Let's Be Friends

The Party

Stephen walked over to them and then said as steadily as he could, "H-hey Gray I got the drink you asked for." Extending one of the red cups to Gray. Gray smiled and took it from his hand.

"Thanks." His eyes turned to the stranger. "Why're you still here?"

His eyes flitted angrily towards Gray, then Stephen, though it seemed he decided not to act, and left.

Stephen turned to Gray, "Wow, that's awful..."

"Mm, I guess, I'm somewhat used to it," He said, swirling the drink around in his cup, then taking a sip. His face showed displeasure. "Disgusting, Kool-aid and vodka. A terrible mix, a cheap mix, but terrible to say the least."

"Oh," Stephen sighed and took a seat next to Gray on the couch, Gray sat on the arm of the couch, which was slightly elevated, giving him a little but of height but not enough to be taller than Stephen when sitting. He still only came up to about his neck, "You shouldn't have to be used to it." He muttered.

Gray's eyes were soft, as he stuck out a hand and patted Stephen on the head, "Thank you Stephen, you have a kind heart."

Stephen slightly blushed and smiled, "Can't believe he just left though."

"I can, you have quite a fit physique, and you're quite tall," Gray smirked, "You're just so incredibly intimidating."

Stephen laughed, Gray's sarcastic voice and sharp humor always seemed to make him smile. Even if he hardly knew the boy, he already felt as though he needed him.

Gray took another sip from his cup, "No matter what they tell you," he began, "I'm not a slut, and I don't sleep around."

"I wouldn't dare to assume so."

Gray noticed the look of concern that Stephen gave him when he took sips from his cup, "Don't worry, I can hold my liquor." He joked.

He smiled, and then Stephen had a realization, he found himself a little too comfortable with Gray, a little too happy, considering the boy didn't even like him enough to call him a friend. He paused for a moment, "Gray... Are we friends?"

Gray leaned over and rested his head on Stephen's shoulder, "Yea, I'd like to think so." 

Stephen couldn't hold back the grin that came to his face, "I'm glad."

"We just can't tell my other friends, they'll never stop bothering you and asking questions." Gray settled a bit closer, and held his cup, ever-so-carefully, so that he wouldn't spill on Stephen.

Can't tell them, he thought, so earlier, was he lying so that they wouldn't bother me? Aww that's so sweet!

"Speaking of your other friends, shouldn't you be hanging out with them rather than sitting here alone?" Stephen asked, putting the second cup he's grabbed earlier down on the floor near the couch.

"Don't drink?"

Stephen nodded shyly.

"Oh," He paused and then sat up and put his cup on the ground too, he continued "My friends... they're very," He searched for words, "Kind, thoughtful, overprotective, and clingy. They don't like it when people bother me, and they honestly never leave me alone." He smiled at the thought, "But it's just because they care, maybe a little too much, but they care."

Stephen couldn't help but wish for friends like that. He had only ever really had friends that he just talk to or only came around when they needed money or help with something.

"I should probably say something before I leave though. You could to if you don't mind getting harassed." 

It was only then that Stephen realized how comfortable Gray was around him right now. Gray's head was quite legitimately on his shoulder. "Are you planning on leaving soon?" He asked.

"Maybe..."

"Maybe?"

"Probably."

"Alrighty, I guess you'll be stuck with me till then."

"Oh, how awful..." He said, and came to rest a bit more comfortably on Stephen's shoulder.

Stephen smiled, for some reason he didn't really mind, then something came to mind. "Didn't you have a test or something today?"

"Mm-hmm."

"That's the one you stayed up real late for right?"

"That's the one."

Stephen paused, "How do you think you did?"

"Probably top five, if not top three, I have no doubts I passed with flying colors."

Stephen chuckled, "Real honest aren't ya?"

"Honesty eliminates the chances of miscommunication and misunderstandings." 

"That it does."

..

They sat there for what felt like just a moment more, like that, chatting, before Gray sat up and stretched his back, "God, I need to head back or I'm gonna fall asleep here."

Stephen felt a slight twinge of disappointment, though he didn't know why. "Alright, I probably should too, it is quite late."

Gray glanced at his watch, 11:34. "Yea, I'm going to go say bye, you head back first, don't wait up." And without another word, Gray rushed off and disappeared among the people. 

Stephen stood and stretched his legs and back, noting that he had been sitting and chatting with Gray for well over an hour and a half. Honestly, it didn't feel like it had been that long. The boys had just been making small talk for a while, that was, until Gray had stopped responding for a bit. It was then that Stephen had realized that Gray's eyes were closed. When asked if he was asleep he didn't respond. He was going to wake him, but something inside him told him no, so he let Gray sleep. About eight minutes later he stood up, talking about how he needed to go or he was going to fall asleep.

As Stephen left the dorms he smiled. Gray fell asleep on him, he talked to him, he was happy around him. I'm so glad we're friends Gray, he thought to the sky, allowing to gentle lulls of the late night to accompany him to the bus stop.