Peaked in High School

It's Complicated

"Thanks again for the 'fit, dude." Beau says as he shrugs on his new jacket that Everett got for him recently. Everett wanted to make sure that his temporary roommate has nice clothes for church and work, so he took him to a shop in town to fill up his closet a bit more with the necessities: blazers, jeans, slacks, button-ups, etc.

Grabbing his keys from the counter, Everett smiles at him and says, "Stop thanking me. It's really no problem at all."

Beau raises his hands in the air, signaling that he surrenders the non-fight that the two of them have been having since they went shopping the other day. Feeling guilty about Everett spending so much money on him, Beau has been continuously apologizing and thanking him for his help. Meanwhile, Everett just wants him to stop bringing it up—buying clothes is really no big deal. Everett insists that it's no issue at all and that he knows Beau is thankful for his help.

"Fine, fine—I'll stop," Beau concedes before a sly look makes its way onto his face. "I'll actually start demanding that you buy even more shit for me now," he jokes as they make their way down the stairs and into the garage.

Everett plays along as he hops into the drivers seat, "Jeez—way to do a one-eighty on me. I guess I need to buy your company from now on."

This shocks a laugh out of Beau who, Everett realizes, has never laughed at anything Everett has said. Smiling at his passenger's chortling, Everett backs the Lexus out of the garage and begins the journey into town for church.

"The wifey leaves so now you're 'paying for company'? Didn't think you were like that, bud." Beau is smirking as he leans back in his seat and throws his right arm behind his head looking effortlessly cool in a way that Everett secretly envies.

Shaking his head, Everett still has a small smile on his face as he responds, "You weren't supposed to figure out my plan so soon. Now you're gonna expect diamonds, or something, from me so you'll stay."

"Shit, that sounds like a win to me. I'm gonna be iced out bunking with you." Pulling down the sun visor to shield the rays from his eyes, Beau then settles back in his seat again.

Everett is surprised at how much he's been enjoying Beau's company these last couple of days. It's pretty much the complete opposite of what it was like living with Charlotte. Beau is funny, but can be.... not the brightest at times. He is loud and makes his presence known anytime he is anywhere in Everett's vicinity. His jokes and vocabulary tend to be more vulgar and juvenile, but he never fails to put a smile on Everett's face. It's honestly very refreshing being around him.

The two of them banter back and forth until they finally arrive at the picturesque building that looks to be filled to the brim with well-dressed families.

Beau recognizes several faces right off the bat when they enter through the front doors. Steve, the deli owner, is at a pew with his wife and their teenagers. The bartender and some of the people he drunkenly ran into that first night at the bar are also in attendance. Sticking close behind Everett, Beau continues to scan the crowd of people talking before mass begins. He runs into his shorter friend's back when he suddenly comes to a stop to talk with a group of people.

"Sorry, Beau. You remember Mrs. T—this is her granddaughter, Elizabeth. And this is Sinting's mailman, Rodger. And this is-" Beau greets everyone that Everett excitedly introduces him to. The guy seems so genuinely happy to be catching up with the townspeople before church.

A part of him wishes that he was as social as Everett. Well—he supposes that he is a social person, but the difference is that he's usually not very well-received. The same cannot be said for Everett who seems to be absolutely adored by the vast majority of the church-goers. They hold his hand or touch his shoulder as they speak to him with wide smiles on their faces. Beau, however, finds himself wanting to punch them when they ruin the moment by asking his cheerful host about Charlotte.