The Bully I Thought I Lost... (Boyxboy) Book 2

Chapter Ten

"How are you so lighthearted about this?"
"It's a conversation starter. People often ask me what happened. I'm surprised it took you this long to see it.
"Well, I don't randomly look at peoples hands... like who does that?"
"I do." He looked over at me. "I just want to see if anybody else has missing fingers."

"Wait." I sat up and looked at his hand. "Do you tell the people who ask about your hand the truth?"
"No. I tell them I was born this way."
"I thought so."
"Nobody believes it."
"That's because you're a bad liar. Everybody can tell. You're that bad."

I released his hand, stood up, and began walking around.
"What are you doing?" He asked and looked up from his computer.
"Stretching my legs. I've been sitting all day."
Markus stood up and went to the sink. He washed off the thermometer and handed it me.
I stuck it up my armpit and waited for the beeps.
Markus took it back and looked.
"99." he tossed it back in the sink and walked back to what must've been his room. He came back fully dressed in a suit with shoes on.
"We are going out to eat."
"We are?"
"Yes. Your fever has gone down significantly."
"Where are we going?"
"Anywhere."

"Is it a date?" I walked up to him and gripped his hands.
"No..."
"It should be..."
"I'm no good at that."
"Then take me to my place so I can change and we can look good together on a date..." I teased.
"Fine." I lifted my shoes and walked out of his apartment. I unlocked mine and entered to Kumar jumping with joy.

"Hey, buddy." I smiled and pet him.
"Wear something nice. It'll be a fancy restaurant."
"Mm..." I looked over at him. "How nice." I left him alone in my living room and came back with freshly brushed teeth and one of the new work outfits.
"Alright. I'm ready." I walked out and stood beside him.
We left my apartment and I grabbed his hand. As we walked to the elevator, I noticed he was looking around.
"What?" I asked and looked up at him.
"I feel like people are staring."
"Markus, theres nobody on this floor." He took one lastpeek around and stepped into the elevator.

We left the building and got into his car. He began driving as he relaxed into his seat.
"So what... do you.... you know..."
"Do on a date?" I finished for him.
"...yeah."
"This." I say and pull his hand into mine. "And then you hang out wherever you plan to go, and then it usually ends with a leap in the relationship."
"A...leap?"
"Yeah. Like a step further. Sometimes it's a confession, other times it's something intimate I guess."
"Oh." He replied.

After a few minutes, we parked and entered a very fancy restaurant. The waiter took us outside where there was a single table and two chairs.
We sat across each other and ordered our drinks and food.
"Markus?"
"Yes?"
"Nothing." I looked into his eyes and leaned over the table.
"It's something." He replied and cautiously looked back.
"You're kind of cute." I tilted my head. He instantly placed his hand behind his neck and looked away. "Personality wise." I brought his attention back.

I thought for a moment, only to realize that it now sounded like I was insulting him.
"But I mean..." I stumbled.
"I get when you meant."
The waiter returned with our drinks and left again.
"You've got work tomorrow."
"Who talks about work on a date?" I grabbed onto his hand and held it tight.
"I'm just reminding you."
"I know but... nobody talks about that on a date."
"I must be nobody." He looked into my eyes.
I looked back and stared.
"Don't make a dad joke. That's not right." I laughed.

We ate our food once it was brought and then quickly left after we were done.
We sat in the car with full stomachs as we planned where we were going next.
"I think we should go someplace where we can just sit. You know?" I scrolled through websites after searching 'cool places to go around me.'
"I have a place." He revealed. It'll take an hour to get there. It'll be dark by then."
"Is it a good spot?"
"I'm sure you'd like it..."
"Then we'll go." I pulled my seat belt over my body and watched the road as he began to drive.