"Best Friends"

Chapter Eleven

“Good God, today took forever to end!” Jonah huffs as he lifts from our locker.

I drop my books on the tile at our feet while he twists the lock. “I am so f*****g done.”

He chuckles, “It’s only the first week back.”

“End of the first week back,” I corrected, “and I’m already over it. I don’t like having this free-period study hall s**t this semester! It’s bogus. I have nothing to do but homework and it’s not like I can go home – like most people do – because I have to wait for you!”

He backs up and lets me throw my notebooks in. “Mmm, what about joining me in Drama? Mister Ryan wouldn’t mind at all.”

“Aren’t you guys prepping for the Spring Musical though?”

“I mean, those of us who are in it, yeah. That’s why I’m sure he won’t give a s**t; we’ll all be out on the stage and everyone else will be f*****g around in the classroom.”

Dipping out of school before the crowd, the bell rings when we’re already trekking through the snow to get to the car. All the way to the Wilson’s VW SUV, Jonah and I stand awkwardly in our snow jackets. My hands curl around my messenger bag strap while he pulls out his phone. “I cannot believe people took picture of The Kiss. That’s so awkward, right?”

I lift my brows and shrug when his eyes flick to my face. “People take pictures of you on stage doing all sorts of stuff.”

He tugs at the one backpack strap over his shoulder. “Well yeah, but that’s acting! The kiss was an ambush and now it’s practically viral.”

I frown, “I’m sorry we didn’t get to follow through with our tradition. … how are you and Justin?”

He slips his phone into his coat pocket and his brown eyes drift to the side. “It’s not the tradition or that it was me and Justin that’s bothers me. Him and I are great, actually. It’s just that it was such an intimate, real moment and it’s everywhere.” Sighing, his looks back to me, “I know I’m like everyone’s gay buddy and I love acting and fashion and social media, I know I’m on the school council and event committee and whatnot…. But, like, I don’t really want people taking pictures of me kissing my boyfriend. It’s an invasion of privacy.”

I nod in agreement, totally seeing his point. “Have you talked to the people who still have the picture up?”

“I tried but some haven’t gotten back to me, and some think I’m kidding and some I know won’t because this is like their claim to fame, having me tagged in the photo. Even if I’ve untagged myself, people know it’s me. Honestly, if I get angry enough, I might just start reporting people.”

Tucking my arm around him in a half-hug, my head falls against his puffy shoulder. “I’m sorry this has been so stressful.”

Jonah’s head tilts against mine, “Are you spending the night tonight, sweetie?”

“I should be able to. But I do need you guys to actually drop me at my house first. Dad said there’s something we need to talk about. Plus, I don’t have any f*****g homework to do so I’m dropping my bag off, checking on Hades, and might grab a hot bath while I can.”

We both see Clark in his black peacoat, grey hoodie up and earbuds in, with dark wash jeans and using his snow boots to make steady passage through the now slushy parking lot. He lifts a hand in greeting a few cars away and he smiles genuinely – dimples and all. Awkwardly he half-hugs Jonah then very fluently brings me into a hug against his chest. “Hey you two.”

“Good mood, much?” Jonah asks and he curls around to the passenger door.

“Sure, why not? It’s Friday.”

In the car behind him, our doors close at the same time. “Have any plans tonight?” I catch Clark’s eye in the mirror.

“Nope, you?”

“I need you to drop me off at home, there’s something my dad wants to talk about. Then I guess I’m heading over.”

Jonah lets out a soft “shoot” and slumps back in his seat.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just caught up on the group chat – the guys need to move D’n’D night from tomorrow to tonight.”

My shoulders drop a little. “Oh, that’s okay. You know I always love watching you guys.”

Clark turns his head over his shoulder. “We could put on a movie while they do that.”

Jonah bobs his head without looking up from texting, “True.”

Smiling to myself I ease back into the seat and close my eyes. Maybe today wasn’t such a bad day after all.

*

Lying across the sofa, I lazily scroll through f*******: while dragging on the hookah hose. Easing a long puff of white smoke, my eyes focus on a comment thread. It’s been about three weeks since New Year’s Eve and people are still commenting on my profile picture. Since I’d put a song lyric and so did Candice, a few people have been going back and forth trying to figure out what we were referencing. Seeing as I haven’t released her birthday song to the public it’s hilarious to see people reaching and coming up with c***k ideas.

I’ve been bouncing back the idea of singing her extended birthday song when we play at the Valentine’s Day party but only if Candice and I are together-together. Only a few weeks away, the party on the fifteenth versus the fourteenth, so there’s plenty of time… right? Eyes click to the right corner of the screen, seven-twenty. Listening for a moment I can tell Jonah and his group are in full swing. So, where is Candice?

Draping the hose over my chest, I text her:

Everything okay?

Yeah.

What did your dad want?

Well, I brought up the idea of something.

He said he would think on it.

He got back to me today.

And what’s that?

I need driving hours to get my test done in September.

We talked about getting me car…

But of course, he’d want me to contribute

Which means no allowance or I get a part-time job

And I have to search for a used one I like.

Oh, and then

He said I could get a membership at The Nat.

Awesome!

I can totally help with the car search.

And when did you want to go to the gym?

I’m in off season, we could go together

I have no idea what car.

I’ve always wanted a VW bug

Anyway, I’m heading over.

We can talk when I get there.