Super Crush (BxB)

Bothering Someone Else

Something weird is going on. Abe is not at school again today. When I text him, he says everything is okay, just superhero stuff, but then I don't hear from him the rest of the day. At first, I was a bit relieved because I didn't know how to bring up what I found in the clips of my dad. After a lot of reflecting, I decided Abe can't be blamed for not telling me about knowing my dad. His powers didn't show themselves until the spring. There would not have been enough time for the two to interact again before my dad's passing. Plus Goldfish. I know it will be a weird conversation to have with Abe about how he got Goldfished. Especially since he is already paranoid about it. Dad, on the other hand, is not quite off the hook yet.

Now I am anticipating verbal diarrhea where all the things I saw and have been thinking come flowing out without control. This is one of the toughest side effects of going multiple days in a row without seeing your best friend. And it will only get worse between now and when we reunite.

The other suckiest side effect of bestie withdrawal is my need for connection. Keeping to myself this long has made me a bit attention-hungry. I am craving engagement.

As the final bell for the day rings, I pull out my phone to text Annie from AP Bio to see if she wants to study–which will just become us binge-watching a Netflix show for three hours. Before I can finish my message, I see Clay leaving school.

I'll bother him instead.

"Hey," I say, matching his cadence.

Clay looks at me and scoffs.

"I assume since your BFF wasn't here again today, you are here to torment me instead."

There is something in the way he says "BFF." He is hinting at something and making fun at the same time. I can't help but laugh. "So you noticed Abe wasn't here also. Told me he can't kick some stomach bug."

"He is in half my classes and one of few people I can almost tolerate here at this school."

"Well, all of his tolerableness he learned from me," I inform him.

This makes Clay half-smile. "Doubtful."

This makes me full-smile.

"So, wanna hang out? We could go to Cuppy's." I cut to the chase.

I picture an angel and devil appear on my shoulder.

I wonder how Abe would feel if he showed up at our favorite coffee shop and we were there hanging out with Clay.  The devil remarks.

Now now. I don't think that would be very best friend of us. The angel is right, but such a stick in the mud. I usually ignore him.

"I'm busy," Clay replies.

With a poof, my visitors are gone.

Clay stops and says, "I am on my way to...actually. You free for a bit?"

"Hence me asking you if you wanna hang."

"Hence." He shakes his head. "Come with me."

"Where?"

"Vinny's."

"Who?" I ask completely confused.

"You'll see." Another half-smile.

For some reason, I feel a bit flushed. Maybe because I am surprised Clay actually wants to spend time together. Since our conversation in the art room, I haven't seen him much. Abe tells me when I meet a new guy, queer or not, I can come off a bit clingy. I told myself I wouldn't do that this time with Clay. Besides being incredibly hot, he makes leaving him alone kinda easy because he is so hard to read. I decided last week that Clay is more of a stalk, I mean observe, from afar kinda hottie.