Boys of Sommer Pt16

“So you’re not going to tell anyone, are you...?” I can plainly see a look of desperation looming

deep within Matt’s irises; smothering in it’s intensity. Frankly I’m surprised that Matt’s talking to me about

this whole deal with me in public. You’d think he’d realize that more people eavesdrop than he thinks.

Demerit for Matt.

“Honestly?” I know that I’m just toying with him, but he seems to be agonizing wholeheartedly

over this. I open my mouth, then close it in mock hesitation. This feels like just desserts at some sinister

banquet. But I know that I can’t play this out as long as I’d like to. “No. I won’t tell anyone. Not even Jane.”

I pause theatrically, mostly for a chance to think about how to say my next few words properly. “If she

guesses though, don’t come on the man-hunt. Kay?”

“Fine…” Matt looks at me out of the side of his eyes; I get the feeling he’s skeptical in the extreme.

“But I don’t see how she’d guess. I even caught you off-guard, how would she see through me if you

couldn’t?” Oh... that’s right, he 's not taking into account that Jane’s a woman, now is he? I guess that's the

error of all gay men. Women know things. She probably has every gay, bi and lesbian in the school pegged.

“Don’t underestimate her.” I huff a little in Jane’s defense, I can’t do anything consciously about it.

It’s my natural reaction. “She guessed me out. Had me figured for years, if you’ll believe her.” I surely do.

How could I not after the show she put on at my place a few months ago?

"Well... whatever." Matt draws in a little.

“Yeah… whatever.” I follow suit...



“Do you think that Ryan’s sending you some signals here?” Peter pulls his legs up to his chest and

practically whispers his question to me. Thinking on it for all of a moment, I expound upon my thoughts.

“I wish… If I didn’t know better, I’d say that I’m transferring all of that adoration I had for Matt to

him.” I shrug languidly. “I mean, he’s kind of convenient isn’t he? No one knows much about him, I can

imagine anything I’d like about him and for all that I’d know it’s true.” I wave my arms around in an

exaggerated manner; trying to accentuate my point. “Here he is, just standing off to the side in Matt’s

shadow for me to notice at the right moment. It’s like some kind of crappy novella that you’d read on GA or

Nifty...  Okay, maybe not Nifty. It’s not like we’re throwing ourselves bodily at each other.” Sighing deeply

into my hand, I take a calming breath and think about some soothing music. ‘Colors of the Wind’ is a good

one that usually gets me leveled off.

“Oh, he’s interested, Peter. I can tell you that.” Jane’s smugness gives away that she knows

something the two of us don’t. I choose not to press it. “But exactly how much he’s interested…? Jon’d have

to ask him about it.” Jumping up from the couch with Peter and Jane still seated, I bluster impotently about

how Jane’s wrong all the while pacing a new hole in the carpet. “I don’t care if you don’t notice it; but don’t

be ignorant to him, Jon. You know that he’s into you. Just admit it.”

For a moment I stop and stare between my two good friends, my jaw clenched in thought. As

quickly as I can I review everything that I can remember about Ryan. Not a whole lot; but it’s there. Just like

Jane’s saying. Peter begins his own little tirade and I quiet further. How I can get quieter, I have no clue…

“Come on, Jon! You deserve someone good. Someone better than We…”

Critical fumble…

“West!? What the fuck does he have to do with Ryan!? Nothing, that’s what! Pete, don’t even start

with that crap.” My last sentence coming out as a hiss more than words, I hold my hands up and forestall

Peter’s apology. I know he didn’t mean to say that, but that doesn’t make thinking about West any easier…

Or less painful. Jane looks up at me, mild shock registering on her face at my outburst. And Pete… he looks

like he’s about to break down and have a panic attack. Why does West have so much control over me still?

We’re over and… and… “Look, you two, I’m sorry for raising my voice like that… Forgive me?” Jane

gathers her composure and tells me that I always have her forgiveness. Peter looks a little more hesitant, but

eventually; and honestly as far as I can tell; says the same. “Thanks.” I sit myself back down and stare at my

Chucks, drowning in some pensive thoughts.

“Jon…?” I shift my gaze up to meet Peter’s. “You looked a little out of it.” Pete gives me one of his

signature sad smiles that simply brings tears to the soul; and I sober to the real world again.

“Look, how about we have a movie night? Just us ‘girls’?” I hate referring to myself as a ‘girl’;

mostly because lots of people think I’m gay cause I want to be a girl. But I like to humor Pete every now and

then. And being stupid like that always makes him brighten up in an instant.

“Should we go and rent some movies, or just watch some from the vaults?” I pull both her and Pete

towards me by the shoulders and excitedly exclaim what a wonderful idea that is.

“Rent.” Both Pete and I answer, very much in tandem.

“Alright. So, any good suggestions?” I look to Peter, he’s the movie buff between the three of us,

and all of us know it.

“Breath mints?” Peter fakes choking and titters in an exaggerated manner. Its times like these that I

remember just how gay Peter is. I never thought that I could use such a word. Huh… Odd times, these are.

“I agree. Jane could use some, couldn’t she?” I can’t suppress my snide grin at the flubbering Jane,

attempting to gain some foothold on the situation.

“But really?”

“I know this great movie place… Uh, you two are both eighteen, right…?” Jane and I share a quick

look, exchanging our thoughts in quick; almost unnoticeable; gestures.

“Yeah. We are. Why, exactly, should that matter…?” I smile, only imagining some of the mischief

this could entail.

“Well, it’s a specialty rental place. Caters to a… certain type of folk.” Both of us quickly catch the

meaning of that sentence and smile broadly. Yeah, this’ll be good fun.