Be Mine

"so come a little closer // you're such a rollercoaster"

Sorry for the late update! On impulse, I read the first two hundred pages of Red, White, & Royal Blue last night (need I say more).

This chapter's lyric is from "Rollercoaster" by Bleachers.

Enjoy!

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SIMON POV

NOV 20

I woke up to the amazing smell of eggs, pancakes, and bacon.

Half wishing my parents would actually let me skip school on my birthday, I climbed out from under the covers, pulled a casual outfit on, brushed my teeth, and headed downstairs.

My mom, my dad, and my sister, Nora, were sitting at the kitchen island, and they all chorused "happy birthday" when I came in.

I gave them each a hug and then grabbed a plate of breakfast.

"Thanks, guys. And your cooking is delicious, Nora."

My little sis beamed.

"What are you gonna do today, Simon?" Mom asked me.

I tried to shrug nonchalantly. "A few hours hanging with friends tonight."

Not really a lie. That night Bram was taking me out to Chipotle for dinner (hey, he asked me where I wanted to go) and then we were going to meet the rest of the group at Leah's house. I even invited Peter and Harley to join. It had been a few weeks since the hospital incident, and we had gotten to texting, and before I knew it, Bram and I had added Peter and Harley to our newly seven person group chat.

Just as I was getting wrapped up in thinking about that night, my dad chirped, "Well, I know you're seventeen now, but don't do anything wild. And curfew is at midnight. Unless you're bringing a girl home, then just don't come home."

I groaned, and Nora stuck her tongue out at me. "Dad," I told him, putting my dish in the sink, "just, no. Remember, like you said? Seventeen." And gay.

"Good kid. Have a great day, Simon."

"Bye."

I waved, grabbed my backpack, and was out the door.

School took forever to be over. Finally, my seventh period teacher dismissed us and said to have fun at the Fall parade.

I let myself get dragged through the crowd like a loose seam, making my way out to the parking lot. Country music was already blaring from speakers, and the floats were being prepped.

I located Bram; we picked a spot in the grassy street separator, and then chilled there for about half an hour. All the other students were on the opposite side of the street, so whenever a huge float passed by and hid the two of us behind it, I kissed him.

"What are you doing?" Bram said, a little anxiously.

"Aw, c'mon- it's my birthday," I protested, a (hopefully) charming expression on my face that made Bram grin.

We cheered when the marching band passed, but after that, it looked like we'd be there for a while.

"Wanna ditch this popsicle stand?" Bram asked.

I nodded eagerly, and we weaved their way to the bike rack.

Dinner was a perfect combo of chatting, giggling, burritos, and Bram. With full stomachs we got back on our bikes and rode to Leah's place. Once we were there, we let the bikes lay in her front yard and rang the doorbell.