Being in love with a straight boy is a straight-up nightmare. Especially if it's been like that for years. But it's even worse when he's your best friend's brother, who has a girlfriend that's there to remind you how straight he is. That's when it b...
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Telling Mason about my feelings for him had to be the worst decision I'd made in my entire life. Yes, he said he wasn't mad at me—thank God—but I could tell that it still made him uncomfortable. I don't think I'd ever been more relieved than when he said he was happy to just forget about it. I had apologized, he had asked his questions, we had cleared the air, and now it was time for us both to move on. Simple.
Lucky me, we didn't even have to sit through any more awkward silences, because my phone rang. I picked up so fast it was like I was awaiting life-changing news, but it was just Jackson.
"Kenny, my stupid brother isn't answering his phone! I need his help! Tell him to get off his ass and reply to me!"
Why did I get the feeling that Jackson only ever called me to yell at me? It was all he ever did. Then again, I only called him when I was bored or needed someone to talk to, so I wasn't much better. I turned to look at Mason with a sigh and said, "Jackson says you're ignoring him."
"Oh, right!"
"Is that him?" Jackson asked. "Put me on speakerphone."
I did as he said while Mason scrolled through the messages he'd sent him, before scoffing, "You don't need my help, Jackson. Just pick a place."
"But I don't know what she likes! You know her!"
"Barely. I know that she's gonna chew you out."
"Shut up."
"Wait, what are we talking about?" I asked.
"He's going out with Harriet's friend, Nazy, and he's asking for my advice on what she likes, but I don't know," Mason explained, shrugging. "Just take her someplace you like and find out for yourself, Jackson. You wanted to go out with her."
"Since when are you asking for advice anyway?" I asked.
"Since I actually like her!"
It went quiet.
Mason and I shared a glance.
"Alright, well, good luck," Mason said, at the same time that I said, "Don't fuck it up." Because let's be real, Jackson had no experience with this. Real, meaningful, romantic dates with Jackson Prill? Never been done before.
We didn't hear any of his complaints though, because I'd already hung up. But then I realized I was alone with Mason again. Alone. In my room. Um. No.
"I think I'm gonna, uh..." What? "Take a walk?"
Absolutely marvelous, Kenny.
"A walk?"
"Yes."
Mason didn't buy it. He squinted at me and pursed his lips, which made me think things I shouldn't be thinking, since we were going to forget about it, but I couldn't help it. Really, how hard could it be not to think about kissing him every time I looked at his mouth?!
