Souvenir [Complete]

Eleven. Lovers

The coming of April always made Michael focus on his relationships. And the center of that focus was that he didn't have one. And Luke got to hear all about it.

But the interest was vindicated because every year, around April—when the spring became real spring and less a figment of everyone's imagination—there was a Lovers Festival. And every year the fairy lights were strewn up around the street lamps, and gauzy pink and white fabric draped from each lamp towards a collective center. It formed this temporary gazebo in the park on the square.

It wasn't a new tradition. Luke thought it was romantic. It was born a long time ago, when Brightwitch hosted a celebrity wedding. Some lord and lady in the eighteenth century thought it was a beautiful little town. They especially loved it when the flowers bloomed, and the faint but comforting smell of wisteria was just about to flood the air. It was the perfect time to commit to their everlasting love.

Or to fall in love all over again.

That week there were more weddings than any other week in recorded history of the town. It became a tradition to celebrate since everyone's anniversary was in the same week. Lovers Festival became a tradition, 250-something-years-later, Luke and Michael were still excited.

"Yeah, Bee, I understand..." Luke whimpered. "I know why you can't come, but...I'm just gonna miss you." Luke whimpered into the phone. He knew how to work his pout to get what he wanted. Though it didn't seem to be going well this time. "It's just this is the first one I'll be at by myself."

"I know Lukey, but you know I can't drive all the way out there," Brian cooed into the receiver. "I have a test..."

Luke twisted Michael's phone chord as he spoke, much to Michael's chagrin. "I guess I'll make it through. I'll be with Mikey...unless he finds someone."

"Doubtful," Michael rolled his eyes and fixed his hair in his vanity. "I know every guy here, I'm not gonna 'find' anyone."

"If Mikey finds someone then you can find more friends. I know you're very talkative."

"Only to you!" Luke pouted. "You're really gonna make me go to Lover's Fest without you? This is the first year in like three years I'll be alone..." he fiddled with the post on Michael's footboard.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'll make it up to you," Brian cooed into the phone.

"No biggie," Luke sighed glumly to show that it was a biggie to him.

"You just go have a good time, alright?"

Luke sighed and agreed hanging up after a little: "I love you."

"Don't worry about it Lukey," Michael gushed to him. "It'll be just like old times."

Luke pouted and fixed his little blonde curls. "Yeah. Except I'm hotter. And I'm not going for the boys this time."

"Speak for yourself. Except for the hotter thing. I've got that mastered," Michael purred. "Fuck true love, I'm going to get dick. Or you know, maybe there's a girl who's looking for a rebound? That would be a fun little experiment..."

That was one more thing Luke and Michael differed in. Luke had no desire to get with a girl. "Well I think Daniella and Shane just broke up. And Cindy and Nick..."

"Well, I have my work cut out for me. That's three fuckable people."

"Oh I don't think Nick likes—."

"Not Nick."

"Shane?" Luke gasped.

"I know! I was even shocked," Michael cooed. "And I had such a crush on him in junior high."