Act Two
-The secrets we’ve made-
I spent the next two days thinking about the kiss Brayden and I had shared. It was impossible to get his heated expression out of my mind, and no matter how hard I tried the memory of his gaze still left me covered in chills.
The day after the kiss he hadn’t been at school. A welcomed break for my overwhelmed thoughts. We shared 5th period art and I already knew seeing his face would trigger something I couldn’t hide. Everyone would see my flushed skin, would watch my eyes dart to him, and sure enough, the rumors would start to fly.
Day two I’d seen him that morning but had promptly avoided him. Even though I knew it made me a coward, I’d left before art. I didn’t know how to face him. Didn’t know how I’d react or how he would. Knowing his cool demeanor I’m sure his gaze would travel over me like a perfect stranger, but I didn’t yet trust myself to do the same.
If it wasn’t for needing my last English credit I would have skipped. I could have gotten away with a week before my parents took notice, but graduating was something I couldn’t risk.
The third morning I’d convinced myself that it was all some stupid game to him. He’d seen me and had teased me in such a way on an impulse. That was that.
However, my theory was shattered when I found Brayden waiting at my locker.
“Yo,” he greeted me was a blank expression, giving me a wave.
I couldn’t respond as I stopped beside him and started to fumble with my lock. I knew if he looked down he would see the goosebumps that were already spreading over my arms. My brain was slipping into frantic mode, an onslaught of all the things I’d hoped to say to him rampaging through me.
“Skip first period and come with me,” he said.
Instinct gripped me, telling me that was a dangerous suggestion. “I−”
“It took me two days, but I figured out what we need to do.”
My fingers froze on the lock, my heart pounding so loud I feared it would echo in the crowded hall. I looked up at him, but his expression was still unreadable.
“Do?” I asked, the word whispering out on a held breath.
“I know a place we can talk in private.” He reached out and took my bag off my shoulder. “Follow me.”
I had no choice but to do as he asked. Like him, I needed to figure this out. If I could talk to him calmly then I could get past this. Is that maybe how he felt too? Maybe the kiss had been an impulse after all and now he regretted it?
Somehow that thought left me with an ache in my stomach.
I followed him down the hall and towards the west end of the campus. We passed many students, all of whom would stop to greet Brayden. He’d wave with his polite smile and tell everyone he’d text them or see them later. No one paid any attention to our direction. They would all return his bright smile; never once would someone think to question him about the odd, shy boy trailing him.
Compared to Brayden I was a shadow. I was opposite of him in every way. My hair was black, his blonde. My eyes dark hazel, his a crystal blue. He was over a head taller than me, and the mass of his body was such that I could hide behind him and not be seen. The idea that a guy like him would even think to kiss me in the first place was just crazy to me.
We approached the back door that lead outside and up to the old vocational buildings.
The cool morning air was fresh, the smell of spring flowers and dew washed over me as we stepped out. Brayden didn’t say anything as we headed up the walkway, and I followed him in silence as we entered a gardened area.
I realized where we were going. He’d been right. No one would be around here at this hour.
“We’re going to the old art club building?” I asked.
“Yeah. Due to reconstruction and such, it won’t be torn down until next year. Since I’m going to college for art soon, the teacher said I could use this place for my studio.”
“I’ve seen your art. It’s pretty amazing.”
“Thanks,” he said over his shoulder.
We walked further until the building appeared between the trees. He pulled a key from his pocket, unlocked the door and ushered me inside. The one room was large, mostly empty except for a large executive style desk, a few chairs and canvases scattered around the floor and on the walls.
There was no heat, and I pulled my arms tight around me as the chill seeped through my thin shirt.
Brayden sat both of our bags down and unzipped his. Crouching over it, he started rummaging through until he pulled out a sheet, a towel, and a clear small bottle. I raised my eyebrow at the odd items, wondering if it was art supplies, but then I read the label on the bottle.
“Lube?” I shouted, my mind turning quickly towards the gutter.
He nodded as he walked over and tossed the sheet over the desk, sitting the lube within reach. “For us.”
“For us?” I repeated back.
I felt dumbfounded. How could he say such a thing? He was as chill as if he was laying out stuff for a picnic.
He walked up to me and took hold of my forearm. I let him lead me, my mind feeling trapped in some twilight zone, until I was standing on the edge of the sheet, my butt up against the desk.
“After the other day I thought about what had happened, Riley, and I decided that I would finish what we started.”
My brain clicked back on. “Finish? That’s your solution? Listen, I know I crashed your fun that time, but an impulsive kiss doesn’t have to lead to this.”
I was speaking normally. This time, unlike the last time, I was forcing myself to hold on to some composure.
“Don’t worry. Though I’ve never done it with another guy I did my homework. I’ll make it good for both of us.”
His hand reached out for my face, just like before, but I leaned back avoiding his touch.
“It was just a kiss. Why would you want to go all the way with a guy over that? You kissed that girl too.”
“I’ve kissed lots of girls.”
