Pretty Boy

Chapter IX: So, what now?

"So what are you doing after this?" Ollie asked. Scarlett looked at him as she exhaled and coughed once more. "I was just going back to my apartment- you can come if you want," Peter said. "I don't know-" Ollie stood and looked toward Scarlett. "Well- will you drive me home?" Ollie asked Peter. "Of course," Peter said as he began to stand. "Our car is across the street-" Jody said as he put his cigarette out with his boot. They all began to walk away. "You coming?" Peter asked, staring in Ollie's direction. "Yeah, wait for me!" Ollie yelled as they walked away across the street, he focused his attention on Scarlett, who leaned against the wall of the diner. She put out the cigarette with her shoe. "You don't smoke," Ollie said with a smile. "Well- not yet at least," She said with a smile. "Nasty habit," Ollie said as he took a step in her direction. "Why do you think people do it?," she asked, not expecting an answer. They were doing what they always did. Avoiding the elephant standing right next to them. "So- you gonna go with him?" She asked. "I don't know- I barely know him." He said, looking down at the ground. "Well- you don't have to get my approval if that's what you're looking for." She said as she began to walk across the small cold parking lot. Ollie followed. "I don't wanna leave you out here," he finally caught up with her. She stopped at the curb and began to look both ways for oncoming traffic. "You aren't leaving me Ollie- I have a car." She smiled and began to cross the street with Ollie right behind her. "I know- I just," Ollie scratched his head. "You don't wanna come with me?" he said. "And what? Listen to you get it on in the other room- no offense Ollie but I'm going home, just text me okay?" They made their way to her car. "Well this is my stop- see ya later bitch!" She hugged him with one arm, got her keys out of her pocket and got in. "Hey pretty boy! You coming?!" Jody screamed as Ollie began jogging towards the van.
The van smelled like cigarettes, he sat in between Peter and Josiah. "Alright so we're gonna drop you and Peter off and then be on our way- is that right?" Jody said, he was driving with a cigarette just barely hanging out of his mouth. "Yes," Peter said. The ride seemed to take forever. Even though he only lived 10 minutes away. Ollie stayed silent the whole time. "Alright losers we're here," Jody said as they pulled into the parking lot of a small apartment complex. "You two have fun now- not too much fun" Jody said. "Wear a condom!" Josiah yelled as they both got out and closed the door. They made their way towards the building as the van pulled forward. "Don't listen to them- they're idiots," Peter said as they began to ascend the stairs. "It's okay- I have like this thing where I repel idiocy," Ollie said. They were approaching the 3rd floor. "Oh really?," Peter laughed as they approached 34B. Each door looked identical in a creepy The Shining esq way. Peter reached into his pocket to get his keys, he dangled them and proceeded to unlock the door. He pushed the door open and turned on the light as he stepped in. It was small, a kitchenette on the right, a pull out couch and a small tv in the room just off of the kitchen. "So... what now?" Ollie asked as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "Well- what do you wanna do?"Peter said as he took off his jacket and placed it on the back of a bar chair. "I don't know," Ollie said, taking a step towards Peter. "I wasn't exactly planning on having anybody over- um- we could get to know each other," Peter said leaning against the small bar that was connected to the kitchen counter. "Um- I..." Ollie looked at the ground. White tiles with dirty grout. "Not like that- I mean you know talk," Peter said assuringly. "Oh- sure," Ollie said, walking over to the counter next to Peter. "You want a drink?" Peter asked, making his way towards the fridge. "Oh... no thanks I'm good," Ollie said, he was getting nervous again, he could feel the pit in his heart sinking. "So- What movies do you like?" Peter asked as he began to pour himself a shot of Fireball. "I don't really watch that many movies, I like tv shows- more character development." Ollie said. "Well then what's your favorite series?" Peter asked just before he threw the shot back and winced. "Bo-Jack Horseman- it's stupid I know," Ollie said as he rolled his eyes. Somehow he had now picked up Scarletts trick of pretending not to care when he did in fact care. "No- I saw that one- really sad show," Peter said as he walked over to Ollie. "Can I ask you a weird question?" Peter asked. "Well I don't know- can you?" Ollie said as he moved closer towards Peter. "I really wanna kiss you right now," Peter said as he leaned in. Ollie couldn't believe what he was doing when Peter leaned in to kiss him. He tasted like fireball and second hand smoke. He was soft and gentle. It wasn't like in the movies where the guy tries to shove his tongue in the girl's mouth. His lips touched Ollie softly. This revelation seemed to shock Ollie in the midst of the moment. Could he really let this go further? Ollie pulled back. "I'm sorry," Peter said. He was sincere, nothing like his band or the music they played. "No- It's me I really gotta go," Ollie said. "Okay I'll drive you," Peter began to put his jacket back on. Ollie didn't know how to react to suck kindness. He had never felt the way he did with Peter. He had never felt love in his heart for another person other than his reflection with his makeup and his music. "I'm sorry if I was too forward with you," Peter said as they began to walk out. "I know you don't even know me and..." Peter started, Ollie interrupted his apology. "No- don't apologize- it's not your fault that I have to get home, my cats haven't seen me all day and I really need to feed them," He didn't mean to lie, in his mind he was only telling a half lie. It was true he had to be home, but he hates cats.
The ride home was quiet. Besides the occasional dialogue of directions. At first Ollie didn't want him to know where he lived, but it was only fair since he now knew where Peter lived. "Turn left here?" Peter asked. "No- right." He proceeded to turn right. The abyss in his heart had disappeared, he didn't know why. Was this what love was supposed to feel like?
"Thanks for the ride," Ollie said as he got out of the car.
"I'll see you around- wait can I get your number?" Peter asked. Peter got his phone out. "Sure, 555..." They exchanged digits and parted ways. Ollie really enjoyed himself, but at the same time he never wanted to see Peter again. Was this really what love was supposed to feel like?