What Happened Last Summer (Boy×Boy)

Chapter Seven: Constellations

Right now, Derek sat across from him at the dinner table, scanning the menu, just as he was doing. But Andy wasn't feeling hungry, more anxious than he's ever felt in a very long time--not since--

"Andy!"

He snapped his head away from the menu, looking at Derek "...I--I'm sorry--"

"Are you alright? You don't look well." Andy noticed the concern look he hot from Derek. "You look pale!"

Andy felt like he was going to faint, feeling hair in the back of his neck dampen. He swallowed hard before replying. "I'm fine. I actually need to go to the bathroom," Andy got up, pushed his chair in and instructing Derek to just ask for a water if the waiter comes back around.

Andy pushed the revolving door forward, going to the sink and splashing cold water on his face. He rapidly pulled brown paper towels from the dispenser, damped them against his face. He sighed in relief; better now. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, trying to figure out the pieces to the puzzle. Why has he been trying to damn hard with Derek? He knew him for most of his life, basically family members to one another; he took a deep breath. Fancy restaurant, and wearing nice clothes, the ones he never had to wear. Did he have to where these clothes, he asked himself. This didn't feel right. This wasn't the same, not like the last time he was nervous on an occasion like this. He could feel it, slowly cooking in the pit of his stomach. Was he going to vomit--no. Last time felt so surreal, so vibrant. This was arid for Andy, too raw for him.

Five minutes later, Andy came back to the table, two glasses of water and a basket of garlic breadsticks displayed on the rectangular table, a white cloth draping over long enough to touch the tile. He looked at Derek, who shot him a smile and asked "Is everything okay?"

"Uhh, yeah," Andy replied, dragging his sweaty palms against his thighs "everything is fine." He assured with a nod, then smiled. "See anything you like?"

"Actually the pasta carbonara sounds good," Derek replied.

"Can I take your order?" The waiter arrived, a notepad in his hand and a pen in the other.

"We'll have two orders of your pasta carbonara, please."

"Will that be all, sir?"

Andy glanced at Derek, who nodded, confirming that'll be all. Andy told the waiter yes and handed the menus over to the waiter, who told them he'll be back shortly.

That's when Derek came in closer, whispering, "Andy, I know you said to get dressed up, but this place is ridiculous! How did you even get in here?"

"My mom knows a friend at work that has a friend, whom may or may not be the assistant manager." Andy grabbed the glass of water closest to him, taking a drink. He was contemplating whether of not if he should grab a garlic breadstick, quickly deciding against it. He didn't want his breath to smell, he didn't need another reason to be agitated tonight.

"A toast then," Derek raised his glass of water "to moms who know friends!"

People having dinner stared at their table, throwing sharp looks. Derek didn't care, though. Andy laughs, feeling like the center of unwanted attention, sinking a bit in his chair. Andy knew that was it; the reason why he thought Derek was great; No matter whom watched he never looked at them back.

Andy fixed himself, relieved of his nerves, picked up his glass and clicked it at the rim with Derek's. "To moms who know friends. . . and, to us." Andy took a drink.

Derek swallowed, his eyebrows extending. Andy knew he surprised him, maybe he even surprised himself. Andy didn't know if he was just throwing words, or actually saying them.