Red Side of the Moon

IX

"You're gonna lose," I teased.
"Oh, I doubt that highly, Howell," Phil said as he started leaning on me.
"Hey! Knock it off, jerk!"
"I will, I will, in just a se..." he dragged out.
"Philip Michael Lester!"
"There, I won." He smugly smirked as he placed a kiss on my cheek.
"Yeah, cause you cheated, you cheater."
"I can either cheat at games or on you."
"Hey, that's not funny..." I pouted.
"You're right, I'm sorry." He kissed my forehead and gave me a quick hug. "Okay, how about this? One more all or nothing round on Rainbow Road."
"You're not gonna cheat, right?"
"Actually, y'know, there's this really hot guy named Jack in my economics class, and he–"
"Knock it off," I chuckled as I nudged his chest.
"No, I will not cheat," he smiled.
"Shake on it?"
"If I must," he said as he shook my hand.
"Game on, Lester."
"Would you like to make it more interesting, Howell?"
"Whatcha got?"
"If I win, you have to take me to your prom."
"Oh, wow, actually, y'know there's this guy in my class who–"
"Shut up, stupid," he laughed as he kissed me.
"Yes, fine, I'll take you to my stupid prom. Only if you win though. If I win, you have to wow me with an amazing promposal."
"Yeah, like you did for me? Oh, wait, I asked you then too!"
"And we didn't end up going cause I felt sick."
"I just don't think you wanted to be around my friends."
"Can you blame me?" I snapped. "I-I'm sorry..."
"No, don't be..." He gently ran his left hand up and down my back. "I love you."
"Mhmm..."
"Hey..." He grabbed my face and smushed my lips. "Cheer up, buttercup. The past is in the past. Nothing we can do now but move on from it. Understood?" I nodded to the best of my ability. "Smile for me, please."
"I will if I beat your ass."
"Oh, it's on."
"Bring it, Lester."

We played yet another round and I somehow lost. Out of the two of us, I was the superior player and I fucking lost. To gloat in all of his glory, Phil tossed his controller and pulled me onto his lap. I rolled my eyes before wrapping my arms around his neck.

"I guess you're stuck with me for prom."
"I guess I am," I huffed. "It's a shame too."
"Oh, shut up," he laughed as he teasingly kissed my neck.
"Mm, don't do that."
"Why not? Does it turn my baby on?"
"Little bit, yeah," I hissed.
"Don't worry. A few more months and your ass will officially be mine," he smirked as he ran his hand over my bum.
"Stop it, my mum could walk in at any minute," I blushed.
"Sorry, sorry," he chuckled. "So when's prom?"
"Last week of May."
"I'll save the date," he beamed. "Still can't believe you're graduating a year early. Jesus fuck you're smart."
"So I've been told," I giggled. "Can you stop grabbing my ass?"
"Aw, but why? It's a great ass."
"Naughty boy," I giggled as I kissed him.
"Ew, Dan, get off your boyfriend. Mum's coming home in a few," Adrian said as he walked into the living room.
"Can I help you?" I sighed.
"Yeah, I need help with history. Are you if any use?"
"Can it wait?"
"No, I want to get it done now."
"Yes, but I'm also with my boyfriend."
"And you can see him tomorrow. Help me, please."
"Boys!" Mum called.
"Off," Phil panicked as I swung off his lap.
"Oh, Phil," Mum mumbled, "will you be joining us for dinner?"

***

"So Phil's home? Like he's done with uni for the year?" PJ asked.
"Yeah," I shrugged.
"So do you guys hang out every day after school or..."
"No, he lives and works in Manchester, so he's like forty-five minutes away. I feel so bad, I can't drive up there to see him."
"How often do you see him?"
"I spend the weekends with him."
"And your mum doesn't mind?"
"She's not a fan, but she trusts Phil and I to not do anything. Besides, I have to send her a picture of us together at least once an hour. It's a pain, but you get use to it."

PJ and I walked to the auditorium for the last week of rehearsal for our upcoming show. When we walked in, we found our peers in a weird line along the edge of the stage.

"I see trees of green," Louise started.
"Red roses too," Carrie continued.

PJ and I stood there, totally confused, as everyone went down the line and sang What a Wonderful World.

"They're really saying, I love you," they all sang and slowly backed away.
"Cause wise men say," Phil chimed in as he stepped forward. "Only fools rush in. Cause I can't help falling in love with you..."

Phil continued serenading me in front of everyone—without even realizing it, tears stared flowing down my cheeks. I gradually made my way closer and closer to the stage until I was in the front row.

"And I think to myself..." Phil paused.
"What a wonderful world," everyone finished off.
"I hate you," I smiled as I sobbed. "Come here, you fucking jerk."

Phil hopped off the stage and I pulled him into a sweet kiss. When we broke apart, he dried my eyes and I couldn't seem to stop giggling.

"Surprise," he beamed.
"I hate you."
"I love you too." He gave me another kiss. "So... is that a yes to prom?"
"Yes, you idiot."
"Fantastic."

***

"Dan! Phil's here!" Adrian yelled.
"I'll be downstairs in a few!" I called back.
"Too late! He's already headed upstairs!"
"Shit," I mumbled. I was stood in my room, attempting to tie my bow tie for the thousandth time that night.
"Knock, knock," Phil smiled.
"Hey..."
"Don't you look handsome."
"Thank you..."
"What's wrong?"
"Can't tie my stupid tie."
"Here, let me try."

I faced him so he could give it a go. Like it was nothing, Phil was able to do up my bow tie—he never ceases to amaze me with his useless skills. When he was done, he placed his hands on my chest and smiled.

"There, even more handsome than before."
"I hate you," I chuckled.
"You love me," he whispered as he kissed me.
"Hmm, it's a shame that's true."
"You're too cute. The limos out front—I don't wanna keep him waiting."

***

"You spoil me too much, y'know," I said.

Phil and I were strolling into his apartment, hand-in-hand, after the long night of partying. Our food was cold, the music sucked, and all of our friends wouldn't shut up about how they were gonna fuck someone over the weekend. While Phil and I were annoyed, we brushed it off, because no one even came close to what we have.

"I have some wine in the fridge," Phil said as he kicked his shoes off.
"Red or white?"
"White, stupid. Red doesn't go in the fridge."
"Oh wow, my mistake," I chuckled.
"Why don't you get comfy. I can turn on the tv and we can just wind down from tonight."
"That sounds fantastic," I sighed.
"Just grab any pair of pajamas from my dresser."
"Thank you."
"My pleasure." He kissed me before I walked off.

When we both got into our pajamas, we snuggled up with one another on the couch in the lounge. My head was resting on his lap while he ran his fingers through my wavy hair. I hummed a bit before subtlety dragging my hand up and down his thigh.

"What would you do if I started sucking you off right now?" I teased.
"You'd probably choke. You can barely swallow a bite of a granola bar without dying. Now please be quiet while the movie is on."
"Would you stop me?"
"Dan, please," he huffed, "now's not the time."

I flipped around and lifted up the bottom of his t-shirt. I started placing little kisses and bites near the bottom of his abdomen. He flinched a bit and tried getting me to stop, but I continued to be persistent.

"Dan," he groaned, "stop."
"Just a little lick, babe," I giggled.

I tugged at the hem of his pajamas pants waistband—then, he snapped. He grabbed my arm and held it down with his left hand, then grabbed my face with his right hand—he held my head firm in place and made sure we didn't break eye contact.

"Knock it off!" he yelled.
"But–"
"But what, Howell? I asked you to stop several times. The decent thing to do is listen to your partner and fucking stop."
"I-I'm sorry... it's just that..." I started to cry. "I'm ready now..."
"Daniel," he sighed, "you turn sixteen in two and a half weeks. You can hold out for a little longer, okay?" I nodded to the best of my ability. "And guess what? You'll be even more ready."
"Yeah, I know..."
"So just stop with all this sex stuff, just until your birthday. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, Phil," I sniffed.
"Okay, good." He planted a quick kiss on my lips. "I had fun tonight."
"Me too."
"A lot better than my stupid prom would've been," he smirked.
"Mhmm," I mumbled.
"Awe, baby, I'm sorry for yelling." He let go of me and eased me into a tight hug. I hugged back and ended up resting my head on his shoulder. "I only yelled cause I care about you. You realize that, right?"
"Yeah," I whispered, "I do."
"Okay, good." He kissed the top of my head. "Love you."
"Love you more."
"Yeah," he scoffed, "not possible."