Climax

Curiosity Made Carl Gay - 9

Terry

"Show me some moves," I say, we are at the rotunda with a fish sculpture in the centre, and benches around it. We ate cheesy potato crisps and hooted when kids fell on their asses in the rink. Now, we are just walking around, hand in hand.

"Boxing moves?"

"Yes, I'd like to see up close."

His smile brightens. He has been smiling the whole time. Who was nervous? Not this Carl. This Carl, I knew. Full of confidence and ease. In his element.

"You can be my opponent.... like..like you wanted."

"Kill me now!!! Shit. Yes, please." I let go of his hand and take the position in front of him. I have no idea what position or how much distance is needed. I just did.

He chuckles, "go a little farther. Two more steps."

"Good?" I say, moving backwards.

"Yes, stop."

He is more than a foot away.

"Ready?"

I nod.

He swirls in place, and takes a step forward and brings his hands to that fisted pose. Without that thing they wear on their hands it doesn't look very intimidating. It's just like a guy getting ready for a fist fight.

He takes another step and in the next second, he is air bound and his right foot lands on my shoulder.

I blink and then grin. He executed the exact move I told him about.

He blushes before taking his leg off me. We are a lot closer than when we started. He is only an arm length away.

"That's impressive." I whisper.

A small girl to my left claps.

"Hey man!" A familiar voice shouts to my right.

Brian. I wave at him.

Waving back, he walks towards us.

"Carl, Brian. Brian, Carl." I introduce them, as if they have never met. I'm stupid. I don't remember if I told Brian about the date. Or if he remembers it.

"I know." Brian says, rolling his eyes.

"We have classes together." Carl says.

I nod.

"What you guys planning on? If I spend one more minute with my brother I'll go mad. He has been trying on all the available colors of the same shirt. Can you imagine? Glad I found you guys." Brian puts a hand over my shoulder.

Carl looks confused.

"Dude... we're on a date." He tells Brian in a chiding tone.

Brian's eyes go wide. "Oh, and you're showing him kickboxing moves? I thought you were teaching him defense or something."

"He likes the moves, when I do it with him." Carl explains.

"Of course he likes them." Brian chuckles.

I'm sure my face is red.

"Will you be interrupting if I was showing this to a girl?" Carl asks, not understanding the teasing.

"Peace bro. Show him all he wants. Ask him to show his moves too." Brian says, nudging me with his hips.

Carl's jaw drops as he finally understands the teasing. He looks away, pink spreading from his cheeks to his neck.