KISS: Casablanca High School

Ch 128: So It's Official? (Ace)

Paul and Gene walked over to the tables in the morning, which was nice. It was nice to see them hanging out again since it had been really awkward between them. Less nice was the fact that Gene's face was a disaster. 

"Shit, curly, what happened to you?" I cried. He shrugged, sitting at the table with a wince. "Uh. Stuff," he muttered. Paul raised an eyebrow, shaking his head, but he didn't say anything as he sat next to me, quietly lacing his fingers through mine. I felt my face turn pink but my heart swelled as I gave his hand an affectionate squeeze. 

Peter walked over to us, flipping through the gov study guide before drawing to a halt, staring at Gene. "Damn, man, what happened?! You were fine when I cut your cast off yesterday!" Gene's ears turned red and he shrugged again, wincing as he yawned. "I got in a fight." 

"You win?" Peter asked, sitting on the edge of the table. "I mean...he broke my nose but I knocked out two teeth so I'd say so, yeah." "Wait, what?! You actually knocked out his teeth?!" Paul shouted, jumping to his feet. Gene shrugged once again, not bothering to look up from his phone. "I told him I would, and I did." 

I grabbed Paul's hand again, sitting him back down and hesitating for a moment before slipping an arm around his waist. He didn't pull away, instead moving a little closer to me. "What'd your mom say?" I asked after a pause. Paul stiffened as Gene scowled before shaking his head. "Nothing. She doesn't know. And she's not going to know. Because Paul's not gonna snitch, not to her or to his mom either," he growled. 

Paul grinned, shaking his head. "I'm not gonna say anything to anyone. I'll leave that for you to explain when she figures it out and flips. I mean she almost killed you after you got a detention for verbally fighting Peter and she didn't even figure out you guys actually fought." 

His face red under the bruises, Gene stared harder at his phone. "And she's not gonna figure out this happened at all." The bell rang, ending the conversation as me and Peter headed off to first period art today. He nudged me, giving me a playful smile. "So, you and Paul official yet?" he teased. 

Face burning, I rolled my eyes, nudging him back. "I dunno, you still selling fake ID's?" I grumbled. "Aw, so that's a no then? Darn, we were all rooting for you." I drew to a halt, staring at him in shock. "Wait, you're not doing that anymore?" 

A proud smile spread across his face and he shook his head. "I haven't made or sold any since you talked to my grandparents. And I'm gonna meet with Fallon and them to say I'm permanently withdrawing my supply from them." 

I could've kissed him, but since I might be dating someone else I decided to just give him a hug instead, lifting him off his feet. "Aw Peter I'm so proud of you! I didn't think you'd actually do that!" He nodded, still grinning. "Well, I did. And I've gotten all my grades above a C again. But seriously, are you and Paul dating?" 

"Mm, good question," I muttered, holding open the door as Eric came darting into the classroom just as the bell rang. "Dude Gene looks like he got hit by a truck it's wild!" he said eagerly. I looked at his arms, which were scratched to shit, and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah you're not looking too hot yourself." "Oh yeah I fell at my track meet a few days ago, still kinda messed up from that," he said with a laugh, sliding into his desk. 

I looked over at Peter, who looked happier than I had seen him in ages, and let out a sigh. I still missed him, but I also really liked Paul. I guess our date today would be a good way to decide who I wanted to actually date. 

Paul was talking to Gene before I managed to walk all the way over there, and by the looks on their faces it wasn't a happy conversation. Gene stormed off as I got there, slipping a hand into Paul's. He let out a sigh, leaning against me, and I was relieved to see I was a few inches taller than him. After dating Peter I don't know if I could date someone taller than me. "You good?" I asked. He laughed, rolling his eyes. "Gene's just being stubborn per usual. Anyway, you wanna go to the mall?" 

I nodded eagerly before leaning down and kissing him without really realizing what I was doing. It clicked in an instant and I broke away, taking a step back. "Oh shit Paulie I'm sorry I forgot what I was doing I don't know why I--" He shut me up pretty quickly by kissing me back, slipping an arm around my waist and pulling me against him. Ecstatic, I ran a hand through his hair, standing locked in the embrace with him until at last we pulled apart. 

"So you ready to go now?" he asked, eyes shining. Heart hammering against my ribs, I nodded, following him into his car. I was still reeling as we got to the mall, shocked in the best way possible. Paul moved to get out of his car but I grabbed his hand, holding him in the seat. 

"Wait wait wait, are we...are we dating?" I asked. He shrugged, giving me a curious look. "I know you've still got feelings from Peter but I also know you said you're not gonna date him right now, so if you...wanted to date me while you're not dating him, I'd be okay with that. But it's up to you," he said, almost shyly. 

A smile spread across my face and I ran a hand through his hair, pushing it away from his face, realizing just how pretty his eyes were. "I like that plan," I murmured, before he leaned over and kissed me again.