Shades of White

Suddenly I see

"No, I'm going." The first three weeks of December had gone by quickly, probably because I was anticipating the day that I would get to see Bobby perform. I was currently arguing with my coach. He really didn't want me to leave, but I had promised Bobby that I would come to opening night, and I wasn't going to miss it.

"Shaun, I know this is important to you, but don't you think that your career might be a little more important?"

"One day is not going to make the difference. And I'm going. I'm leaving tomorrow morning."

"I just don't like the idea of you taking off so much time."

"I have to go. I promised Bobby that I would go. She's my best friend."

"'Best friend' here having the meaning 'the girl that I want to bang.'" Jesse said from his seat next to me at the table.

"Shut the fuck up, jerk." I snapped. I admit it; I was a little bit moody. I just couldn't stand the thought that someone wouldn't let me be with Bobby.

"Oh, cool it. Do you need some Midol?" Jesse remarked again.

"I said, shut up!"

"Alright, alright, I give up." He got up and walked out, and moments later, the sound of the television drifted down the hall.

"You know what, Shaun? I give up too. I can see that I'm not going to be able to convince you not to go, so just have fun."

"Thank you so much!" We shook hands and he left. I walked into the living room and found Jesse, Danny, and Mason watching some cop show on TV.

"So, you going?" Mason asked.

"Yep."

"Are you going to tell Bobby that you love her?"

"No."

"Shaun, why not? What's could possibly happen that's so horrible?"

"Um, well, let's see, she could turn me down, embarrass me, and break my heart, and therefore ruin our friendship."

"Or maybe she'll admit that she likes you too, and then you'll live happily ever after."

"You sound like a chick." Jesse said. Mason ignored him.

"Or, I might be right, and she'll break my heart."

"But she won't. She likes you too."

"What makes you think that?"

"I can just tell."

"Oh, okay, Dr. Phil."

"Trust me, you should tell her."

"Mason, I'm sick of talking about this. If you say anything else about Bobby, I swear that I will break both of your legs."

"I just think you should tell her."

"Damn it, Mason!"

"Oh, man I wouldn't want to be you right now." Danny said.

"I wouldn't want you be you ever." Mason replied.

"Whatever, guys, I'm going, but I won't tell her."

The next day at noon, I got into my car and drove back to Carlsbad. I stopped at my house and took a short nap and ate a sandwich. I changed into a pair of black jeans, a white tee shirt, and a black blazer. I left the house; stopping at a florist's to get a bouquet of flowers for Bobby. (My mom had insisted that I do this, not that I was arguing.) I then drove to the community college where Bobby was taking classes. The performance would be taking place at the theatre there. When I arrived, it was about 20 minutes before the show started, so I decided to try to find Bobby.