.
"It's not all bad. My dad is here, I'm making some friends and the weather will change in a couple of months."
For whatever reason, my answer seemed to fascinate him like learning I didn't hate it here was an amazing revelation. If I expected the conversation to end there, I was sadly mistaken.
"So why did you move here then?"
He was the very first person to actually ask me that question. I think everyone assumed it was to spend time with my dad which isn't entirely wrong but far from the whole answer. I was all prepared to give him that simple excuse when instead, "It's… complicated," came out instead.
"I think I can keep up," was his simple response.
I stopped for a moment. Was I genuinely considering talking about this with the very kid I've wanted to give a verbal thrashing to for the past week? If anyone, I might open up to Mike about it at some point but rather than go into my real reasons I fell back on the reason I gave my mom.
"My mother got remarried," I said.
"That doesn't sound terribly complicated. Do you not like her new husband?"
"There's nothing wrong with Phil, really. In truth, he and I are a lot alike. He's maybe a little young for her but he's a good guy."
"If that's the case why not stay?"
I couldn't help but wonder about his sudden interest. If he decides my mom is somehow to blame for me being gay or some shit, I don't care how big his older brothers are…
"Like I said, Phil and I are alike. We're both into sports, he actually plays baseball for a living, something I wouldn't mind doing myself. More than that I guess, is that mom calls us both alpha males and two alphas in one place are a bad mix."
"Have I heard of him?" He asks, focusing on that rather than the last part.
I snort, "Probably not. He's good enough to stay in the game but minor league. It means he has to travel a lot, he actually just got signed to team in Florida so they're moving there."
"So, your mother sent you here so she could go with him?" I didn't like his assumption.
"I decided to come here. I don't get why some people have it in their heads that I have to be miserable here. Sure, it's not what I'm used to but maybe that's still better than what I left behind." I know I've said too much as soon as I quit talking.
Hi eyebrows knit together, "I don't understand?"
"Well, it really isn't anything you need to understand. We're not actually friends here, right?"
His face goes really sad for a moment before replies, "No I suppose we aren't."
"Not exactly my fault for that is it?" I couldn't help but jab at him.
"You're right. I'm normally far better at reading people but with you I find myself up against a brick wall."
"I'm not exactly hiding who I am now am I." As I say this, I pointedly look down at my rainbow pin and right back to his face.
Whatever he would have said next was cut off by Mr. Banner calling the class back to attention. I couldn't believe I'd actually given this kid that much info about myself. Maybe his cute face and sweet voice got to me I couldn't be sure. Sue me, hot boys are a weakness.
As he had the week before, Edward was out the door with the bell. Was he going to be Edward in my mind now rather than Cullen after one civil conversation? As I gathered my things, Mike was right back at my side.
"That was ridiculous," he groaned. "They all looked the same. I heard you stick it Banner when he assumed you let Cullen to all the work. Nice!"
I gave him a smile for that, it was nice that somebody had my back around here. Of course, my interaction with the teacher wasn't the only thing he noticed.
"So, Cullen seemed quite a bit friendlier today," he commented as we shrugged into your jackets. I slipped on the Mariners cap I'd taken to keeping in the pocket since mine didn't have a hood.
"Yeah, he was. Maybe even a little nosy but nothing like last Monday. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I made it out to be." I knew that wasn't really the case. He had been a total bastard with his looks and absolutely radiated hostility but I decided I wouldn't let it continue to affect me.
Mike and I were on a team together in gym for volleyball. We won all of our games. He came over and gave a high-five and chest bump thing after the last game. The look on his face totally said I want to kiss you. I thought about inviting him back to my place after school but it really would be too soon for us to go there.
