Social Norms (Synacky)

Chapter Twenty-One

It most definitely was not a “great thing.”

When Brian stepped inside his house that night, Suzy was waiting for him. It was late, a little past midnight, so he snuck inside, closing the door quietly behind him.

“Hello, Brian.”

He sighed, turning around to find her standing in the doorframe to the living room. “Hi.” He replied. “I’m going to bed…”

“I think we ought to have a little talk first.” She intercepted him, motioning for her to follow him into the living room.

Brian sunk down onto the couch, running his hand over his face, and Suzy sat next to him. Dread was coursing through him at what she would say, what her reaction would be. She didn’t speak at once, she just sat there, looking at him strangely.

“Brian?” she asked, and he looked at her. “Are you… dating a boy?”

He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the cushion. He didn’t want to see her reaction. “Yes.” His voice was barely audible.

More silence. Then, “So this girl I thought you were seeing…”

“That’s him.” He opened his eyes and peeked over at her.

Suzy looked at him with eyes filled with disappointment. “Brian…” she paused to collect her thoughts. “Do I know this boy?”

“No.” he replied.

“Who is he? This ‘Zachary’? Isn’t he the boy you were teaching guitar?”

Brian’s shoulders slumped in defeat as he nodded.

“Well, you won’t be teaching him anymore, will you?”

“I had intended to…”

“I do not like this idea of you dating a boy, Brian.” Suzy sighed.

“Why not?” Brian looked at her. “What’s so bad about it?”

“This is a phase, you’re rebounding from Michelle in the strangest way possible.”

“I’m not rebounding from Michelle, she was a mistake. He isn’t.”

“How can you tell that? You dated Michelle for three years. How long have you been with this boy? A month and a half?”

“In this past month I've been happier than I ever was with her.” Brian replied truthfully. “And I mean it. That’s how I can tell.”

Suzy frowned. “Is this just an experiment? She told me you said you were just trying it out.”

“I am not just trying it out. I told her that to get her off my case. Zacky means a whole lot to me, Suzy. What we have is special. It’s unlike anything I've ever experienced. He’s different. We’re taking things slow, and I really want this to last a long time. I swear, Suzy, you have to believe me.”

Her eyes roamed over Brian’s features, and she sighed. “Brian… why?”

“Why what?”

“Why are you doing this? Is it for attention? I admit I’ve been a little wrapped up with McKenna lately, but you didn’t have to start dating a guy for me to notice you.”

“No, I’m doing it because I like him a lot. It’s not for attention, I’m not just curious. Zacky’s a good guy, Suzy, and he’s… he's beautiful.”

She tilted her head to the side, perplexed. “Beautiful?”

Brian nodded. “Yeah, he’s beautiful.” he smiled softly, “He’s perfect.”

Suzy rubbed her temples, eyes slipping closed. “Brian, I’m not sure if you’re taking this seriously.”

“I am.” He replied, “There’s something about him, Suzy, I don’t know what it is, but he’s… he draws me in. He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. Just let me keep him, Suzy, please. I’m not gay, he’s the only guy I’ll ever date. If things don’t work out I’ll never go out with another guy. He’s special. Besides, I’m turning eighteen in a couple days, it’s not like you can stop me…”

Suzy sighed softly, “You know what, you’re right. We won’t tell your father about this until after your birthday, then if he’s mad at least he won't spoil anything.”

“Yeah, okay.” Brian looked down. He just wanted to go to bed, to get away from all of this.

“You know I love you, right?” Suzy opened her arms, and Brian gave her a hug.

“I love you too, Suzy.” He replied. “Thanks for understanding. Or at least, you know, not hating me.”

At this, she chuckled, “Oh, Bri, I could never hate you. Now, come on. You’re not eighteen yet, and it’s time for bed.”

Brian smiled, standing up. “Okay. Night, Suzy.”

“Goodnight, Bri.”

~*~

Brian didn’t really like The Promenade. They’d been going there for his birthday for as long as he could remember. He never objected, because Suzy had some strong emotional ties to the place, and he didn’t want to cause strife on his birthday.

It was a small Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown. The food wasn’t great, the atmosphere wasn’t either, but Suzy loved it. Sometimes they had live music, which was just an old man who sang Italian and played piano in the corner of the room.

Tonight McKenna was acting up and Brent was getting on Brian’s nerves. He didn’t really want to deal with any of this now.

“So you’re eighteen, now, Brian.” His dad said, “When are you going to get a job?”

Brian sighed, toying with his pasta. “I don’t know…”

“You can’t mooch off us forever, you know. You’re a man, you need to go out into the big world.”

“I think I’ll start a band.” Brian replied. “Or be a guitar tech for one.”

“Getting started with something like that is expensive. You’ll need a job first.”

“And what about college?” Suzy asked.

“I’ll go to LA. Study jazz for a while.”

“Jazz? You want to form a jazz band?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.” Brent kicked Brian under the table, and he shot him a glare. “I don’t know what I want to do.”

“Well, you’re running out of time.” Brian’s dad signaled for the bill. “You’ll be giving your kids this same talk before you know it.”

“I’m not having kids.” Brian grumbled, “I’m never marrying a girl.”

At this, Suzy looked at him warningly, and he shrugged it off. “Thanks for the birthday dinner, guys. I’m going to spend the night with Jimmy.”

“Brian, wait-“ he heard his dad call out, but Brian was already gone.