Hooked up

one

It's bad enough getting a text from your mother, but what's worse is when she asks you to bring a date to your yearly family vacation. I guess she's just tired of Margo tagging along every vacation, and if I can't find this so called date, she's gonna deal with Margo for another year. And honestly, if I bring Margo to, like, every vacation what makes my mom think I can bring a date? She's full blown psycho- me? Bring a date? You're joking. My entire high school life I've never had a real boyfriend, better yet I'm still a virgin. Basically Augustus Waters, except I don't have cancer and he got laid by Hazel Grace and then died- okay so maybe I'm not Augustus Waters, but I was him when he was a virgin. I'm more like that one old movie called 40 year old virgin, I've never watched the movie but, I bet he gets laid too. Top it off with my social life is drier than little Debbie's snacks; I still wonder how my mother thinks I'll get a date. I feel like mothers think their children can just pull shit they ask for right out of their asses. "Get your own money" sure thing, want me to shove my hand up my ass and grab it?
Anyone else as a kid would look for like, say keys, that your mom asked you to get off the counter, but when you looked they weren't there, so when your mom said she's gonna beat you like Madonna does her kids if she finds them- and fucking bam the keys are right there. It's like the fucking fairies pulled a trick on you right there and then.
Anyways, Vacation. Date. Not gonna happen. Who else would come with me other than Margo? Nobody.
I sighed heavily and put my arm across my eyes to cover them.
"Fuuuck," I whispered, "What am I gonna do?" Picking up my phone I went through my contacts, talking to myself quietly.
"No, no, no,"I sighed annoyingly, "God no, maybe? Oh my god I don't know."
Who the hell is gay enough to be my fake boyfriend for a week? I swiped my finger up one last time to be met with a name that stuck out.
"I mean, he could, but would he? I'm sure he hates me, it's been a few months of not talking to him.."
Byron Hayes. He and I go pretty far back, after graduating junior year and moving into Senior year, he and I slowly stopped talking. It was mainly the fact that we have no classes together, not even lunch. That, and it's senior year, I don't want to bother him, though this might be one way to break the ice, so fuck it.
I tapped on Byron's contact, and sent a quick message asking if he would meet up in the afternoon today at Blue Crown Cafè. I turned off my phone, sat up from bed and made my way to the kitchen. The unsettling nervousness began to form in my stomach, Byron is- was? My best friend, even before Margo. He was the first one I came out to and he the same, which might sound weird, but it was a huge checkpoint in my life, and I'm sure his too.
I felt myself smiling thinking of old memories of me and him. I pulled out some yogurt and granola for my breakfast, considering it being eleven in the morning, and meeting Byron in the afternoon- if he meets me, I'm sure I'll want some type of menu item from the cafè.
I took the bowl of granola and yogurt back into my room, shoving a spoonful of yogurt and granola in my mouth as I do so. I flipped on the light with my free hand and grabbed my laptop throwing it onto my bed. I grabbed my phone and set my container of yogurt down and saw that Byron actually replied. My heart stopped and immediately I got sweaty and nervous.

'I'm down, I missed you, it's a way to catch up.'

Holy. Shit. I breathed in, not realizing I stopped breathing for a quick second, he doesn't mind? He's down? He misses me? He wants to catch up? In this moment I knew I was having a mini gay panic, Byron wanted to also meet up. Holy. Fuck. My fingers tapped away on my phone for a response back.

'Cool! Is 12:30pm okay with you?'

I hit the send button and seconds after I sent it I saw the three dots pop up, him typing a response, and got a message back.

'Yeah, I'm okay with that time, I'll see you then L.'

I turned off my phone and sat on my bed in silence for a second, before smiling big and letting out a loud 'yes' and throwing my hands up. Getting back in contact with a old friend- your best friend for that matter- is totally refreshing. And holy shit. What am I gonna wear? Not that is should matter but it totally matters. Is this a good time to mention I totally had a mini gay crush on Byron? Bad timing?

I ended up deciding on some black adidas sweatpants, and a loose red t-shirt. Nothing too formal, nothing too comfortable, just right. I think? I hope. I texted Margo about what's happening, because, she knows everything, and I feel the need to let her know. I'm relieved to hear that she doesn't mind if she's not invited to the vacation, I think she actually hates them but won't tell me, but deals with it anyways because she loves me. What a good best friend.
It was twelve o'clock exactly and arriving early to the cafè sounded weird but a-okay in my book. I snatched my keys from my dresser, my phone, and locked the door on my way out and walked to the cafè. It's not that far anyways, maybe eight minutes to walk there and back, not a big deal, I need exercise anyways but refuse to even bother with it. The cafè smelled like it always does, lemon tea and the fresh smell of pastries being toasted. It's a nice pleasant smell, especially on a sunny day of April. A middle aged looking woman with grey hairs running through her thrown up hair, wrinkles littered her face as a large smile caressed her features.
"Welcome to Blue Crown Cafè young boy, is it just you?" She said.
"Uh, no, I'm waiting on someone if I could get two seats- please." I said back, peering at her name-tag that says Jenny.
"Sure thing sweet, follow me."
"Thank you, Jenny."
She nodded at me and beckoned me to follow her to a free table.
"A waitress will be with you soon." Jenny said, and walked back up to the front, seating new people.
I sat down and heavily sighed, a waitress with the name of Kate was my waitress, she took my order of a strawberry filled donut and a regular mocha coffee. Letting her know that one other person was on their way.
Everytime I heard the light jingle of the cafè door opening I'd grow stiff and glance up over at the door, wondering if it was Byron, only to be disappointed that it wasn't, but a part of me was somewhat relieved. I'm totally not ready- am I ready? Here I am stuffing my mouth with a strawberry donut and sucking down my coffee nervously. I probably look like some desperate nerd highschool boy waiting for their date to arrive, god I hope others aren't thinking that. I heard the jingle of the door opening and it took everything in me to not look, I occupied myself with my phone and scrolling through Twitter. And in the distance I could hear Jenny's voice saying;
"Sure thing right over there."
Right there and then I couldn't help myself but to look up and meet eyes with a male and I knew it was Byron. His Blue eyes haven't changed, his brown hair was a mess- but a good type of mess. He grew at least a few inches taller, he looks like he's 5'7 now. And holy shit he's gotten way more attractive. How the hell does that happen within a few months of not talking? Holy.
He smiled at me and made his way over to me and sat down. His smile made me smile back, and I pushed the menu towards him and in a soft like whisper, I said,
"Hi."
To my surprise his voice seemed a bit deeper and he responded back.
"Hey."