Don't Make Me Love You

Chapter 26

"So, what time do you want to meet?" Brandon asked. "Bobby and I were supposed to go to lunch after school, so he'll already be with me."

I pulled my last textbook out of my locker and stuffed it in my backpack, trying to keep my phone from slipping out from between my cheek and my shoulder. "Let's meet right after last period. Room 207 at 4:00pm?" I asked. Then I stopped that thought in it's tracks. "No, make that 4:30. Mr. Tennerly has been holding us over."

There was a hum of content and I heard Brandon slam his own locker closed from his end of the line. "Sounds good to me," he said happily. "See you then."

We hung up and went about the rest of our school day. My last class with the mentioned biology teacher went, as predicted, a little late. By the time we were actually released from class, the bell had come and gone many minutes before, and I had to scramble to get to my locker. After getting out all that I needed and throwing in all that I didn't, I hurried towards the stairs. It was only 4:15pm, but I decided being early was always better than getting their right on time already flustered from taking too long. As it was, I was already like a cat in water. I was nervous, sweaty, and I wanted to puke, but I grudgingly forced my legs to pull me step by step to the second floor of the science building. I didn't know what I was going to say to Bobby, or better yet, what he would say to me, but I needed to do this. Whatever happened between us would decide if we were meant to stay friends. I worried we wouldn't stay friends, but that would be up to Bobby. 

When room 207 was within eye-shot, I slowed my steps and took several, several deep breaths. Bobby was in there with Brandon and they were both waiting for me to explain what was going on and why. I could do this.

With long strides that were almost brave enough to be considered confident, I went up to the door and put my hand on the knob. I could hear Bobby talking to Brandon as I got close, but the exact words caused me to pause. My eyebrows drew together and I couldn't stop from leaning close to the door to listen.

"It was the best night of my life," I heard Brandon say; he sounded blissful. "We danced, and talked, and... Well, let's just say I never would've gotten this far if it weren't for you and Jake. I really owe you guys a lot."

Bobby laughed his usual cheerful laugh. "I'm glad it worked out," he said. "Max deserves someone like you. You better treat him right."

Brandon's smile was practically big enough to hear. "I will."

At that, I should of smile. But something was wrong. Then a voice I recognized but didn't expect spoke up. "Where is he, anyways?" Jake asked. "Wasn't he supposed to be here after class?"

"He's supposed to be on his way, but he said he might run a bit late," Brandon was saying.

"Mr. Tennerly does tend to drag on when he gets into a topic," Bobby replied. He sounded amiable.

Jake chuckled. "You sure he isn't getting cold feet or something? I don't know Max as well as you two, clearly,  but he's been known to chicken," Jake said with a chuckle.

"He won't," Brandon assured him. He seemed serious despite Jake's amusement, and my chest tightened with a distrust I had thought I had been rid of long ago at the sound of his next words. "He told his parents he was gay after running away for an entire night. That's way harder than admitting something like this to a friend. He's not going to chicken out of this."

This statement sent Jake into a bout of silence and Bobby sighed. "This hasn't exactly been easy, Jake; not just for Max, for any of us. Please, go easy on him later."

Jake must have felt bad for what he said because I heard him shuffle. "Yeah, yeah. I will," he muttered. Then I heard him lift his backpack and sling it over his shoulder. "I should go before he gets here and figures this all out," Jake said.