Red Side of the Moon

III

"Hi, Phil!" I beamed.

He was sitting with a group of his friends and I couldn't help but say hello to him. He looked to me with a puzzled face and a scoff.

"Uh, hi?"
"It's me... Dan?"
"Okay..." He raises a brow.

I frowned a bit before heading to my next class. I took a seat in the back and started drawing random doodles in my notebook. After class, I wandered into the bathroom and found Phil—he was fixing his stupid hair. I walked up behind him and shoved him.

"Hey! What the fuck was that for?" he yelled.
"Why were you pretending like you didn't know me‽"
"What kind of stupid question is that?" he scoffed.
"I thought you liked me..." I pouted.
"I do, but we can't date."
"And why not?"
"Because, you idiot, we're four years apart."
"Age is just a number, you shallow asshole."
"No, I don't mean it like that. What I mean is: I'll be going away to uni in a few months... is it really worth getting attached just to be torn apart?"
"I believe that you should do what you want as long as it makes you happy..."
"And what makes you think I'll make you happy?"
"Cause I have a feeling..."
"You're just a confused kid who got kissed a few times. You don't want me. You want–"
"You... I want you."
"No, you don't. Leave me alone."
"No, I won't! Not until you agree to go out with me!"
"Look, even if I did agree to go out with you, I'd have to keep you a secret from my friends and family."
"Why?"
"Cause I'm almost eighteen... If we were to do anything, I could end up in deep shit."
"I would never rat you out..." I whispered. I slowly walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"How do I know that I can trust you?"
"I guess you're just gonna have to take that leap of faith, Lester."

As I went to go kiss him, someone started opening the bathroom door. He pushed me away and I fell against the wall with a huff. I frowned yet again and decided to leave him alone until rehearsal.

At the end of the day, all of the drama kids migrated to the theatre. I sat front and center and waited for the director to call all the principles on stage. I refused to look at Phil unless the blocking made me. Once the clock struck four, we all hopped off stage and began collecting our things.

I piled my crap into my book bag and headed for the door. As I wandered out the backdoor, Phil yanked me back by my backpack. I jumped a bit and ended up falling onto him.

"What the hell?" I frowned.
"Want a ride?"
"Home?"
"I was thinking my house," he smirked.
"Oh yeah?" I swallowed. "What, um what would we be doing?"
"Running lines, you perv," he teased.
"O-Oka–"
"Unless you wanna do something else..."

***

"When are your parents coming home?" I asked.
"My dad gets home around eight and my mum gets home around seven. Why?"
"No reason..."

I set my backpack down and got onto Phil's bed. Phil sat down, put his back to the headboard, and kicked his legs up. He let out a chuckle, rolled his eyes, and dragged me back so my head was resting on his lap.

"So why can't we date again?" I whispered.
"Because."
"Because why?"
"Because you don't want a boyfriend."
"How do you know?"
"Pfft, yesterday you were all skittish when I said that some guys like dicks up their asses. Now, all of a sudden, you're gay? That shit just doesn't add up, y'know?"
"But I like you... I really do... I-I've never felt this way about anyone..."
"Calm down, you're only thirteen," he chuckled. He began running his hands through my hair as I continued to relax.
"Besides, if you didn't like me the way I like you, you probably would have already gotten a restraining order on me," I giggled.
"Hush," he smirked. "You're so cute... do you know that?"
"You might have told me..."

I snuggled up closer to him and cracked a smile. After a few minutes, Phil and I heard someone walking upstairs—Phil panicked and pushed me onto the floor. I fell with a thud and quickly made my way to the desk chair.

"Hey, dork, I'm home for the– oh... hello," a random guy said as he walked in.
"Hi..." I waved.
"Anyway, Phil, I'm home so you're stuck with me for the next couple of days."
"Okay, Martyn, whatever. Get out of my room, please."
"See ya..."

The man, I was assuming was Phil's brother, shut the door and walked off. I hopped back onto he bed and snuggled next to Phil again—he rolled his eyes before blushing a bit.

I don't think he's ever had someone give him as much attention as I've been giving him. I don't think he's ever even tried to make a decent commitment. I don't think he's ever tried to keep a guy for more than a week.

"I'm gonna make you change your mind, y'know," I smirked.
"Oh yeah?" he chuckled. "How so?"
"You're gonna end up dating me and we're gonna fall in love."
"I wouldn't count on it, kid."
"Why not?" I pouted.
"Cause..." he sighed. "Just don't."