Never Been Better [boyxboy]

Don't Miss It

It turned out it hadn't been necessary for me to contact Noel. The next day I woke up because of a warm wind in my face and opened my eyes to see his grin right above my head.

I pushed him off the bed. "What the fuck did you eat today?"

"Pizza", he said, still grinning. "There might've been some garlic involved. And three cups of coffee."

Noel was wearing the ugliest yellow shirt that said I'm bananas for you and his trademark dark green beanie. When asked about it, he'd say his mother made him wear it because of the buzzcut he had given himself in a drunk, impulsive moment. I knew better. It used to be his brother's, who now lived in Chile.

"What time is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Four thirty." He must've come here right after school ended. "Which brings me to my next question: why are you still in bed?"

God, I smelled awful. What was the last time I had showered? Suddenly I felt so embarrassed my entire face heated up. I wanted to suffocate between my sheets. "Nothing better to do", I mumbled.

"Really? Nothing better to do? So you haven't thought of, I don't know, working out? Getting a job? Going to school?"

I put all my emotions into one single glare but it only made him more amused. "Damn, okay then. Different approach I guess."

"Different approach?" I spat, standing up so I could stare him down. "I'm not a fucking escaped zoo animal. What are you gonna do next, drug me so I pass out and you can drag me back to school?"

I was shaking. I felt so embarrassed. Why did he have to come here? Why did he have to cross that line?

"Jesus, chill, I'm not trying to get you back to school. I get it."

I snorted. "I'm sure you do."

"I do! School fucking sucks. It stresses everyone out."

"Fuck you."

One corner of his mouth lifted up. "Okay, so maybe I don't completely get it. But I want to help. In a way that you want me to... So if you want me to fuck off, I will. I guess."

It was quiet for a minute. Was he here because he was worried? Or was it because he was bored? God knew he got bored a lot, and did everything to avoid it.

"You don't have to go", I said, still too ashamed to look at his face. "I mean, you can stay and play games."

The smile on his face was bright and familiar. It almost made me feel normal.