The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 34: The Pauper Alleviates

Dinner was awkward. After Antonio's dad stopped asking me weird questions and Leo finished talking about his day at school, everyone went quiet. Well, no. I was actually really quiet and felt like I was an intruder as I listen to Antonio and his family interacting with each other. So, I was bit too excited to leave when Antonio told me he was ready to take me home.

I said goodbye to Antonio's parents politely, promising Mrs. Zepeda that I will pass her message for my mom to go have lunch with her soon, and followed Antonio to his garage. I head over to the passenger's seat of Antonio's ridiculously expensive car and got inside while he does the same. Once Antonio sits down, he starts the car before driving out of the garage.

Antonio and I didn't talked at all during the drive to my house which is kind of far. I don't know if it's because of what happened to me during dinner or from me running away at lunch, but I didn't have the courage to ask him. That, and he looks kind of mad. His eyes were glaring at the road in front of him with a frown on his handsome face. I wonder if he's mad at me? I think he is. . .

Half an hour or so passes when my house finally appears in sight a few houses away from where we are with two cars parked on the driveway. I'm guessing Mom and Dad are home. Either work was slow or they just finished everything on time. In any case, I think they're still awake. They don't usually fall asleep until I return home after hanging out with friends.

My old friends. . . The ones who betrayed me by leaving me and telling lies about me. . . Like how I would go behind Austin's back and give blow jobs to his teammates when I wouldn't let him even get to second base with me. Which wasn't true! I don't even know how to do that. . . Then, I didn't let Austin get to second base because I didn't feel ready to do that with him. Especially when we were both closeted gays in a state that wish us to go to hell.

"We're here, Cassiel. . ." Antonio mutters, snapping me from where my thoughts were taking me.

I look up at my house, then at Antonio who has one hand into a fist and his head leaning against it while the other is tightly holding onto his steering wheel. Yup, he's definitely mad about something and I don't know if he wants to talk about it. What should I do? If we're going to be dating, then we should be able to talk to each other. Both the good and the bad. Right now, it's the bad and I want to help him. But, how? It looks like he'll just lash out his anger at me if I force him to talk and I've seen him angry.

Well, I heard him. Still, I don't want him to yell at me. The only thing I can think of is calming him down. Maybe I should kiss him somewhere? Like his cheek? Or, maybe I should try holding his hand? I know that when my mom gets frustrated about something that happened work, Dad hugs her tightly even if she snaps at him to let her go. But, he keeps hugging her and letting her yell at him until she finally cools down. I should do something like that.

Yeah! I should hug him! I thought excitedly in my head as I take off my seat belt. Though, instead of getting out of the car like a normal person, I climb over to Antonio's lap and wrap my arms tightly around his neck. He was surprised by my actions, not expecting me to sit on him, because I felt his body jerk in surprise as soon as I adjust myself into a more comfortable position.

Nuzzling into the crook of his neck, I say softly, "I'm sorry about dinner. . . And if I made you mad because of it. . ."

Antonio doesn't say anything which is fine by me. The whole point of my hug and my apology is not meant as a way for him to talk to me, only to calm him down and know that I'm okay. After a few minutes of complete silence, Antonio's arms slowly place themselves around my body and squeezes me a bit. Meanwhile, his lips gave my forehead a light peck that instantly made me smile. Looks like my plan worked. . .