The Break Up Plan (BoyxBoy)

Broken Doorbell

At the start of my 15 minute break, I got a facetime call. At first I thought it was Rin trying to make up for lost time but instead James the British Guy popped up on my screen. I looked at the wall behind me, seeing the graffiti dairy queen cone, and considered moving. But it's not like I owned the poster. So I answered the call without another thought.

At the sight of me in my cow-spotted uniform, James burst out laughing.

"Oh my gosh," he gasped, ducking his head to reveal the back of a couch and a cityscape. "I suddenly really want ice cream."

The brief glimpse into James's place made me outrageously curious. I swear I saw the CN tower behind him, which would mean wherever he lived was in a prime spot. And very expensive.

I opened my mouth to ask but James was still laughing in British. I frowned and the jerk got even louder.

"Har har, making fun of the working class as a royal. Super original."

His mouth closed with a click, mirth-filled eyes taking me in.

"I'm not even going to entertain the idea that I'm royalty," he said. "And I'm not making fun of you. I think you look really cute in black and white."

That's kind of . . .

"Shut up," I replied, getting to hear some more of his British chuckles.

James was really good at small talk, which I'm starting to think is a European thing. The easy exchange of questions and pleasantries helped distract me from his sudden compliment. As a straight cis man myself, I had no room to comment on queer things.

However

I couldn't help but wonder if James was trying to drop a hint. Or maybe even flirt with me.

Being flirted with wasn't unusual. I was incredibly handsome after all. But this would be the first time a guy flirted with me. If James was even flirting in the first place. Which he might not be.

"Elliot, time to get back on the clock!"

15 minutes went by way too fast. And I hadn't even finished my grainola bar.

"You sound busy over there," he smiled because there's no way you didn't hear my manager's screech. "I'll call you another time."

"Yeah, I'll be waiting by the phone."

That was way too flirty for a straight guy. James didn't react though, wishing me a good shift and hanging up in seconds. I'd just spent the good part of my break obsessing over whether the new student was flirting with me or not. And now, I'd have to get back to the front and greet the next pair of lovebirds on an unsuccessful date.

I can't wait for work to be over.

—————

Seeing Colby's text last night about coming over was as common as getting an amber alert. The guy took Friday night pizza sessions very seriously and I was happy to make the 20-minute trip. His house was in a cozy residential spot filled with townhouses that made you forget you shared a wall with your neighbor. This late at night, the cozy reds and grays of the bricks helped the neighborhood not feel so creepy.

Walking up the steps, I took a second to drag my shoes against the pale brown welcome mat like Ms Stevens instructed me to a couple years ago.

Then I knocked on the door and leant against the wall as patiently as I could. The four of us came over to Colby's house so often, I should be able to just walk in. But I didn't because the last time I tried, most of the afternoon was spent being lectured on the importance of boundaries and respect.