May had started already, and the weather was getting warmer day by day. Exams were around the corner, and soon we'd have to step into society as responsible adults. Most of us, at least.
"Ah, I can't believe school is almost over!" George sighed in relief. "Like, over – over. Fini. Not opening a freaking book again!"
"What about University?"
"Screw that! I'm gonna give myself a year-long break. Once I get into uni, I'll just let studying aside and focus on the brand-new adult life. I'll meet new people, party, meet some girls…"
George kept on blabbering about his plans and how his parents had no issue with that one-year break as long as he'd get an entry in any major. We were both listening to him, however Chris seemed more upset than usual so my focus was entirely on him.
"Is everything ok?" I whispered.
"All I want is for the exams to end as soon as possible. I don't like waiting, and I haven't prepared myself enough." Chris stopped and looked behind. "Perhaps, I should have stayed home for a quick revision…"
"But you busted your ass studying all year long!" Unlike me, who had a really hard time focusing on studying and sometimes during class as well. I didn't really care much for math or literature or chemistry. There were two things I had my mind set on and these were photography and confessing to Chris.
The first one sounded more plausible and less terrifying than the other.
"Chris has had this annoying habit ever since he was small to over-stress himself." George explained to me while Chris tried, in vain, to stop him. "Junior High final exams? He was so depressed by the mere thought of failing. Guess what happened; he scored the highest in our school's history."
Chris was truly extraordinary. How could I possibly compete with him? How could he ever look at me?
"But I am really worried! I don't do this for attention!"
"Your grades are perfect," I smiled a little, "Don't overdo it with worrying too much. It doesn't suit you, and, in the end, you might screw up just because of it."
"Marc is right, you know."
I liked George. He was an ok guy. Apart from being a valuable player on the volleyball team, he was also fun to hang out with. I enjoyed most of the times the three of us were hanging out. But that particular day was special, and I wanted him to hurry up and go. I had talked with him the previous night about my plans; confessing to Chris and then digging a hole so deep that would lead me all the way to China where I'd disguise myself as a merchant and stay there for the rest of my life. We had a plan, and I was anxiously waiting for him to take action.
"Damnit!" he stopped midway, and both Chris and I turned to look at him. The man was staring intensely at his phone. "Guys, you have to go without me. My sister needs me to pick her up from practice."
Seriously, that was his great excuse?
I watched Chris's reaction, and he seemed a bit worried, bumped as well but not too devastated as one would expect.
"Is she alright?" he ended up asking.
"Yeah, she just sprained her ankle a bit, and she can't drive. We will talk tomorrow!" he waved, winked at me with a thumbs up, and left.
"So, are we still going to that café, or do you wanna do something else?"
"George kind of hyped me for that place. It's also close to the subway, so it won't be too much trouble to stay late. Dad said I should be home by midnight, though."
"It's still six o'clock, so we have plenty of time ahead of us." I reassured him. His parents were pressuring him a lot and wouldn't even let him do things a kid our age would normally do, have fun mostly. I sighed. "It is a themed cafeteria, after all, and George told me that they also sell merchandise depending on said theme. It should be fun to look around."
He nodded and began walking ahead of me. If I had any doubts, they were all vaporized in an instant.
Once we arrived, we both were thrilled by the decoration and the food they were displaying. Everything was so mouthwatering, and as soon as we sat down, we began discussing what to order and what to keep for our next meeting. It took us half an hour to decide on our order, and we ended up with more than what we could eat. But he was happy, and so was I.
"They are probably hating us so much." He joked, and I laughed while I ate the last piece with difficulty.
"Wouldn't you? I bet if we were to order something else, they'd spit on it."
"Would you do that?" he asked, disgusted.
"Maybe." I shrugged and sucked on the fork, taking a deep breath and running in my mind all over again the things I needed to say.
"Marc…" I looked at him. He was blushing. "I know it's a long shot, but I won't stop thinking about it if I don't say it…"
"Is this about the exams?" I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck quite nervously. "You are so stupid. I swear to God, you are going to do just fine!"
"It's not that." Chris was playing with the cake's leftovers. He was feeling uneasy, and that got me worried.
"Then?"
"I've always thought you were cool, Marc!"
"That's…good. Isn't it?"
What did he mean by that?
"And I admire you for your courage to do things that I wouldn't normally do. Like your piercings and that tattoo of yours." It was my turn to blush and act like a kid who was praised for the first time. "So…." a deep and lengthy breath was then drawn. "Would you consider this a date?!"
"Huh?" was all the sound that came out of my mouth. A- a date? Did he actually say the word? "Between-"
"Yes!" he interrupted me.
I couldn't help but laugh. The irony was immense! Boy, how much did I fall in love with the world then! How much brighter everything in this bitter world seemed!
"Are you making fun of me?"
No, I am just so in love with you.
"I even had George find an excuse to leave! His sister is just fine, but it was the only excuse he could come up with. It seemed more believable than a sudden stomach ache or something."
So we had both talked to George, and he didn't betray our trust. That kid was a real friend. But my excitement was so great, my happiness caused shooting pain in my chest and stomach that I could not think of anything else but the words that Chris had just spoken to me.
"But I guess what I'm really trying to say here is that, Marc, I like you. A lot. And not just spending time with you as I do with the rest of my friends, but like this. Here. Today. Just the two of us. I like you."
"Um." My brain had literally stopped working. It was like these moments when you use your computer, and suddenly everything just freezes! The mouse is moving around, yes, but no matter how hard you are clicking or banging it on the desk, the computer still doesn't respond.
"Please say something." He mumbled.
"I'm sorry," I tried to catch my breath. I can't remember smiling that intensely and for so long in my life before. "I didn't mean to ignore you. It's just that I also have something in mind that I need to share with you."
"I'm listening." He was still embarrassed and red like those succulent summer berries.
"I like you too, Chris. Really like you. I am," I looked down, sweaty hands holding each other. "Actually, I think I am in love with you."
His face had the same frozen expression as mine a few moments ago. "I – I don't think, actually. Heh." Why was this so damn hard? "I know that I am in love with you. I am absolutely sure. One hundred percent."
I wanted to say more. I wanted this to be done properly, the same way I was dreaming about it for three whole years. Chris was already standing next to me when I turned my gaze at his empty chair. He pulled my hand tenderly in his and kissed my cheek. Nothing else needed to be said. We were both floating in a sea of stars.