stutter

07. - i'll be braver

RORY

Maybe only for one day but I was the perfect son anyone could've asked for. I did the dishes, cleaned up basically the whole house, made breakfast for my mom too. Helped with anything I could. 

"Okay," my mom sighed. "What do you want?" 

I guess I was acting too obviously, but I couldn't mess up my chance. 

"Nothing really," I shrugged. "Want another coffee?" I asked, giving her my wildest smile. 

"All I want is for you to sit down and start talking. You never act like this before asking for something, it's scaring me."

I bit into my lower lip and lowered myself next to her. I hugged my legs to my chest as I started talking. "I have this friend who kinda needs help."

"Who? Adam? Is everything alright with him?" she asked immediately. I rolled my eyes because of course Adam is her favorite kid and they aren't even related. 

"No, it's not Adam. You don't know him," yet. "He um, kinda needs a place to stay. Family issues."

"What do you mean family issues?" she asked frowning.

"Not really sure. He said that they don't like him that much, so I thought-"

"He can stay here!" she cut me off. "I cannot believe this. What do you mean his family doesn't like him? Unacceptable," she shook her head. "Family is supposed to be always there."

"Uh, yeah... You sure you don't mind?" I asked. 

"Of course I don't! Let's show him what a real family's like," she said excitedly. I saw the fire in her eyes and I thought for a second that... If she reacted with this intense emotion at the thought of another family almost abandoning their son, she would for sure accept me if I came out. Right?

I had it in the tip of my tongue. I was so ready to say it aloud. I bit into my lower lip and looked at her. "Mom," I started.

"No, it's seriously okay!" she interrupted me, assuming I was still talking about Mark. "Let me set up the guest room for him, he will like it here I promise!"

I took a shaky breath and nodded. "Alright, thanks." 

Maybe next time I'll be braver.

. . .

I was looking around at school, trying to find Mark. We didn't exchange numbers so I couldn't text him. I mean I guess I could've sent a message via Instagram or something but I was afraid to look at his page. Adam said that he had a few pictures out and it was so stupid but I didn't want to see them, afraid that I would accidentally see something of him that I wanted to experience in first hand. 

"Hi dude," Mike suddenly slapped on my back which made me jump. "Sorry didn't mean to scare you," he said with a laugh.

"It's fine."

"Wanna come over afternoon? We'll watch the match at mine with the boys," Mike explained and leaned in closer. "I also got some goodies thanks to my sister," he winked at me.

"Thanks, but if my mom finds out that I'm drinking, she'll kill me. Super strict when it comes to alcohol," I said. My brother once got home drunk and she was livid. I didn't want to do something that could make her mad when she was doing me a huge favor. 

"You can just stay for the night," he suggested with a shrug. 

"I'll think about it," I said eventually when I noticed Mark walking alone. I quickly said goodbye to Mike and hurried over to Mark. When he noticed me he stopped and looked at me. I was a few inches taller so he needed to glance up to me and he was so perfect looking like that. His eyelashes seemed even bigger in the lighting that we were in and-

"Rory? Is everything alright?" he asked which made me snap out of my thought.

"Yeah sorry," I cringed while I felt myself going red. "It's just, um. . . I talked to mom. My mom I mean, why would I talk to someone else's?" Oh god shut up.

"Really? What did she say?" Mark asked excitedly. It was like he didn't notice how I made a fool of myself. 

"She said it's cool, or like you can stay. If you want to. In our house specifically."

Somebody end me.

"Awesome!" he said with a huge grin. "You have no idea how thankful I am for this! I owe you a big one." 

Mark thanked me a few more times and went to his classroom eventually. I stood there until I heard the bell ring.

In the classroom I sat next to Adam and told him what happened. He looked at me seriously before saying, "How long is he staying?"

"I don't know. He said a few days."

"Are you staying in the same room?" I felt my face got hot even just at the thought of us sleeping in the same room. "You're acting like a middle schooler, grow up."

"My mom will set up the guest room," I mumbled. 

"Ah, what a shame! It's easier to make a move if you're completely locked up."

"Dude stop," I warned him. "I don't want to make him uncomfortable. I'm not gonna make a move when he's depending on me. That sounds beyond messed up," I shook my head.

"Well if you're phrase it like that-"

"It's not phrasing like that, it's the truth," I cut him off. He rolled his eyes.

"Okay then new plan. Get together with him before he stays over and then you can do whatever you want. Oh my god you just got super red what the fuck," Adam laughed.

I was ready to scold him when the teacher said my name. "Rory, is everything alright? You seem red. Do you want to go to the bathroom?" she asked worriedly.

Adam turned away subtly to try to cover his laugh but I saw the way his shoulders shook. Asshole.