Right Place, Right Time

🎶

A few days went by without Simon seeing Ralph. Not around his neighborhood, and hardly even at school. Simon guessed it; Roger scared him off. Simon didn't know why he was upset though, it's not like he had a chance with Ralph anyways. Simon was almost certain he was straight, and even if he wasn't, he for sure didn't like Simon that way.
Maybe Simon should've trusted Roger. Perhaps Ralph was only being nice to Simon. He'd never know though.

Simon sat down backstage as the choir continued singing. He had started to feel faint in the heat of the auditorium. He was glad it was only a rehearsal, but he knew he'd have to get used to the heat before the concert; He can't just walk off stage like that. Simon was glad that Jack tolerated him enough to let him sit down whenever, so long as it wasn't during a performance.

Simon searched around for his water bottle, not seeing it beside his chair.

"Looking for this?"

Simon heard a voice say. He looked up to see Ralph standing in front of him.

"Ralph!"
Simon exclaimed.

"We gotta stop meeting like this huh?"
Ralph jokingly said, handing the bottle to Simon.

"Like what?" Simon asked, taking a sip of water.

"You in need of something, and me just so happening to show up at the right time."
Ralph explained, winking.

Simon hummed in understanding. Ralph sat down beside him.

"I was headed back from the library when I heard you guys singing, so since I had hall pass, I decided to stop by and listen for a second. I saw you sitting here and looking around for something, when I noticed a water bottle on the ground by the curtain. I assumed that's what you were looking for and I was right!"
Ralph explained.

Simon blinked at him, then looked at his water bottle, then back at Ralph.

"Well all in all, it's good to see you again."
Simon said.

"You too."
Ralph responded.

Simon shifted in his chair, tapping the sides of his bottle.

"Are you- are you mad at me?"
he asked

"Mad at you? why?"

"because of... what happened Saturday..."

"oh, what? of course i'm not mad at you"

"why not?"

"that wasn't your fault."

"but- you've been avoiding me haven't you?"

"oh Simon no no, i've just been really busy. I know we kinda left on somewhat of bad terms Saturday, but no i'm not mad at you."

Ralph smiled at Simon, who smiled back. Ralph then realized something, furrowing his eyebrows. He looked at Simon, then at the stage.

"How come you're not out there with everyone else?"
he asked.

"oh uhm...i was just feeling sick.."
Simon said.

"sick? do you want me to take you to the nurse?"

"no no I'm okay, I'm feeling better know, I'm just resting a little."

"oh okay...well that's good, don't push yourself if you don't feel well."

"i know, i wont."

Ralph nodded, before turning his attention to Simon's uniform.

"I always thought this uniform looked tacky, but you somehow make it cute."
Ralph said.

Simon's face went red. Ralph wasn't looking at Simon's face, he was too focused on the ruffles around Simon's neck. Ralph reached out and tugged at the ruffles. Simon was still, he could feel Ralph's warm fingers lightly brushing his neck. Ralph let go and stood up.

"You're adorable."
he said, pulling the brim of Simon's hat over his eyes and patting his head.

"hope you feel better Simon."
he said.

Simon lifted his hat back up and watched as Ralph exited the auditorium.

Simon felt hopeful. Ralph's words swirling around in his mind.
Perhaps he did have a chance with him...

or maybe he was just delusional.