Son of a Preacher Man

Chapter 6

Sunday Evening
The church service was over and it was pouring rain. People were rushing out to get to their cars before they got soaked, including me. I run to my mom's car and climb into the backseat watching everybody. Gabe and Helen walk out the door, but I don't see Philip with them.

I wonder why he's not here. I hope it's not what happened with us.

Mom climbs in the front, waiting on Dad. "Do you know why the new kid, Philip I think, wasn't here tonight?"

"Helen said he wasn't feeling well, so they let him stay home."

"Oh, alright." She doesn't reply to me, so we just sit there in silence until my dad gets in and starts the car. On our way home, Dad looks in the rear view mirror at me and asks, "So how was riding and pizza yesterday?"

That took me surprise, he rarely asks about my friends. Does he know what happened at the cabin? If he does I'm dead.

"It was good. I just did some of my older tricks and then went and got pizza. Nothing super exciting." Nothing involving pizza or riding anyways.

"That's good." We go back to sitting in silence.

-

It's around 10:30 when I decide it's time for me to attempt to sleep. I'm taking my shirt off and putting on sweats when my phone buzzes.

From: Philip
Hey

What the..

To: Philip
Hey?

From: Philip
Would you want to go get pizza or something tomorrow?

Is he asking me out on a date?

Before I get the chance to reply, another text comes in.

From: Philip
To talk about what happened, I mean. I figured you wouldn't want to talk about it at school.

To: Philip
You figured correctly. Sure, I guess. I'll meet you at Broadway Pizza at 3:30?

From: Philip
Sure. See you tomorrow. :)

To: Philip
See ya.

This isn't a date. Good.

Or did I want this to be a date? No, I don't. I'm straight, and I have a wonderful girlfriend. That I cheated on, with Philip.

But why was there a smiley face?

God, why must he be so confusing. Hopefully this will all be clear in the morning.

Monday
I don't realize I'm staring at Philip until I feel a smack on my arm. I turn around and see Tommy looking at me.

"What Lukas, you see something interesting out that window that window or?"

"Um, no?" Just Philip that sits by the window.

"Okay, you wanna be partners on this project?"

"What project?"

"The one Mrs. Harmon has been talking about for the past twenty minutes. Have you even been paying attention?"

To Philip.

"Yeah. Sure, I'll be your partner."

"Okay cool. We'll start tomorrow." And with that, Tommy walks away.

-

I'm at my locker after the final bell rings and my phone screen lights up.

From: Philip
We still on for today?