Sequins and Somersaults: A Conan Gray Fic

That Manly Scent

I plop onto my bed, pulling out my phone. After Conan had dropped me off at my house, I had climbed a tree to get back up to my balcony and into my room. Now, even though it is eleven o'clock at night, I click the call button next to my best friend's name, eager to get her opinion on all of this.

After about five seconds of ringing, I hear her voice on the other end.

"Raven! What's wrong? Are you dead?" Her voice sounds worried, but I am relieved to hear that it does not sound like she just woke up. Or, I should say, like I woke her up.

"No, it's okay, Kamryn," I say, hearing a sigh of relief on the other line. "Not physically dead, at least. But I definitely don't feel alive." I tug at my hair, rolling to my other side.

"What's the problem? Texas still sucks?" She speaks fast, full of energy. She's always been this way; kind of like a squirrel on crack who was given way too much coffee. Interrupting my thoughts, she continues, "I'm not going to lie. I had the weirdest feeling when you told me about that gymnastics class. I almost felt like maybe you would meet someone there. Someone who would...I don't know, change things, I guess."

I sit up straight, so fast that I pull something in my neck. "OMG, Kamryn, how did you know??" Before she even has the opportunity to answer, I begin spilling everything about Conan. I tell her all about his laugh, his eyes, his talent when it comes to gymnastics, his leotard...

Kamryn says almost nothing the whole time, just listens to me yammer on and on about this "perfectly perfect angel boy sent from God himself in order to save me from the hell that is Texas." I finish by telling her, "I don't know, I just feel like Conan is the only sane person in this whole town. Maybe even this whole state. I know I only met him about seven hours ago, but I think I'm in love with him." Saying the words aloud makes my stomach tickle, but then I remember Conan calling me his "student", and I am filled with disappointment again.

Finally, Kamryn speaks. "When is your next lesson?"

"On Friday, I'm pretty sure. I requested to start having lessons twice a week, because that way I'll learn a little more." I feel my face redden at the obvious lie. It is pretty clear that I really just want to spend more time with Conan, but I would never admit that out loud.

I hear Kamryn swallow before firmly saying, "Confess your feelings. Make a move. I know I'm not the expert on having long and lasting relationships, but from what you told me, you guys are definitely soulmates. No question about it." She finishes and I hear her opening a bag of chips.

"But what if something goes wrong? I just met him today, he might think I'm crazy. Or worse, he won't feel the same." I shudder at the thought of being rejected by Conan, but I know that nothing will happen if I don't at least make some kind of move. "Never mind, you're right. If I don't move, I'll be stuck here. If I don't ask, the answer will always be 'no'" I hear Kamryn gasp.

"You are so smart!" She exclaims.

"Thanks," I answer. "I read that on Instagram once."

"Hey, before we hang up, I have one last super important question."

I gulp, wondering what Kamryn could possibly want to know.

"What is it?" I ask.

"What does he smell like?"

I give the question some thought, remembering his scent vividly in my mind. Sighing, I answer, "Kind of like an Italian hoagie. Like, onions, mayo, stuff like that."

I finish speaking and hear a click on the other line. I put my phone on my nightstand, assuming Kamryn decided to go to sleep. Pulling my covers up to my chin, I fall asleep within minutes. My dreams are filled with Conan's voice and eyes, of us running through meadows in matching leotards, and things are good.