Paper Hearts (boyxboy)

The Beat Down

"Total is $7.56." The lady at the coffee hut mumbles. I dig through my wallet, fishing out a ten dollar bill.

"I got this," Andrew slaps down a ten, beating me to it. "You always buy them." I smile at him, grabbing his hand and pecking his cheek.

"Faggots." The grumpy cashier lady mumbles.

We ignore that and shuffle out of the store with our coffees in our hands, then duck into my Corvette. 

"So my mom wanted to know if you could do dinner at my house tonight?" Andrew strokes my hand as I drive toward the school.

I smile at him. "Of course. I have football practice 'till six but I can come over after that"

"Will your dad let you..."

"I'll tell him I'm at Carly's."

It's been two weeks since I received my soda shower and in that time not a word from Carly. I never told my dad, so that way I'd have an excuse of what I'm up to all the time when really I'm off somewhere with Andy.

He smiles weakly, as if hurt by something. "Noah?" He asks.

"Yes?"

"Why don't you tell your dad about us?"

I ponder this for a second. Because he'd skin me alive. Because he's a dick and I don't care about him enough to tell him the details of my life. "I just don't think it's a good idea."

He looks out the window, swallowing fiercely as if it's hard for him to get out. "Are you...ashamed of me?"

I squeeze his hand gently. "Of course not! You are the sexiest, funniest, most special person I've ever met."

"My bullshit sense is tingling." Andrew mumbles.

"I mean it! I have no reason to be ashamed of you. You're awesome."

He scoffs. "But I'm a dude and that throws it off?"

I laugh. "Yes, exactly. I mean, I certainly don't mind. But for some reason the rest of the world does. Especially my father."

He nods his head in understanding. "I get it. I just wish...I don't know." He pauses. "I want to hold your hand, Noah."

"You are!" I laugh, trying to get that smile back.

"Yeah, in your car. I mean everywhere, whenever I want to. I hate running around all secret-like. It's exhausting."

"I know. But you heard what that coffee lady said. Kids at our school are a million times worse."

I pull into the school parking lot and we let go of our hands. Both of us simultaneously get out of the car with our coffees, but he pauses at the door. "What is it?" I say so that only he can hear me.

"Noah, can I tell you a secret?" He says quietly. I walk over, bringing my face close to his.

"What is it?" I whisper. He turns his head quickly and pecks me on the lips.

"Didn't see that one comin', huh?" He smirks. I look around quickly. No one's paying attention, so I grin and tap him on the ass. "Let's go."

"Ooo, watch your hands there, mister." He teases. I smile at my boyfriend. My perfect, perfect boyfriend. I may not shout it from the rooftops, but I really am proud of that little son of a bitch. I've never felt so happy as I have these past two weeks. I can't believe I ever tried to convince myself I didn't like him! And now I just can't get enough of him. But kids at school can really blow sometimes, and my hypocrite father definitely wouldn't approve at all. To be honest, my reputation was my main concern at first, but I care too much about Andrew to even give a shit about how "popular" I am anymore.