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Later that night, I was halfway through reheating some fries when Felix walked into the kitchen. He didn't say anything at first just grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and leaned against the counter, watching me like I was up to something.
"What?" I asked, turning around with a mouthful of food.
He raised an eyebrow. "Mom and Dad asked where you were earlier."
"Did they now?"
He nodded. "Said you left with someone but didn't say who. Asked me if I knew."
"What'd you tell them?"
"I told them I had an idea, but it wasn't my place."
I took a slow sip from my cup. "Appreciate that."
"I wasn't covering for you," he added. "Just buying you time."
"Still appreciate it."
He crossed his arms, eyes locked on me. "So, it was Trayvon, right?"
I nodded.
He didn't say anything for a moment, just took a sip of water. "What did y'all do?"
"Went skating. Got food after. That's it."
He nodded like he believed me, but I could still see the gears turning in his head.
"He seems cool," I said before he could ask anything else. "Respectful. Didn't try anything."
Felix stared at me for a beat. "He's 22."
"I know."
"You just turned 18."
"I know."
He sighed. "I'm not saying that means anything by itself. Just...be smart."
I shrugged. "I wasn't alone in the middle of nowhere. It was public, chill, and I had my location on the whole time."
"I know," he said, and there was that tone he gets the one that means he's not looking to argue, just make sure I heard him. "I just remember him from that day at the rink. The way he watched you. It wasn't disrespectful, but it wasn't casual either."
I sat down at the table. "That's why I went. I wanted to know if it was just in my head."
"And?"
I looked down at my fries. "It wasn't."
Felix pulled out the chair across from me and sat, folding his arms on the table. "You like him?"
I hesitated, then nodded. "I don't know what it is yet. But he makes me feel comfortable. Like I don't have to shrink myself."
Felix looked at me for a long time, then gave the smallest nod. "Okay. Just don't forget who you are trying to be for someone else."
