Just Different

Chapter 43

The Smiths played loudly inside the RV. Chester sat kneeled in front of the small refrigerator, stuffing bags of vegetables into it. He put a bag of asparagus on top of a few beef patties and then frowned. He knew there wasn't gonna be space for the brew. But that's why he had a cooler on hand.

He stood up, made his way out of the RV, and towards his car. In there, he had the cooler and foldable lawn chairs. He also had a small TV dinner table he had planned to share with Rob. Around the other side of the RV, there was an old rusted truck with a clearing in front of it. Chester already had the grill set up, he just needed to set up the table and chairs.

After grabbing the chairs out of his car, Chester went around the RV and began setting up. As he was unfolding the second chair, he heard a noise, as if someone opened the RV door. Chester shrugged it off, figuring it was Rob, and went to retrieve the table.

Once everything was set up, Chester decided to go back to the RV to fetch his speakers and Rob. He whistled as he made his way back to the door. He opened the door and started talking. "I got steak burgers from the butcher, I think you'll-" He stopped dead in his tracks. Seated at the table was Mike.

***
Brad surfed through the channels lazily. His phone sat undisturbed on the coffee table. He lay flat out on the couch, in his pj's. His foul mood finally went away, leaving Brad tired and annoyed. He finally settled on a channel and watched the tv. Then his phone buzzed. Brad ignored it, figuring it was maybe Joe that sent him a meme or something. A few more minutes passed and then the phone buzzed again. Sighing, Brad sat up to retrieve it. He turned it on and almost gasped.

Elisa Boren

2 messages

Brad open them.

"Hey, Brad."

"We need to talk. Call me."

Brad stared at the screen in disbelief. Were his attempts worth it then?

He unlocked his phone and dialed Elisa.

"Hello?"

"Hey."

"Hey."

The two teens were silent and timid, both trying to figure out what to say.

"I know the rumors aren't true," Elisa spoke first. But this didn't bring Brad out of his trance. "I know Bennington and R- Bourdon was behind it."

Brad gulped and nodded, then he coughed and cleared his throat, realizing Elisa couldn't see him. "Uh, yeah..."

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for getting mad. I shouldn't have let the gossip get to me."

"It's alright," Brad whispered. "I... I should've given you more reassurance."

They were silent again. 

"Can I walk to school with you?" Elisa asked quietly. Brad smiled.

"Even better, I'll drive you."

***

"What the fuck?"

Mike smirked. "Didn't expect me?"

Chester glared at Mike. "What happened to go our separate ways? Now you show up here? For what?"

Mike shrugged. "I keep seeing you and Rob and-"

"You're jealous." Chester scoffed. It wasn't even a question, he already knew Mike was jealous. "You don't hide it very well. Staring is rude."

"I know you're using him," Mike retorted. 

"Duh, we've been over this," Chester laughed. "I just want my pet to be where I want them when I want them." He smirked now and Mike shook his head, rolling his eyes. "I just want a fuck, Mikey."

"Yes I know, but you're not the stud you paint yourself to be. You're trying to get over me."

Chester's smirk fell right off his face, along with every mask and barrier he made for himself. Mike smirked again. Then he motioned to the seat opposite him. 

"Wanna talk about it?"

Chester hesitated, looking at the table, afraid. Mike was one of the only people that really saw through him. He made Chester vulnerable. He then approached the table, nearly tripping over himself. Sitting down, Chester gulped and was furiously quivering. It was like he was about to be interrogated. It might as well be.

"Why did you start all this, with Brad, Rob, Elisa?"

Chester gulped again. He felt like he was going to choke. "I--I just..." He took a deep breath. Was Mike going to tell everyone? No. Knowing Mike, Chester knew this was between them. "I was...bored. I missed you and I thought Rob was cute. But, he liked Brad and I needed a way to get him to come running to me. I gave Sam the idea that Brad was in the closet and it spread like a wildfire. I also needed to-" He stopped. Was it okay to mention Dave?

"What? It's okay," Mike comforted Chester, been going as far as to reach out for his hand. 

"Dave...he... he tried to f-fuck me when I didn't want to. He leaves me alone when I'm with Rob, and I guess he got tired of trying to talk to me again... I just didn't want him around anymore."

Mike nodded, taking everything Chester said. At this moment, Chester was beginning to tear up. He sniffled ad grasped Mike's hand. 

"I hate my life, Mike. Look where I live. Just because my parents don't give a single shit. I have only one friend right now and I've been using him. The money I had saved up is almost gone and Dave's not around to give me more for-" He stopped again. 

"You don't have to continue." Mike rubbed his thumb on Chester's hand, feeling the hurt and pain Chester just poured out to him. He felt sorry for the other boy, wishing he stuck around to keep Chester company. 

"Chester... I want to apologize."

"F-for what?"

"Lying. To everyone. I painted you out to be some perverted monster and you took it with pride. He became something else and shut yourself away from everything. I took everything from you."

Chester sniffled and reached to grab Mike's other hand.

"I'm sorry for turning into such a bully afterward. I didn't handle it well."

They held hands and stared at each other.

"I love you." 

Mike's heart stopped. He couldn't tell who said it first. But he knew he wanted to be the first to kiss Chester. He leaned in over the table and pressed his lips in Chester's. Chester kissed him back with the same eagerness. They continued to kiss until they felt like they were too far. 

"Come here," Chester whispered. He stood up, keeping Mike's right hand. He lead him to the back of the RV and slid the door shut.