Timmy McKenzie

As soon as Curtis left me, Billy and Jet ambush me like they were hiding somewhere in the lockers, spying and impatiently waiting for me to be alone. I am so not looking forward to the questions and required answers I'm supposed to give. Hopefully they don't know me enough to know when I'm lying.

"OMG, it's true?" Billy asks.

"What is?" I ask, holding myself from calling out her full name— Saàdatu Bulbul Abdullahi— it's a mouth full and I might not nail the pronounciation. She has on a short grey hijab that covered just head and shoulder, her blazer, tie, white shirts and knee length skirt was the usual and she has on beautiful black boots on her feet. I think she has little makeup on but I'm not sure and I'm just trying to notice all this extra things to distract myself from the two pairs of questioning eyes on me.

Oh and I'm sure you're wondering how her name (all that) turned to Billy. I asked the same thing when she introduced herself to me, ending with a "just call me Billy" and she summarized what she said was a long story to me. She went with BulBul in middle School and there was this guy with a lisp that anytime he called her name, it always came out as BilBil. Word spread out and soon everybody started calling her BilBil, she came home crying to one of her stepmoms and since she was a die-hard fan of Billie Eilish, she advised her to just go as Billy. It sounded more fun and would speak well in her fanbase and that was how she started going as Billy— not such a long story but eh, it's her story so I guess she determines the length herself.

"Timothy!" Billy shrieks, snapping me out of my thoughts and my eyes snap to her in surprise. I had zoned out. "Where were you? We've been calling your name."

Jet chuckles, "obviously Timmy doesn't want to have this conversation."

I nod, "now since we have that cleared up... How is your morning going, my fellow co-workers?"

Billy and Jet fix me a look that says I'm not getting a way that easy. "No way you're not telling on this juicy news," Billy says seriously with a look that says don't talk and you die.

"Yeah, hard luck Timmy," Jet says. "Spill."

"Okay," I sigh in defeat, the earlier I get done with this, the more peace I'd feel. "What?"

"Are you and Curt going out now?" Billy asks, leaning in like it's top secret that shouldn't leak.

"Yeah, I heard someone say you guys walked in holding hands," Jet says.

"Yes we did and," I swallow. "Yes, w-we're going o-out."

Billy almost shrieks but quickly clamps her palm over her mouth. "How? Just yesterday he was frolicking with Nadia in the hallway and now he's dating you? A-- guy?"

I shrug, not knowing what to say but they kept looking at me so, "and he wasn't frolicking with Nadia yesterday, they've been having issues all week."

"Because you were in the picture?" Jet asks.

"Maybe, I don't know okay?" I close my locker and start walking. "All I know is that we're going out now."

"Something's fishy," Jet says, pulling on his dreads in thought. My heart almost stopped beating— don't tell me they've figured us out on the very first hour of lying? "I think Curt's exploiting you Timmy."

"Exploiting?" I ask with a frown, stopping in my tracks. What?

"Yeah. I mean, just yesterday he was straight and dating the school's hot girl and just when he hears she might be pregnant, he suddenly becomes gay and is dating you today," Jet explains. "He's taking advantage of the fact that you have feelings for him."

Shit, maybe we started this pretend dating too quickly. Wait...I blink eye wide, "I-I have feelings for him? What?"

"Dude, we know."

"Yeah Liu McKenzie, we know," Billy says, tapping my shoulder. "You make it so obvious."

"W-what?" Billy and Jet may be my only friends in school but we're not that close or besties. The only other person that knows about my feelings for Curt is Mara and there's no way she could have told them.

"If we're not talking work or art, you are talking about Curt," Jet says, then adds with a drag. "All the time."

"Yeah and you collage books are filled up with pictures of Curt, Curt, Curt and Salazar," Billy says then grins. "Oh wait, that's Curt too."

I blush way up to my brain, I don't say anything, too dumbfounded.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with us," Billy promises.

I just nod.

"If he hurts you, I'd spill all his dirty secrets on the school's headline," Billy threatens.

I frown at her, finding my voice. "You have dirty secrets on Curt?"

"Nope, but I'd find one and spill it."

I chuckle at that, "okay then."

"It's still strange," Jet says. "I mean not unlikely because the best friend relationship thing you guys had going on was too strange but this is more strange. It's expected but not in one miraculous day."

What does he mean our best friend relationship is too strange? I don't get to linger on that because I remember Jet is a freaking genius and if I don't distract him, he might just end up finding out it's all a lie. I chuckle and throw my arm around his shoulder, "Jet, what does it matter? I like him." My heart flutters at that, it isn't a lie unlike other things and it's the first time I'm saying it out in the open. I've said it to Mara in my room a lot of times but this is definitely more. Heart be still.

"Awwn," Billy coos, locking our arms together and I apparently succeeded in distracting Jet because he's looking at me and smiling now. "Did he at least ask you out in a romantic way?"

I think about it and nod, "Yeah, peanut butter toast, eggs and all." It was actually with coke and sandwich but when I think about the whole thing and my agreement, all I see is his muscled back making us a meal and sweeping me off my feet.

"Hm," Jet makes a slightly impressed sound.

Billy smiles, "with food? He's a keeper."

*

I am nervous and my anxiety is about to hit the roof. I have successfully endured the day with Billy and Jet and then with the questioning eyes of people, glances, whispers and stares. Curt and I texted during English period and I was able to let off some steam but none of that matter now that I am about walking into the den of obnoxious hockey players. The worst part is that I have no excuse not to go, Billy and Jet were finishing up some work in the office and they practically drove me out. I also couldn't disappear and flake on Curt, people need to see to believe and what if because of me, the plan goes to shit? No way, I won't.

I walk into the cafeteria about ten minutes late, my lips a bit raw from constantly chewing on it but I am more calm now and I don't have to look for Curt because our eyes magnetically just find each other like he's been keeping his eyes on the entrance waiting for me. He smiles and raises a hand to wave me over.

"You can do this Timmy," I chant to myself, holding my bag straps as I walk over. "Nothing to be afraid of. Lying to... Eight people should be okay. They are jocks, how smart can they really be." 

Curtis is smart, in fact, he has been maintaining the position for second smartest person in our year, the first and third position being dragged by Jet and one other girl called Raina Williams — my brain tells me and I verbally reproach myself, reminding myself that Curt is one in the million.

I can name almost everybody currently sitting on the table, it's the popular table with the popular jocks and their equally popular number two; Warren Finley, dark almost long curly hair, same height as Curt, with the two of them being the tallest in the team and defenseman of the team. Warren's bigger than Curt though in terms of flesh and brawn, Curtis more in the lean side, with muscles that fit in every perfect place and brain. Then there Quincy Miller, short auburn hair, six feet and with a face that could easily pass for that of a thug or drug dealer, he's the team goalie. Abel Alan, brown hair and very deep dimples. Abel's hands down the most handsome after Curt and he's kind too, almost always wearing a smile. Abel also has been dating one girl, Felicia Marchand, since freshman year— he's the teams best forward and if Curt wasn't here, I'd probably have a crush on him. Warren, Quincy and Abel are the closest in the team to Curt. They've all hanged out at his house, most times with me around and we've exchanged more than ten words at least.

The other two guys at the table are Jonny and Taylor, also forwards in the team and I've never conversed with them. Then there was Felicia and Quincy's girl of the week, I don't know her name. These were the top dogs of the Ice Hockey team at Glendale with only Kenny missing. Kenny doesn't sit here, they aren't even his crowd to be honest, he's too busy doing his own thing and sleeping with any willing and ready guy. I wish he is at the table now, I like Kenny. He's fun and does whatever he likes, not caring as long as he wasn't hurting anybody. And he's gay, I probably would connect with him more than I can with anybody else on the table, except, of course, Curt.

I come to a stop right in front of the table and the others that were conversing all stop, turning to look at me. My cheeks warmed up and I held my bag straps tighter, "hey."

They all share a look and then Warren grabs my hand, pulling me so I'm sitting in between he and Curt. "What are you doing being a stranger?"

"Yeah Liu," Quincy's says with a smirk. "Why do you look like you're walking into a Lion's den? We don't bite... Except Curt of course but you shouldn't be scared of that." He starts laughing at his joke and some of them join him.

It's Liu McKenzie, I mentally say to myself. I don't know why but I don't like it when people call my surname, ignoring the second part. It's like they see my face and conclude I'm not worthy of the name 'McKenzie'. Asian boy, Asian surname. One time I even got into a heated argument with some dumb girl who refused to believe my surname had McKenzie on it. I'm fucking Asian American for God's sake— without my tiny eyes and very pale skin, I would probably pass for a complete smallish American guy (maybe not).

Curt takes a fry from Quincy's plate and stones him with it. "It's Liu McKenzie and why won't he  look like that when there's you here, a barbaric gorilla."

"Ouch," Quincy holds his chest like he's been stabbed.

Warren puts his hand around me, "Timmy doesn't need to be scared of us, he's one of us now." He smirks at Curt, "a boyfriend of Curt is a boyfriend of ours."

"Uh--" I want to laugh but I hold it in.

"I don't think," Curt starts saying, pulling Warren's hand off me. "I don't think that's how it goes."

Abel laughs, "Warren wants a black eye."

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe you guys are actually going out," Felicia says. "Really?"

Curt rolls his eyes, looks at me, then grabs my hand, I don't know if he meant it or not but our fingers end up entwined. My heart skips at he raises our hands up to Felicia, "yes, really."

It's just pretend Timmy, I remind myself.

Felicia turns to me with swoon wide eyes, "Timmy, aren't you just too cute for someone like Curt?"

I don't get a chance to answer before Curt groans, "And I liked you Felicia."

"So you just miraculously figured out you like dick?" The girl that's by Quincy says, looking at us suspiciously.

I swallow.

"Probably," Curt says. "You've got a problem with it?"

The table goes silent and everybody turns her. She goes at red as a ketchup bottle. "N-no of course. Just saying."

Quincy looks at her and I have a feeling that she isn't going to be on this table the next time I come.

"So Timmy," Abel says. "Now that you're dating Curt, does this mean you get to teach me how to use the camera for free?"

"No."

The table goes silent and before I start freaking out that I've said something wrong. Warren, Quincy, Felicia and Curt start Ooo-ing, laughing out their lungs. Warren puts his hand out for a handshake and I slap mine with his. "Man's Savage!"

"I like you Timmy," Abel says, nodding with a smile. "Way more than any puck bunny you've dated." Puck Bunny here refers to the numerous girls the hockey players date and have a fling with. It's so offensive, I internally cringe.

"Baby that's so offensive to say," Felicia scolds, smacking her boyfriend.

"Sorry," Abel quickly apologizes. If Quincy's girl is offended by the term, she doesn't say.

Warren leans in to whisper in my ear, "Abel's been served. Probably not gonna get sex this week."

I nod and whisper to him too, "I don't know. I strongly think he can smile his way through it."

"Yeah," he nods in agreement. "You're probably right." Warren is trying to make me as involved as possible so I don't feel left out and I strongly appreciate it.

Curtis gets our lunch out my bag and we start eating. He opens my drink and I give him the cheesiest sandwich. Everything we normally use to do as best friends but now that we do them as 'couples', we get loads of reaction and awing.

Curtis was right afterall, about girls backing off if we start to date. Although I'm sure it's because they are still in shock but as he walks me to my class after lunch and walks back, they don't follow him and flock around like they usually do and they just stare wondering what the hell is going on and how some smallish Asian American best friend stole their dream guy off the market. Something tells me when they get used to it, things wouldn't be so smooth anymore.

The papers come out with the headlines being Curt being gay and Nadia being pregnant and about pinning it on innocent Curt. Billy also had to chip in a guess that he probably hasn't been having sex with all his numerous girls and was keeping himself specially for me. Of course I am flattered that they think that way and actually believes Curt likes me but it's all a lie and he doesn't like me like that, we're still just best friends.

Nobody needs to know that and I actually don't hate the lie as much as I thought I would, especially the hand holding part. I knew it would feel nice to hold his hand in mine but I had no idea it would feel that good.

I can do this, we can do this.

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Plot is set, now the story begins... Hold on tight.

How's the book so far though?