Janet and I waited almost 10 minutes outside of Denny's for Alice to arrive. Dylan finally showed up after being dropped off by his father. That must've been a rough ride. Even though it's been almost a year since, he came out. His father still hasn't been fully okay with it. I'm glad that his mother now understands Dylan's feelings. The three of us ended up going inside to get a booth awhile we wait for Alice.
"A booth for 4. We actually have a friend on her way." Alice explained. I glance at Dylan who didn't seem to be okay. Like he was hiding something.
The waitress hands us our menus and asks for our drinks. Alice orders for a water since it's free, but Dylan and I get two cokes. Another millennia has passed and we're down two refills of our drinks. We didn't want to order our food until Alice got here, but I was starving. The three of us ordered our food and hoped Alice got here in time to get hers ordered also. More silence between us as we waited. Janet was on her phone and Dylan was busy staring out the window. I, however, was taking a look around the place.
Denny's always has hung up photos of the restaurant from when my parents were kids and when their parents were kids. It's cool how times have changed, but the place seem to look much better back then. Yeah, the restaurant was nice and clean, but the old versions were very classy. I scanned the room some more to notice a woman on the other side of the restaurant. I couldn't make her out, but she did look familiar. She was eating dinner with a man across from her. They were probably on a date, but I couldn't put my tongue on who it was. I was maybe thinking of someone else.
Dylan had finally broke the ice when he told us something, he should've said earlier, "I don't think Alice is coming guys."
"Why wouldn't she?" Janet asked.
"I kinda told her about the three of us. And my whole..not liking girls thing. She didn't take it very well."
Janet stormed off to the bathroom and I just sat there. I couldn't believe he would do that. That's when I heard Alice's voice from behind. We turned around and she was heading our way. "Oh shit." I mumbled. Alice scooted into the booth and the two of us just stared at her. She seemed fine, but no one is ever just fine. The waitress came back and noticed Alice. She asked if she wanted anything, but Alice didn't want anything. Not even a drink. I prayed that Janet hurries back.
"So, are you two dickheads getting something to eat. I did invite you all, it's my treat."
"Alice. I am so sorry. We were gonna tell you, but we wanted Dylan to tell you himself."
"I..it's fine Henry. It was right for Dylan to tell me. I'm fine. He's a nice guy and you two make a good couple. Isn't that right Dylan?"
"W..what does she mean Dylan?" I asked. He slouched against his seat. Something was up. "Look Alice. Don't screw with him." She didn't care. Janet finally arrived, surprised to see Alice here. She asked what was going on and I had to explain, but with the four of us there together. It was awkward.
"Janet, you are my best friend. You should've told me immediately you found out!" Alice yelled, but quite down once she realized people were looking at us.
"You're right. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let you do this, but...we're here anyways. We should just enjoy this evening. Even if it's so fucking awkward right now." Janet took a sip from her water. Ten minutes of silence, our finally came. Janet shared her plate and chowed down, but Dylan barely touched his. He seemed really bummed out. I whispered to him about what Alice meant, but he shrugged me off.
"Planning to get a room Henry?" Alice bugged in.
"Alice, stop it! Why are you making this a big deal? I'm sorry I don't have interest in you!" Dylan snapped.
"It's not that Dylan. The reason is I'm mad is because Henry and Janet chose not to tell me and let this happen. I was going to come in here and get it on with you, but I'm glad you told me. At least someone here was honest." Alice slammed her hand on the table and that's when our waitress came to ask us if everything was okay. Alice told her we were okay, but was in the process of leaving to the bathroom. Janet followed her.
Dylan and I waited. Not speaking a word to each other. Dylan kept facing towards the window. Watching all the cars pass by. "I should go." He finally said. Without letting me saying anything, he climbed over me to leave. I was all by myself, but I had to go get him. Once I got up and left I ran into Janet. The two girls asked where Dylan went, but I didn't answer. I ran out the place to find him. I went around the building to see him sitting against the wall.
"Dylan come back inside. Please." I sat down by him
"Why Henry? I called my mom. She's on her way."
"Fine...can you at least tell me what Alice meant back there. Is there something you're not telling me?"
"Henry, if I told you, would you still want to be friends with me?"
"Dude, you're awesome. Plus, who else will I find to share my comics with?"
We laughed a bit, but things got weird. Dylan looked at me and then back at the floor. He finally spoke. "Henry, for this whole year. You have been my friend. I hate that these...feelings happened and I can't control them. Henry this whole time we've been friends, I just slowly fell in love with you."
Shit, fuck, shit, fuck is all I can think about. "Dylan, I don't..."
"I know! It hurts me that I feel this way. I am so sorry Henry. I am."
"Dylan, I'm...flattered I guess, but don't be sorry. That..honestly makes a lot of sense with Alice. How...does she know."
"Well I was rambling about how I was sorry for her to be into me."
"Oof dude oof."
"Shut..up. I told her I was interested in someone else. Some...guy. Your name just...slipped out and she stopped replying after that."
"Look, I don't know about my feelings towards people, guys or girls. People are too difficult to deal with in my opinion."
"I don't want it to be weird with us two Henry."
"It..won't Dylan. Don't make this a big deal." I looked up at him. He seemed liked he was about to cry. Gosh Dammit I thought. Right when I'm about to get up, Dylan grabs me. He grabs me and comes in with a surprise. He kisses me. My eyes widen in surprise and I push him back.
"Du...de. What the actual fuck was that?"
"I...I don't know why I did that. I just. You..I...we.. I thought--"
"Henry! Henry Wilhelm!" Dylan was interrupted by a woman. We turn towards her and she was walking with another man. Then it clicked. That woman looked familiar because I knew who she was. Leo's mother.
Comments (0)
See all