things we said today - mclennon

two of us

"you and i have memories / longer than the road / that stretches out ahead"

It was around 14:48 and I was getting ready to go meet up with George. I was excited to hear him play again. Sure, I have known him for 1 year but we shared great times together.

While I was getting ready, my brother, Mike came into my room.

"Are you getting your date?" He said, sarcastically. I got flustered.

"Hey! It's not a date! I'm just meeting up with George."

I could tell when I said "George," Mike's eyes sparkled.

"George? As in your friend? That George?"

I sighed. "Yes, that George. Come on, Mike, you know who I am talking about."

"I miss him. I wished he came over more. Not that other kid who's fucking annoying."

My eyes widened.

"Mike! You can't curse! You are 12 years old!"

He snickered then ran out of my room. Sure, Mike is a hand-full but I couldn't do anything about it. He's my little brother and I had to take care of him.

I arrived at George's home and he greet me at the door.

"Come in." He said, dipping his head. I went inside and I was amazed. I have been to George's house many times and it never fails to disappoint me. It never does.

We walked up to his room. George picked up his guitar and sat on the bed.

"Before I start, I have a quick question for you."

George talking caught my attention. I wonder what his question is about. I pondered.

"What's up?"

I heard George sigh and he looked back at me. I started to get nervous. Was he mad at me or something? Did I do something wrong?

"Do you like John or something? Are you like a queer or something?" George said, narrowing his eyebrows. I didn't reply, I was first finding my words.

Then, it all hit me at once.

"What?? No!! What kind of question is that?"

"Then why did John follow you into the bathroom? Were you two having a make-out session or something?"

He doesn't know. And he shouldn't know.

"No! No, we were not." I crossed my arms. I then looked down at his guitar. "Shouldn't you start playing?"

George's eyes widened and he looked down at his guitar.

"Oh yeah. Sorry."

"Not worries."

Before George started playing again, his eyes looked up at me again. "Are you sure you don't? I see the way you stare at John. You look like you're in love with him!"

I felt my face get red. "No, George. I don't."

"Alright, I'll stop asking." George batted off with a smile and started to play.

Today, I want it to be a normal day. Well, it couldn't be. I had feelings for one of my friends and it was like a shadow hanging over me. So, the only thing to do was to walk to school by myself and avoid eye-contact with John. 

It's a bad plan. I'll make eye-contact with John today but I'll just walk to school and home by myself.

I made it in seconds flat. And just what I suspected, there was nobody there. Well, there was but barely anyone.

"Whew.."

There was a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to see John. The last person I wanted to see right now.

"John! What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

"W-what?"

"I waited for you and you didn't come!" John yelled at me, I choked. I struggled to find my words but then, they all came to me.

"I decided to go out by myself so I can have time to think."

John scanned me and narrowed his eyes. "Think of what?"

I gulped. Now I was trapped and I couldn't find a way out. So, I replied back with the first lie I could think of.

"Uhmm.. take some time to myself. I don't have a lot of privacy back home." I replied, totally lying. John didn't reply but then gave me a quick nod and walked in front of me.

I took a breath, knowing I was "free." But not for long. John would probably get suspicious of me and my behavior so that was a big issue to solve.

"Privacy, eh? I get that. Aunt Mimi wouldn't leave me alone, she thinks I'm a trouble-maker. Which I am so she got that part right." John said with a laugh.

I chuckled softly. "She seems very clingy."

"Very, very clingy. After me uncle died, she is extra worried about me."

"She's only looking out for ye."

"Yeah, yeah. I suppose."

There was an awkward silence between John and I. It lasted a whole minute until I decided to speak up.

"Why did ye kiss me?"

John's eyes widened in shock and confusion. "Huh?"

"I asked why did you kiss me? We were in a fight earlier. What was the point of kissing me?"

"Oh relax, I didn't mean anything about it." John huffed. "It was a friendly kiss. Why? Did you think something else?"

I froze in shock. I felt a lump in my throat and my palms started to sweat. "Uhm.." I paused. "No, no, not really."

It was a complete lie. Feeling John's lips against mine was a great feeling and I crave it again. The electricity and adrenaline pumping through my body was worth it, but to find out it was only a comfort kiss felt like a stab to the heart.

John huffed again. "Well, good. I ain't a faggot or anything."

I nodded. "I get that."

"Are you, McCartney?"

"Am I what?"

"A faggot?"

"I told you, I am not. What's with all the questions, Lenny?"

"I'm just double-checking," John paused. "I don't want me best friend to be a queer or anything. Those things are weird."

I chuckled nervously. "Yup, they sure are." For now, I'd keep my secret to myself. I might lose George and John as friends and I certainly don't want that happening.

Especially John.