Judd Birch

Daniel

It's complete chaos. Teenagers are jumping around, making terrible jokes, and singing show tunes that nearly drown out the metallic screech of the school bell.

God I hate theater kids.

You think as you slump back against one of the squeaky old auditorium chairs covered in that scratchy fabric with the strange, diluted 80s pattern.

Last night was, well, the last night. Lea, your best friend as of recent, performed the Cruseable for the last time ever- thank god. The show itself is surprisingly terrible when you take into account the fact that it's all just a ploy to sell Scientology to broke kids. You think they could at least hire some C-list director what with all the money that "religion" has to burn.. But what it lacks in talent, it has in entertainment- and that's why you sat and watched every single night. Oh- and for Lea.

"Y/N, get up here!" Calls a cheery, but purposefully toned down voice from the stage.

You look up and spot Lea before pushing yourself from your seat and moseying over. Upon reaching the stage, you lean forward to rest your folded arms on the surface's edge- but before you can make out a curious yea? you're interrupted by an enthusiastic sound.

"So this is the famous y/n l/n~" The boy says as he squats down in his tight black jeans to be at your level. Probably dramatic effect.

He looks average and smells like he owns a lot of cats and moth balls, so clearly he isn't your type. You glance up at Lea who looks so hopeful it's almost sad.

"Uh.. Yeah." You reply simply. "Nice to meet you, uh..."

"Daniel!" He exclaims. Shooting up from his place instead of greeting you with a handshake or.. fist bump. You're not sure what you were expecting.

A moment of silence passes. It's almost long enough to where you can hear the faint voices of students sob-singing You Will Be Found.

"You wanna grab something to eat on the wa-" You start as Daniel begins his proud trek towards another group.

"Isn't he perfect?" Lea interrupts as she sinks down to a sitting position at the edge of the stage.

"What?" You make a face. You know what she's talking about, but all of this needs to slow down- your brain doesn't work that fast during school hours.

"Daniel. Isn't he perfect? He's tall and nice and outgoing- and oh my god have you looked at his eyes?"

Lea is nearly exploding with joy as she goes on and on and ON about this Daniel. She looks happy.

"I think he's gay."

"Don't be a dick, y/n- why would he be gay?" She questions quickly, looking a bit worried now.

"He's in theater."

"Fuck you." She says with a roll of her eyes, getting up upon the stage and walking down by the stairs like a good theater kid would. You meet her at the bottom. "Just because he's in theater doesn't mean he's gay. He's just in touch with his feminine side."

"He's a senior and he still wears skinny jeans. I think he's gay." You're being mean on purpose and Lea knows it, and yet she still gets mad.

You walk out of the school alongside your best friend, laughing softly and nodding along as she points out all the reasons why you're wrong.

After listening for what feels like hours, even though it's only been about 3 minutes, you pipe up in a casual, almost indifferent tone. She hates when you pretend not to care.

"Isn't he coming to the party Saturday?"

"Yeah-" She pauses, equally annoyed that you cut her off as she is curious as to what you have to say. "Why?"

"Well if you're so sure he isn't gay, I guess we'll find out Saturday."

"He isn't gay!" She finally exclaims as she swings open the door to your car.

"And how the fuck do you know that?" You ask amusedly as you take a seat.

"Well, we.." She's shy.

"You what?" You're not.

"We've kissed a few times..." She says in a quiet tone with rosy cheeks, sinking back bashfully in the passenger seat.

You should've known. You're stupid for thinking she didn't have this much of a thing for some washed up, future H-list celebrity. Lea has horrible taste in men.

"I can't believe you kissed a gay guy."