How to Survive Your 19th Life [BL]

Chapter 12: The First

"Thank you for letting me spend Thanksgiving here," I told Henri's parents, Otto and Meryl, as I passed the mash potatoes over to Henri's younger brother Cole.

"No need to thank us, hun," Meryl said with a soft smile. "You used to come over all the time for Thanksgiving."

It was true. My mom worked as a manager for an upscale American restaurant called Lineage that stayed open for Thanksgiving, and always saw crowds. My dad was a loan officer for a mortgage company, so he was home, but he didn't cook a piece of toast. We had other family on my mom's side, but they were at least 2 states away.

"Why did you stop coming by?" Otto asked as he piled turkey and cranberry jam on his plate.

Henri and I exchanged glances. "I just got too busy with college prep and all that," I lied.

They seemed to accept this answer okay. I liked his family. They knew Henri was gay and just let him figure out how to function in the world on his own. No parades every year or flags. I loved my family, but it was nice being somewhere more neutral.

After dinner, we all lazed around the living room with Henri and I laying on pillows on the floor, Cole on the couch with Meryl, and Otto snoozing on the recliner. We watched The Bourne Identity, just like we used to in high school. It was one of my favorite movies. Henri would always laugh when I put it on and call me "such a straight boy."

"I got somewhere to take you," Henri whispered. He then said out loud to his mom, "Solly and I are going to go out and grab dessert."

"In this weather?" Meryl asked, peeking out the window. Snow had already begun to fall this year.

"That's just dusting," Henri laughed.

"I'm coming," Cole said, standing.

"No," Henri snapped.

Cole ignored him and went to put his coat on. Henri grumbled as he got up from the floor. I laughed and followed. Cole was still in high school and much too smart for his own good.

We all piled into Henri's old Volkswagen, me riding shotgun and Cole in the back. It was quite cold out.

"We aren't really going for dessert," Henri said.

Cole scoffed, "I know that's just code for 'Let's go light up.'"

Henri turned around to face his brother. I did too. "You smoke now?" I asked.

"Come on, Chicken," Cole groaned, using my pet name for Henri. He liked to copy us, despite his independent personality. Suddenly, I wished I had a sibling. My Only-Child Syndrome was strong before high school.

"You're only seventeen, Cole," Henri hissed at him.

"Don't act like you weren't smoking at fifteen," Cole said back.

He had us there.

"Fine, but you're only going to smoke the roach," Henri said.

And we were off. Henri drove us through the thick of town, where we saw a couple of accidents and even passed my mom's restaurant. I wanted to stop to say hi to her, but Dad and I did that once and it only seemed to stress her out more. At least we had Christmas together.

Henri pulled the car onto a side road that led into some hills. The road led to a clearing that overlooked the town. The view was amazing. I got out of the car and sat on the hood. Under the thin snowy blanket, the town's buildings and lights looked like something inside a snow globe. Only the hideous billboards showcasing adult stores and insurance advertisements soured the view.

Henri and Cole got out and joined me.

We lit up.

I hadn't smoked in a long time, so my first couple draws had me choking on my own lungs. Cole was smoother than me, but not by much. Only Henri seemed like a pro. It was trash weed, stinky and harsh, but it got the job done.

"How's Mountain View?" I asked Henri. "Do you regret staying behind?"

"I'm not staying behind," Henri said. "I didn't tell you?"

I shook my head.

"He's doing two years at Mountain View and then transferring to a four-year," Cole said. Henri hooked an arm over Cole's shoulders.

"That's smart."

Henri nodded. "Yeah, cheaper too."

"Where are you going to go?"

"I got my eye on New York actually. Or California."

Mid-drag, I started to cough. "That far?"

Henri nodded again. I passed the blunt off to Cole who shook his head, so I gave it to Henri. Cole went back into the car and laid down in the back seat. "Lightweight," Henri yelled at him. I laughed.

"Where are you going to go after college?" Henri asked me.

"I didn't think about it actually. I know I want to go into commercial banking or financial planning."

"That sounds boring."

I flinched. He tried to pass me the blunt but I waved him off. Slowly, I ambled over to the edge of the cliff, where the clearing dropped off into a dark forest.

"What's up?" Henri asked, standing next to me.

"Nothing." I smiled at Henri. "I'm glad we're friends again." He met my gaze and smiled back at me. The distant town lights glowed majestically on his skin. His blue hair was now dusted with snowflakes. I reached over and wiped some off his hair. Maybe it was how high I was, but I was feeling weightless standing there with him.

My phone vibrated. Henri quickly looked away, as if the noise brought him out of a daydream. Were we having a moment? I wasn't sure. My mouth was so goddamn dry.

Looking at my phone, I saw a text from Malai.

Malai: Are you in the dorm?!

Me: Home for Thanksgiving. What's up?

Malai: Thank GOD! Sheridan is burning!