“Ever since I was a kid- oh and if you don’t understand something I say, let me know- my dad has had these expectations for me. He’s the CEO, or, er, he runs this really big company, so he makes a lot of money.

He expected me to follow in his footsteps, so becoming an edgy goth gay didn’t exactly fit into his vision. I can’t remember the number of times I was kicked out. At the very least, once a month he would kick me out for something or anything, and I would have to disappear for a couple days.”

I laughed harshly and didn’t look at Zesper’s face.

“I did a lot of really terrible things in my high school years, all just to piss him off. He hates the stuff I did to my face, and he doesn’t even know about my tattoo.”

“Tattoos?”

“Oh yeah, it’s uh, like permanent drawings on your skin. This is mine.” I turned my back to Zesper and pulled off my shirt, baring my back.

Across the entirety of my back, there was a venus flytrap, done out in black and whites. It was huge and very realistically done. It cost me a ton, and it took around two months to complete.

I jumped and shivered at the sudden feeling of fingertips trailing down my back.

Zesper, you’re really testing me here.

“I like it very much. Very beautiful.” His hands traced over the edges of the plant, and it took all of my self-control not to turn around to grab him right then and there.

I turned abruptly and shrugged my shirt back on. “Anyways, uh, yeah. He would hate it.

But, we have this deal right now. It would ruin him if anyone found out about it, which is why I haven’t any told Alex…”

I want to tell him. I really do.

Will he think less of me?

Zesper looked at me, waiting. The cigarette was almost completely burned out by now. My throat felt dry, and I licked my lips nervously.

“As long as I abide by a set of rules and do the paperwork for his job he can’t complete, I can use his bank account. It’s difficult to explain, but I can write compelling arguments and essays much better than he can, so as long as I keep my head down and do the stuff he gives me, he leaves me alone and I have as much money as I need.”

“I mostly understand. Your childhood does not sound pleasant.”

I let out a huff of breath. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“I just did.”

“No, it means like, what you said is true in the most basic sense.”

Zesper chuckled lightly. “Understood.”

“Anyways, right now I had to go meet him, and he was an ass like usual. Oh wait, did Alex teach you curse words while I was gone?”

“Yes actually, and I remember most of them. She also taught me other words she told me to say to you.” Zesper leaned his head against the wall and blinked up at me.

Jesus Alex, what did you do now?

“What words?”

“She said today was not a good day to say them since you would be upset.”

I waved my hand. “It’s fine, just go ahead and tell me.”

“If you are sure.” He paused and coughed, and I raised my eyebrows. “Ten out of ten, would bang.” He looked me directly in the eyes as he said it.

I choked on air, and turned away from Zesper, well aware my face had gotten extremely red in the course of a few seconds. I groaned, and banged my head against the wall.

“What does it mean? She told me I should ask you.”

I sputtered out syllables while grabbing my phone so I could yell at Alex. “One second, let me take care of something really quick.”

I pushed off the floor and strode to my room, shutting the door behind me, then going into the bathroom for good measure.

Alex answered immediately, and I didn’t give her a chance to speak before I whisper-yelled, “YOU STUPID FUCK!”

I heard immediate laughter from the other side of the phone. “Have you-” Snort, “-told him-” Giggle, “-what it means yet?”

“You little shit. No, I haven’t. How the fuck am I supposed to explain that?”

“You’re being dramatic. Just go tell him.” She laughed in my ear and hung up before I had a chance to respond.

I muttered insults and curses and I went back to the living room, my face still as red as before.

Zesper was waiting for me, and I motioned him towards me as I sat on the couch. “No need to sit on the floor anymore.”

My attempt at a new conversation didn’t work at all, however, and Zesper immediately asked, “So, what does the phrase mean?”

“Well uh, you know. Stuff.” I scratched the back of my neck as he sat down. Next to me. Right next to me.

“I actually do not know, that is why I am asking.” He was smirking at me, and I had a feeling he was enjoying this.

“Well, it’s a phrase that has been going around recently, and uh, it essentially means, that uh, you find someone very attractive, and that you would like to uh, have sex with them.”

I could literally feel the heat radiating off my face. Zesper only grinned at me, and said, “I understand now. Well, that makes sense.”

I could feel my heart pounding in my ears. “I-It does?”

“Oh yes. I definitely find you very attractive.” Zesper stood up as I stared at him open-mouthed. “Do you have food I can eat?”

Zesper finds me very attractive.

Not just attractive.

But VERY attractive.

Oh my fuck, I’m going to implode.

“Of-Of course. Yeah, uh, right here.” I jolted up from the couch and almost ran to the kitchen, I was moving so fast.