With the closing statements, we headed out, but not before Damion asked me, “How are we getting home if your parents are staying until closing?” Luckily, I had a plan for this, and I, for once, was prepared. 

“After we made plans, I decided to ask for another driver to come pick us up as soon as the event ended so we could go to your house, get changed, and go to the best restaurant.” I finished explaining the game plan and smiled, proud of myself that I had actually prepared without leaving Dame to figure it all out.

“Wow, I’m impressed that you actually planned ahead for once,” he said in fake disbelief. 

“Yeah, yeah. You can insult me later; the driver is here already.” We laughed, then headed out to where the driver was waiting for us. Damion and Lexia sat on the sides, and I ended up in the middle. As soon as we got it, we all started talking. When we were about halfway to Damion’s house though, Lexia grabbed my hand, and I felt myself start to become flustered. I ended up not saying much for the rest of the drive.

We finally got to Damion’s house and Lexia got out first, followed by me and then Damion. I keep clothes at Dame’s house, and Lexia borrowed some clothes from Dame’s sister. While Lexia was changing Dame brought up what happened in the car.

“Hey Mol, why did you stop talking in the car?” He looked a little concerned, but I couldn’t help but smile while thinking back to the car ride here.

“Oh, um, well I may have gotten a little nervous,” I chuckled a little. I’m sure my cheeks are starting to turn red, but Damion just looks, confused?

“Why would you get nervous? We were just coming to my house, it’s nothing new.” I thought he saw they grabbed my hand, but I guess he didn’t.

“Well, uh,” I looked around to make sure Lexia wasn’t on their way back join us before I continued, “Lexia grabbed my hand, and I just got flustered, like really flustered.” I’m almost certain my face is bright red right now. Dame chuckled, losing his facial expression of confusion.

“Ohhh that makes sense,” he said while laughing. Nice to know he finds it funny. “You and your little heart can’t take it, huh?”

“Oh, shut up, it’s not funny!” I started laughing a little, making me contradict my statement. I quickly stopped when I noticed Lexia walking towards us. She was wearing a plain t-shirt and jeans, but she looks just as beautiful as when she was in a fancy dress for the event. 

“What are you boys laughing at?” I cringed a little at the generalization of “boys,” but moved on, for my own sake.

“It’s nothing, just a joke that Damion made,” I chuckled, hoping they ask what the joke is. No offense to him, but Dame is not funny on a normal day, let alone when he’s put on the spot.

“Ok, well when are we going to leave? I’m starving! My parents told me it’s not ‘lady like’ to eat a normal amount,” they rolled their eyes. I was curious why their parents use feminine terms, but I was just going to brush it off, but I guess Dame didn’t get that memo.

“Why would they worry about you being ‘lady like’ if you’re not a ‘lady’?” His excessive use of air quotes is quite funny.

“My parents know I’m non-binary, but I think they try to ignore it so they can live a normal life with a normal child,” their face dropped a little when they said that, and my heart broke a little seeing that. “I tend to just ignore them though, there will always be people who try to change you, huh?” They tried to smile, but I could tell it wasn’t genuine. 

“I’m sorry,” I don’t know why I said it, it just came out. 

“It’s all good, but are we going to go eat or are we going to sulk about my parents? I mean you guys can sulk, but I would prefer to eat,” a smile appeared on Lexia’s face, not the fake “I’m fine” smile, but a true smile. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at their statement, and almost jumping up from Dame’s bed where I was sitting.

“Let’s go, I’m pretty hungry now too.” Damion didn’t even say anything, he just walked out of his room while we all followed him. 

Dame wanted to drive us to the restaurant because he wanted us to feel like “normal teenagers.” I didn’t mind because he always lets me pick the music. Normally I would sit in the front, but I decided to sit in the back so I could be next to Lexia. I smiled when I realized we were going to the restaurant Dame, and I went to after our first charity event. We usually come here only once a month, but we haven’t gone in a while.

We got to the restaurant, and since it was late, we were seated immediately. It was fairly empty, so the waiter came over and took our orders minutes after we sat down. I got mozzarella sticks and a chocolate milkshake, Dame got mozzarella sticks, chips and queso, and a vanilla milkshake, and Lexia got chicken tenders, fries, and a birthday cake milkshake. While we were waiting for our food, we started talking.

“So, Lexia,” Damion started, “do you have any siblings? Or are you an only child, Mal?” That question threw me off a little. It was so un-Damion like. On a normal day, his questions are super personal, but tonight they’re… normal?

“I have an older sister, but she doesn’t live with me and my parents, so I guess I’m like an only child.” There was a moment of silence, then I saw in their eyes, Lexia got an idea. “So, Damion,” their smile became a smirk, “what’s your love life like? Any girlfriend, boyfriend, partner? Do you have a crush? Getting over an ex?” I did not expect Damion type of questions from Lexia, and based on his face, neither did Dame. I could see the mischief painted on Lexia’s face. 

“I- um- well, umm, I,” Damion was shocked, and to be honest, so was I. “I haven’t been in a relationship, and I, um, I’m not really looking for a relationship right now.” Seeing Damion so nervous and flustered by such simple questions is really funny.

“No worries,” Lexia chuckled at Damion’s, now red, face. “I was just curious. I have friends, and they tell me you’re one to ask very personal questions, just thought I would see if you would answer them.” Damion chuckled, but I could tell he felt a little awkward.

Our food showed up and we started eating. Damion devoured his mozzarella sticks before stealing two of mine. I took my time, alternating between talking and eating my mozzarella sticks. While we were talking Damion just got up out of nowhere.

“I have to, um, use the restroom. I’ll be right back,” and then he just left. Lexia and I just looked at each other, then shrugged.

“I have an idea,” Lexia said with a sly grin.

“What is it?” I asked them. I’m genuinely curious about what they have in mind, and I’m slightly intrigued, but also a little nervous.

“So, it might sound weird at first, but you have to trust me on it,” they were trying not to laugh, but I am a little more concerned.

“Ok? Should I be worried?”

“No! There is no reason to be worried. I’ve noticed that Damion gets nervous and flustered easily, so when he comes out of the restroom, I’m going to kiss you,” I was shocked by this, but Lexia looks excited for it. We have to be together some day so what’s the harm?

“Ok….” My heart is racing, and all I can think about is what it would feel like for their lips to be on mine. 

About five minutes later and Damion finally leaves the restroom. I see him first and point him out to Lexia. We wait a couple of seconds for him to get closer, then it happens. It felt like everything stopped. Their lips on mine, soft, almost comforting. For just a moment, I forget that it’s all just a plan, a prank if you will. After their lips leave mine, Lexia and I missed Damion’s initial reaction as we stared at each other, holding eye contact for what felt like forever. We were broken out of our little world when we heard Damion, flustered indeed.

“I- um- My sister is here because, um, my uh, my fish is drowning, uh bye Lexia, bye Mal!” Dame started to leave with a nervous chuckle, but I knew something was off.

“Hey Dame? Before you go, what’s the name of your fish?” I asked knowing he doesn’t have a fish because his parents said, and I quote, “we don’t trust him to take care of other living creatures.”

“Oh, um, its name is, uh,” he looked a little nervous, until I saw his lightbulb moment. “Kevin! Its name is Kevin!” Then he was out the door. 

“That was funny,” Lexia said laughing after watching Damion struggle to find a fake excuse to leave. 

“Yeah,” I replied. “Especially since he doesn’t have a fish.” Lexia started laughing even more and seeing their face light up with laughter made my heart flutter.