State of Grace (Complete)

Holiday Kisses

 "Hi Grace, how are you?" I turn in my kiosk to see Carmine from my French class leaning against the glass. The mall is pretty busy since it's so close to Christmas, but even still, I'm not run off my feet with customers.

"Not bad, Carmine, you?" Carmine is a tall, thinner guy with light brown hair and really long eyelashes. It never seems fair how some guys get such great lashes.

Carmine shifts in front of me uneasily. "I'm okay, but I have a question to ask you and it's kind of personal, I guess, so you can't say anything. Okay?"

I can count the number of conversations Carmine and I have had on one had, so it's kind of an odd request, but I can't just shut him down. "Sure."

"Umm, you know at Jessa's party? The one with the fight?"

"Yes."

"Well, the fight wasn't over you, was it?"

"I'm not sure what you're getting at."

"I was wondering," he's playing with his fingers nervously and I can tell this is hard for him, so I am patient. "Is umm, Chris gay?"

"What makes you think that?"

"I think that maybe that was what the fight was about. I know Owen called him a faggot," he almost chokes on the word, but continues, "and I know you and Ian were defending him."

"Maybe you're right, but what difference does it make to you?" I want to guard Chris fiercely, but I'm pretty sure Carmine isn't asking to be cruel.

"I, I think I'd like to meet him, maybe get to know him?" Carmine's face is beet red and he looks at me, eyes full of fear and hope.

Suddenly I clue in, "Carmine, I can introduce the two of you if you want."

"I'd love that!" A broad smile breaks across his face.

"He's picking me up in about twenty minutes, maybe you could stick around and we could all go for coffee? I mean school's out right now, so unless you wanted to wait until January..."

"No, now is good, it's taken me two months to get up the courage to ask you about him, so it's now or never, he has a huge look of relief on his face and takes a few deep breaths. "You have no idea how hard this is..."

"I don't, but I'm happy to help." I pat him on the arm. "Meet me over at the bank exit after the mall closes, okay?"

"Yep!"

When I get out of the mall I can see where Chris is waiting in the parking lot with his mother's car and Carmine comes right up to me outside the door.

"Hey Chris, I ran into Carmine from my French class, want to go for coffee? It's my treat?" I lean into the car trying to sway him.

"Sure, I guess," Chris shrugs.

"Great. Carmine, you sit in front since you're so tall." Before anyone can protest, I slip into the backseat, and Carmine cautiously gets in the front. "Chris, Carmine, Carmine, Chris." I perform the basic introductions.

"Hi," Carmine says shyly, slumped in his seat, offering Chris his hand. Carmine peers up at him through his amazing lashes, a blush on his face.

Chris appears totally disarmed. At first his face registers shock, then a lazy smile like the one Ian uses when flirting fills his face and an eager look shines in his eyes, "Hi, Carmine." He gives him a lingering hand shake and I can see Carmine light up. It's really sweet, but I hope that once we get talking they have more in common than a spark of attraction.