The Blue Boy

School • 5 •

I leave the note on the fridge and make sure I have everything before I leave. I quickly put extra hair ties on my wrist just in case and I head out.

I make sure to be pretty quiet since people probably aren't up at 4 am right now.

I get back to the apartment and I'm glad that my coaster doorstop worked.

I sneak back into Larry's room and gently set my backpack down by the door when a light turns on behind me.

I jump and turn around. Larry was lounging on his bed with his lamp on, smiling at me.

"Now that you're fiiiiinally back," he dragged it out very dramatically, "let's go back to sleep,"

I smile and hop onto his bed. I lay my head on his stomach and pull the blankets up.

"Yknow," he turns the lamp off, "you can take your mask off if it helps you sleep better, I can't see shit right now so you're good,"

I weigh my options. I trust Larry to not deceive me so he can see my face...but I'm also scared that he'll be scared of me.

I take a bold move and unclip my mask, laying it on his bedside table.

"And you swear that you can't see anything..?" I ask again, wary.

"I promise, Sal," he gets comfy once again.

I pull the blankets up more, "Thanks, Lar-bear," I smile and I can just tell that he's probably smiling, too.

I end up falling asleep pretty quickly and peacefully.

. . . .

I wake up to the sound of a door opening, but I'm so comfy, I just stay there with my eyes closed. I'm facing away from the door so it doesn't matter.

"Larry..Sal? I made breakfast," I head Lisa's voice.

Larry shifts under me and sits up a little bit. "Thanks, mom, we'll be out in a minute,"

"Actually, can you come out here for a second," she pauses, "without Sal?"

He hesitates, "Uh, yeah sure,"

I end up dozing back asleep, not thinking twice about the conversation I eavesdropped on.

Larry's POV

Me and Mom sit down at the kitchen table, "what's up?"

"Well," she tries to find the words, "do you," she pauses again, this time rubbing her temples. "Do you..like Sal, sweetie?"

I'm surprised to say the least. "No?" I lie. I obviously have a huge ass crush on him but of course I'm gonna deny it like a dumbass.

She smiles and nods, "okay, dear, now go bring Sal in here," she moves to put pancakes on some plates.

Sal's POV

The one time that I'm having a pretty calm dream, I get woken up by Larry pushing me off the bed. I laugh of course cus it's funny but still.