"I don't want to let go." I was hugging him after eating an ice cream sundae and just talking about nonsense for the last four hours. He always smelled so good. I wanted to steal his shirt one of these days.
"I know Lukas. It is not yet time. You can text me now though, okay? I will send a message to your phone so you have my number." He pulled back and looked at me with such a warm look that I felt tingly.
"Okay. Is it okay if I text you anytime Sir?" I looked down at my feet and hoped he would say yes.
"Alright. But I may not reply right away. You must be patient. I have work." He replied after a minute. I nodded and looked up with a happy face.
"I understand. Thank you Sir!" I chirped. He chuckled and ruffled my hair. It made my chest clench with something akin to pain. It was something you would do to a kid. Was that still how he saw me? Gods I hope not. "Umm."
"What is it, Lukas?" He gave me a stern look. I hesitated.
"Can I... uhm, may I have a birthday present Sir?" I bit my lip and tilted my head.
"It wasn't enough that I came all this way to see you?" He asked with a frown. I cleared my throat.
"Ah, no it was, that is... just I was hoping..." I scratched my head and my gaze dropped to his lips. A blush covered my cheeks and I looked away. I heard his sigh.
"You really like to push things." He growled at me. I slumped my shoulders, then shrugged helplessly.
"I just love you." I said quietly. His finger tilted my head up to look me in the eyes. His gaze was softer, even if his face was still stern.
"I know. You need to be more patient, pet." He admonished me. I sighed. I wasn't getting a kiss then. I nodded and tried to hold in my disappointment. I heard him say something under his breath that I couldn't make out. Then his breath was against my lips. "Spoiled."
They touched mine gently. It was almost fleeting, teasing, and so tender that I wanted to rip my chest open from how big my heart felt from it. I gasped and flushed so bright my skin burned when he pulled away. He grinned at me and shoved me towards the cab that had pulled up.
"Now, behave." He said as he opened the door. I slid into the seat next to a rather drunk Pete. I nodded and he shut the door behind me.
"I will. I promise."
*
If doing my schoolwork and trying not to cause trouble was easy for me, I would have been valedictorian or some shit. I wasn't valedictorian. And it was hard. Really fucking hard. Like, harder than not swearing out loud when you stub your toe.
I stood with tears flowing down my cheeks and my face red as I held my poor abused socked foot. It was partly my own fault that I had kicked my bedframe as I tried to get dressed for graduation. I was rushing because I was packing last minute.
I didn't want my parents to catch wind of the fact that I was ready to fly the moment I had the piece of paper that said I was free from Secondary school in hand. Sasha had promised to pick me up and I was going to be ready for him.
Even dressed like a penguin and hiding my bags in my flashy piece of crap car that scared the shit out of me if I went over sixty. All of my stuff was mostly already in the trunk. The last of my junk was in an overnight bag on my bed. That one was the only bag I'd walk out with.
After my foot stopped throbbing and I could get my shoes on that is. I sniffed as I sat on the bed and rubbed the feeling away. Once it was tolerable, I shoved my feet into the black dress shoes my mother had bought me. They were pretty hideous. Christian something with Italian leather and pointed toes.
I looked more like I was attending a wedding than a graduation if you asked me. My blue suit was some kind of shiny fabric and fit me like a glove. I had a black shirt and striped tie underneath. Okay, so I looked like a hot young executive. Still not comfortable.
I grabbed the bag off my bed and went downstairs to say goodbye to Pete. He wasn't busy at the time, just leaning against the counter and chatting with one of the servers for the party later. Not a graduation party, no. It was something my parents were having and they were glad that I was going to be 'out.'
We slapped hands and said a few words, him congratulations and me something like thanks. Then I was on my way to the graduation celebration at the school. I drove my car to the parking lot and followed the groups of people who were all going inside.
The students were all funneled into an area where they were giving out hats and instructions. We didn't have to wear those stupid gown things. It would ruin all the girls' fancy outfits anyways.
The boys all look about the same no matter who it was. Well, except that kid over there in the fluorescent orange suit that looked like a fool. He was laughing with his friends and acting like a tool. I rolled my eyes.
"You look good, Lukas." I heard the voice of my best friend and turned to see how she turned out. I smiled.
"Nice rags Ames." I high fived her and she did a twirl. I whistled in appreciation. She had on some sparkly sneakers too and I had to laugh.
"Yeah. Turns out I clean up real nice. Too bad your gay ass will miss out on all this." She joked with me. I laughed and nodded.
"Definitely my loss." I agreed. She looked a little hesitant.
"Are your..." She stopped at my frown. I shook my head no.
"They have the party later. Said they would send the butler if I wanted." I looked down at my shoes.
"Well that's their loss. You have me." She looped her arm in mine and I smiled over at her in gratitude. I patted her hand.
"Thanks Ames. You know... you are part of my chosen family." I said seriously. She smiled back. We waited for things to begin and then went through the motions. It was just a bunch of posturing really. The student council president went up and said some crap. The principal of the school said a speech about education.
Blah blah blah. I was falling asleep before they finally started to give out the diplomas. Then each person went up and took their piece of paper, smiled for the camera, and then walked back to their seat. When it was my turn, I jogged up and gave the dude a hug, grabbed the paper and showed it to the crowd.
A few people were laughing and I saw a flash from the audience as a row of cheers sounded. I bowed and exited the stage, looking over the folks that had cheered for me. There was the butler, my old driver, and surprisingly Pete was there too.
The ones I was not expecting to be there though were Sasha and his parents. The old people looked stone-faced if I'm being honest. Not exactly thrilled to be there. Or maybe they both just had resting bitch-face? I wasn't sure. I can't think that their son being with a guy fresh out of high school was high on the list of most desired outcomes.
I was nervous for the ceremony to be over. My gaze kept flickering over to where they were sitting and trying to guess what they were thinking. I kept smoothing my suit and touching my hair. Did I look okay? Maybe I was overdressed.
"Stop fidgeting. It's almost done." Ames whispered from behind me. I sighed and tapped my foot on the floor to a song in my head and waited.
We were done. I grabbed a hold of Ames and ran out to where the guests were gathered to take pictures. We took a photo with Ames' parents and then I ran over to where my people were.
"Congratulations." The word was repeated by almost everyone there, big smiles on their faces and hands out for shakes and hugs.
"Hey, thanks so much!" I shook the butler's hand. I gave Pete a hug. "I didn't think you'd be able to make it."
"I left my sous-chef in charge for a bit. She needs the experience." He waved it off like it was nothing. I grinned.
"You move a lot." The old woman said with her straight face.
"Mama." Sasha said with a look. He came forward for a hug and I sighed with relief.
"Congratulation. You wear nice suit. Let's go eat." The old man said, clapping my back so hard I nearly fell over if it wasn't for Sasha.
"We need to take a picture first." Sasha said, handing his camera over to Pete. He kept his arm around me and I held up my diploma with a grin. I handed it to him when it was done.
"Okay, I'm done. Let's go." I said with an eager smile. He rolled his eyes.
"He promised lunch." The old woman pointed at him. I laughed.
"Sounds good to me. Where we going?" I asked with a mischievous look.
"Family restaurant. Nana, meet us there. I will show Lukas where to go." He said without missing a beat. I said goodbye to the others and texted Ames to let her know I was leaving already. "Where is your car?"
"Lot C on the other side." I told him, looking up and pointing in the direction we needed to go. He nodded and we headed out to the car. When we got close, I gave him the key. "Why don't you drive, Sir?"
He looked down at the fob and rolled his eyes. When we got to the car his eyes widened and he looked at me accusingly. I just grinned and shrugged.
"I'm going to look like a mobster in this thing." He muttered as he got in the driver's seat. I laughed and got into the passenger seat.
"I don't know... I think it's kinda hot." I winked at him. He started the engine and his stern face as he pulled out into traffic was just gorgeous. I was staring. I knew he saw all my stuff in the back seat too.
"You really don't plan to go back." He glanced at me with those serious eyes. I shook my head.
"Nope. I told you. As soon as it was over. I want to be with you Sir. I don't care how hard it is." I told him, looking down at my lap.
"Alright. Alright, but there will be rules." He replied with a sigh.
"Yes Sir." I said with a small smile.
"And you will have to work or go to college." He glanced at me. I was nodding before he even finished his words.
"I will Sir. I promise." I told him. He was smiling himself now.
"You are stubborn." He accused me. I nodded.
"Yes Sir. I am." I admitted.
"And spoiled." He spat out. I grinned and peeked over at him.
"Yes Sir. I hope so." I heard him start to laugh. I kept my head down and bit my lip.
"And mine." His husky words drifted over to me, and his hand came up to ruffle my hair affectionately. My heart felt big to bursting again and I felt tears prick my eyes with the overflow of emotions at his words.
"Yes Sir. I'm yours."
2012