Unlikely Valentine
by Rob Warr
Chapter 3
Study date
Omigod I was so nervous all that next day. That evening Dylan would be riding home with me and actually coming into my house. In a way it felt like I was going to be hosting some celebrity or one of my fave boy actors. But having gotten to know Dylan a little better over the past week or so, I wasn't quite as much in awe of him as I'd been before.
He was turning out to be just a regular guy in most ways, though maybe a little more dedicated and committed than most were. I mean, he liked school, did well in his classes, and was an all around nice guy.
He had other friends, of course, some were jocks, some girls, but I didn't feel as threatened by them as I did at first. I soon understood that he was just the kind of person who made friends easily and who was genuinely nice to be around.
I know a few of the girls must've been crushing on him, how could they not? but he didn't seem to give any one of them more attention than he did the guys he hung out with.
But lunches were pretty much ours now. He had sat with us every day this week, including today, and now he was riding home with me in my mom's SUV.
Kenny was with her as expected, since he got out of school about 20 minutes earlier than I did, and mom almost always picked him up unless he told her otherwise.
Settling in the second row of seats, I made the introductions and my mom said 'it's nice to meet you Dylan, blah, blah, blah.' And Kenny just gave him a 'hey' and that was that.
The ride took all of fifteen minutes as opposed to forty five minutes by bus, since we didn't have to make all those stops the bus did. When we pulled into our drive I couldn't quite read the look on Dylan's face, but he finally spoke.
"Wow, you have a nice house, Mrs. Billingsly," he said to my mom.
"Why thank you, Dylan. It's modest but nice, and we're comfortable here, right boys?"
"Yeah," Kenny said, "it's cool."
"I just wish we had a pool," I joked, "and not one of those inflatable kind."
"Ha, ha, very funny," my mom said, "we need a pool like we need a third story."
"Hmm...a third story would be nice, I could have the whole top floor and make it my lair."
Kenny laughed as we climbed out, "Super Nerd, and his secret lair."
Dylan laughed too, but not at me, at Kenny's wit, I think.
"You guys are cool. I like how you banter with each other."
We were inside then and Dylan took a moment to look around and he seemed to be taking everything in.
"Nice inside, too."
"Mom's a sort of expert at decorating," I bragged, "she did my grandma's house, too. It's really nice."
"That's cause grandma had some bucks to spend that I didn't," mom joked.
"Yeah, our grands are loaded," Kenny offered, "they always give us a hundred bucks for our birthday, and really cool gifts at Christmas."
"Yes, they are generous, but we'd love them even if they were dirt poor, right?"
"Of course," I said trying to end this conversation on a high note, "they're great," then to Dylan I said, "want a snack before we start?"
"Sure, that would be great," Dylan said enthusiastically as I led him to our kitchen.
I nuked some pizza rolls and grabbed us a bottle of Powerade and we headed upstairs to my room. We left Kenny in the kitchen getting his own more healthy snack, probably a rice cake and some fruit. The kid is one of those health conscious people, not like a kid at all, and eats a lot of fruit and veggies.
"I like your room," Dylan said when we finally arrived. Oh, that's Elijah Wood, isn't it?" he said pointing to one of my posters.
"Yeah, when he was a lot younger, he's a lot older now," I chuckled, "I loved him in Lord of the Rings."
"Hmm, nice. I like how you decorated your room. Is it always this neat, or did you pick it up just for me?"
"I'm usually pretty neat, but I'll confess, I cleaned it up a bit. Nothing major, straightened up my closet and dusted..."
"Just for me," he said grinning.
"Yeah, well...I always do that when I have company." Which is...hardly ever. In fact, the last company I had was my cousin Liam, who is a year older than me and kind of a nerd.
"Mmm, these pizza rolls are awesome," he said around a mouthful of hot gooey goodness.
"Yeah, I like them a lot. Kenny won't eat them though," I chuckled, "he prefers healthy stuff like fruit."
"Well, good for him, I like healthy stuff too, but I like junk food just as much. I think as long as you balance things out it's okay. Not too much of a good thing, you know."
"I agree. I like fruit and most vegetables, but wave a juicy cheeseburger in front of me and I melt," I joked.
"Oh, me too," he said smiling animatedly.
We were quiet for a few minutes as we finished off our snacks, then Dylan asked if he could use the bathroom. I pointed to the door opposite my closet and explained that Kenny and I shared the bath and both rooms had a door into it.
"So, you might want to lock both doors if you're gonna be in there long," I said blushing.
"Just wanna wash my hands, that's all. Be right back."
When he got back, I did the same, and finally we were ready to get down to work. We were just in the planning stage at this point, and I made an outline for us, detailing who did what, and left space for results and stuff. Then when we were done, I made him a copy on my computer and printed it out. I also sent a copy to his email, which was a sneaky way of getting his email address...he he.
It only took us about an hour to finish, and I suggested I show him around outside. Our backyard was decent sized and we had a small out building there for the lawnmower and stuff but otherwise it was empty except for two elm trees, one on each side near the privacy fence.
"Wow, there's plenty of room to play. I bet you and Kenny really love getting out here and goofing around."
"Yeah, but I keep telling my folks there's room for a pool, even an above ground pool, but no go. They're like, there's a perfectly good community pool which we pay for your membership fees...blah blah blah," I laughed.
"Cool, can you bring guests?" Dylan asked surprising me.
"Uh, sure...as long as they're accompanied by a paying member, but it's something like 5 bucks for them."
"Cool, maybe when it opens you can invite me."
"Sure thing, that would be cool. I assume you can swim..."
"Like an otter," he chuckled.
"Aww, a cute little furry otter," I said before I could stop myself. My face went beet red and I quickly tried to think up some way to diffuse what I'd said but I never got the chance.
"Yeah, that's why I said otter instead of fish. Fish are kinda gross, but otters are so cute. They're my favorite animal at the zoo. There's this one pair that hold hands while they float on their backs."
"I've seen them," I said excitedly, forgetting about my earlier boo boo, which it seems was not at all a boo boo, "they're soooo cute."
"Yeah, and I like the seals too, they look like they're having so much fun. If I could come back as an animal I think I'd pick an otter first or seal for my second choice."
I chuckled, "So do you believe in reincarnation?"
"I don't know what I believe, really. I just sort of like to consider all possibilities. I think whatever there is it's gonna happen no matter what I believe. I don't think I have to worship any god to get what I deserve, but I try to live a good life, just in case," he said grinning.
We had one of those wooden swings hanging on chains on our patio and I steered Dylan there and we sat and swung as we continued to talk.
"You never said if you had any brothers or sisters," I said after awhile.
"An older brother, Ray, he's going to school in Connecticut on a scholarship. He's a real brain," Dylan chuckled, "but since mom and dad don't have to pay for him, I can pretty much go anywhere I get accepted to. I'm not quite smart enough for a full-ride scholarship but I might get a partial one."
"Yeah, I'm hoping that happens with me, too."
"Well, from what I've seen so far, you seem pretty smart," he said elbowing me with a grin.
"There's all kinds of smart," I teased back, "some people are good at book smarts, some at life smarts, and some are just smart-asses," I said, then burst into a fit of giggles.
Dylan joined in, and suddenly he began to tickle me, causing me to giggle even louder. God, it was so great to have him touching me, even in this way, and I didn't try to pull away hoping for more.
Finally he stopped but he kept a hand on my rib cage. We were both breathing hard, then he looked away as if embarrassed and pulled his hand away.
No, no, no, I thought, keep your hand there. Heck, run it all over my body for that matter.
"I should go," Dylan said then.
"Aww, do you have to?" I whined, hoping he could detect my raw hungry need to have him around a bit longer.
"Yeah, I promised my mom I'd be home for dinner, but we can do this again sometime. Maybe next time you can come over to my house."
"Yeah, that would be great. Okay, I'll walk you up to my room to get your stuff, then to the door. Oh, wait...do you need a ride home?"
"Nah," Dylan said grinning. I live on the next street over in the middle of the next block." he chuckled.
"What, why did I not know this?" I almost shouted.
"Because you're not very observant?" he teased.
"Grrr...it's just that I don't get out as much in the winter. Come spring I'm all over the place..."
"Here," he said handing me a piece of paper on which he'd scribbled his address and phone number, "just in case."
"Cool," I said, "Hey, how about if I walk you home? Then I can see where you live, and when I come over I'll already know where I'm going."
"Fine by me," he said gathering his things together and shoving them in his backpack.
We passed Kenny in the hall, who was coming up as we were going down. Dylan told him goodbye and Kenny just waved and gave him a goofy smile.
"I like your bro, he's cool...like you."
"Where do you think he learned that?" I joked.
Dylan laughed, "Yeah, and I bet that's not all you taught him," he said without explaining.
Wow, what was he implying? I'd have to think about that.
"Mom, we're leaving. I'm gonna walk Dylan home, he lives over on Rowe street one block down."
"Oh, all right honey. Well, goodbye Dylan, please feel welcome to visit anytime."
"Thank you ma'am," Dylan said, "next time, if it's okay, I was wondering if Josh could come over to my house to study."
"Of course, just let him know when it's a good time and I'll call your mom to set things up."
Moms, was that some sort of secret organization to supervise and control kids interactions? But...I had to admit, it worked most times. It greased the wheels, and got things going and seldom ever failed to result in the desired result.
"You ever do sleepovers?" Dylan blurted out, then blushed profusely as if he'd said a naughty word in front of a Preacher.
"I used to, been a while. Why, do you?"
"I used to, back in Cally. I had a bestie who slept over about once a month and sometimes more than one friend would sleep over. We'd camp out in the backyard or crash in the game room downstairs on the floor."
"Sounds fun."
"It was," Dylan said, then he was quiet for a while again, "you think you'd want to sleepover at my house, maybe this weekend?"
What? Yes, yes, yes, but, how could I possibly control myself in a situation like that?
"Sure, if our folks say it's okay. I mean, I'm sure mine will...but what will yours say?"
"They'll be happy I've made a good friend," he said smiling so warmly that my heart seemed to swell and my crush got even deeper.
"I'm...a good friend?" I said lamely.
Dylan chuckled, "I mean, I think of you that way, but if you don't..."
"No, no, I'm touched that you feel that way. I never thought someone like you would make friends with someone like me..."
"Why?" he said looking genuinely confused, "You're a cool guy, and kind of cute," he said grinning.
Ohmigod, he said I was cute. Was he...could he be...is it possible he's like me?
"Not as cute as you," I said boldly.
He grinned, "So, you think I'm cute, don't ya? And I bet you think I'm a real fox, right?"
Was this a trap? Ask the gay boy the right questions and he's bound to expose himself. But having gotten to know Dylan better over the last two weeks I'd decided he was genuine in everything he did and said.
"Yeah, me and half the school," I finally said, hoping that took a little heat off me, "it doesn't take a genius to see who the beautiful people are," I added with a chuckle.
"Funny thing is: I don't feel any different than any other kids my age. I don't stand in front of the mirror and stare at my reflection and think, oh my god, I am so hot," he chuckled.
"Yeah, that's one of the first things I noticed about you," I said, "you were different than most guys who are...um, better looking and stuff. You seemed more humble and approachable, though I never would have. If you hadn't made the first move we wouldn't be here right now talking like this."
"Why? Have I ever done anything to make you feel I was unapproachable?"
"No, but...just look at you. You're handsome and ripped, and you seem to have the world by the cajones," I said grinning.
He grinned, but quickly sobered, "You see, I've had to deal with that all my life. Always the cute little boy that was too pretty to get to know. Oh, it wasn't so bad in grade school, but when I got to Middle School, things changed. I was suddenly untouchable, and unapproachable, and it was hard to make friends. I had to do what I did here, make the first move, and that got old real quick. But sometimes it's worth it, like with you," he said blushing, "I'm really, really glad they changed my schedule and we wound up together in all those classes."
"Me too," I said smiling, But...you might not be so happy if you knew how I really felt, I thought.
"So, that's why I'm so pushy. I like the guys at our table, too, but it was really you that I wanted to get to know better."
"I'm glad you made the first move and I'm glad we're friends. I've never had a friend quite like you before.
"Me either," he said smiling that killer smile, "well, here we are, yellow house, red brick. I see dad's home," he said noting a blue Chevy in the driveway.
"Cool, I guess I should head home then."
"Why don't you come in and meet my parents? It will only take a minute."
"Sure, okay. Are they as cool as you?" I teased.
"Cooler, they're old hippies who joined the rat race and became money grubbing capitalists," he laughed.
"Wow, genuine hippies," I laughed, "I've read about that generation. Some of it was kinda cool, like free love and communes and stuff."
"They did all that, too, and I'm ashamed to say, they did some drugs, too. But they finally figured out that all that was an impossible dream and real life kicked in, and now they're just your average married couple with two kids and a mortgage."
Christine and Angelo Hanes were not what I expected after Dylan's description. Christine was slender, blond, blue eyed, and quite pretty. She wore a typical mom dress and white sneakers and looked more like a teenager than a thirty-something mom.
Angelo Hanes was dark haired, with big brown eyes and a goatee that was neatly trimmed and looked good on him, even though in general I hate facial hair. He was muscularly built and at least six inches taller than his wife, and also looked younger than I would have thought he'd be.
The two were very friendly and his mom gushed over me, telling me how handsome I was and that she was so glad Dylan had found a good friend like me, blah, blah, blah.
"We've heard a lot about you, Joshua," Mr. Hanes said, "all good," he added with a laugh. Our boy was worried about fitting in here and making friends, but it seems he's done fine," he said looking at me like he was appraising me.
"I'm the lucky one," I said, then blushed, "I never had a friend quite like Dylan before. I mean, we have so much in common and we have three classes together and stuff..."
"Would you like to stay for dinner, Dylan," Mrs. Hanes asked.
"I'm sorry, I can't this time. I have to get back home. I just wanted to walk Dylan home so I could see where he lived. I live over on Clark Street just one block down."
"Yes, that's what Dylan said, well next time perhaps."
"Yes, ma'am. It was nice meeting you, but I better be going."
"I'll walk you to the door," Dylan said and he did.
At the door we said a quick goodbye and I headed home. My head was so full of Dylan and I was reeling from some of the things he'd said. If he was straight he was doing a damn good job of hiding it, but then again he wasn't waving a rainbow flag either. At our age kids were still figuring out who they were and who they liked, so maybe Dylan just like everybody for now. Maybe he wasn't sexual at all. Maybe he didn't jerk it twice a day like all normal 13-year-olds. Riiighhht.
I had to laugh at that one. If I had a bod like that boy I'd just stand in front of the mirror and jerk it all day. Then I remembered what he'd said about not standing in front of the mirror and I laughed. But I bet he tried it, at least once. I would have, heck, who wouldn't if they looked like that?
Anyway, I was in a good mood when I got home, but when I came in the front door, Kenny was waiting for me with that cat that ate the canary look.
"So, that's the great Dylan, huh?" he smirked.
"Yeah, didn't you like him?" I asked pretending to be offended.
"He's okay, but I don't like him nearly as much as you do," he said in a singsong voice.
"That's because you don't know him like I do. He's probably the nicest guy at our school, maybe in the whole school system."
"If you say so," Kenny said, annoyed that I wasn't taking the bait.
I knew him too well, if I acted like I didn't care what he was saying he'd soon lose interest and go away.
"What's for dinner?" I said changing the subject.
"Huh, oh...I don't know. Something in the oven, maybe roast."
"I'm gonna go wash up, see ya, squirt," I said tousling his hair, which he hates, and bounding off upstairs before he could retaliate.
I had a lot to think about and I was sure Kenny wasn't through with me, but that could wait. Right now I needed time to process all the things that had been said by both Kenny and by me. Meanwhile, I was starved, and dinner was calling to me.
Authors deserve your feedback. It's the only payment they get. If you go to the top of the page you will find the author's name. Click that and you can email the author easily.* Please take a few moments, if you liked the story, to say so.
[For those who use webmail, or whose regular email client opens when they want to use webmail instead: Please right click the author's name. A menu will open in which you can copy the email address (it goes directly to your clipboard without having the courtesy of mentioning that to you) to paste into your webmail system (Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc). Each browser is subtly different, each Webmail system is different, or we'd give fuller instructions here. We trust you to know how to use your own system. Note: If the email address pastes or arrives with %40 in the middle, replace that weird set of characters with an @ sign.]
* Some browsers may require a right click instead
