ELIAS

"YOU WANT TO go out . . . on a date? With me?" I questioned, trying not to break out dancing with excitement right there in the hallway. "Of course." 

I was smiling like an idiot on the outside, but in the inside, I was having a whole party. A date. I'm going out on a date with Rylie. I wasn't shocked, considering everything that happened yesterday, but that didn't stop me from being excited. 

"Last night, I was thinking of places we could go," she suggested as we climbed down a mildly crowded stairwell, students here and there. "Do you have any suggestions?"

On our way to the lunchroom, we ended up discussing places we could go to for our date. It took quite some thinking, but we both agreed it would be nice to dine at a restaurant, specifically on the same day where the TCVA winners will be announced. If I win, dinner will be the perfect way to celebrate, but if not, that doesn't mean that dinner will be any less special. 

For lunch, I ended up ordering a brown rice bowl with teriyaki chicken and vegetables alongside apple slices and water. Once both of our lunches were paid for, we trotted to our usual table. Surprisingly, Nora and Cannon were already there, mooning over a photo on Cannon's phone as if they were staring at a newborn baby. 

I was too excited about the date that I could hardly manage to eat my food. By the time lunch period was over, I barely managed to get done with my rice bowl, even if I already ate the vegetables, apple slices, and drunk about half of my water. I felt butterflies flow freely in my stomach as I threw away my food. My brain still couldn't comprehend the fact that I will be going out on a date with Rylie. 

Cannon, who seemed to notice how excited I was, could tell. "Why are you so excited, Eli?"

"Rylie asked me out on a date. A date," I sort of squealed like a crazy fangirl. An excited one, too. 

"No way. That's crazy," Cannon's mouth spread open with shock. "When is it going to be? We need to discuss what you're going to wear, what you two are gonna do . . ."

"It's going to be on Saturday, the same day where the art contest winners will be announced," I raved as we steered our way around a mob of students. In between classes, there is no such thing as a clear path to walk through, specifically in a straight line. You always have to curve your way around people who decided it would be nice to create traffic and stand around in the middle of the halls. 

That's Crews, for you. 

"That's so exciting," Cannon cheered as we sauntered inside our next period. Within the time frame of class almost starting, I informed him about yesterday, specifically about the kiss. It made my stomach churn, but in a good way. Everything that happened was a first, and I definitely don't want it to be my last. 

***

Two days later, a cloudy Thursday after school, Cannon agreed to lend me a ride home. I patiently waited at the exit that lead to the student parking lot for him, since I already had all the belongings I needed to head home. The problem with getting a ride from someone is simply waiting. You always have to be on someone else's time, not your own. That's how it is for me all the time, since I don't have a car. A lot of times, I can't even borrow my mom or dad's car because they take it back and forth to work and other places during the day. 

I can't exactly say it's okay, because it isn't, however, I don't mind waiting in a time like this. As soon as I get home, I'll have to dig my head into some textbook and study. It'll have to be done sooner or later, but for now, I was slouched on a bench outside the student parking lot, right under the shade of the outdoor roof, sketching away a skyscraper in my sketchpad. Probably the third one I've used up this year. In my opinion, my sketchbooks are pages upon pages of random thoughts expressed on paper. 

Endless thoughts expressed on paper, actually. 

I took a moment to check the time on my phone. It was two-thirty five, around fifteen or so minutes after the school day ended. By now, the corridors were empty and the exterior exits weren't opening and shutting every second. Other than students who stayed for extracurricular activites and several teachers, there was hardly anyone left at school, except for students who were waiting on their rides home. 

By now, Cannon should've been done with gathering all this things. Instead of shooting him a text to see where he was, I headed inside to get him, because chances are, he probably wouldn't answer anytime soon. I walked my way to the corridor where his locker was. It didn't take me long to get there because there weren't any students blocking the way. Sure, I passed a few janitors wiping windows with glass cleaner and cloth and a librarian wheeling a cart of books into and elevator, but it wasn't bad. They weren't all bunched up together, like a crowd. 

To my surprise, he wasn't anywhere to be seen. I wasn't about to search the entire school for him, so I shot him a text, questioning where he was. I made a sharp U-turn to head down the nearest stairwell to go to the art room. The chances of him being there are slim, but it's worth a shot. Midway through the stairs, the steps of another person sauntering to the bottom like I was ringed my ears from behind me. My head swung back to see who it was. 

Rylie was there, practically rushing her way down to me. Her shoulder-length natural twists swayed back and forth as she approached me, a shocked grin spread across her face. "I didn't expect to see you here, Elias. You're normally in the art room at this time," she took a heavy breath. "Are you heading home?" 

"I am, but I'm looking for Cannon. He's giving me a ride. You?" I said as my thumb brushed on the smooth railing of the stairs. 

"I'm going home, as well. I'm just waiting for Nora. We're supposed to go shopping or something," Rylie chirped as she dug her hands into the pocket of her hoodie. It was light grey and had Squidward plastered over it. I couldn't help but smile, since SpongeBob used to be one of my favorite television shows. 

"I'm just really excited for our date, Rylie. I can't believe it'll be after tomorrow," I raved as we went through a set of double-doors. "I've been saving up and everything." 

"Same here," her eyes met mine before her phone pinged. She took it out of her pocket to see what was up. "Nora is outside waiting for me. I have to go now." 

"See you tomorrow," I said before she could leave, but I wrapped my arms around her to give her a brief hug. She returned the favor before pulling away, facing me with a slight smile before disappearing to the broad corridor that led to the student parking lot. 

I smiled to myself as I hiked to the hallway with all the art and woodworking classes. I peeked my head through the doorway of Ms. Edwards' classroom, my eyes instantly widening. What my eyes were currently seeing was something I would never expect to see ever in my life. 

Axel and Cannon were there at our usual table, Ms. Edwards nowhere to be seen. They were sitting on separate stools, Cannon's arms wrapped around Axel's body. Axel did the unthinkable by leaning his head on Cannon's shoulder. 

"They wouldn't approve of this," Axel muttered as he sort of shook his head. "They just wouldn't." 

"Everything will be okay . . . they'll eventually understand, hopefully," Cannon reassured him as he brushed his shaggy, raven black hair with his free hand. 

Who is they? What were they talking about? Why are they cuddling with each other? I had so many questions, but I knew one thing: there was no way Axel was gay—or at least bi. Is he and Cannon together? There's no way, since Axel just broke up with Adrienne. The only way to get answers was to ask. 

"Uh . . . What's going on?" I croaked as I cleared my throat. Both of their eyes widened with shock as Axel got up from Cannon, his hand cupped over his mouth.

"I— Elias," Axel muttered as he threw his backpack on his shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for Cannon," I replied briefly as I shot him a perplexed look. "You guys were cuddling. I don't mean to be nosy, but are you two . . ." I lightly made gestures with my fingers. 

"We're not, Eli. We were just . . ." Cannon answered as his voice trailed off, "hugging. That's all." 

I shrugged, satisfied enough with the answer as I neared our usual table. My mind still reflected off to everything I just saw and heard. All my questions still weren't answered. Maybe I don't need a response, but it'll keep me wondering for quite some time. 

"I know this will sound weird, but what did you mean by they? What did you mean by a certain someone approving of . . . this," I questioned as I took a seat on a stool across from them. 

"It's . . . it's a lot," Axel admitted as his voice trailed off, his eyes fixated on the table. 

"You don't have to share," I assured him as I stared into his eyes. Serious and broken-looking, from view. 

"I've been meaning to do this . . . for a while now," he confessed as he sighed heavily. "I'm bi. There's no other way to put it. Before Cannon knew it, Adrienne was the only person that knew, and that's shorty before we broke up," he shook his head. "My parents are extremely conservative. They wouldn't approve of, well, this."

"They'll have to learn to accept it all once you tell them," Cannon suggested. 

"And that's the problem. They don't really . . . support this. I'm just tired of hiding all this from them, but one day, I'll have to break the news," Axel shook his head. "It's been invading my mind to the point where I decided to just . . . drop out of the art contest." 

My expression was blank. I was shocked to learn new information about Axel. I had no clue that he was bi. He was good at hiding it, maybe because he was dating Adrienne all this time. All of this could've contributed to their breakup, but who knows? 

What shocked me more was that all this was affecting him so badly to the point where he dropped out of TCVA. He looked forward to the contest so much. He could've won again this year possibly. 

"It won't be easy, but I'm wishing you the best of luck, Axel. I truly am," I mustered a hopeful grin. It was the most honest smile I've exchanged with him since forever. 

"Thank you," he returned the smile. 

"I'm rooting for you, as well," Cannon joined in before glancing at his smartwatch. "Looks like we should get home now, Eli. I've kept you waiting long enough."

"You have, but it's all good," I nodded as I adjusted a strap of my backpack. 

//

So... we've learned something new about Axel, have we?

Did you see this coming?