Hidden in MacDonald Hall

Exposing things

"I still don't understand why Boots' and I have to sit at a different table."

Cathy sighed and smiled softly at Diane, "alright I'll tell you. Bruno has this crazy idea that he can suddenly set you and Boots' up after all these years."

"But, he knows I'm gay right?"

"No," Cathy chuckled and looked over at a Bruno mumbling in a circle with the three other boys, Boots' in the bathroom, "But he also doesn't know his best friend is in love with him. It's Bruno, he's smart when it comes to his passions...oddly, he's oblivious to one of them."

They both look over at an approaching Boots' and Cathy gets out of the chair,

"Oh no, you can stay Cathy."

"No that's okay, Boots'. I really want to sit with the boys and gossip,"
Cathy passed Diane and squeezed her shoulder comfortingly. Boots' stayed standing, waiting for any action from Bruno to tell him to come over to their table but he was distracted by the boys. Boots' sat down and smiled at Diane,

"Weird, huh?"

"A little,"

"You know this makes me think of a time when I wanted us to date."

"What happened?"

"You know what happened," he smirked and his cheeks got rosy.

"You fell for Bruno," Diane hummed with a smile herself.

"And accepted myself."

"So, why haven't you told him yet?"

"Because I don't know if he would accept me."

"Good evening," Bruno popped up with his French waiter outfit on.

"Bruno..."

"Oui, I am your waiter here tonight. Care to start off with a delicious cake?"

Bruno moved his hands around to show that he was holding the cake they made yesterday. It was so obviously homemade and Bruno had a big grin on his face, so Boots' bit his tongue. Bruno set the cake down and looked at the two,

"Now, if you need anything we have a wait staff of five. If you want us just call, we may come up in pairs because there's a lot of us but don't worry about that."

"Bruno."

"Have fun, buddy."

Bruno smirked at Boots' with his 'please-just-go-along-with-this-face', and trotted off to the table not too far away from the pairs'.

"He's oblivious."

Boots' took a spoonful of cake and nodded,
"Yeah I know."

_____________________________

The night passed on and the kids tried everything to make it an enjoyable night for the pair; all being conducted by Bruno.

"Walton, this isn't going to work."

"How do you know that, Cathy? The night's not over yet, they seem to be getting along."

"You're way too positive," Wilbur added in as he eyed the cake at the other table; he wasn't able to eat during this operation and he's getting moody.

Bruno looked at Wilbur baffled, "of course I am, when it comes to my-..."

"Best friend," the four said in unison and Bruno looked genuinely taken a back.

"This plan isn't going to work, Bruno," Elmer sighed.

"Are you guys just giving up?"

"We've tried to help you but it's not going to work between them."

"Statistically, this night would end in a hug not a kiss, it's pointless to continue."

"Well I'm not giving up, so you guys just go home."

"We all want to go home, Bruno," Boots' spoke up from behind him.

"What? I was just trying to make you happy."

"It didn't work."

Bruno looked sadly at his friend's announcement and faced forward. Cathy got up and grabbed Diane's arm, walking out to the van with her. The boys got up too but looked at Bruno sadly before walking out as well. Boots' sighed and watched his friend. He didn't want to admit now his true feelings, so unfortunately he came off as rude. He tried finding the words to say but Cathy called for Boots',
"He wants us to leave."

Boots' watched Bruno a minute longer and walked out of Manny's. He got in the van and before he knew it, Wilbur drove back to MacDonald Hall. Bruno sat there feeling sorry for himself but then realized he's going to need to find a way back home.