"Hello, Willy..." The man said tiredly to the dog, laying on the couch as he didn't feel like sleeping in his bedroom alone without Willy. He snuggled into a ball, grabbing the blanket on the couch to cover himself. He made a vow to never work until closing time again, especially since he had to open the diner the next morning.

"Oh god... Come on... One more day then it is in the weekend." He said, about to close his eyes when his phone went off, the loud ringtone of Cannibal letting him know it was his friend Eugene Jackson, who everyone called EJ. He yanked it out of his pocket, answering the phone.

"Hey, Tim! Want to party?" EJ asked, Tim groaning at the thought making the man on the other end silent for a moment. "You didn't let them give you closing then open shift again did you?"

"Maybe..." Tim said.

"You need to stick up for yourself! Come on man!" EJ yelled at him, Tim sighing and running his hands through his brown hair as he took out a cigarette from his pocket.

"Yeah... But what am I to do? I need the money, EJ..."

"Tell them to give you a raise and fuck off..." Tim gaped, freezing just before he lighted his cigarette.

"Great... And lose the only job that'll pay the bills here? Scratch that, the only one that'll hire me that'll pay the bills?" Tim groaning, lighting his cigarette before sucking on it long and deep.

"You know I will spot ya the cash if ya need it, Timmy!"

"I don't need a loan... I need a better job..."

"Why don't you come work for me at the CPC?" Tim chuckled, the name for the club EJ was the manager at was owned by some guy named Mr. S, no one seeing him except for some rare moments when he came to the club.

"You could really get me a job there?" Tim asked in disbelief, you having to be unique like having a strange ability to get a job there,

"Yeah yeah I can. I gotz the connections, Tim!"

"Tell me when I got the job and I'll tell my boss to suck it..." Tim said, chuckling as he smoked his cigarette slowly now, much more relaxed.

"You gotta cut back on the packs, Timmy..."

"Okay, mom..." Tim said, sarcastic but he put out the cigarette anyway. He knew it was a bad habit but he only smoked one cigarette a day, twice a day on stressful ones.

"You will thank me son!" EJ said, Tim laughing before talking some more, ending up saying goodbye thirty minutes later after agreeing to go out to see the club himself.

"Well, Willy... I guess I better get some good clothes on..." Tim said, getting up reluctantly and heading to his room to get changed. Another thirty minutes later EJ was honking his horn in Tim's driveway making Tim run out so EJ wouldn't wake his neighbors. Tim went into the passenger side, smacking EJ lightly.

"Dude! I have neighbors!"

"Fuck da police, and fuck yo neighbors. Get in, mah homie!" Tim sighed, getting in and he barely shut the door before EJ zoomed out of his driveway and down the road, having to scramble to put on his seatbelt.

"You're going to get us pulled over!" Tim said, holding onto the armrest as EJ obviously wasn't caring about the speed limit.

"FUCK. DA. POLICE!" EJ said, smirking.

"Do you want to party or spend the night in a boring Jail cell?" Tim asked, knowing that would get through to his friend.

"...Fruck." EJ said, slowing down. He frowns, not liking the 'slow' life. "You always have to ruin my fun, man?"

"When it means we can live to party some more than yeah..." Tim said, smiling as he leaned back and EJ glanced at him with a smirk.

"You partying means one beer and standing in a corner. Wow. You are an ANIMAL!" EJ said, acting shocked.

"Is it bad that I like to just enjoy myself... You know what... Fine! I'll drink two beers!" Tim said, chuckling as EJ groaned at his lameness.

"Man! You need to live some! Have like ten beers and just use that smokin body of yours to groove on the dance floor." EJ starts doing a little hula dance in his seat.

"EJ... Come on... When have I ever danced? Except for that one time at the Christmas party last year."

"When I spiked your drink... That. Was. Amazing."

"Surprisingly, a spiked drink tastes better than a regular beer..."

"I know! It's like BOOM! FLAVOR!" EJ said, bouncing in his seat.

"If you can spike one of my drinks tonight without me knowing, I'll dance... BUT! You only have two chances as I am only having two beers." Tim challenged, doing it because he liked to dance actually, but not while sober.

"Challenge accepted. I was planning on doing it anyway..." He said, shrugging. He pulls out his phone, and starts texting, not actually looking at the phone while driving.

""EJ! Texting while driving! Haven't you heard any of the commercials! Arrive alive man!" Tim yelled, seeing the club in the distance.

"I am watching the road.... I am a master of texting." He said, grinning wildly.

"Why is this place so loud?" Tim asked, changing the subject as they pulled up to the club.

"Music is SUPPOSED to be loud."

"It's supposed to be at an average volume, just enough to hear..." Tim joked, getting out of the car making him wish he had brought his noise canceling earbuds.

"Dude, its a club. LOUD, PROUD, and all hell to get out. Now, get in, and get the bartender's number." EJ said, sliding out.

"EJ!" Tim yelled, blushing slightly as he waited for his friend to come up to him before chewing him out about how he definitely will NOT get numbers and the main thing was to see if he could actually get the job.

"Get all the numbas! Get them all! Ladies! Gentlemen! Let's frack them all!" EJ said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Did you listen to a word I just said?"

"LADIES!" EJ says, strolling up to a couple of college girls.

"Oh my god..." Tim said, following his friend with his head in his hands.

"Heyy baby what's your sign? You look like a virgo to me..." EJ said, winking as he slid an arm around one.

"I am so sorry about him..." Tim said, apologizing for the lame pick up line. The other girls smiled at him, giggling and Tim wondered why.

"Ladies, this is Tim, my wing man. He is single, loves walks on the beach, and is all about money..." EJ said, winking at Tim.

"Really? How romantic are you?" Tim gave her a blank stare, trying to figure out a way to say he wasn't interested.

"I don't think I'm your type..."

"Yeah, I am more your type, sugar." EJ said, wiggling his eyebrows. The girl ignored EJ, twirling her hair and batting her eyes at Tim.

"What type do you like? I can be anything you want to be..." The girl said, giving him a hot look and he looked to EJ for help.

"Back off! I was looking for a threesome partner! Tim is MY BOYFRIEND!" EJ said, before hugging Tim. He whispered to the man. "Saved ya bro..."

"Very funny..." The girl said dryly looking to Tim and he sighed, putting his hands together.

"He's right about one thing... I like the type of people with dicks." Tim said, the girl gaping as her friends laughed at her failed attempt and they walked away quickly.

"But I am single ladies! Please! I AM LONELY!" EJ said, falling to his knees.

"Why don't girls leave me alone and go after you? What do they find attractive about me...?" Tim sighed, pulling up his friend.

"You are too smexy for your own good! You are the mysterious loner, and chicks dig that." EJ said, sighing. "Looks like I am sticking to chloroform..."

"Have fun with that... Now let's go into the club and get you a few beers..." Tim said, pulling out some money he was saving for a rainy day but he thought now would be as best as any.

"Yeah! Release the kraken!" EJ said, nodding as he ran inside. Tim laughed and walked inside calmly, wincing at the loud music pumping through his ears and shaking his body. He immediately lost his friend but when he finally found the bar a beer had already been ordered for him with a note on the napkin saying 'Have fun!'.

"Hello kid. You look out of place..." A man said, pale with black hair. He had a wild grin on his face, and endless eyes.

"Who's your friend? I know all the regulars..." The guy said, smirking.

"He works here as a manager... You know EJ?" he asked, wondering if this guy worked here also.

"Oh the cannibal... Yes. I do. He is a real 'lady killer', eh?" The man said, laughing. Tim wondered how he knew his and EJ's little joke but he guessed that EJ knew him well enough to let him in on it.

"I guess... Who are you?" Tim asked, sipping his beer to taste that it was spiked and he planned to finish it once the man left.

"The name is Jeffrey. I work as the bouncer of sorts." He said, smirking.

"Cool..." Tim said, unimpressed as he could tell Jeff's eyes were wandering over his body.

"I also offer entertainment." He said, snickering.

"What kind?" He asked, wondering if he was a magician or something as he sipped his drink once more.

"I am... a beautifying artist... and a comedian." He said, chuckling, as he liked his wording of it.

"Great... Tell me about your beautifying..." Tim asked.

"It is all in the smile..." He said, smiling brightly. "I work with people who need to... smile more."

"If you ask EJ about it he would say I need that..." Tim said, chuckling as he knew he was a loner but he didn't care,

"Maybe I will work on you later..." Jeff said, smiling.

"I don't think I need help... And if EJ says anything different tell him to shut it..." Tim smiled as he got the other man to chuckle.

"EJ is... erratic, but aren't we all?" Jeff said, smiling.

"I prefer to think myself as the more... practical one... unless you get me angry of course..." Tim said, smiling as he was having a normal ish conversation with someone.

"Practical? Explain..."

"Just tonight he was driving way too fast and I had to explain to him that if he didn't want to spend the night in jail he would have to slow down... Or the time he tried to jump off the roof into a pool that was much too far away..." Tim sighed, wishing he could be the stupid one sometimes.

"EJ is the... lively one." Jeff said, shaking his head.

"Sometimes I wish I could be like that until my brain tells me how stupid it is to wish to act dumb..." Tim said, taking another larger sip.

"I do it sometimes..." Jeff said.

"Act dumb?" Tim asked, not sure what he meant.

"Do dumb things." He said, chuckling.

"Don't you regret it the next day?" Tim asked, slightly regretting to accept the drink because he forgot it made his vision all weird, but in a good way and he felt like he could talk about anything.

"Naw... I usually do it while drunk. Man, I am legendary among the masses that see me though..." Jeff said, smirking as he saw the slight sway of Tim.

"I'm going to be drunk after this beer though..." Tim giggled, feeling hips hips start to move to the beat on their own accord.

"Care to dance with me?" Jeff asked, holding out a hand.

"Sure..." Tim said, taking a big swig before putting it down as his mind went hazy and he took the hand. Jeff pulled him to the middle of the dance floor, snapping his fingers three times and a dance song came on. Jeff moved swiftly to the beat, Tim doing the same and he was surprisingly nimble for a drunk man. Jeff soon pulled Tim close to him and he blushed at feeling his body against Jeff's.

"I don't believe I caught your name..." Jeff said in his ear, Tim purring.

"It's Tim..."

"Like... Timothy? The guy who wants to apply here?" Jeff asked, curious.

"Yeah... Sorry if I've made a weird impression..." Tim said, moving his hair out of his eyes as he was kept close to Jeff by one hand.

"I like you... I will recommend keeping you..." He said, winking, though it looked weird.

"Thanks... I'm starting to believe your smile job as I haven't smiled this much in weeks..." Tim said, a big smile on his face.

"See? Never doubt the employees here, Tim... We take our jobs seriously." He said, smiling the biggest yet.

"I work at this sucky diner right now... And my boss hates my guts so I'm hoping I get this job.. I'll already know two people here." Tim said, swaying to the beat once more as he let Jeff lead the next song.

"What diner? Maybe I will pay your soon to be ex-boss a visit!" Jeff asked, eyes flashing. Tim laughed, thinking it was a joke before explaining it was the one off of 67.

"I know the place, I will go later on, for you." He said, swinging Tim around. Tim giggled, feeling like he was flying and he nodded at Jeff.

"Okay! Hey, you want a drink?" Tim asked, willing to pay a drink for a man who gave him such happiness.

"I get free drinks, toots, but let me treat you to an unspiked drink." He said, helping him to the bar. Tim was surprisingly able to walk, the spiked drink full effects not lasting long but he still let himself be led by the handsome man.

"What is your poison?" Tim asked, making conversation.

"Rum... I be a pirate drinker." Jeff said, laughing at the lame joke.

"I prefer the lighter stuff... Doesn't take me long before I'm actually drunk..." Tim said, smiling as he seemed to connect with Jeff.

"I am a very tolerant drinker. I can down maybe 2 vodka bottles before getting tipsy." Jeff said, pausing. "Maybe I have a drinking problem."

"If you don't drink all the time in excess than it's not a drinking problem... Some people have a natural tolerance for drinking... I actually did a paper on it... Though it was an F because it was inappropriate for school..." Tim snickered, remembering that day.

"Fuck schools man. Education is best when done at home."

"School's brought some good memories..." Tim said, Jeff shaking his head and ordered a bottle of Vodka and Tim mentioned he never had the stuff before making Jeff gape at him.

"Its the stuff Russians are made of... Are you not Russian?!"

"I'm part Russian... Does that count?" Tim asked, giggling as Jeff smiled at him.

"Then we drink, comrade!" Jeff said, smiling.

"What does Vodka taste like?" Tim asked, slightly nervous as the strong odor of alcohol came off of it as Jeff poured him a small shot.

"LIke rainbows and sparkles and manliness..."

"Okay... I'm going to trust you on this..." Tim said, picking up the drink before just swigging it down, causing him to cough violently as it was a horrid taste and it burned going down. Jeff only laughed and patted his back.

"As I told you, manliness." Jeff said, laughing.

"Manliness tastes like cur..." Tim said, finally catching his breath as some others took their shots with ease, smirking at him in amusement.

"I know, but man it is the alcohol of kings."

"Give me another..." Tim said, strained but the pure alcohol made him feel warm and he liked it.

"Another vodka shot for this fine young man!" Tim smiled as another was poured, looking at Jeff only for him to motion for him to drink it. Tim drank it quickly once again, except this time there was less coughing and more warmth, Tim closing his eyes to enjoy it fully.

"Mmm..." Tim murmured, feeling himself moving to the beat once more causing Jeff to smirk.

"See?" Jeff said, taking in a whole shot. "Good stuff!"

"Uh-huh..." Tim said, leaning against Jeff a little and Jeff stroked his back causing him to smile. This was much better than being spiked, much more warm.

"So, do you want to meet up with your interviewer?" Tim smiled and tried to compose himself only to giggle as the world spun.

"Do you think that is a good idea right now?" Tim asked, feeling the buzz mess with his vision.

"I believe in you!" He said, laughing.

"Then let's go!" Tim said, jumping down from the stool only to wobble as he saw stars for a second.

"Maybe we should wait awhile..." Jeff said, rethinking his idea.

"Maybe... What do you want to do until then?" Tim asked, wondering where EJ was but then he realized he probably got lucky with some girl.

"Learn more about you, Tim." Jeff said, winking.

"Like what?" He purred, Jeff standing up from the stool.

"How old are you?"

"Turning 24 this year... You?" Tim asked, smiling as Jeff chuckled, starting to love the sound already.

"I am 25." Jeff said, smirking as he realized he was older.

"So, you have more experience in life..." Tim said.

"By two years."

"Still more life experience... Tell me about your... Beautifying business." Tim said, wanting to keep the topic off of himself and Jeff smirked.

"Well... My beauty secrets are... secret, but I make people beautiful."

"That sounds cool... Do you do it for guys also...?" He asked, feeling more sober as the buzz weared off and he wished he could stay drunk longer than for 20 minutes.

"Yeah..." Jeff said, nodding. Tim felt like the conversation was getting awkward so he decided to change the subject.

"How about we go see the interviewer now? I'm feeling better..." Tim said, smiling as he jumped down before holding out a hand.

"Sure... Right this way, Tim.." Jeff said, leading him to the back. The loud music was significantly dulled, like it was almost soundproofed. Tim took deep silent breaths, sobering himself up even more.

"What is the interviewer's name?" Tim asked.

"He's EJ's cousin, LJ. He is a clowner, so... try to make him laugh and you are in."

"You mean Lance?" Tim asked, walking to the door with Jeff, Jeff knocking hard.

"Yeah..." He said, before the door opened.

"TIMMY!!!" Lance yelled, hugging the man as he laughed.

"Hello again, LJ..." Tim said, being squeezed a bit too hard.

"As you can see, he is very... loud."

"I am NOT LOUD!! I'm just EXCITED!!" LJ yelled, throwing chocolate in the air before laughing as he went back into his office was with Tim following.

"I'm here about a job? EJ was supposed to give me a reference?" Tim said.

"Yes he did! I just called your old boss and told him he can suck my lollipop!"

"So I got the job?!" Tim asked in shock.

"Yes! You are our new bartender/listener!"

"So, I just make drinks and listen to people?" Tim asked, thinking that was an easy job as he went to a bartending school for two years.

"Yes! Exactly!" LJ said, nodding.

"Sounds perfect.. But how much does it pay?" Tim asked, wondering as he did have his own house and a dog he had to pay for.

"Very good, 11 dollars an hour plus tips."

"That's much better than my last job." Tim said, shocked that a job like this would make so much.

"Now, you gotta get your attire and your grin on, so head on into that room and put on the uniform."

"Okay..." Tim said, not realizing he had to start tonight and he went to the room to see an outfit already laid out. He put it on before looking in the mirror to see he liked it except it looked a bit too revealing for his tastes. It was short shorts with a cute top with his nametag on it. He came out and showed LJ, him giving a thumbs up.

"Now get out there and drown them! Except Ben... He needs to be cut off after a certain point."

"Make sure you give me schedule for working here by the end of the night, alright?" Tim said, flashing his best smile before walking out. He headed to the bar to find a note from the last bartender saying he took too long so he left and a lot of people wanting beer but they quieted down once they saw his outfit before starting once again,

"Margarita!"

"Bud lite!"

"Budweiser!"

"Bloody Mary!"

In less than five minutes Tim had gotten all of their drinks done and everyone happy with minimal wolf whistles and pick up lines from the customers. Jeff walked over, and sat at the bar, smiling as he watched the young man work. Tim didn't notice him until he got everything under control, flashing his brightest smile at Jeff before heading toward him.

"What's your poison?" Tim asked, his smile brighter than Jeff's as he felt happy at this new job already.

"I like the venom of rattlesnakes, actually." He said, smirking.

"Well cowboy, there aren't no rattlesnakes here... I have a nice shot of vodka or rum for you though..." Tim teased the slightly older man, washing a shot glass.

"Than ye' kindly, mister." Jeff said, taking on a southern accent. "A bit of rum for me, if ye don't mind..."

"Of course..." Tim giggled, some men looking at Jeff in jealousy as Tim poured a big shot of rum for him. "Large one for the cowboy..."

"Thank you, young man." He said, before glaring at the men with the evilest sneer he had. "He's MINE. Back off." The men quickly made an exit, and he chuckled. "That did it... You should have an easier time now."

"T-thanks..." Tim said, blushing slightly as he couldn't believe Jeff said that. It was fine with EJ because he knew the man was joking.

"Hey! You got the job!" Speaking of EJ there he was with a red head in his arms. Jeff seemed to be annoyed for a moment with EJ showing up but his face turned into a smile.

"Yes he did. He is a natural too." Jeff said.

"Well, I know that in college he was the local bartender at parties... Never drank himself but when he did it was only one beer... How much have you had to drink tonight? That one beer I got you?" EJ laughed drunkenly as the girl giggled as she was probably drunk too.

"I actually tried vodka." Tim replied, starting to mix up a drink someone called out for. EJ scoffed at him, not believing him.

"I made him a real man." Jeff said proudly, chuckling.

"I don't believe you." EJ said, Tim shrugging.

"Your loss..." Tim said. "So, why did you ditch me earlier?"

"I met up with this cutie and showed her around..." EJ said, the girl giggling.

"What's her name?" He asked.

"Jazmine..." EJ said, grabbing her ass. "She's coming with me to the VIP room, if you know what I mean!"

"Have fun..." Tim said, not knowing how EJ could just sleep with anybody and not care. "Just... try to sober up before you do anything..."

"Hell naw! Being drunk is half the fun!" EJ said, luring the girl away.

"It'll probably be more fun sober!" Tim said after him, but he was gone and Tim banged his head on the counter. "What am I to do with him?"

"Sell him to the gypsies?"

"Already tried that... They gave him back..." Tim chuckled, swooping up and starting the drinks as a crowd suddenly came to the counter. After he dealt with it he went back to Jeff. "Sorry about that..."

"It's the job." Jeff said, waving it off. "So, pretty boy, tell me about yourself."

"Well... Um..." Tim blushed at the pretty boy comment, not used to getting hit on by guys and he started to explain things about him without going into too much detail or too much into his past.

"Cool beans. You ever karaoke?" Jeff asked, curious.

"Me? Oh no... I've always been too afraid to try..." He said, shifting his feet.

"I bet you would be amazing..." Jeff said, winking.

"I bet not..." Tim said, not knowing why he was blushing so much but he knew his cheeks felt warm.

"How much?" Jeff asks, eyes bright.

"I'll either do anything or pay 25 bucks..." Tim bet, not realizing what he was saying before Jeff stood up.

"Here you go." Jeff said, putting down money. "Get out there and sing, baby."

"I have to work..." He said, not wanting to mess up on his first day.

"Entertainment after work then?" He said, smirking.

"Okay... But I'm telling you I won't lose..."

"You better sing a song I like..." He said, chuckling.

"What songs DO you like?" He asked, moving his hips as a song played that he liked. Jeff stared at his hips, lost for a minute.

"This one..." He murmured, watching his hips. Tim followed Jeff's eyes to his hips and he swirled them trying to show he noticed the staring and he liked it. "Damn... you single?"

"Does it look like I'd have a boyfriend?" Tim asked, bringing his hips within arms reach and Jeff reached out for them only to have Tim to pull away making Jeff groan.

"It's not nice to tease..."

"What are you going to do about it, handsome?" Tim teased, swirling his once more as he brought them closer slowly.

"I am going to ask you on a date." Jeff said, serious.

"W-what?" Tim said, blushing slightly as he wondered if Jeff was messing around.

"A date. You. Me. Date." He said, smiling.

"Ok... Date. Time. Activity." Tim answered, his heart lighting up and butterflies were flying everywhere, never having been asked out on a date.

"Park. Picnic? After work?"

"Sure, but I thought you wanted to me to do Karaoke after work?" He asked, not knowing when after work would be actually as he was never given a time he was allowed to leave.

"Ech. I want a date more." Jeff said, stretching.

"Perfect... See you after work?" Tim asked, Jeff nodding before he left to actually do his job and Tim was then swamped for the next few hours until closing time at around 6 am the next day. Tim was exhausted from quickly running around behind the bar and from working at the diner the day before and having to work all night. Tim was cleaning up the bar, thinking about all the stories the customers had told him when Jeff strolled up to the bar without Tim noticing him.

"Looks like you had a night..." Tim jumped from suddenly seeing Jeff and he nodded.

"Yep... Are we still on for our date though?" He asked, the one thing that had been getting him through some of the stories some of the customers had.

"Sure. Get dressed and we can go."

"Of course..." Tim said, heading to the back and got dressed quickly before heading back out to see Jeff was waiting for him, wearing his own street clothes. "Hey, you look nice..."

"Thanks. It's original." Jeff said, smirking. Tim was staring at Jeff's outfit, it looking very familiar but he didn't know where and he started getting a headache with his world starting to change a little.

"I bet... Look, I'm going to go to the bathroom first and then we'll get out of here, alright?" Tim said, heading for the men's room.

"I will wait here." Jeff said, leaning against the door. Tim quickly made his way through the bathroom before bringing out a couple of pills from his pocket and he downed them quickly, everything becoming normal once more. He sighed, looking in the mirror before washing his hands and heading out to see Jeff was talking with LJ.

"Hey you two.. What are you talking about?" Tim said, smiling as Jeff looked at him happily.

"About how I bagged the new boy." Jeff said, winking. Tim blushed and LJ looked at him with excitement written on his face.

"THIS IS SO CUTE!!" He yelled, smiling big and Tim laughed as he was hugged.

"I ship it." Jeff said, smirking.

"You can't ship yourself..." Tim said, Jeff only taking his hand.

"Yes I can." He said, his voice a little deeper making Tim shiver a bit.

"O-ok..." He said, feeling lost in Jeff's eyes when he looked into them.

"Now, let's go get some ice cream and go to the park!"

"Are any of the ice cream parlors open at 6 am?" He asked, not sure any would be.

"Of course! Come, its called Creamy Corner." Jeff said, running outside like a child.

"See you later LJ..." Tim said, running after Jeff.

Jeff was getting into a white truck, massive in size. He smirks and honks the horn repeatedly.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Tim yelled, opening the passenger side door and lifting himself into the huge truck. He closed the door, shivering as the huge truck roared to life and a lot of horsepower zoomed through him.

"Like it? I call him Nighttime, cuz this rocker can put you to sleep while parked!"

"Yeah... I can feel it...." Tim said, the vibrations making him feel sleepy already as he always fell asleep in car rides.

"So, let's put it in drive and go!" He said, smirking.

"You enjoy being powerful don't you?" Tim asked, Jeff nodding quickly.

"Yessss..." Jeff says, revving the engine. Tim leaned back, letting the vibrations go through him to his heart as though he was at a very loud concert.

"Who needs power when you have a Jalopy..." Tim joked, not having one but he laughed when he saw Jeff gape at him.

"Tell me you don't have one of those shitbuckets!!"

"Of course not! I'm not THAT stupid!" Tim laughed.

"Thank the gods..."

"Let's go before all their ice cream melts..." Tim said, pointing toward the road as he posed like a superhero.

"Shall I speed?" Jeff asked, wondering if he liked that sort.

"It's your truck.. I don't mind..." Tim said, actually liking to speed in big trucks or cars like these.

"Yeah!" Jeff pressed down on the petal, and the truck roared as it sped up. Tim felt free and excited, like everything was dangerous with Jeff around and he knew he was acting rebellious but he didn't care. All he cared about was that he was having the time of his life.

Soon enough, they were in front of a small ice cream shop, with a huge ice cream cone on the outside. Tim was giggling at a very funny story that Jeff had just told him, stopping once they pulled into a parking space.

"What are you getting?" Tim asked, getting out his money only to have Jeff stop him.

"Strawberry..." He said, licking his thin lips.

"Do you want me to pay or you?" Tim asked, watching the tongue before looking away.

"I shall pay, pretty boy!" Jeff said, getting out of the truck. Tim once again blushed at being called pretty and he looked down as he got out of the truck.

"Why do you call me that?" Tim asked, Jeff leading him inside.

"Cuz you are a pretty boy."

"I'm not that pretty..." Tim mumbled, stepping inside only to go from warm summer night to cold ice cream parlor and he rubbed his arms to warm them up.

"Shoulda worn a jacket." Jeff said, before walking up to the counter.

"Didn't plan on coming here." Tim countered, walking with him when the girl at the counter turned around asking their orders.

"I want a strawberry shake for me, with extra whip cream." Jeff said, smiling.

"Really, Jeff? Another boy you're toying around with?" The girl said, Tim giving Jeff a look.

"Another boy you're toying with?" Tim asked, not really caring as he didn't think this would last long anyway as they never did but deep down he hoped it wouldn't be like his last date which was a year ago which was turning out just like this one.

"No toying... This one has spunk." Jeff said, chuckling.

"I hope not... This one's actually cute... Now, what do you want cutie?" Tim was surprised that the conversation had changed and he ordered vanilla with whip cream, chocolate syrup, and a cherry on top.

"Sounds divine, lovely... See you both in a few..." The girl winked at Jeff and he sat down with him at the counter, not saying anything.

"So, Tim, tell me about your life."

"Well, I think I've already told you a bunch of stuff already about it..." Tim said, hoping he wouldn't ask about his past or ask too much about it.

"Fine... I was raised by a good family, but they died when I was a teenager. In a fire." Jeff said, not sounding sad. Tim looked away, wishing that had happened with him.

"I'm... Sorry to hear that..." Tim said, not sure what else to say.

"So, tell me about your parents, Tim." Tim froze at the question before shaking his head.

"You don't want to hear about it... Trust me.." Tim said, Jeff looking at him strangely.

"Why not? I want to get to know you. All of you. Your light and shadows."

"I just..." Tim mumbled something afterward, Jeff unable to hear it.

"I will stay your friend and stuff, if that's the issue." Jeff said, smiling softly.

"I just don't remember..." Tim said simply, sighing as Jeff gave him a confused look.

"Amnesia?" Jeff said, nodding.

"It's not just that... I just... I was 17 walking in the woods then suddenly I was 21 in a new house and I had a job I didn't sign up for in a town I didn't know... But people knew me... I had friends I didn't know and a job I didn't know... I was states away from my old home and when I tried calling my parents the line was disconnected... I still don't know how I got to this town or why I was here. I only knew my dog's name because of his name tag. It's been almost three years now..." Tim said, feeling better after talking about it after not saying a word that long but he regretted it after seeing Jeff's face. It was in shock and Jeff blinked once.

"Sounds like you were wiped." Jeff said, shaking his head. "I am sorry you don't know your past."

"I've gotten used to it after a month... But what I would like to know is what happened... At least that day..." Tim said, shutting up as the girl came over and gave them their ice creams.

"I vow to help you get your memory back, Tim." He whispered, winking. He waited until the girl left before talking.

"I have these dreams... I write them down and even though they don't make sense I believe they are pieces of my memories..." He said, swirling around his ice cream to mix it up.

"Sounds crazy... Then again, so am I!" He said, chuckling.

"So, you really believe me? EJ didn't... I soon stopped trying to tell people..."

"I believe you one hundred percent, Tim. You seem like a honest guy."

"Thank you... I'm glad you say that because you're the first..." Tim said, smiling as he looked down at his shake, the chocolate swirls making weird symbols.

"So, tell me about your dreams."

"They are in different places... But I'm always wearing a mask... I've seen it once in a reflection in my dream and it looked feminine, I actually drew a picture of it in my dream journal and I always see this one symbol in most of my dreams... It's a circle with an X through it..." Tim explained, happy he had someone to help him.

He tenses for only a millisecond, before nodding.

"Alright..."

"It's nothing. Symbolism. Your mask must mean you made a huge mistake in the past, and you are hiding from it." Jeff said, rubbing his chin.

"It seems more like memories than dreams... I felt as though I was actually wearing it, like I could feel the texture and weight of it." Tim said, thinking hard as he looked at the receipt the girl had given him and he turned it over, drawing the mask. "This is what it looks like. Does it look familiar?"

"Ah... Yes. It looks a like a porcelain doll's face." Jeff said, frowning.

"Not helpful as it doesn't tell me why I'm wearing it in my dreams, maybe memories..." TIm said, wracking his brain for an answer. "The only thing I get from it is the word Masky..."

"How original."

"I know right?" Tim kept talking with Jeff about it, soon realizing that every time he mentioned the symbol he saw Jeff twitch or tense. "Are you sure the symbol has nothing to you?"

"I have seen the symbol in the woods nearby... A cult or something."

"That makes no sense..." Tim looked at his watch to see it was almost 7 am and he had to work that night.

"I better get home..." Tim said, getting up before realizing he barely touched his ice cream.

"To-go cups please!" Jeff yelled, before smiling. "My house is nearby, and I have a spare bedroom... wanna sleep over?"

"I should probably... Sure, what the heck." He said, smiling as he got his to-go cup and he put his ice cream in it.

"Cool." Jeff said, before paying. Tim walked out with Jeff to his truck.

"So, what is your house like?"

"It's creepy and haunted! Whoooooo!"

"Really?" Tim said sarcastically, just tired by now. He fell asleep on the car ride there, being awoken by gentle shaking.

"We are home, Tim." Jeff said, smiling.

"Ok..." Tim said, rubbing his eyes to see a house slightly smaller than his and he smiled at how cozy it looked, not realizing Jeff called it 'their' home.

Jeff smiled, and picked up Tim, carrying him with ease as he heads inside. Tim struggled at first before realizing he wouldn't drop him and he was carried into the house, barely having time to look around as he was brought to a big bedroom.

"This is your room for the night, Tim." Jeff said, laying him down before heading for the door. "The bathroom is the next room over, if you get hungry, the kitchen is stocked, and TV is Dish, so the channels are good. I'm across the hall..."

"Thank you..." Tim said.

"Don't mention it." Jeff said, smiling as he went into a room across the hall. Tim fell asleep quickly, happy to be somewhere he felt safe.