A/N: I'm so so sick of typing Ice Cream Social. Anyway, hope you like the chapter

MILHOUSE POV

It's the night before the Ice Cream Social. I can't sleep.

Why do I want Bart's attention? It's probably because we are best friends and haven't spoken in weeks. But something feels different after we nearly kissed. Why is this such a big deal? I toss and turn. The sheets shuffle under me, the crickets chirp, the clock ticks, then I hear something unusual. Footsteps. My parents don't usually get up during the night. I heard a shuffling of packing clothes in a bag. The crinkling of a plastic bag. The huffing of angry lungs. Then the front door creaks open and closed. Then the buzzing of a car starting. The squealing of the wheels turning. I try to forget. I wish I could talk to Bart. I turn over and cover my head with my blanket.

BART POV

I'm wearing a floral dark blue button up shirt and jeans. I feel ridiculous. Donny is wearing a lighter blue shirt and white jacket. I walk into the school backyard. Where Willie's shack is. It's late afternoon. The sky is painted in oranges, pinks and golden clouds. A slight breeze makes the leaves dance. The teachers put up fairy lights and tables with ice cream and drinks and small sandwiches. Music played on a speaker. I heard the song playing. I know the song playing. It's 'Picture You' by Chappell Roan. I close my eyes and listen. My mind reminds me of Milhouse. Shut up! Shut up, Bart!

"You ok?" Donny asked me.

"Yeah." I said. Does he believe me?

We see so many couples. Ali and Lisa. I wave to them, they look so happy. Donny and I decided to pretend to go as friends. Neither of us are ready to come out to our parents. And we're worried someone would tell them.

Then Milhouse and Samantha catch my eye. My breath hitches. "Do you want to get ice cream?" I ask.

Donny nodded. We went to a table. I got chocolate and Donny got vanilla. We walk around. I listen to the music. It's really relaxing. I'm kinda bored. I look over at Milhouse, he is smiling at Samantha. She holds his hand. I look over at Donny and hook my arm with his. Milhouse looks at us. Ugh, this is gonna suck.

I, in this moment, realise I do not actually like Donny, I just used him and am using him to distract me from Milhouse.

A lump forms in my throat.

It gets darker. Principal Skinner announces that it's time to dance. Who knew there was dancing at an Ice Cream Social?

"Do you want to dance?" Donny asked me.

"Sure." I said.

Harvest Moon by Neil Young plays.

I lead, since I learned to dance in elementary school.

I look over Donny's shoulder, Milhouse and Samantha are dancing.

Milhouse and I lock eyes, facing each other like it could be us dancing together.

Then we both turn.

After we danced, I went to get more ice cream.

I sat down on a bench. I started to eat my ice cream.

Milhouse comes up next to me and sits down sitting the opposite direction to me. The music is faint. The air is crisp. "Hi, Bart."

"Hello." I said, not turning my head to look at him.

"You pierced your ear." He said.

"Yeah." I said, finally looking at him.

"It's cool."

"Thanks. How are things with your parents?" I ask.

"Not good, last night, my dad left the house and hasn't come back. My mom said they needed time apart."

"Are you ok?"

"Well, not right now, but at least I don't have to hear them fight."

"That's good." I say.

Milhouse chuckles. "What is it?" I ask.

"You have chocolate on your nose." He says, wiping it off my nose.

"Thanks." He quickly moves his hand away. He blushes. I blush.

MILHOUSE POV

I wipe the ice cream off of Bart's nose. My heart flutters. I quickly move my hand away.

I can't sit here with Bart. I need to leave.

"I better be going." I said. "Samantha's probably looking for me."

"Are you and Samantha together?" He asks.

"Uh, yeah, we're together. And what's going on with you and that new guy?" I ask.

"Donny? He's my boyfriend. But we haven't really told anyone yet, so..."

"I won't tell anyone." I force a smile. "Bye, Bart."

He nods.

I walk away and go into the bathroom. I splash my face with water.

BART POV

I check my watch. It's 08:00. I want to leave. I'm so lame.

"Hey, Lise. I'm gonna go."

"You sure? You want me to go too?"

"No, you stay just stick with Ali and text me."

"I'll be safe, Bart. Bye."

I walk over to Donny. "Yeah, I need to go."

"You ok?"

"Uh, just don't feel great."

"Want me to take you home?" He asked.

"No, it's ok, you stay. Bye." I say and hug him.

"Bye."

I walk over to my bicycle and ride home. Mom's car is gone. I go inside. I feel terrible. I don't want to feel anything. I creep into the kitchen. I open the fridge, the light and cold spill out. I then see it. Dad's beer. I take one out. I open the can with a hiss.

I sit outside, in the front yard. I take a sip. It's bitter. But I continue.

The door opens and footsteps come out the door.

"Bart?" Dad says.

"Dad?" I ask.

"Bart, aren't you supposed to be at the Ice Soda Social?" He asked.

"Ice Cream Social and I left early."

"And you are drinking my beer?"

"Oh, um." I said then the tears started to roll and the sob rose up my throat.

"Bart? You ok?" He sat down next to me.

"No, Dad." He hugged me. The only sound you could hear was the crickets chirping and my sobs. Dad rubbed my back.

"Come on, boy, we're going to Moe's."