Duet (Ben and Summit)

Honey's Diner

It was a Tuesday afternoon. The smell of sausage and pancakes wafted through the air, even though the clock read 4 PM. The neon Budweiser sign flickered in the corner of the room. Waitresses ran around the busy booths, and the sounds of crackling ovens and clanging silverware pierced the eardrums of those in the room.

This was an all too familiar place for Ben Taylor and his closest friends: Zachary and Bailee. They met up at least once a week after school at Honey's, the local diner.

Bailee was a loud, flighty girl with dark, curly hair parted on the left side. Her dark complexion gave accent to her eyes and smile, giving her a very bright and happy appearance. She was on the shorter side and had a round, bubbly frame, which complimented her personality greatly.

Zachary had faced a bit of hardship to achieve his masculine air. Being a female to male transgender, he had been bullied all throughout middle school. He had even had his breasts removed in eighth grade. Even so, you couldn't tell at all now by his appearance that he was trans. Ben and Bailey seemed to forget that he even transitioned at all, as it was so natural to see him as a boy. He had bright spiked blonde hair, and light stubble. His physique was very toned, and he loved to show off his muscles in tank tops and sleeveless shirts. He was a serial jokester, and couldn't keep serious for a heartbeat.

Ben was the oddball of the group, being a bit subdued and quiet. He was on the shorter side, and his bright red hair was combed to the side. He always dressed preppy, as if he was about to attend an infinite church service.

As the three friends sat in a booth together, they talked about all things high school. Eventually, the dreaded relationship conversation started, and Ben instantly grew uncomfortable.

Zachary was the first to start. "So, Bail, any new boyfriends lately?"

Bailee rolled her eyes in annoyance, but gave a light smile. "I date you once, and you think you own me, Mr. Davis."

"Oh come on, you're still my best friend, I have a right to know."

Bailee looked at Ben, expecting him to side with her.

"We gotta know, Bail."

She huffed and leaned back in the booth seat. "Fine, I admit it... I'm still single as fuck, sorry to burst your bubble."

Zachary chuckled. "Same. I hate it, but no one wants to date a trans boy. It sucks."

"Come on, lighten up Zach, someone's bound to be out there for you." Ben said, reassuringly.

"Oh, like you?" Zach teased. Ben lightly punched Zach on the shoulder and put up a smile. "You know I'm not gay Zach."

"You have to be," said Bailee. "You've literally been single since you dated that one band chick in middle school. You haven't talked about girls at all either."

"Name One girl you talk to other than Bail, Ben." Zach said, holding his hands out. He had a bad habit of speaking with his hands and taking up a lot of room.

"You guys suck, I swear." Ben said, offended.

"You know we're just teasing you, calm down sassy pants." Bailee poked Ben on the nose.

"Oh, um, I meant to ask," said Zach. "How's Mrs. Taylor?"

Ben looked out the diner window. "She's uh, okay. She's decided not to be treated."

Zach immediately regretted bringing up Ben's mother. He and Bailee looked into their laps, not knowing what to say.

Ben smiled and waved his hands. "But I'm okay, it's her decision."

Zach frowned."That has to suck dude. Are you really okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, Zach. Let's order our food."

Bailee waved for a waitress, and soon, a middle aged woman came with a notepad. Each teen ordered their usual: Bailee a hashbrown casserole with a sweet tea, Ben two over-easy eggs and toast with a coke, and Zach a double stack pancake meal with almond milk.

The conversation went back to normal as the topic shifted to recent drama. Tristan, the school's basketball team captain, had just broken up with his girlfriend and was shaming her around the school. They talked about this for a couple of minutes before their waiter brought them their food.

Once they were done eating, Zach dropped Ben off at his house before taking Bailee home as well.

As soon as Ben entered the house, his Dad questioned him. "Why are you still hanging out with that "Zach" kid? I thought I told you to stay away from people like her."

Ben sighed. "He's been my best friend for years, I swear dad, let it go."

Ben had gotten used to his overbearing father. He was tall and a bit chubby, with the stereotypical preacher demeanor. Of course, coming from southern Kentucky, he was extremely conservative and had very strong opinions on different groups of people.

Ben's mother came from the kitchen and put her hands on her hips. "Jordan, leave your son alone, he has his own life. Now come get dinner, I made chili."

"Coming, Sharon." Mr. Taylor said, defeated.

"I assume you ate at Honey's with your friends, Ben?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Well, I just finished laundry, so your clothes are sitting on your bed, so go put them away please."

"Gotcha"

Ben made his way to his room, which was across from his parent's room. He spotted what seemed to be medical papers scattered on their bed. He pushed his thoughts away and put in some earbuds. He listened to music ad he folded and put away all the clothes his mother had washed. After that, he played video games for a couple of hours. By then, he was feeling tired, and decided to go to bed early.

He never knew the next day would be the first day of the rest of his life.