A/N: I just want to say a really quick thank you for all the reads, votes, and comments so far! I'm always so happy to hear your thoughts and opinions! Love you!!
I tapped my pencil on the desk as I watched the clock that was hanging on the classroom wall ticking away at its odd and broken rhythm. It was last period on a Friday and there was a charged air in the room that made everyone's feelings obvious. We all wanted to leave. I wasn't sure how much time I'd have with Mitch today, he mentioned something about it being his friend's birthday and there being a party but I wasn't sure which day he meant. It'd be good for him to hang out with people from his own area though, he didn't seem to do that a lot.
I shrugged, going back to the history notes I was writing. I'd already started to fall behind, I couldn't allow myself to get too distracted by Mitch that I start failing. My parents would probably kick me out. My mind drifted off and I was suddenly curious about out what my parents got up to when they were my age. Probably doing hard drugs and listening to some 'influential' music. That's what they called it when they heard me listening to the Beyoncé album I bought. I don't really care though, Mitch was right when he said that Beyonce was ***Flawless.
I finished the work just as the school bell rang and threw my backpack over my shoulder, telling Alex I'd see him later and heading off to the park. Mitch wasn't there when I arrived, but I didn't mind. I just pulled out some of my homework and started it. I knew that no one did homework on a Friday afternoon, but I had the time to spare, so why not? I worked until I heard footsteps and looked up to see Mitch smiling at me, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. I put an arm out and he sat down, snuggling into my side like he usually did. I would never get tired of the way that his body fit into mine. He moulded into me so perfectly, his head resting just below my chin and his legs sitting next to mine comfortably.
"What's up?" I asked softly, moving the hand that wasn't around him to fix his hair.
"Nothing." The word was blunt and I knew that it was hiding something, but I didn't want to push him. "Do you want to come to a party tomorrow night?" He asked and looked up at me. The question caught me off guard, so I just stared at him for a little while before realising that I was supposed to answer.
"Um... Wouldn't I get caught? It's not exactly a private place we could hide..." I looked down at him and he shrugged.
"It's a costume party. People always dress up as different colours. It'll be fun, come on please?" He pouted at me and I couldn't say no to those eyes.
"Doesn't red have an issue with you dressing up as different colours?" I asked softly, more scared than curious at this point.
"Not really. I mean they do, but they also can't really do anything. Freedom of speech and all. So it's not so much a party as it is a protest on the segregation of colours. They don't care as long as it's not people from other areas." He leaned up to poke my nose and wink. "So I'll have to do your makeup to make you look like it's a costume, don't worry." He grinned.
"Fine, fine. I'd probably get home now though, so I can do some chores and convince my parents to let me go. Alright?" I hugged him closer, still playing with his thin brown hair.
"Okay, I'll probably just hang here for a bit." He smiled softly and hugged me back before I stood up.
"You sure everything is okay?"
"Yeah, now go!" He laughed and leaned back to push my leg as I started walking, shaking my head at him.
***
I walked in the front door to the sight of my parents rushing around the house and cleaning every single already clean surface.
"Scott you're home early! Thank god, go clean the kitchen please we have the Maldonado's coming over tonight!" My mother put her hand in the small of my back and directed me to the kitchen where I finished drying the dishes and putting them away. The Maldonado's were family friends who we hadn't seen in ages. They had a daughter about my age, but she always spent time with Lauren when she was over. I had only really seen photos of her online but she looked really good, slimmed down a bit and dyed her hair lighter than it was. I hoped that we were still interested in the same things though, we used to do choir together and it would be a shame if she stopped using her beautiful voice.
I continued to scrub the kitchen until my father said that it was acceptable and that I had to then go up to my room and get ready. Apparently it wasn't funny to say that I was just going to wear my boxers, no matter how hilarious my father's facial expression was. I went up to my room and started to strip down to shower after texting Alex and letting him know that we were going to have company. I almost didn't notice the note on my desk, but it caught my eye as I put my phone down.
It was from Mitch.
'Oh, and don't forget to wear something collared and pretty. If you're going to be a fake you're going to have to dress like the stereotype. - Juliet.'
I rolled my eyes at the nickname and laughed softly, knowing that he was right. I needed to pretend I was wearing a costume. So I put the note back under my phone, not really too bothered as no one ever came into my room. Except Mitch apparently. How did he even get in here without my parents or I noticing? I'll have to ask the next time I see him although I doubt he'll tell me with his whole 'mysterious' vibe.
I quickly took a shower, singing along to Queen Bey as I did so and then getting dressed and ready. Just as I finished pulling on my blue Joyrich sweater, the doorbell rang and I knew that my parents were expecting Lauren and I to get downstairs before they'd even consider opening the door. It was all part of some ridiculous idea that my parents had about us always needing to come across as the perfect family but I never understood why. It was exhausting.
I watched my parents open the door from where Lauren and I were seated on the couch and we stood up, going to greet the other family with hugs and big smiles. I put my hands in my pockets and smiled shyly at Kirstie. I'd formulated a plan while I was getting ready and it was simple. If I pretended that I had a crush on Kirstie, my parents would drop their constant asking for me to find a girl and more importantly they would never guess about me being gay. I only really had to keep it up for the one night, if my parents asked afterwards I could just say that she rejected me and act heartbroken. It was perfect.
"Hey... You look nice." I smiled and ran a hand through my hair, trying to ignore the thought which popped into my head and suggested that I should just act like she's Mitch.
"Thanks? You too. You've really grown. A lot." She laughed and I nodded, looking down at her. She had a point. I heard my mother say something and I looked up at her, feeling slightly victorious when I saw the look she was giving us.
"There's plenty of time before dinner's ready. You kids can watch a movie down here or just relax, no sneaking off to your room." She winked at me and I wanted to throw up. Partially because it was Kirstie, but mostly because it was coming out of my mother's mouth. We sat down on the couch anyway and Lauren disappeared to sit with the adults like she sometimes did to make herself seem more involved though I knew she didn't listen to a single word they said.
"So... You still doing choir?" I tilted my head as she beat me to the question I was going to ask and I smiled slightly.
"Nah, but I do still sing." I shrugged and looked at her "you?"
"Same here. There's no one that good in choir at my school." She sighed "I'd like to but it's just no fun."
"I know exactly how you feel on that one. Also I'd probably get beaten up."
"That's fair." Kirstie froze as she realised the possible interpretations of her words. "Not that you'd get beaten up, that's completely unfair. But that you don't want to do it for those reasons. Oh my god. I'm so sorry..."
I shook my head and laughed "no no that's fine I understand what you mean."
We kept talking about life and school and friends until dinner was ready and we both jumped up. Kirstie was actually surprisingly easy to get along with. We had similar interests and our sense of humour was identical. I made a mental note to get her number so we could keep in contact.
Dinner itself was delicious and everyone was so invested in eating every last piece that no one really talked until the end of the meal.
"So Scott, your parents were saying that you're trying out for the football team?" Mrs Maldonado asked and I looked up at her and then at my parents who were smiling widely at them.
"Uh, yeah. I was going to but my trick knee won't allow me to play well enough so that dream's been put to bed." I lied through my teeth and chuckled softly.
"Oh that's such a shame. Kirstie's a cheerleader, you know?" Her father prompted and I nodded, trying to seem interested as Kirstie's face had an unreadable expression. It was clear that they were just trying to play matchmaker now.
"Uh, mom can Kirstie and I be excused? I want to show her something in my room..." I smiled at my mother and then to Kirstie, trying to signal for her to go along with it.
"Yeah, Scott said something about showing me his record collection earlier." She smiled. I had to give her credit, she had at least been listening during our conversation before dinner. We were allowed to go and the two of us raced up the stairs, laughing softly as we rounded the corner to my bedroom. Luckily it was at least vaguely neat.
Kirstie shut the door behind her and looked at me, tilting her head slightly for a second as she watched my face. Her expression seemed almost like one that passed Mitch's features when I said something that threw him off.
"Why are you pretending to have a crush on me?" She said it so bluntly that I knew I couldn't lie about it and I just slumped down onto my bed and patted the spot next to me.
"It's nothing against you, promise. And I'm sorry if I've hurt your feelings or anything. My parents just expect me to be ready to settle down as soon as I leave high school and I thought that if I pretended to have an interest in you..." I trailed off, hoping that she would know what I meant.
"What? They wouldn't know you're gay?" My head snapped up so fast that I swear I almost broke it, some of the blue draining from my face.
"How do you know?!" I whispered harshly and looked at her, my eyes the size of tennis balls.
"You told me when we were about six years old..." She laughed softly though I didn't understand how any of this was funny. "Don't worry your pretty little face though, I won't tell anyone. I'll even be your fake girlfriend if you want."
"Really? That would be the best thing in the world. Thank you. I'm so sorry..." I hid my face in my hands, shaking my head as I tried to understand everything that had just happened. I hardly even heard Kirstie move over to my nightstand and when I heard something move in that direction I slowly looked up to the sight of her holding the note I got from Mitch.
"Who's Juliet? Not as gay as you seem?" She tilted her head and handed me the note. "Wait. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have read it, it was just open on the nightstand..."
I took it and shrugged "it's fine, actually it reminds me of something... Now that you're okay with not spilling to my parents... I kind of have this party to go to tomorrow night..." I said softly.
"Let me guess... There's a cute boy who's throwing a party and wants you to come but you obviously can't tell your parents that so you want to tell them that you're taking me out on a date instead?"
My mouth hung open. I hadn't even thought that quickly but I nodded, amazed. "Are you sure you can't read minds? That would be the best thing ever, I'll even pay you if you want..."
"No need. I have a little party of my own that I want to go to but I have the same problem. A little cover up won't do any harm right?" She grinned and sat down on the bed, resting her head on my shoulder.
"Why are you doing all of this?" The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself, but she didn't seem to mind, she looked up at me and shrugged.
"Who said I'm not getting anything out of it? You're not the only one who isn't heterosexual Scott." She giggled and poked my nose as I looked at her. "Asexual and panromantic. I have this crush on this one girl though... Oh my god she's so pretty..." Kirstie looked at the floor and grinned to herself.
"Is she going to be at the party?" I poked her side and she squirmed away from me, giggling. It was actually really endearing to see how much she adored this girl. "Then I guess the plan is set-"
I was cut off when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and closer to the door, and just as the doorknob turned, Kirstie pulled my face to hers and kissed me. There was an awkward and slightly gross feeling to the kiss, but I knew that it was my get out of jail free card, so I returned the uncomfortable movement, only pulling away when I heard my mother clear her throat.
"Oh... Didn't hear you. Sorry mom." I blushed, the situation was embarrassing nevertheless. Kirstie got up and brushed herself off, quickly running down the stairs toward her own parents. My mother turned to leave but I put a hand on her arm before she could go. "Hey... Could I be able to take Kirstie out on a date tomorrow night? I don't think we're busy and she's really cute an-"
"Yes of course, now go let her know it's okay before she can leave." My mother smiled at me with big adoring eyes and I realised that tonight could not have gone better.
I stopped when I got to the front hallway where everyone was gathered, quickly walking up to Kirstie and asking to talk to her for a second before taking her by the hand and pulling her away.
"My mom fell for it. How about... Six-thirty tomorrow? That'll give us plenty of time to get ready before they start. Also can I get your phone number so we can work out details?" I smiled sheepishly and she tapped away as she put the new contact into my phone, smiling softly.
"Thanks for all of this. I hope your night with Juliet goes well. You're picking me up from my house, right?" She asked and I nodded, knowing that her parents would talk to mine if that didn't happen.
"Thanks. I hope your date with the prince is just as wonderful. See you tomorrow." I whispered and kissed her cheek before her family left.
I ran up to my room and shut the door before I got any lectures from my parents about "being safe" and went to bed, thinking about the party and Mitch. I knew I had to tell Alex about this one. But for that night I just slept and dreamt in colour.