I'm Sure You've Heard It All Before

where's my epic background music?

My parents decided to tell me on my way out that they're going on a trip to New York City for a business trip/vacation.

"For how long?" I asked them while putting my shoes on.

"A week, maybe?" My mom said. She looked at my dad for confirmation.

My dad nodded in agreement.

"We'll leave you money for food or anything else you might need before we leave tonight. You'll be okay alone?"

"I mean, yeah."

They both looked pleased at my answer and whisked away to the living room to look over business sheets.

I honestly don't understand why they even ask me if I'll be okay alone because even though I will be, if I had said no, it's not like they would have cared. It's kind of laughable.

I had finished putting my shoes on when I got a text. From a very cute guy.

Franco: hey :) u ready to hang out? i'm almost at the subway station.

I couldn't help but smile at that. My smile quickly went away when my dad looked at me from the kitchen and said "Whose got you smiling at your phone like that?"

I jerked my head up because I had no idea he was even there. He was grabbing a phone charger from the wall and wrapping it up.
I stammered, "Um, no one. Just a friend."

He looked smug. That bastard. "Hm, okay, mijo." And he left the kitchen.

I debated telling my parents about Franco and my friendship or I guess, relationship with him.
If Franco and I do end up together, god-willing, then maybe I'll talk to them about it. They know I'm gay, but I think they're just waiting for me to finally bring a nice guy home.

I know because they ask about boys at least once a week. I guess I'm lucky, most people don't have parents like mine who are wanting their gay son to get a boyfriend.

I had texted Franco back that I was on my way to the station. He replied with a thumbs up emoji.

I'm way too excited to see him after our conversation yesterday. I'm just glad that we confirmed our crushes on each other because it's been killing me these past few months.

I'm just wondering what the next step is. Do we jump into dating? Or do we just have a friends-with-benefits kind of thing?

I guess we'll find out today.
                            o.o.o.o
"Nice jacket," he said to me when he saw me sitting down in the subway.

I smiled at him, I couldn't get over him.

"Thanks."

"So..." he said, looking at me. And smiling through it all. Come to think of it, I think we both have not stopped smiling since we saw each other. We probably looked crazy.

"Well," I started, "I'm glad we talked last night."

"Me too," he said to me.

I looked down at his hand. He saw me looking at it, and put on my leg lightly.

"Can I..." I made a gesture to his hand.

He nodded. "Please."

I slipped my hand into his.

We sighed breaths of relief. Like this is what we've been wanting since the first day we met.
I felt his thumb rub the top of my hand.

"I like holding your hand. Like a lot. "

"Same here."

"You like holding your own hand?"

I released my hand from his and shoved him slightly.
"You're annoying!" But we both were laughing.

An announcement came from the speaker that said we were at our stop.
We both got up and got out of the subway and when we were finally outside of the station, we looked at each other.

"So,"

He touched my shoulder slightly. Massaging it a little.

"Where to, Robin?"

"Let's just walk around this fucking city and see if there's anything worth doing."

"Hell yes! But we're not walking,"

"Huh?"

He grabbed my wrist and said "We're running!"

We started running in this city like we were a bunch of stupid five-year olds. We probably looked insane but honestly? Us running around the city together is the best feeling I've had in a while.

We both stopped in front of a vintage clothing store and looked at each other before going in.

This was definitely a place worth stopping at.

"Hey let's act super gay and try on clothes and fish each other for compliments!"

I looked at Franco like he was crazy but also the best person ever (don't tell Aleeah).

"You're insane, but yes let's fucking do that!"