Be my Valentine?

Chapter Four, Starbucks

After Nick abruptly broke the news, Karl tried his best to read their faces. George didn't look like he cared too much. To be fair George never really cared about rumors in the first place, he just found it mildly amusing.

Clay on the other hand looked- unsettled to say the least. Maybe he just didn't like his sexuality being labeled or something. Or, maybe he's secretly gay. Oh that would be hilarious. Clay, secretly gay. IT EVEN RHYMES!

"Come on, it's just a stupid rumor. It'll go away in a few days." George said casually. And by his face, he genuinely believed it. Karl smiled at how his friends always- okay most of the time- could see the best in things.

Rumors aside, he still needed to give Nick the Valentine he made the night before. He almost did earlier, but the anxiety got to him. God, why did he even make it in the first place? It was stupid.

"Hey, you good?" Nick asked. Karl snapped out of his thoughts and realized that Clay and George had left.

"Yeah, just worried about our, uh....- math test." There's no way he believed that.

"Same. It probably won't be anything too hard though, don't worry."

Nick wrapped his arm around Karl's shoulder and smiled at him. And just like everyday, for years, he just smiled back. Never saying anything about how he felt. Never daring to break their friendship that way. But he was fine staying friends for now. At least, kind of fine.

They bought a chocolate bar from the school store and split it while laughing at some stupid joke Nick told him.

"And then he was like 'Dude I'm straight-' and I said 'So am I' and we just stood there wondering what was even happening then-" Karl smiled stupidly and giggled as he watched Nick crack up over a story he told himself.

He put his hand in his pocket, forgetting that the note was in there and immediately pulling it out.

Shit-

"Ooh sneaking some candy and not sharing!?" Nick smiled and playfully went to grab it. Before Karl could even react, Nick was already gripping it in his hand.

He bit his lip. Anxiety flooded his mind and fear pierced his chest. Nick looked at him, waiting for a signal to open it. He'd never do it without consent obviously. 

But eventually Karl nodded at Nick, letting him know it was okay to open it. Karl watched as he eagerly unfolded it and started reading.

It took a few moments, but those moments felt like forever. It was also relatively difficult to tell what Nick was feeling since his face never really gave anything away. Karl nervously fidgeted with the bottom of his shirt, refusing to let his feelings overwhelm him.

He looked up at Nick, who was already looking at him, and made eye contact briefly before looking down.

"It's okay, we can still be just friends. I just wanted you to know, I guess." Karl said, not wanting to pressure Nick into anything he didn't want to do.

Silence. Almost as bad as rejection, since they basically meant the same thing. Without waiting a second longer, Karl got up and started to walk away. Maybe he had ruined their friendship after all, and the thought of it stung at his chest.

But before he could leave Nick, a hand gripped his, and turned him around. Face to face with each other, they both leaned in.

Their lips pressed together before pulling away seconds later, their smiles radiating.

"IT'S YOUR FUCKING FAULT!"

"WHAT? TRYING TO ENJOY THIS SHITTY HOLIDAY!? YOU'RE JUST TOO FUCKING STUPID TO REALIZE THAT HAPPY ENDINGS AREN'T FUCKING REAL GEORGE!"

Karl, concerned by hearing his friend's voices all the way across the hall, turned to see what was going on.

George and Clay were standing at the end of the hall arguing at each other. Clearly Clay's statement had struck a nerve though, because the silence that followed was a little too quiet.

George turned abruptly and started walking away. 

Karl looked at Nick, who looked back at him, and a silent agreement was made.

Nick started running to catch up to George while Karl walked to handle Clay. He buried his head in his hands before yelling in frustration.

Karl, being the kind person he was, walked straight up to Clay and immediately started comforting him.

"Hey, what happened?"

"George was being stupid."

"What else is new?"

That earned a snort from Clay, and Karl smiled.

"Come on, let's just skip and get some Starbucks or something."

"Wait, don't you have a math test?"

"What? No, it's tomorrow. "

"Oh okay. Well, let me get my stuff, I'll meet you at the back doors."

Karl nodded and walked back down the hall to where him and Nick were talking, turning right to open his locker.

After he got his bag packed he walked to the back of the school where he waited for Clay. While waiting, he texted Nick.

(Regular text is Karl, italic is Nick)

How's George doing?

Good, managed to get his short asf self calmed down, what about Clay?

We're getting Starbucks and skipping.

Are you crazy!? We have a math test Karl

Karl!?

"Sup. You ready?" Clay asked. Karl turned off his phone and put it in his pocket.

"Yeah, let's go."

I know, it's been five days, but homework + writer's block might as well be torture. At least it's finally here I guess? Anyways thanks for reading! -Minty <3