A Mutually Assure Attraction

First day back

"Hey, let's get something to eat before we head back" he smiled using his thumb to point at the building over his right shoulder.

"Sure," I said with a small laugh. I should've known he'd want food while we were out. Heading into the building, we passed through both sets of double doors and into the well lit restaurant as sunlight streamed through the windows. As soon as we enter we heard, "hey boys! You're table is empty so, go have a seat and I'll be right with you" from somewhere to our right. With a wave, we head in the direction of our favorite table. Moments later, our favorite waitress, Tess, comes walking over with the same big smile as always.

"Hey guys, how are you today? Cam, did you get a new piercing?" Tess asked looking at the new loop on the left side of my mouth.

"Hey Tess, were okay and yeah I did just a little while ago" I said greeting her with a smile.

"Hey Tess" Hayden smiled. He has the biggest crush on Tess, I think it's kind of cute even though I wish I could tell him how I feel and have him accept me. However, I'm not delusional enough to think that I'm remotely ready for that or that it will ever happen.

"What'll it be boys? The usual?" Tess asked writing down our orders from memory.

"Can I have a straw with my iced coffee please, Tess?" I asked thinking about how hard it will be to drink without getting it on my lip.

"Sure thing Cam. I'll put these in and be back with your drinks shortly" Tess said turning to leave.

"Thanks Tess," we say in unison as she walks away. As we wait for Tess to come back with our food, I keep thinking about what Hayden said outside.

Looking at him, I said "you're right you know, about something bugging me. I'm sorry, I'm just not ready to talk about it yet" just before Tess came back with our drinks.

"Alright, you boys let me know if you need anything else and I'll be back when your food is ready alright" Tess said sitting the drinks on the table.

"Thanks Tess, we'll let you know if we need anything" I said still looking at Hayden who hadn't said a word since greeting Tess. After Tess walked away, silence descended onto the table for a little while.

"I know it's not that you don't trust me, I just hate that you're hurting and there's nothing I can do to help" Hayden said meeting my eyes.

"You know I trust you with my life and believe me you've helped me more than you realize just by staying with me while I deal with all of this. I purposely chose not to tell you because I knew how you'd react and almost any way you look at it, you would've done something which would've gotten you into trouble leaving me to deal with all of this by myself" I explained wanting him to understand why I hadn't said anything. Silence descended again and before too long Tess was back with our food. We ate in silence for a while until Hayden said "can I ask one question? Does it have something to do with why you quit swimming? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"Yeah it does. I used to love the water but now I can't stand it. And yes it also has something to do with me changing how I look. The only thing I cannot bring myself to stop doing is maintaining my weight not that I ever plan on swimming again" I told him looking him straight in the eye knowing he wanted to ask more but didn't dare push it that far.

"Are you gonna keep going with Ike-do this year?" he asked about the only other sport we participate in.

"Yeah, me fighting has nothing to do with what happened and it's probably better that I keep doing it for safety reasons. Plus its one of the few times we get to hang out and beat the crap out of each other for fun" I said with a small laugh.