Sixteen, Clumsy, and Shy

Chapter 5: I Started a Project I Couldn't Finish

The following school day, Johnny walked into class. Morrissey sat down right after him and smiled, as if to greet him. He smiled back; Morrissey could feel his heart begin to race. He had never felt this way about another human being before, this frightened him greatly. 'What if Johnny doesn't feel the same way? I'm quite fragile and I can't afford to have my heart thrown in the gutter... Perhaps it's best I mention nothing,' he thought to himself.

Before he could think any further, Ms. Branka stood up and walked to the front of the class. "Alright, class," she started, "this is the last day you have to work on your projects. I urge you to use your time wisely."

Morrissey and Johnny wasted the whole period, discussing anything that came to mind. To Morrissey, it appeared as though they were closer friends than they were the door before and he didn't mind. He would occasionally sneak glances at Johnny when he wasn't looking. To him, Johnny was the most beautiful creature to walk the Earth; he grew increasingly depressed with the thoughts of being inadequate. The bell eventually rang and each boy said exchanged "goodbyes", each heading to their respective classes.

The school day ended and Morrissey waited at the library for Johnny, this time early. 'Had Johnny forgotten?' Within moments, Johnny approached him.

"Hey Moz, I figured you'd be late."

"Oh, no. I dread the thought of keeping you waiting."

"Alright. Your place for the project, I'm guessin'?"

"Sure. You know the way," Morrissey stated, gesturing for Johnny to come with him.

Both boys entered Morrissey's home and went into his bedroom to resume working on the project. Johnny immediately raced over to the record player as he did last time, but with even more excitement. "Can we listen to the record now?" he pleaded, "we didn't get to listen to it yesterday!" Morrissey chuckled.

"Let's get through some questions first, then we can listen to it, Sound like a plan?"

Johnny nodded reluctantly, he couldn't complain; at least he would be able to listen to the record after all.

After getting through questions such as "favorite color" and "favorite record", Morrissey nodded at Johnny, indicating that it was time to play the record. Johnny dashed over to the record he had been eyeballing the day before. But rather than playing "Paper Boy", he flipped it over to its B-Side "You're the One". At that moment, Morrissey's heart sank; whenever he heard that song, he always thought of Johnny. He always felt as if the boy he had cared for so deeply wouldn't ever the same way he did. His sadness was not lost on Johnny, he could tell that something was up with Morrissey. He sat down next to Morrissey on his bed. "You alright, Moz?" he asked.

Morrissey smiled and looked down, an odd expression he often made when he was upset. "You see," he began, "there's this guy I've had my eye on for quite some time and I fear that he doesn't feel the same way about me." He put his head down. "I believe that I'm quite unloveable and that he wouldn't dare look my way."

Johnny bit his lip; he was incredibly nervous to tell Morrissey how he felt. What if the guy he had his heart set on liked someone else?

"Moz..," Johnny's voice cracked, "Moz, I-" and without a second thought, Johnny pressed his lips against Morrissey's with passion. Morrissey was beyond surprised; he could feel electricity shoot throughout his body. He was confused as to what he was feeling; he was hesitant, hardly kissing back. But within, he lost himself in the heat of the moment and fire back with as much passion as Johnny. Morrissey rested his hands across Johnny's face, keeping him in place while Johnny wrapped his arms around Morrissey's waist and tightened the grip. Sparks flew between them, each boy feeling a rush of warmth and excitement; neither of them had felt anything like that before.

"I'm sorry, Moz. That was a stupid thing to do," Johnny said, "I'll go now."

He got up and started heading for the door. Morrissey was stunned by the events that took place. His heart was pounding and he needed to decide: allow Johnny to walk away and possibly risk losing him, or try to stop him from leaving to discuss what is to come.

Morrissey jumped up and grabbed a hold of Johnny's arm. "Wait," he started, "Please... Stay."

Johnny blushed and sat back down next to Morrissey.

"So I take it you feel the same way that I feel about you?"

"That sounds 'bout right."

"When did you realize such feelings existed?"

Johnny looked down. "The day I saw you in the library. When I walked up to you, I was going to kick your ass. But you looked at me and I stopped dead in my tracks, Moz."

Morrissey grinned to himself. Johnny started up again, "What about you?"

"When we were here in my room yesterday. You looked into my eyes and I was yours in an instant."

"Wow," Johnny marveled. "So what're we gonna do about this?"

"Well as you can tell, I've never really loved."

"And I've never been in love with a bloke."

"I supposed this could be some sort of twisted adventure for the two of us... If you'd have me."

Instead of giving him a proper response, Johnny kissed him gently, as if not to break him. Morrissey smiled. "Is it safe to say that my heart belongs to you?" he asked Johnny.

"Only if it's okay to say that my heart is yours."

"Fine by me," Morrissey whispered, planting a kiss on Johnny's cheek.

They smiled at each other, both very excited to share their love with one another. Johnny looked at the clock. "I should get back, the guys'll wonder where I am."

Morrissey frowned and Johnny kissed his forehead. "Don't worry, Moz," Johnny began, "I'll see you at school tomorrow, alright?"

"Alright."

"Hey," Johnny said, gently placing his hand on Morrissey's face. "I love you, okay?"

Morrissey smirked. "I love you too."

Johnny walked out of the room and continued for the door. "Wait!" Morrissey called out to him.

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to, perhaps, spend the night tonight?"

Johnny beamed with excitement. "I thought you'd never ask," he said, running back to Morrissey and kissing him once more.

"Wait, I need to grab my things. And since I have to walk, it'll take me a little bit. Since it's about 4;45, I'll be back around 7. Do ya' think you can wait that long?" Morrissey nodded.

"Okay, see ya' in a little bit!" Johnny bolted out the foot in an effort to get home as quick as possible. Morrissey smiled to himself; he was looking forward to the night.