Soft Boy

Official

I wake up at noon like I'm still in high school. I'm groggy and all I can think about is food. I stand up and see I'm wearing my dino PJ's from the night before. The memories come back and I get happy. I walk out of my room and to the kitchen. I freeze before I get there. My mom is in the kitchen with her new boyfriend, who I've never met. My mom locks eyes with me and we both panic. I scramble down the hallway before he can see me, but if you've ever ran in footie pajamas, you know its a slippery slope(pun fully intended). I slip as I'm turning into my room and half my body is in the hallway. I actually crawl into my room and shut the door behind me. From the kitchen I hear my mom's voice.

"I wonder what that boy is up to?"she says. I change into some age appropriate clothes and head back out.

"Good morning!" I say cheerily. I look around and he's gone.

"He had to get to an appointment," mom says. I can't say I'm too disappointed, I never know what to say around boyfriends she's had. I make myself a bowl of cereal and sit with her.

"Nice PJ's you had on this morning," she says with a chuckle. My mom is really cool about regression and cglre. I explained it all to her, minus calling your partner mommy/daddy. She didn't need to know that.

"They're really comfy, you should get you some," I say. I could never imagine my mom wearing a pair. That'd be a sight. After I ate I went to work. The afternoon shift is super chill, mainly artsy hipsters buying signature drinks with extra espresso. I went to Aaron's house after work. He promised food and music and Tye. I got there before anyone else so I talked with him.
"Sooo is it finally offical?" he asks tugging on my arm. I sigh
"Aaron we've been on two dates!" I say. He rolls his eyes.
"Okay technically, but you've been talking for like two months now. I'm pretty sure you've had relationships built on less," he pokes me in the side. He's right. Back in highschool I'd rush into online relationships after two days.
"We're adults now. I don't wanna jump into anything," I say. Aaron gives me a look.
"Okay, time for a real talk. What are you afraid of?" That's a good question, and to be honest, I'm not sure.
"Beats me," I said hoping to move on.
"That's bull. Cmon now, you know I won't judge," he says using his maternal voice.
"I guess the whole regressor thing. If that wasn't a factor I'd have already made her mine. Its just I don't want to rush into it because she's new to the whole concept and it can be scary. There's a lot to learn," I sigh.
"Dude, I spend a good amount of time with Tye, I think she's gonna be okay. And I have insider information. She's totally into you, all of you. Go for it already!" he says pushing me slightly. We head to the backyard where Aiden is grilling. I've always envied their relationship. He's the perfect boyfriend and prefect daddy. They've been together since freshman year and even live together now. That'll make any single person feel lonely. Aaron walks over and kisses him on the cheek.
"Hey Leo," says Aiden. I say hi back and we talk about the complications of adulting. Slowly more and more people arrive and it starts to get crowded.
Tye arrives around 20 minutes after I do. She looks so beautiful. She didn't do anything different, no new hair or makeup, she just always takes my breath away. She sits next to me and we talk about our day. Tye works as an interpretor and really loves her job. I love hearing her talk about it cause it makes her so happy.
"Whatcha thinking about?" she asks. I must've been starring.
"You," I say. I tend to not feel embarrassment or shame. I've always been like that. I'm the type of person to be open about crushes.
My answer seems to catch her off guard.
"Can you elaborate on that?" she asks teasingly. Everything Aaron said to me just clicked. I wanted her. And I didn't wanna wait. I didn't want her seeing other people, that thought kinda hurt. I want me and her.
Now I gotta say that to her.
"Tye, I really want you to myself, and all to myself. Will you give me the honor of being my girlfriend?" I say cheesily. She gives me that shy smile that makes my heart skip a beat.
"I was hoping you'd ask, of course I would!" she says happily. In the moments the shyness I haven't felt since middle school comes back, and I find myself starring at the ground. She grabs my hand and lays her head on my shoulder. From across the yard I see Aaron give me a wink and I know he knows. And in this moment, I'm beyond content