The next morning, Chris felt a little lighter. Like a weight had been lifted off his chest.
He actually didn't dread school as much as he thought - he was excited, even.
Why, you ask?
I think we both know the answer.
"Hey mom, you don't have to drive me today. I wanna take the bus." He said as he swung his bag over his shoulder.
"Oh? Have you made friends already?" She asked.
"Something like that." Chris smiled.
And with that, he headed over to his bus stop. He pulled his hood over his head, hoping nobody would look at him. He just wanted to see Simon, that's it. Not the obnoxious pink haired girl or any of her little gremlin friends - not anybody. He, admittedly, had become quite attached to the boy in such a short amount of time.
It was just something about that bright smile of his, and the way he could make Chris's stomach feel all fluttery with just a look, and his cute fluffy hair, and...
Everything about him. Chris was mesmerized by the idea of him.
But of course, he wouldn't show it. Simon would definitely think he was weird - I mean, who develops a crush in that short amount of time? Plus, he probably wasn't into guys.
Chris heard the sound of the bus stopping and got on.
Simon wasn't on the bus yet, so he just sat alone in the back.
God damnnit, why is he all I can think about?
After what felt like forever, Chris felt someone nudge him.
He turned.
"Cwissy, I have your sweatshirt." Simon grinned at him.
"Oh, you can keep it if you want." Chris blurted out.
Fuck, why did I say that? That's so fucking weird of me. He probably doesn't want my shitty sweater.
He noticed Simon's face go a shade of red as he sat down by him.
"O-Oh? Really?" He asked softly.
"Yeah. It's whatever, I don't give a shit." Chris looked away. He had to maintain his edgy persona.
"Aw, and just when I thought you were becoming soft for me.~" Simon teased.
"I'm not fucking soft for anyone, dipshit." Chris crossed his arms.
"You're so mean!" Simon pouted.
Chris turned to face him.
"I'm not mean, you're just obnoxious."
Simon's playful smile quickly faded.
Fuck. I screwed it up again.
"Sorry. I didn't mean it." Chris said, his expression softening as he placed a hand on Simon's.
They both looked at each other.
"You know, we don't have to be friends if you really think I'm annoying." Simon said quietly.
"No! I don't - you're - you're fine. You haven't done anything wrong. I'm just..." Chris trailed off. He sighed. "I'm just bad with words."
"Oh, that's okay." Simon smiled.
Simon intertwined their fingers again. Chris felt himself blush.
"Jeez, you sure do blush a lot." Simon smiled. "Do you like me or something?"
"Your face is red too, y'know." Chris smirked.
"You didn't answer the question!" Simon teased.
"Whatever, shitface." Chris looked away.
"You love me.~" Simon laughed.
"I do not!"
"You do."
"I do NOT!"
"You do!"
Chris let go of Simon's hand and turned to look at him again.
He stared intensely before reaching an arm out and ruffling Simon's hair.
He smirked as he watched Simon's face become redder than his own.
The bus stopped, and Chris got up without a word. Simon trailed behind him.
"Chris!~" Simon said in his usual sing-song voice.
"What do you want?" Chris replied.
"Who do you have second period?" Simon asked, grabbing Chris's hand.
"Cheset. And don't hold my hand, people are going to think we're gay." Chris said bluntly.
"I mean, they already know I'm gay." Simon shrugged. "Also, we have second period together."
"Wait - you're gay?!" Chris's eyes widened.
"...Was it not obvious?" Simon blinked. "I literally look so fucking fruity."
"No, I couldn't tell." Chris said. "Although now that I think of it, you do look like a twink."
"Gee, thanks - wait. You're not straight, are you?" Simon asked.
Chris looked at him.
"I.." He started. "I don't...know?"
"Have you ever liked a guy?" Simon asked.
"...Yeah. I have." Chris whispered.
"Huh. Not very straight of you." Simon smirked.
"Guess not."
Chris squeezed Simon's hand a bit.
"Hey, could I get your number?" He asked.
"Sure! Hand me your phone."
Chris handed Simon the phone, who put his number in.
"There."
"Thanks." Chris smiled softly.
They both entered the classroom, Chris letting go of Simon's hand.
"Christopher, sit wherever you want." The teacher said to him.
Chris sat at the back, again, by Simon. He sighed and laid his head on the desk.
The next two periods went by quickly, and it was finally lunch.
"Hey, Cwissy! Come eat lunch with my friends and I." Simon beamed.
"Fine, whatever."
Chris followed Simon to a table. There sat the little cretin children he dreaded to see.
"Okay, guys, introduce yourselves." Simon said.
"I'm Rai." The one with the puffy brown hair that covered their eyes said. They looked like they were on the verge of death, with smudgy eyeliner running down their face.
"I'm Bunny!" A boy with spiky short hair grinned. He wore little pigtails in his light brown hair and had kandi all over both of his arms.
"Hi! I'm Val!" The little pink haired girl beamed at him. She was petite, like a little doll. Definitely below 5'0. She did have nice eyeliner though, he noticed.
"Hey, I'm Lulu." The last girl said. She was blonde, with pretty brown eyes and long hair. She looked the most normal out of all of them.
"Cool. I'm Chris." Chris said.
"We know." Rai replied.
Bunny whispered something into Val's ear, and Val nodded.
"Okay, let's play spin the bottle!" Val beamed.
Simon shot Val a death glare, and Bunny began having a fit of laughter. Chris started to wonder what the fuck was going on.
"Sure." Chris said. "Here, let's use my water bottle."
Chris put his water bottle in the middle of the table. He spun it.
It landed on Val. Chris held his breath for the next spin.
Lulu.
He let out a sigh of relief.
"Okay, easy." Val shrugged. They kissed like it was nothing.
He spun again.
Bunny.
"Oh god." Bunny mumbled.
And Val.
"Me again?!" Val crossed her arms. She whispered something to Bunny again.
Simon, who overheard whatever she whispered, smacked Val.
Bunny and Val got the kiss over with, and Chris spun a last time.
It landed on him.
He felt his stomach twist into knots.
Please, God, let it be Simon.
He spun.
Please.
Simon.
Val, Bunny, Lulu, and Rai all shrieked in unison.
"Oh." He looked at Simon, both of their faces redder than tomatoes.
"Right, let's just...get this over with." Simon mumbled.
Chris tentatively leaned in, cupping Simon's face with one hand. He was shaking.
He pressed his lips against Simon's.
It was so soft, and didn't last very long, but it was perfect. It felt perfect. God.
Chris pulled away, slowly removing his hand from Simon's cheek.
Chris laughed nervously.
"Uh...no homo?"