Another hour passed before the game was finally over with our school coming out on top. As we made our way down out of the bleachers, Kathrine said “I wonder how long Dante is going to take?”
“I assumed he’d be going out to celebrate with his team mates” Grace shrugged as Char and I looked at each other.
“I thought he’d want to celebrate with his real friends rather than those fake ones” his mom smiled as she looked over her shoulder at us. Laughing, Grace said “I hadn’t even thought of that” as my phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw a new message from Dante.
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Sorry about my mom and sister, they can be a handful sometimes.]
Laughing out loud, I wrote back
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Like mother like son... Just kidding, though I’m sure you’re a handful in your own way ;P]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Oh my god, you made a joke! Wait, that was a joke right?]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Yeah, that was a joke :D For the most part anyway LOL]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Oh... What part wasn’t a joke?]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Wouldn’t you like to know?? ;P]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Are you flirting with me?]
Laughing aloud, I thought “I refuse to answer that” before typing
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Wouldn’t you like to know?]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Hmmm... I think I like this side of you]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): I thought you liked every side of me. Isn’t that part of you having a crush on me?]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): I don’t... Okay, there’s no point lying I guess since you’ve figured out the truth already.]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): So you admit it! It’s okay. I was a little surprised when I figured it out because I always thought I was invisible to the popular crowd.]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): You were never invisible to me.]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): I know. Your sister kind of ratted you out for having a crush on me since eighth grade.]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Oh my god! Wait, I told you that... What else did she tell you?]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Oh she told me plenty :D]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Oh god, now I’m scared.]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Oh don’t be ;D So, what are your plans to celebrate?]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Think I’m gonna head home and spend some time with my family unless a friend or friends wanna hang out.]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): I think we could arrange some fun if you want to spend some time together.]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Are you sure you’re ready for that? I don’t want you to do anything you aren’t ready for.]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Yeah, I’m ready to hang out though not sure if I’m ready for anything else. Not to sound rude but I think we should maybe hang out somewhere not so public.]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Not taking that as rude. I was, honestly, going to suggest that too. I don’t want people knowing about our friendship and ruining what we are trying to build before it’s solid.]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Good point, no need for the entire school to know before we’re sure about anything.]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): “Sure about anything”? There’s only one thing I’m sure about but I’ll keep that to myself for now :)]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Oh, I’m curious now but you aren’t the only one with a secret.]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Oh now I'm curious too. I hope that one day soon we can trust each other enough to share our secrets.]
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): I hope so too. So, where should we hang out?]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Why don't you and Charlotte come hang out at my house? If that's okay with you guys that is.]
Laughing, I asked “hey Char, Dante wants to know if we want to hang out with him at his house. If that's okay with you ladies.”
“That's fine. I'm excited to see him acting more like himself” Kathrine said as Grace asked “should we wait for him in the parking lot?”
“Sure that sounds fun and yeah why don't we head that way” Char smiled as she looked between the three of us. Looking back at my phone, I wrote back.
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): Sure, let's do that. Your mom and Grace said it was cool too. We're waiting for you in the parking lot.]
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Okay, I'll make it quick and meet you there.] Smiling, I said “he says he'll make it quick and meet us in the parking lot.” Giggling, Char looped her arm through mine as the four of us walked towards the lot.
“We told you, Dante is different when he talks to you. I wonder if that's true for you as well” Grace questions prompting Char to say “oh definitely! Harley is happier than I've seen him in a long time. Actually, I don't know the last time I saw him so happy."
"Oh wow, so you both have become happier versions of yourselves now that you guys started talking" Kathrine smiled as she glanced at us over her shoulder.
"Yeah, I guess we have" I smiled at the ground thinking about how much happier I've been lately minus when Dante and I were ignoring each other.
"I'm glad you found someone who makes you so happy Har" Charlotte said hugging my arm a little tighter. "Just don't tell him that or it might go to his head" I laughed glancing over my shoulder to see him coming out of the locker room with his blonde hair hanging over his left shoulder leaving a wet spot on the light grey material of his long sleeved shirt. As the others turned to see what I was looking at, Grace said "geez, he could've at least dried his hair a little better" making all of us laugh while he looked confused. Stopping in front of Char and I, he asked "what's so funny?"
"Oh nothing, just someone commenting on your speed and lack of dry hair" I teased still laughing. Quirking an eyebrow, he said "let me guess it went something like" then imitating his sisters voice "geez, he could've at least dried his hair a little better' right?" Laughing harder, Char panted "you do that too well! It's like you were actually here!"
"Well, it's not hard to guess what she'd say since she's been doing that since we were little" he shrugged still smiling at his sisters annoyed expression.
"Alright children, why don't we head back? Dante, give Grace your keys and you can ride with Char and Harley to be sure they don't get lost" Kathrine smiled. Nodding, he dug out his keys and handed them and his sports bag to Grace saying "can you put this in the trunk and I'll deal with it later?"
"Yeah, I'll see you guys at home" she said taking the items and turning on her heel headed for the other side of the lot.
"Alrighty, see you all shortly" Kathrine said before she too turned and headed towards a black Hyundai. Turning to look at the two of us, Dante said "shall we get going?"
"Sure, let's go. Harleys’ car is over here" Char smiled tugging my arm in the direction of my silver Camero. Once we were inside and strapped in with Dante and Char up front and me in the back, Dante asked “so why is Harley not driving his own car and what did you guys talk to my family about?”
“Oh I just like to drive more than he does and nothing much, just you basically. They told us about how you change whenever you talk to Harley” Char shrugged with an evil grin.
“Oh God, I can only imagine what they said” Dante commented covering his face with both hands before Char said “they also told us about your crush and how his dad is a very controlling bastard.”
Giggling, I watched from the backseat as Dantes’ ears turned red before glanced at Char in the rear view. With his face still covered, Dante mumbled “what else did they tell you?”
“Oh just that you described him perfectly and definitely pegged him to a T. He definitely would’ve played sports had he been allowed” Char laughed as she drove and then said “oh and I didn’t know you could read lips!”
“I didn’t know Harley could either” Dante laughed as he uncovered his face. Still laughing, Char said “oh that isn’t even the tip of the iceberg of what your crush can do.” As his face turned even redder, she chuckled and said “so, Harley was right! I thought you got embarrassed when he said he asked you earlier and you looked away but I wasn’t sure until you just blushed.” Looking at Char in the rear view, I turned away and looked out the window chuckling.
“Ugh, okay I guess there’s no point hiding it now. Yeah, I’ve had a crush on Harley since eighth grade but I’ve already admitted it to him twice today” he said looking out the window.
“Yes, he finally admitted it! Wait, twice?” Char laughed before I chuckled and said “Yeah twice. The first was when he hinted at it in the parking lot this afternoon and the second time he actually told me when we were messaging a little bit ago. Don’t worry Dante, you’ll get used to her insanity in no time.”
“I think that is more scary to me than admitting the truth to you out right just now which by the way is way different than admitting it in a message” he laughed nervously.
“Don’t be, she’s pretty fun once you get to know her. Her family has become more of a family to me than my own for obvious reasons” I shrugged still looking out the window.
“Yeah, his parents some how had it in their heads that we’d end up dating. Needless to say they’re rather clueless about Harleys’ sexuality and by extension mine. Since you’re out to both of us, I guess we should return the favor. Though I’m sure Harley already told you he’s gay too. Well, I’m a lesbian and yes my family is well aware of that little fact. So, no worries love” she teased glancing at both of us as she did.
“Good to know” Dante said before looking back at me over his shoulder. Smiling, I shook my head and asked “so, what should we be expecting to walk into when we get to your house, Dante?”
"Well, not much since you've already met my mom and sister. Hmmm... Mom will probably insist you stay for dinner tonight if you guys are cool with that. We could hang out either in my room or the living room, where ever you're more comfortable, and talk, watch movies, play games, or a combination of the three" he said sounding nervous.
"You don't spend time with people other than your family much do you?" Char chuckled. Curling in on himself, Dante quietly said "no."
"Don't worry so much. Honestly, the only person Harley spends any amount of time with is me since his dad is such a control freak. Well... Me, my mom, and little sister" Char said then I added "that's because your family is more like family to me than my own since all they seemingly care about is my studies" before rolling my eyes and looking back out the window.
"Well, hopefully we can change our solitary ways" Dante said shyly.
"Yeah maybe" I mumbled still looking out the window as we entered my neighborhood. Glancing in the rear view, I quirked a brow at Charlotte who just shrugged as Dante gave her more directions. As we passed my house, I ducked down in the back seat not wanting my dad to see me and know we were lying about studying. Sighing, I sat back up as Dante looked over his shoulder with a questioning look that was answered by Char.
"You live in this neighborhood?" she asked causing Dante to nod in answer before they both looked at me.
"So do I... In fact, we just passed my house which is why I crouched down in the seat since we told my dad I was at Chars' studying" I shrugged as Dante pointed out a house and told Char where to park.
"Oh, I guess that makes sense that a doctor would live in this neighborhood" he shrugged as we got out of the car. As we made it to the door, Dante turned to look at us before asking “neither of you is allergic to dogs right?” Shaking our heads no, he said “oh good because I forgot to mention that we have two huskys.” Opening the door, he led us inside glancing around the corner as he did before saying “get ready because here they come.” Looking at Char who met my eyes, I shrugged and smiled knowing she was going to have a blast in a few minutes.
The rest of the night went by rather quickly as we spent the evening hanging out in the living room with Dantes’ family and the two giant fur balls watching movies, talking, laughing, and eating. As we got ready to leave, Dante had walked us outside and was acting all cute and shy making me fight not to laugh as he said “well, I guess I’ll see you guys at school Monday.”
“Yeah, we’ll see you then” Char smirked knowing I was probably going to talk to him again before then just as he said “I’ll message you, Harley.”
“Sure, see you Monday, Dante” I chuckled waving as I got in the passenger seat of my car.
“Bye Dante” Char said before climbing in the drivers seat as I studied his face in the porch light and noticed the slight blush that now coated his cheeks.
As we backed out of the driveway, Char asked “so, how do you feel about him now?” Looking out the window, my voice cracked as I said “you already know the answer but I’m still not ready to tell him. I’m scared he’ll break my heart and that the football team won’t take too kindly to their team mate dating a geek let alone a guy.”
“Oh sweetie, I know you’re not ready to tell him. I just wanted to see if you were willing to accept how you felt about him” she said gently.
“Yeah, I am but I’m still scared Char. I don’t think I’ve ever been in love with anyone before and that terrifies me more than anything. I’m so in love with him that I feel like if something happened to keep us apart that it would completely break me” I cried covering my face as more tears streamed from my eyes. Reaching over, she pulled one of hands from my face interlacing our fingers and giving me the quiet support she knew I needed as she drove us back to her house.
Arriving back at Charlottes’ a little while later, she put my car in park and killed the engine before quietly asking “will you be okay, sweetie?” Taking a shaky breath, I said “I honestly don’t know babe. I feel like my world is falling apart and there’s nothing I can do stop it.” Squeezing my hand gently, she said “there isn’t much you can do but I think this will be a good change for you.”
“Yeah, but what if he doesn’t like me back when I’m finally ready to tell him?” I sobbed again covering my mouth as more tears escaped my eyes.
Comments (0)
See all