For the First Time

Dream

Sapnap and I sit watching George play in the Sideman live tournament. I find it both satisfying and challenging. Difficult because I'm here without George. Enjoyable because at least I'm watching George.
Hearing the clip of him calling himself a "useless little bitch" is painful, but I'm sure it's just the nerves. He told me he trained hard to be there, and I wish he would have more confidence in himself.

Dream: You're terrific!
George: You simp 😏
Dream: 😛😘
George: ... 😘

Sapnap slaps my back. "Are you two done flirting? Don't distract him before the big game!"
I click my phone closed and bury it under my blanket. "We're not flirting," I grumble.
Sap laughs. "And what do you call it then?"
All I can do is shrug. Then add, "Just shut up and watch the game."
Sap snickers, but leave me alone.
I pull the blanket around my shoulders. Florida has two climates: deadly hot outside and cold inside because of the AC.
Sap is sitting close to me, and I'm glad he's hanging with me, but I can't help but wish George could be here too.
Idiot, his voice says to me in my mind.
It's true. Goggy will be here soon enough, and life will be good. The angst I feel will be gone, and I'll have my best friend sleeping less than ten feet away from me.
Yet I can't deny the gnawing at my stomach as I scan the large screen in front of us, wishing for any sign of George's 404 jerseys. Right now, he's in London, but soon, so very soon, he'll be next to me on the couch.
Somehow, none of this feels real, and I'm terrified that I'll close my eyes, open them, and realize this was all a dream.
I run a hand along the back of my neck, and I'm pleased when Patches jumps into my lap and settles.
I pet her under her chin, and her soft purrs calm my nerves tremendously.
The game is three hours long, and I can't help but text George every twenty minutes. He only responds with eye roll emojis and winks, but it's all I need from him. He looked at them and responded.

Dream: Idiot, that fall looked rough
Goggy: stfu
Dream: Are you hurt?
Goggy: What do you think, idiot?
Dream: I think I should kiss it and make it feel better
Goggy: 🙄
Dream: Then push you over again
Goggy: try me

As I sit there and laugh, I can't help but blush. It's always been this way with George. I can't help myself from flirting. It's for the bit, I tell myself. I don't feel this way.

My phone buzzing goes on for a solid minute before I'm willing to tear my eyes from the big screen. Patches meows since the phone are vibrating against her back.
Sapnap pokes me in the cheek.
"Stop that," I say, swatting his hand away.
"It's your boyfriend; you better answer it," Sap says, gesturing to the phone in my lap.
One glance down to see MyGoggyboi69 has me scrambling to grab it, which sends Sapnap into laughter.
I have no clever comeback. All I can do is shove his shoulder.
"I'll get us drinks," Sap says with a wink and jumps over the back of the couch.
I sit up and try to compose myself. I answer and say, "you were amazing, George!"
There's loud chatter coming from the other end of the phone.
"Dream!"
"George!" The volume I yell his name should make me cringe, but it's so lovely to hear his voice, to know I was the first one he wanted to talk to.
Besides Karl and MrBeast, I'm sure.
"We sucked ass!" George yells.
"But you all did so well!" I cheer on my end, straining to ensure I hear every word he says.
"Did you miss me?" Goggy nearly whispers. The noise dies down, and my heart hammers in my chest.
"What?!" What's going on?
His voice is low and deep as he says, "Only five more days."
"Goggy, are you drinking?" My eyes flicker back to the large screen.
The fantastic interviewer is chatting with players from both sides of the match. They're cracking jokes and beaming for the camera, sweat dripping through their hair and faces. The crowd is dispersing, and different camera angles and scenes flash intermittently.
"No!" He says defensively. "The game was intense."
"You did great!"
"You simp."
All I can do is laugh at his jab, and he rewards me with a huff of laughter from him. I want to ask him why he's calling me, why he isn't hanging out with the other YouTube Allstars.
It almost feels like he wants to say something and is holding back. "Are you injured?" I ask, all amusement leaking from my voice.
"What? No." He laughs again. "I'm sore, and people'd out."
Oh. I'm George's excuse to leave the hectic mess.
"Are you staying in London?"
"I am. I'll be stuck in the hotel room alone," George whines.
"Won't that be nice to unwind?" I'm not sure where this is going.
"Will you, will you do me a favor?"
I sit up on the couch. Patches meow at me and jump from my lap. "Anything."
Oh my God, I do sound like a simp.
I'm expecting him to mock me. Or laugh at me. Instead, he asks something that nearly causes me to drop my phone.
"Will you FaceTime me later? Can I see your face?"
"George! Why are you hiding away in the storage closet?!" It's MrBeast. I'm both happy for George and jealous they're together.
"Clay?"
I'm unsure if it's the request, the urgency, or the desperation, in George's voice that has my tongue caught in my throat. "Of course! Yes!"
"Is that your boyfriend?" MrBeast asks. His tone isn't rude or teasing; it's serious.
The phone seems to lower, and I think George thinks he's hung up, but I don't miss the faint "yes," right before the call ends.
"Sapnap!" I scream.
I hear clamoring from the kitchen. "What?!"
I shut off the tv and jump to my feet. "I need you to cut my hair! And we're going to film it for part of the montage!"
"What?!"