Just So You Know (boyxboy)

six

[ Max ]

After being reassured for the millionth time that Nate would be okay, I remembered my date with Jeremy. We were doing something simple, like getting ice cream and going to the park.

The park was close to my house, just down the street. And the ice cream place was just up the road.

I showered quickly and got dressed in my usual attire of jeans, a band tee, and a pair of vans. I was practically the poster child of Tumblr. I slid my phone into the back pocket of my pants, took one more quick look at myself in the mirror and then headed downstairs, hoping to make a swift get away. But unbeknownst to me, my mother was lurking in the kitchen.

"Hold it right there, Maxwell." Her voice was enough to make me scream a scream that would have put my just-entering-puberty brother's to shame. "Where are you going?"

"To the park."

"With?"

"Myself?"

She eyed me. "Who's meeting you there?"

"I'm not meeting anybody," I lied, "and even if I was, why are you on my back about it? I'm eighteen, I have my phone on me, I'm just going to the park and I'll be back later."

I hated when she did that, went all psycho-mom on me. She gave me a stern eye and then sighed. "Promise me you'll be back before dark."

"I promise." I sighed and she finally let me leave.

The park was about five minutes from my house and I had told Jeremy to meet me there at noon. It was eleven-fifty. I wondered into the park and just sat there on the picnic table under the gazebo.

Jeremy got there a little bit after twelve, "Sorry, I had no idea it was gonna take me this long to get here." He huffed as he sat across from me. "I went the wrong way at first."

"It's okay." I laughed and shrugged at him. "At least you came."

"I wouldn't wanna miss our date for the world." He winked at me, making my face heat up.

We just sat there for a few minutes until eventually going for the swings that faced the road. We sat on them and talked about nothing in particular until my arms started to hurt. We went up and down some slides and played on the jungle gym. After that, we decided on the ice-cream.

The walk there was at least another ten minutes.

"I can help who's next." The blonde girl behind the counter let out a sigh. I could tell she hated her job.

We stepped up to the counter and Jeremy stepped in front. "What do you want, Maxey?"

A pang went through my stomach. Nathan was the only person that really ever called me that. Not like some kinda weird pet name, it was just a nickname. But it didn't sound right coming out of anybody else's mouth. Not even my mom, or Owen, or Tyler. Occasionally Ronnie but that's only when she was being obnoxious and mimicking Nathan. I usually yelled at people when they called me it. I'd just have to tell him.

"Uh, I'll just get a small swirl on a cone?" I looked at him.

"Sure, Maxey."

I physically cringed.

Jeremy didn't seem to notice. He ordered, paid, and we were given our ice cream. We walked back to the park and sat down in the tennis court to eat. It was already trying to melt.

"Hey, Jeremy," I chewed my bottom lip. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what is it Maxey?"

"Can you not call me that."

"Call you 'Maxey'?"

"Yeah that." I awkwardly scratched my forehead. "It's just a stupid name between me and Nathan, that's all. I don't really like when other people use it."

"Oh." He said, awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's fine," I shrugged. "You didn't know."

We were silent until Jeremy finished his cone. "This is actually really fun, you know that?"

He looked over at me, a blush creeping up the his cheeks. I'd finally finished my ice-cream and found myself leaning in towards him.

Jeremy's cheeks brushed against mine and then our lips brushed, softly. It was a small, quick, and simple peck. But one I enjoyed, none the less.

"You taste like chocolate." He smirked as we pulled apart.

I blushed even harder. Maybe Jeremy was gonna be good for me.