“No fucking way… you managed to befriend the town idol?!” Harvey laughed, pointing his fork at me as I ate “I heard he plays his cards close to his chest and barely befriends people!”.
“Holy shit, keep your voice down, you nerd. I wish not to have the whole restaurant hear what we’re doing here.” I muttered, feeling my face heat up and my body tingle a bit as if I was going to retract into my body like a turtle, shoving a spoonful of cheesy macaroni into my mouth like a child.
“Hehe, sorry…” Harvey said with his dorky smile, playing with his spaghetti a bit with his fork.
“You’re acting like it’s a big deal” I covered my mouth, chewing what remained of my mac and cheese I had. I swallowed, “... is it a big deal, Harvey?”
“Uh, yeah. If people find out you’re all buddy buddy with that man; the girls in this town left and right will use you to get to him. Toby is the most eligible bachelor this town offers” Harvey chuckled, taking a sip of his drink, “Also, I told you to call me ‘Hal’ from now on!”
“I thought you liked your name, since you shared it with that fast food chain.” I raised my brow, watching Hal eat some of his meal before speaking.
“My relationship has gone sour with that place… gonna sue too,” Hal chuckled.
I rolled my eye at the comment. “Oh, you’re full of fucking shit.” I muttered, finishing my meal, drinking my water.
“Oh, by the way. On the topic of this whole relationship stuff...”
“Hm?”
“How’s your love life going? Going good?” Hal smirked at his words, resting his head on his hand.
His question was enough to get me to choke on water, coughing a bit before I took a sip, “Why that question out of all of them?!”
“Oh, come on. You’re like… the cutest gay guy in this town, I want to know!” Hal said with a pout, continuing to eat.
“Well, what about you, hm?” I deflected the question, watching Hal finish his food.
“Well, it’s non-existent.” Hal said with a soft smile.
I was not expecting those words to come out from Hal. Especially with a smile. Honestly it was kind of unsettling that he would smile after saying that. It was essentially unsettling because I couldn’t tell how he was feeling. Was it a smile of pain? A genuine smile?
“Okay, may have come out wrong… but, I’m AroAce, more on not feeling anything towards people. Oh, I’m totally okay with romance and sexual feelings. Still get those feelings sometimes. Not repulsed by it. Just don’t feel it towards others is all… still can catch those feelings but not towards anything.” Hal rambled.
I felt my face heat up at the mention of the topics of sex and signalled to the waiter for the bill, “Hal… please don’t talk about sex in public…”
“Are you Apothisexual…? I mean, if you are, I won’t judge.”
“No, I’m not. It’s just weird that we’re talking about sex in a restaurant out of all places… you know… a public setting where people can hear us…?” I said with my jaw clenched, the waiter coming over and dropping off the bill at our table. I reached into the sling for my wallet only for Hal to cover the bill, returning the bill with cash to the waiter.
“Hal…” I said with a slight growl in my tone, “I said I could cover it.”
“And I said it will be my treat, didn’t I?” Hal shot back with a smile. He extended a hand to me, getting up from his seat. “Come, I’ll drive you home… you still live in your childhood home right?”
---
We quietly pulled into the driveway of my home, Hal turning off the engine and unlocking the doors of the car.
“Hey, thanks for dinner and the ride home…” I said softly, unbuckling my seatbelt and opening the passenger door to get out.
“No problem.” Hal said with a smile.
I was about to step out of the car, hearing the seat belt unbuckle and the driver door open. I turned around to see Hal out of his car, smiling at me. “What are you doing?”
“Gonna walk you to your front door… is that so wrong?” Hal said, tilting his head like a dog, giving me those puppy look too with those grey eyes that shined in the moonlight with his glowing skin.
“No, there’s nothing wrong with it… Just didn’t expect it…” I muttered, looking down, rubbing my arm. Hal walked over to me and put his arm around me for me to talk, walking me to my front door,
“I still remembered that you got bullied a lot back in elementary, I just want to make sure you’re safe is all.”
I’m surprised he remembered all that after the amount of years we haven’t seen each other. “Thank you.” I said quietly as Hal watched me get my keys out of my sling, unlocking my front door.
“Gotta make sure you don’t get attacked by like… Ninjas, little man” Hal chuckled, ruffling my hair up. “Have a good evening! Don’t hesitate to call me if you get tired of hanging with that town coffee boy!” he yelled as he walked back to his car.
“Fuck off, Hal!” I rolled my eyes, flipping him off. Hal politely returned the gesture with a smile before getting into his car and starting it. I watched him drive off, waving out the window to me. I wave back slightly and walk inside my house, shutting and looking at the door behind me. I pressed my back against the cold door, closing my eyes and sliding down onto the cold tile door, placing my hands flat on the floor at my side.
‘I have two friends now…’
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