Pretty Boy

18

Today's the day. The sun is shining. Chris is coming over for dinner tonight. Chris is coming over for dinner tonight... CHRIS IS COMING OVER FOR DINNER TO-

"Dan," Stacy said.
"Yeah?" I mumbled.
"I asked you a question,"
"Oh...I'm sorry I must've zoned off..."
"It's alright. It happens to the best of us," she smiled. "I said, what time is your boyfriend coming over tonight?"
"Oh, he should be here any minute," I mumbled.
"Dan,"
"Yeah?"
"It's a bad habit to mumble," she chuckled.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"Daniel! Enunciate!"
"Sorry! God,"
"Don't give me attitude, young-"

"It's fine," Stacy said, pulling me back into reality. "I mumble all the time,"
"My dad never corrects you?"
"Never," she giggled. "I've just come to realize it's a bad habit and that someone, as young as you, should try to correct it while they can,"
"Why?"
"So you don't end up like me. People always ask me to repeat myself and it is the most annoying thing ever,"
"I feel that," I sighed.
"Dan, when is your boyfriend getting here?" Dad asked as he joined us in the living room.
"I don't-" Knock. Knock. Knock. "Now, I guess,"

I stood up from my chair and headed over to the front door to greet Chris. I swung the door open and put on a fake smile.

"Hey there," he smirked.
"Shut it," I rolled my eyes. "You know the plan?"
"You've only told me a million times,"
"Sorry, I'm nervous,"
"Why?"
"Cause you have no filter and you're probably gonna say something really fucking stupid," I gritted my teeth.
"You look very handsome, Dan," he said. "You want me to say shit like that?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Here they come,"
"Hi," Stacy smiled. "You must be Chris,"
"Yes, I am," he said.
"Hi, I'm Mr. Howell," dad said as he shook his hand. "It is very nice to meet you,"
"It's a pleasure to meet you too,"
"I really hope you're an improvement over the last one," dad laughed.
"Dad, please stop," I whispered.
"Why? You've clearly moved on," he said.
"Yeah," Chris shrugged. "You have moved on, haven't you?"

I bit my bottom lip to the point where it nearly bled, in an attempt to hold back my tears. After a few seconds, I swallowed my sorrow and put on a fake smile.

"Yeah, totally. 100% over him,"
"Good to hear," dad nudged my shoulder. "Come on, dinners gonna get cold."

We all sat down to a nice family dinner; we ate homemade pizza and for dessert, Stacy brought over chocolate mousse cake. As we were all enjoying our dessert, Adrian sat at the head of the table with his hands folded in his lap and his head hung low. After a minute or two, he finally sat up straight and cleared his throat.

"Is no one gonna talk about the elephant in the room?" Everyone broke away from their conversations and flashed Adrian confused looks. "No? May I?"
"Adrian, what are you-"
"Alright, I'll just say it. You guys fuck yet?" he said as he glared at me.
"Adrian!" dad gasped.
"Stop it, Ade," I grumbled.
"Adrian, first of all, Dan has never had sex. Sure, him and Phil did, things but, he's never had sex,"
"Dad, all those times he's limped through the house, don't you think something was amis! He has had sex with Phil, countless times!"
"Why are we discussing this?" I cried.
"Cause I'm fucking pissed!" he yelled.
"Adrian, watch your mouth!"
"No, dad! Mum died four months ago! Why are you dating so soon?"
"Because Adrian!" he yelled. "You boys need a mum..." he said, finally calming down. "Stacy and I have talked about it and..."
"And what?"
"We know it's rather sudden but-"
"Dad, I swear to god..."
"Let me finish, Adrian. We're both looking for parents for our kids, and we both have a lot in common and," he sighed as he held her hand. "She's going to move in next week. Her son is going to take the spare room and that'll be that. If things go well, within the next few months, we're most likely going to get married,"

Adrian pursed his lips as he aggressively stood up from the table and ran upstairs.

"I chose the right night to come, huh?" Chris smirked as he leaned back in his seat.
"I will fucking smack you," I said. "Adrian!" I called as I ran after him. "Adrian, open the door!"
"What?" he mumbled, opening the old, creaky door.
"Can I come in?"
"You're already in the doorway," he sighed.
"Okay," I said as I closed the door. "Why are you acting this way? Why aren't you happy for dad?"
"Because...she's not our mum..."
"Well, in the week that I've known her, she's been more of a mum to me than our actual mum ever was. A-And her son is really nice. I thought you guys got along really well,"
"We did," he frowned.
"Then why are you making a big deal out of this?"
"Because Dan," he sobbed. "She's not our mum."

He dug his face into his hands and started to cry. I wrapped my arms around him, and pulled him into a tight embrace. He removed his hands from his face and wrapped them around my torso as he cried into my shoulder.

"Hey," I whispered.
"What?"
"Thanks for not telling dad about Phil,"
"Well...I kinda told them about the whole sex thing," he dried his eyes.
"Yeah, well...it had to be said some time,"
"I love you Dan," Adrian cried again.
"I love you too Ade,"
"She's never coming back..." he sighed.
"I know," I rubbed his shoulders as a few tears dripped down my cheeks. "I know."