Social Norms (Synacky)

Chapter Sixteen

“Do you guys know Micah Montague?”

Brian interrupted the conversation Matt and Justin were having. They stopped and looked at him. “Yeah, that artsy kid. Got a paper at the superlatives right?” Matt asked, and Brian nodded.

“I think you guys should talk to him about a logo.” Brian replied. “I’ve seen his stuff, he’s really good. I’m sure he’d be willing to help you guys out…”

“I don’t really know him all that well.” Matt said.

“I do.” Jimmy’s muffled voice spoke out, and Brian turned to see him walking in on his hands, drumsticks placed between his teeth. He made it to his kit before flipping upright and taking his sticks out of his mouth. “He’s pretty cool. I think he wouldn’t mind doing a logo for us, and maybe even some album art when it comes time for that. I’ll call him when we’re done today.”

~*~

The rest of the week, Brian didn’t bother going to Matt’s house. He didn’t want them questioning him or Zacky anymore, and it was boring when he couldn’t teach Zacky. So he stayed home, once he went out to get groceries for his mother, took Brent to his friend’s house a couple times. Michelle called and spoke to Suzy, much to Brian’s dismay, and she wanted him to take her out to try and make everything go back to normal. He had replied that he found someone else who was better, and he was never going to give Michelle another chance. Ever.

It was a Monday morning, practice was moving back to Jimmy’s house that afternoon, and Brian took a walk to the park, hoping to catch Zacky there, and getting a change of scenery for once.

He was disappointed to find Zacky wasn’t there, just a few mothers and a crowd of squealing kids, a birthday party complete with balloons and a huge pink cake.

Brian sighed and resorted to wandering around the suburbs, feeling bored and a little tired, but he didn’t want to go back home. Suzy was being nosy and McKenna was being loud, and he just didn’t have the willpower to deal with that today.

“Need a lift?”

Brian looked up from where he had been examining a crack in the sidewalk to see Matt in his car next to him, window rolled down, smiling warmly.

“Uh, sure.” He said, climbing into Matt’s car.

“What’re you doing out here? Headed to the beach?” Matt asked, flicking on his turn signal as he slowed at an intersection.

“Not particularly. Just getting out.” Brian looked out the window, not sure what he could say to Matt. Sure, they were friends, they’d hang out sometimes, but now he couldn’t think of anything to say for the life of him.

Matt finally broke the silence, clearing his throat to get Brian’s attention. “So uh, can I ask you a question?”

“Yeah…” Brian drew out unsurely, looking over at Matt.

“Look, I just wanna know what’s going on with you and Zacky. It’s real obvious, whether or not you want us to think so. I’ve noticed it, and I know Jimmy has. This past week Zacky’s been acting different. He’s not as open and excited to play unless you’re there to teach him.” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Are you guys really… you know… fucking?”

Brian frowned, glaring out the window, trying to avoid looking Matt’s way. He didn’t want anyone to know yet. And it wasn’t like they even were fucking. They were just seeing each other, in the most innocent way Brian had since eighth grade. He sighed, thought about how to respond, then sighed again.

“Look, I don’t want you telling anyone else, okay?” he eventually gave in. “Not Jimmy, not Val, no one.”

“I knew it!” Matt said, “You both are screwing. Why the-“

“I’m not done!” Brian interrupted. “Damn. We’re not fucking, for god’s sake. I’ll tell you what’s going on, but you gotta swear you won’t tell anyone, alright?” He especially didn’t want Jimmy finding out. Not yet. He didn’t want to admit that the drummer was right, his pride just wouldn’t have it. He knew it would come out eventually, but he wanted to put it off for as long as possible.

“Fine, I promise, whatever.” Matt agreed, falling silent, eagerly waiting to hear their situation.

“We’re just… dating.” Brian sighed. “And don’t harp on me about being gay, I’m not. I’m just trying it out, okay?”

Matt raised an eyebrow, slowing down as they passed a cop. “So… you're screwing around with a guy… but you’re not gay.”

“We aren’t fucking, Christ!” Brian shouted, “And no, I’m not gay. It’s not like I think every guy’s sexy or hot or anything.”

“Then why are you dating him?”

“There’s something about him, okay?” Brian replied. “He’s just… different. I don’t know what it is. I like him a lot.”

He snuck a glance at Matt to see him smirking a little. “Do you think he’s hot?”

Brian tried to force the blush away from creeping across his cheeks. “I don’t know… maybe a little. But he’s the only guy I feel like that about… you know?”

At this, Matt laughed. “No, I don’t know. And I think it’s ironic and fucking hilarious that you’re dating him. Brian Haner, of all people! Wait ‘til the guys find out about this!”

“They won’t find out about it, because you’re not going to tell them!” Brian growled, “Right?”

“Sure, I won’t tell them, but it’ll come out eventually. And when it does,” Matt chuckled, hitting his steering wheel. “boy, will they all be in for a surprise!”

Brian rolled his eyes, looking out the window, and Matt continued, “So I guess you’re over Michelle then, huh?”

Michelle.

Brian sighed, thinking about that beautiful girl, the way she’d smile when he called her name just right, and the way the sun made her eyes sparkle. She really was perfect. But then he remembered Peyton King, and all of that vanished.

“She wasn’t worth my time.” He replied. “And besides, what I have with Zacky isn’t even serious, we’ve only just started dating.”

Matt pulled into Brian’s driveway, and Brian thanked him before stepping out of the car. “Do you wanna come in? My dad’s home, but we could go down to Central or something…”

“Nah, I gotta get to the store, grab some things for my mom. Thanks, though, Brian. I knew something was up.”

Brian closed the door, and Matt pulled out, leaving Brian confused and nervous with the amount of trust he had just put into his friend.