chapter one

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friday. august 18, 1978. 6:45pm.

todd was sat at the counter, spinning on the stool. a paper in his hand and a pencil in the other. "what can i get for ya, old toddy?" he stopped spinning and looked up. "cherry cola, with one cherry in it, preferably on the straw, y'know how i like it." the boy hummed. "anything to eat?" "fries. don't hold back on the salt."

"maybe i'll hold back just a bit, don't need you going into cardiac arrest. not in my diner at least." todd rolled his eyes and grabbed something out of his pocket and handed it to the boy. "thank you. wasn't sure if you remembered 'em today!" "neil. i always remember."

"right right. how silly of me." neil unwrapped the sucker and put it on his tongue. "i'll be back with your cola." he smiled at him and went to the back. todd frowned. he hates this place, in all honesty. the environment smelled of cigarette smoke and bitchy church goers. yet it's his favorite place to be.

something about it always drew todd back. he felt like his heart pointed in the direction of it. and he knew it was neil. the cocky waiter, who todd is surprised has yet to be fired. he guesses it's because his boss is charlie dalton, who isn't much older than them.


"i'm telling you neil, that boy out there likes you." "no he doesn't charlie, you're crazy." "i'm crazy? who the hell comes to a diner like this. we are in the middle of butt-fuck nowhere. in the shittiest town vermont has ever seen." neil shook his head, getting todd's drink ready. "i'm not listening to you."


"here's your fries and your cola!" "thank you." neil walked to the back rather quickly. todd was a bit confused but started eating. the stool next to him scooted against the floor and he looked up. "mind if i join you?" todd shook his head, "not at all! what kinda milkshake is that?"

"it's a rocky road one." todd raised an eyebrow, "i've never had one like that." "here. try it." neil handed the cup to him and he hesitated. "this is your straw." "so?" todd shrugged and took a sip, "that's kinda gross!" "what? no it isn't!" "i'm not a rocky road kinda guy!" "you just have no taste." neil put the straw to his tongue and smiled.

"so when you're not here, what are you doing?" todd shifted awkwardly in his seat, he didn't expect to talk about himself today. "well. i'm usually at my apartment with my dog. i don't usually leave the house, other than coming here." "i'd love to meet your dog some time. what's it's name?" "his name is eugene." "eugene?" "yea. he just looks like a eugene." neil nodded.

"what else?" "oh- i'm in a band." "you're in a band?" "if you wanna call it that." "well you just did." todd sighed, "we aren't really an official band yet. we just meet in my friend's mom's garage, playing hand-me-down instruments." neil smiled. todd smiled back shyly. he moved the fries in the middle of them and gestured to them.



10:12pm.

the two were sitting in a booth and laughing together. neil rested his forehead on todd's shoulder and slapped his knee. when it died down, todd looked at the clock on the wall, "shit it's late. i have to let my dog out." neil looked up and sniffled, "can i come?" todd bit his lip. he wanted to spend the rest of the night with neil but knew he couldn't, not with his roommate.

todd shook his head, "not tonight. i'm sorry. i have a roommate, who happens to be my ex girlfriend and she's fucking crazy about me bringing other people back. she's moving out soon." neil frowned, sticking his bottom lip out. his hair was covering most of his eyes, his cheeks red. they had drank only a little, after neil closed. todd took a sucker wrapper out of his pocket and wrote down his number.

"here. you call me when you get home safe or if you need me. okay?" neil hummed, taking the paper, "can i have a kiss goodbye?" "not yet, romeo." todd kissed his head and stood up. "bye todd." "cya later alligator." neil waved, "after a while crocodile." todd smiled, walking to his car.


once he got home he was bombarded with questions. "where have you been?" "i was out. why does it matter?" "are you seeing someone?" "not if you don't wanna call it that." "is she pretty?" "he's a hell of a lot better looking than you." the girl sat down and put her head in her hands.

"what's your issue?" "nothing." todd sat on the kitchen counter and stared at the wall. "is he nice?" "yes." the girl nodded. "listen remmy, i gotta sleep. can we talk about this in the morning?" "yeah." he said she was crazy about him bringing people over, but she's not that crazy.

he went to his room and sat on the bed. okay he lied just a little. she's not his ex girlfriend. she's his girlfriend. she's only crazy about him bringing people over, because she doesn't wanna get caught. he met her back in highschool. the only reason they're still together is because their families are set on them getting married.

todd loved the idea of marriage, but not with her. he loved remmy, but not like that. he loved her more from a distance. she's his best friend. they both have their affairs, while still being "together". she has a boyfriend, he has neil.


how does it sound so far?
- <3

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