X - Y - Z

FIVE - HAZEL

FIVE - HAZEL

The last several days have been so much fun. Exley took some time off work and has been showing me around the city.  I think he's enjoying it as much as me! He loves his work, but he spends far too much time at that gym.  He's taken me to his favorite restaurants and bars, a few shopping centers, the movies. We spent a lot of time in downtown browsing all the cool little shops. We even went to the aquarium which was so much fun. Plus, we've caught some live music at night both downtown and in some little pubs near our apartment complex.

I knew I missed Exley, but my gosh it feels amazing to be with my best friend again. It's like I was missing a piece of myself and now it's finally snapped back into place. He's back at work today, though, and I need some time to just chill and think. As much as I love picking back up where we left off, it's also been a little overwhelming also. It's contradictory, I know, but I can't help how I feel.

So, I've made my way to this really pleasant park a few neighborhoods over. There are walking and biking trails and a pretty lake, some play group equipment and a few food carts scattered around. It's lovely. I brought a blanket and my hammock, a couple books, my guitar and  iPod, and plenty of water and snacks. I plan to spend my day out here, and I've come prepared to do so. 

As I strum the familiar chords of Badfish - classic, I know - my mind begins to wander. I've caught Exley staring at me a couple times, and the look in his eye seemed a bit more than friendly.  Surely, I'm imagining that, though.

We've known each other forever and never had romantic feelings for each other. On top of that, Exley is gorgeous, successful, and now rich. He can have literally anyone - and I do many anyone if nothing has changed since high school.  He was never really a player, but he did play for both teams. Ha! I crack myself up.

Back in our small town, things like that weren't really accepted.  When we were juniors, Ex told me he thought he was into guys as well as girls. He said he felt more strongly attracted to girls, or maybe it was just that so far he had been attracted to a larger quantity of females, but that he also occasionally took notice of guys in a way he didn't think was completely hetero. He said he wasn't too worried about it and figured he could explore it more in college when there wasn't so much judgement around him.

I remember he tried to come off so nonchalant, but I could tell  he was really worried about my reaction.  Goober. I wasn't raised to judge people for being 'different', and he knows that. Plus, it's Exley. I remember giving him a mischievous grin and saying, "Hey! Maybe we'll meet a bi-guy that's into both of us, so we can stay together forever too!" Exley's eies got huge and then we3 busted out laughing so hard we fell of the branch we were sitting on, right into the lake. That was a great day.

I am pulled from the memory by a dog catching a frisbee practically in my lap. After he catches it, instead of running back to his owner, he turns around and plops down beside me with his head and the frisbee literally in my lap this time.

"Well, hello there, guy," I greet him with a good scratch behind the ears while taking the proffered frisbee. "Did you want me to throw it for you?" He huffs without raising his head, and then nudges my hand again with his nose. "Well, okay. A little more lovin' for you then," I say while proceeding to scratch some more.

"I never knew it was quite so easy," says a rich, deep voice. I look up but the sun is kind of blinding me. Shielding my eyes and squinting, they finally adjust to see two guys coming closer. One has a friendly smile on his face and a leash in his hand. The other guy just smirks at me, humor clear in his eyes. I have no idea why, though, and decide to ignore it.

He is a big guy, tall, probably 6'2'' with bulging biceps and broad shoulders. His head is buzzed, and he has a significant amount of scruff on his face. The other guy has short brown hair and a medium build. He squats down, snagging the frisbee from my hand and  giving the dog a swat on the back with it.