Lemon Boy

Chapter 5

Cyrus stood outside of Jonah Beck's house, hands shaking. Jonah had given him the address weeks ago, but he hadn't thought he'd be using it for this. Cyrus truthfully wasn't sure how Jonah would receive his visit, given how their last encounter had ended. He rang the doorbell, and tried to limit his fidgeting. He couldn't handle it if Jonah hated him, he really couldn't.

Jonah opened the door, and to Cyrus's immense relief his face split into a smile.

"Cy-guy, what's up?"

"Hey Jonah," Cyrus squawked.

He cleared his throat and tried not to stare. Even in gym shorts and an old T-shirt, Jonah Beck was resplendent.

"Come on in," Jonah gestures for Cyrus to enter and he followed, conscious of his every step.

The size of Jonah's house rivaled both of his parents', with a large entryway that made him feel like an ant. They walked through an expansive kitchen and trudged down stairs to the basement.

In what Cyrus assumed was the family room there was a large tv, a pool table, an air hockey table, a fooseball table, and a dart room, with comfy looking leather chairs and sofas bordering the room.

"Nice place," Cyrus commented, peering up at a picture of Jonah on the wall. Even as a small child Jonah still had the dimples. Curse those beautiful, irresistible dimples.

"Thanks."

Jonah sank down into a sofa and gestured for Cyrus to join him. He did so, making sure to sit fairly close, but not close enough for Jonah to make anything of it. Just the casual distance one would expect from two guy friends who might, with any luck, be close to becoming more than that.

"So what's up?"

"Jonah, I- I have something I want- no, need- to ask you," Cyrus stammered.

He figured he might as well get it over with. There was no point in delaying the inevitable.

"Do you-"

At that moment footsteps sounded on the basement staircase, and a head of long brown hair popped out.

"Jo, dinner's ready."

Cyrus blinked. He had no idea Jonah had a sister, but the likeness was unmistakeable.

She looked over at him.

"Jo, who's your friend?"

"Jennifer, this is Cyrus. Cyrus, this is Jennifer, my older sister."

Jennifer came down the stairs and walked over, offering Cyrus her hand. He took it, and was impressed by her grip. It was probably a family trait.

Jonah turned to Cyrus; an expectant look on his face.

"Cyrus, do you want to stay for dinner?"

"Sure," he replied, feeling the eyes of both Beck siblings upon him.

"Awesome!"

"Dosh."

Cyrus fought back a smile. Apparently that expression was not exclusive to Jonah.

He followed them up the stairs, through the kitchen, and into an airy dining room. Pale blue walls contrasted the dark wood of the furniture. Jonah's parents day at either end of the table. Cyrus looked back and forth between them, stunned. They looked like they could be models, he thought, as they flashed him grins to rival Jonah's.

They made introductions before they sat down. Cyrus slid into the seat next to Jonah, feeling very aware of how...off he must look next to all of them. He allowed himself to be served pork and mashed potatoes and green beans and rolls. But all Cyrus could pay attention to was how close Jonah's knee was to his.

He managed to deflect a lot of the questions thrown at him, and instead tried to focus the conversation on the Becks. Both of Jonah's parents were dentists and owned their own practice (which explained why Jonah's teeth were always spotless). Jen went to Yale, a fact that impressed Cyrus to no end. And apparently, Jonah was on track to follow in her footsteps.

Cyrus couldn't help but sneak glances at Jonah throughout the dinner. Everything he did, from the way he cut his pork into minuscule pieces, to his breathless laugh when his sister made a joke at his expense. Cyrus couldn't understand why Jonah had never talked about his family. They were wonderful. As perfect as Jonah Beck himself.

After dessert (ice cream sundaes), and shaking everyone's hand, Cyrus was being led to the door by Jonah. He was halfway through the entryway before he realized that he hadn't even asked Jonah what he had come here to ask him.

"Jonah?"

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering- if you'd want to- if you'd want to go to The Spoon with me tomorrow night?"

He held his breath.

"Sure, that'd be dope."

Dope. That would be dope. Jonah said going to The Spoon, just the two of them, would be dope!

Ok, so he hadn't technically asked him on a date, but it was close enough. Maybe at The Spoon Cyrus could work up the courage to confess his feelings. After seeing Jonah's family, Cyrus could see their future so clearly. Dates at The Spoon, being prom kings, going to Yale together. It was all so vivid with Jonah. Just by being around him Cyrus felt a rush unlike anything he had felt before. Jonah and Cyrus...it made sense to him.

Cyrus was halfway home before he remembered. He had to tell TJ! And Buffy too, of course. Pulling out his phone, he typed out a quick message.

Me and Jonah, at the Spoon, tmw night!!!! :D

TJ texted back almost immediately.

That's my underdog

Buffy's reply came not long after.

Lord help us all.

Cyrus chuckled. Classic Buffy. If she ever got over her hatred of the stage, she would make a great actress with her flair for the dramatic.

He stopped in his tracks. It started to hit him. He, Cyrus Goodman, was really going to be hanging out, one on one, with Jonah Beck. It wasn't the first time, but something about this one felt different. Maybe because he was more sure than ever that Jonah was the one for him.

Cyrus kept walking, before stopping again. Crap. What in the world was he going to wear?