Two Player Game

~Chapter Four~

"really?"

"I already told you, I don't have friends either. Nobody invites me anywhere, I'm not going alone, I just... don't" Evan hesitantly sits next to him.

"...I'd go with you" Conner sits up and looks at him.

"Would you? Even if everyone think I'm a freak? A nutcase?"

"Well... They all think I'm a loser. And... I don't think you're a nutcase. So why should I care what they think?"

Connor stares at him. Evan starts to freak out.

"...D-Did I say something wrong? God I'm sorry Connor, I'm such a mess, I-"

"You didn't say anything wrong, Evan. Stop beating yourself up like that, it's stupid."

"O-Okay." He gets a text from Zoe.

Z: [Hey, It's Zoe. Jared gave me your number]

Evan jumps at his phone buzzing in his pocket, his face lighting up when he reads the message.

E: [Oh hi! Why did you need my number? Not that you needed a reason haha.]

Conner glances over. He's a little irked.

Z: [I asked Jared how I could get a hold of you and he gave me your number]

E: [oh cool]

"Y'know I'd probably consider you my best friend right now." Evan Freezes and looks at Conner. "Only friend, real, but that make you the best, right?"

"... I guess you're mine too." He puts his phone down.Zoe wasn't trying to take his time. She doesn't know he's with Connor right now Connor realizes this. Annoying him and doesn't even know it, fucking terrible.

"I'd say... you're the closest I've been to anyone."

"R-really? Connor it's been 24 hours."

"I know. Pathetic but true." Connor scoots closer to him, causing Evan's face to heat up even more. "Evan- Look, I may not know you super well, but..."

"...Holy Shit..."

"I just..."

"This is insane Connor, I-"

"Ever kissed a guy, Tree Boy?"

"Never."

"Then I guess we all get to try somethin' new today" Connor leans in before Evan can say anything and kisses him hard. Evan feels like he might have a heart attack. Connor is pressing himself up against him and his lips are chapped, and his hands are rough, but his hair is so soft when Evan's slides into it. Evan gasps as Conner kisses his jaw.

"C-Connor, what if-?"

"Nobody's coming home until after band practice. Zoe gets home at least a half an hour before my parents come home." He kisses his lips again and grins. "Just you and me Tree Boy."

"Oh Jesus."They don't do more than make out on the couch before Evan gets too paranoid to move on.

"Connor, we met yesterday! I can't-!"

"Look, Evan, I get it, all right? You don't want a relationship this quick, but when are you gonna get another chance like this? When are either of us?"

"...I'll consider it."

"That's all I need." Evan checks the time.

"My mom will be home from work soon, I-I gotta go."

"...okay. Text me later?"

"...Sure." Conner sneaks in on last kiss before he's gone. Then Evan is jogging home, smelling like Conner. He checks his phone for any messages he missed. None. As always. He makes it home. Conner contemplates having a cigarette. Or a joint. He can't decide which is appropriate for almost getting shut down like that. Zoe comes home soon after. 

"... Conner you look like a mess."

"what a coincidence, I am a mess."

"Uhuh..." She heads upstairs to her room, not knowing a single thing about them. Connor sighs in relief. Thank god she didn't pry. It's not long until she gets a text from Evan.

E: [Did you need something Zoe? I would have asked earlier but I was a little busy]

Z: [uh, about Jazz Ban Practice. Those are after school if you didn't know]

"Zoe c'mon! you can do better!"

E: [oh, are they?]

He can fuck around with Connor.

E: [I'll come to the next one]

He has a thing for Zoe.

E: [Are they every day?]

Connor was so gentle with him, even with his rough hands.

Z: [Yeah they are. So I'll see you then?] 

You can tell she's smiling

E: [Yeah, totally]

Oh, Evan is fucked now.

There's a knock on Zoe's door.

"yes?"

Connor pokes his head in with a sly grin.

"just waned to say let the best man win."

"Excuse me, what?"

"Oh, you know, it's just that I noticed you seeked out Evan Hansen's phone number today."

"... Okay, so maybe I did. Why do you care? You don't like him anyway, like you told me yesterday."

"Please, you think I'd say something like that in front of dad?"

She pauses and sighs. "Best man win"

"Better catch up. I'm in the lead, I think."

"Well whatever lead you had is lost seeing as how you can't ride the bus home with him every day now."

"what??"

"Guess who's coming to Jazz Band Practice after school now? That's right, our winner Evan Hansen."

"Fuck!" He's looking for something to say. "I got to first base with him today."

"well that explains why you looked a mess when I came home today. Good luck explaining those marks to mom and dad"

"Mar-? Oh fuck." His eyes widen.

"I think I have a pretty good lead, don't you think? Also probably about how Evan's had a thing for me since the 8th grade."

"Fuck off Zoe, I'm trying okay? I see him for more of the day."

"A'int gonna help if it's during class. Oh How are you gonna get to second base now?"

"He isn't required to go to your stupid ban practices, I'm sure I can convince him to hang out with me instead sometimes. I'll do it before you do. What are you gonna do, let him touch your tits at a concert?" 

"Maybe. But If I can get him to go out with me before you, then it's game over."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Just sayin' though, I'll probably be in his little nerd dreams for at least a week!"

"Oh, I've already been there for 5 years."

"But I'm the one that was there for him in reality. It's gonna feel a lot more real."

"Hey, I'm here to make those dreams true"

"well so am I!"

She scoffs as he leaves. "I'm gonna win."