Signals Crossed

15

"How is she doin' man?" Mike asked as the tOkay hree of them sat at a corner booth at a nearby diner.

"Restless. Pissed off." Yauch responded.

Mike couldn't help but notice Ad glare at Yauch as he spoke about time with Mel.

"Well, she will be free in a few days so things can be right again." Mike said to move past the obvious tension.

Yauch nodded, but looked disappointed. "Yes, I guess."

Mike slammed his fists on the table and exited the booth.

Yauch simply shook his head.

Mike rolled his eyes then followed him. "Ad."

Ad just placed quarters in the pac-man game and started to plY.

"Adam." Mike said sternly.

"Go away Mike."

"Dude, why do you care so much?"

Adam was shifting the joystick harder and then died on the level. He turned to look at Mike clearly annoyed. "I don't care."

Mike laughed. "Could have fooled me."

"She is MY best friend."

"Is that all?"

"Yes! What the fuck, bro?"

"Do you like her?"

Ad crossed his arms. "Fuck off"

"Do you see her like...that!"

"No."

"Well, he does. Why not let it happen?"

Ad shook his head them glanced over at Yauch who seemed to be lost in thought as he stared out the window.

"What if I do? What if things get fucked up?"

Mike laughed again. "More than they already are?"

That made Ad smirk.

"Let him at least get it out of his system."

Ad looked over again at Yauch looking down, clearly brooding.

"Fuuuck." Ad said them headed back over to the booth and sat back down. "Whatever, man."

Yauch slowly looked up. "Huh?"

"Go ahead if you want."

Yauch's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

Ad waved it off. "Yeah man. Free and clear."

Yauch still looked hesitant. "How? I mean...what made you change your mind?"

"Sick of look at your pathetic face about it. It's just Mel. " he said, but instantly felt guilty about saying it that way.

"Thank you."

"Are we cool here, boys?" Mike asked as he rejoined his friends and sat beside Yauch.

Yauch held his hand out and they shook on it.

Ad immediately felt a wave of regret. He couldn't take it back now, but for some reason he wanted to. He was secretly hoping Mel would not be interested and they could put this past them and all just be friends. Yauch could have plently of girls, why Mel?

Later that day, Yauch stopped over at Mel's to visit. Her father was happy to see him and welcomed him.

"Any chance she can get out on good behavior?" He asked politely.

Her father smirked. "I would consider it if I knew your friend wouldn't be there."

"What if I told you, I can guarantee that AND we will only walk to the park and back. 1 hr tops."

Mel was secretly listening by her bedroom door. She was trying not to be too hopeful but she could taste freedom.

Her father nodded. "1 hr. Don't disappoint me son."

"I promise, sir."

He nodded. "I know you are listening."

Mel came out ran over to her father and hugged him. "Thank you, Daddy."

"Daddy? Oh boy. You are really trying to butter me up."

Mel kissed her father on the cheek then grabbed Yauch by the arm and pulled him out of the house. They ran down the block until her house was no longer in view.

"My hero!" She cried out them threw her arms around him and hugged him. When she pulled away her eyes were bright and hopeful. "Will Ad and Mike be joining us?"

Ouch, he thought. "No. Too risky. I want to respect your father's wishes.

"Ugh, lame!" She said then started to walk towards the park. She them pulled him close by his arm and linked her arm with his. "I do appreciate the prison break, Yauchie."

He smiled as she leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked.

When they made it to the park, Mel ran to the swing and sat down.

Yauch sat on the swing beside her facing the opposite way.

She smiled at him. "Freedom feels good."

Yauch smiled warmly and nodded. He continued to look at her adoringly.

She began to blush waiting for him to look away but he didn't. She felt her stomach flip as he pulled on her swing chain so they were very close.

Mel looked away. "What about your promise?"

Yauch smiled. "The coast is clear."

Mel looked puzzled. "It is?"

He nodded slowly and started leaning in closer to her.

She began to panic and think about how Ad clearly backed off. She was still holding out hope that he could have feelings for her in time.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Adam's lips meeting hers. He gently pressed on her lips and it felt nice. She then felt his hand cup her face as he opened his mouth and pressed harder.

An involuntary soft moan escaped her mouth and she could feel Yauch smile into the kiss. She had confuaing thoughts about being disappointed at Ad, but how good of a kisser Yauch was. She naturally was kissing him back and did not want it to end.

He did end it abruptly and stood up gently pulling her into a standing position with her.

She felt like her face was blushing uncontrollably as he starred deeply into her eyes as he caressed her cheeks with his thumbs.

Surprisingly to herself and Yauch, she leaned forward and crashed her lips into his to continue the kiss.