Love & Other Curses, 1985 | bxb | ONC 2024

CHAPTER 18: The Fall Fling

All men hate the wretched.

~ Mary Shelley, Frankenstein.

"Hurry up," Lilly yelled. "We're going to be late."

Thomas tucked his plain white t-shirt into his jeans and slipped on his red Converse sneakers. "I'm coming."

They met Adam in the kitchen—Goth Boy, Adam. He had transformed back to the pretty boy Thomas first met, with his black hair poking every which way like a rock star and blue eyeliner highlighting his hypnotic eyes. Only this time, he wore a black fishnet muscle tee with his arm sleeves and fitted black jeans.

Thomas stared.

"Quick," Lilly whispered, pushing Adam out of the house. "If Mom sees you like that, she'll never let you leave."

After they were out the door, Thomas yelled, "Bye, Mom."

"Be home before midnight," she yelled back. "Have fun."

Thomas ran to the car, shocked to find Adam sitting in the front seat. Lilly stood by the Chevy Cavalier in her purple paisley blouse, puffy sleeves, and a V-neck cut with white pants. She flipped the keys to Thomas.

"I thought you might want to drive tonight," she said.

"Yeah, thanks." He smiled at his sister's surprising thoughtfulness. "That's cool of you to let Adam sit up front."

"Whatever," she said, getting into the car. "Let's go."

After dropping Lilly off at the dance, the two boys left to pick up their dates.

"So," Thomas said, taking unabashed glances at Adam. "That's pretty hot."

He laughed. "Keep your eyes on the road, lover boy."

"Maybe if I couldn't see your nipples, I would."

After a few more peeks, Thomas finally pulled off to the side of the road in a secluded spot.

"Why are we stopping?" Adam asked.

"Shut up and kiss me." Thomas almost climbed over the stick shift as their lips met, but then he remembered the rest-stop incident and pulled away. "Now we can go."

"God—you're such a tease."

"Maybe, but we don't need to be arrested. That would be the worst way for my dad to find out about us."

"Fair."

He pulled back onto the road. "I feel terrible about what we're doing with Sally and Debbie. They don't deserve this."

"It's just a dance. We're friends."

"Sally is obsessed with you."

"But I'm not leading her on—she knows the deal."

"Well, Debbie doesn't. I practically told her I'm not gay."

"Are you?"

Thomas gave him a crazed look. "You're asking me? What am I supposed to do with that?"

Adam chuckled. "Look, liking a guy doesn't make you gay. Besides—labels are stupid, and I don't believe in them."

"Why is this so easy for you?"

"Because I don't care what other people think." Adam snapped his fingers. "I take that back. I care what you think."

"Aw—the Monster has feelings."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

Adam unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned across the car, and kissed him.