Fix Him Up

①⑨| Bittersweet

"Hey, Jason, are you doing okay?" I looked up from my plate and there was Alec looking at me from across the table.

"Huh? What? Oh, yeah, I'm good!" I replied while flashing him a quick smile. I was hoping that doing so would make him not press further. And it somewhat worked.

"You sure? You've been poking at your food for the past few minutes. Lunch is almost over. Hurry and eat something." I gave him a quick nod and stuck my fork into the veggies in front of me. I messed around a bit more before shoving it in my mouth and eating it. It was bland just as always and I was regretting not picking up a few salt and pepper packets. It wasn't long before the bell rang for the next period. Everyone got up from their seats and hugged each other goodbye as we went to throw away our trash and head to class. Alec of course came with me to my next class as always. It was silent for a while but he eventually spoke up.

"Are you sure you're okay? You seem a bit off."

"I promise I'm fine." I gave him another reassuring smile like before.

"Okay, well, you know you can come talk to me whenever, right? That's kind of what I'm here for." He placed his hand on my shoulder and left it there as we walked side by side.

"Yeah, I know. I appreciate it. Ready for this day to be over yet?" I asked trying to change the subject. He only nodded his head at me and smiled. Not long after, he removed his hand, leaving a cold spot on my shoulder. I had already missed his touch and he was standing right next to me. His hand was so close to mine I could almost grab it. And I really wanted to. But I was afraid. Afraid he would reject me in some form because we were at school. I hung my head low at the thought. Glancing over, I could see our hands just barely touching. I truly longed to hold his hand.

I looked back at my feet. Nothing interesting going on there. I look back up. We were just inches away from reaching my classroom. I felt something slide against my hand then gingerly grasp it. I looked back down at our hands to see Alec's large hands engulfing mine. My heart began to race. My face became warm. I couldn't help the smile creeping onto my face. It felt as though I was on cloud nine. I looked at Alec's face to see a big smile on his face. But the moment was short-lived. As soon as we had reached the doorway to my class, his warm and gentle hand left mine.

It was silent but he managed to let out a goodbye and I did the same. He leaned into the side of my head a placed a small kiss on it. From any other angle it would have looked as though he was whispering to me. My heart fluttered at his gentle touch. Without another word he gave me another quick smile and hurried off down the hall to his own class. The bell rang for the last time and I slipped into my classroom. My mind was fogged with the thought of Alec that I almost sat in the wrong seat.

How could a boy that good looking even look my way. I was certainly blessed by some higher power at this point. All I could think about was his soft lips, his warm and gentle hands, the way his torso looked in a fitted shirt. My mind began to venture, but I stopped myself. I couldn't possibly get all excited. Especially in class of all times.

As the hours passed, school was the usual. Day dream about Alec, do a bit of class work here and there, and wait impatiently for the final bell of the day to go off. I was so eager to get home. It's such a cliche to say, but I can't really stand school. Sitting all day is the most uncomfortable. Being outside and hanging with friends is what I would much rather do. Going to the mall, hanging out at the local park, things of that nature. Life is supposed to be full of fun and adventurous times with people you like hanging out with. Not being stuck in a classroom all day.

And just as that thought crossed my mind, the bell finally ran. I quickly got up from my seat and went as quickly as I could to my locker. Upon arriving to my locker, I fumbled with the lock until it finally wanted to open for me. I swung the tiny door of the locker open and a small white envelope fell from it. To the black of it was taped a bittersweet candy while the front read, "You're Invited," in delicate calligraphy.

I glanced down each side of the hallway to see no one watching or even paying attention to me. My vision returned back to the delicate envelope that laid in my hands. Should I even open it? What could possibly be inside? More importantly... who is it from?

Not being able to bare the suspense I opened the letter. The card inside was white as well with a red crest printed on the front of it. the crest looked like some kind medical utensils. The first thing that came to mind was Smiley. That bastard. How did he get this in my locker, let alone the school?

The writing inside contained more calligraphy but in blood red ink. It read,

"You have been invited to the honorary Medical Research Rewards Ceremony, where Dr. Smiley will be receiving an award for his dedication to his hard work and research. We invite you to join us in celebrating such an occasion.

-Regards, Smiley"

At the very bottom in small print was an address and time to attend the event. That low-some bastard. How could I attend such an event? After all he has put me through. There was no way I was attending such a thing.

I took the card and placed it back inside the envelope. Then I threw it in the garbage where it belonged.

Bittersweet candy and all.