Sixteen, Clumsy, and Shy

Chapter 4: Hand In Glove

Morrissey and Johnny approached the concrete steps to Morrissey's house. Johnny decided to study the house: it was light blue, similar to that of the sky. It was a single story home; very fitting for a guy like him. "Welcome to my humble abode," Morrissey said, grinning before unlocking and opening the door to his home.

He led the way through the living room, into the kitchen, and last of all, his bedroom. Johnny was intrigued: he spotted multiple records and a record player and got very excited. "Hey Moz, you don't mind if I browse through your records, do ya'?" Morrissey blushed. "You can look, but my collection is a little embarrassing."

"Ah, come on! I don't think it can be that bad!" He began to snoop through Morrissey's records and found that his collection mostly consisted of girl pop groups and The New York Dolls; Johnny was happy to know that someone shared the same music taste as him. He saw something that caught his eye and gasped, pulling out the record; "Paper Boy" and its B-Side "You're the One" by The Marvelettes. "I love most of these, but THIS!" Johnny started, "This is gold right here." Morrissey smiled, relieved that Johnny didn't think he was bizarre for being into such peculiar artists. "Perhaps we can listen to this once we've finished our project," Morrissey suggested. Johnny smirked. "I'd like that."

Both boys exchanged glances and smiled at each other, both looking into each other's eyes. Neither of them knew it at the time but at that moment, their hearts synchronized and beat at the same time, both falling for each other simultaneously. Johnny quickly looked away and immediately tried to diverting Morrissey's attention. "So! Where should we start with this project?"

"Good question," Morrissey responded, "I see there are 30 questions to be answered. Shall we start with the first 15 and call it a day?"

"Sounds fine. Oh! What time is it? I'm going to be meeting Mike and Andy around 5." 

Morrissey looked over at his clock. "It's roughly 4 o'clock."

"Alright, that should give us time."

The boys absent-mindedly asked each other the questions and half-heartedly  gave answers.

"Birth sign?" Johnny asked him.

"Gemini, and you?"

"Scorpio," Johnny replied. "Ya' know, they say that Geminis and Scorpios are supposed to make quite the pair."

Morrissey looked away, attempting to conceal the fact that he was blushing. "Oh yeah?" he asked, "in what manner?"

"Well, the two are supposed to be opposites. But somehow, they feel drawn to one another. Like, um... Each person was meant to find the other, ya' know?"

"That's quite interesting. I don't think I could ever understand how a sign like yours and a sign like mine could ever be meant to complete each other like hand in glove, considering our friendship is as rocky as it is now," Morrissey jabbed. 

Johnny felt as if Morrissey had punched him in the chest; the very boy that he had fallen for moments ago had already rejected him. Johnny was stunned; he couldn't bear the amount of pain he was feeling and he certainly couldn't understand why he was in pain or why the pain was so intense. And just as he lost all hope, Morrissey spoke once more.

"But, these things take time, I suppose."

Johnny smiled, perhaps he had a chance after all?

"I'm sorry about how things started, Moz."

"It's quite alright, I'm used to getting bullied. Although, never from a charmer such as you." Morrissey blushed. 'Did I actually just say that?'

"My apologies," he added, "I just meant that usually the people bullying me are quite dull and well, idiotic. But you seem decent, perhaps even pleasant at moments." He smirked at Johnny.

"Thanks Moz. I-" Johnny looked at the clock. "Ah bloody hell! I've gotta go, I'm supposed to meet the guys. We'll work on this tomorrow, yeah?"

"Right. We can meet after school again, if you'd like."

"Sure. At the library again?"

"Sounds lovely."

"Alright, it's a date. See ya', Moz!" Johnny bolted out the door, accidentally slamming it behind him. "A date, huh?" Morrissey said to himself, "What a peculiar word for such an insignificant affair." He shrugged away the thought, he was sure it meant nothing. After all, who in their right mind would actually like Morrissey?

Johnny finally arrived at the tree where Andy and Mike liked to meet. "You're late," Mike said bluntly.

"Sorry Mike, I was at Moz's house working on the project."

Mike looked disgusted. "You're already giving each other nicknames? That's sick. Why do you hang out with that whiny little fag? Is he your boyfriend or something?"

Johnny paused. He really liked Morrissey and he had to make a choice: allow fear of being ridiculed by Mike to consume him or take a stand, let his "friend" know just how he feels. And Johnny knew exactly what he needed to do. "Yes," Johnny replied, "yes he is. I really like him and ya' need to stop treating us like shit." Before Mike had the opportunity to respond, Johnny walked away. He knew that it was going to be difficult, but something needed to be done.