Gazing at the Stars

Chapter 20

For a moment the last sunshine fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face; her voice compelled me forward breathlessly as I listened - then the glow faded, each light deserting her with lingering regret, like children leaving a pleasant street at dusk.

I continued reading a few lines from The Great Gatsby, lost in the world of reading.

I was sitting on the couch in my living room, a book in my right hand as I read it. I've read the book a few times in my life, but it seems to get better and better every single time.

I carefully crack my neck subconsciously as I keep reading, before sitting the book on the ledge of the couch and reaching to the stand beside me for my glass. Today's flavor was a simple Jack and Coke, stronger than it probably should have been. But, that's what happens when you've already had a few glasses, it seems you automatically make it stronger.

After a long sip of my drink, I sit it back down, head slightly dizzying, before grabbing my book.

Soft music plays in the background, and I just relax into my seat. Between the music and the alcohol, I don't think I could relax much more.

My relaxation stops when I feel something tap my nose.

I look down quickly, dropping my book onto my knee. The finger is still moving from my face that poked me, and I narrow my eyes.

"Keeeeiiiiiii," Tadashi whined, staring up at me. "You said you wouullllldddd readddd one chapter. It's beeeen like... a million!" He pauses, "or maybe a million and one!"

I pinch my nose before rolling my eyes.

"I literally have read like... ten paragraphs Tadashi." I respond, and he gasps.

"Don't lie to meeeee!" Tadashi whines again, and I chuckle.

"See? That's where I started, and that's where I am now," I explained gently, like to a kid. Tadashi might as well be a kid when he's wasted.

"Wow!" He calls out, and sits up so that his head isn't rested in my lap.

"But, I guess I won't read anymore." I respond. He is so adorable like this. I lean over towards him and place my lips on his. He smiles into the kiss and my heart shakes.

"Ohhh my god, remember back when we first kissed, Keiiii!?" He yells out, and I chuckle.

"Of course I do." I respond, not sure I want to remember those days.

"You were soooo cute! It was like, so awkward and neither of us were great kissers but like, nothing could have ever felt better!" He yelled, shifting to sit in my lap. "Kei, I always wanted to kiss you! I remember even when we first met when we were in middle school, I wanted to kiss you!"

"Is that so?" I asked, not minding hearing him ramble on and on.

"Yessss! I was sooo afraid you didn't love me back, though. I didn't think you would even be gay!" He pauses. "I was really fucking wrong."

"Hey!" I say, trying not to laugh.

"What? I am just sayinnngggg! Ugh, then I dated Tobio. I should have known better, Shouyou was always going to be his love, but I was blind. Just like I was too blind to see you loved me!" He paused, then snorted with a chuckle. "We were both young and dumb, then, Kei."

"Dude, you asked me about dating Tobio right when I was going to tell you I loved you. Literally we said each other's names at the same time then I let you go first, only to have you break my heart. I put a hole in my wall the next night when you called to tell me the two of you were dating." I inform him. "That was the night Aki and I became close."