"Hello?"

"Where are you?" Julian asks, through the phone.

"Why?" 

"Because I'm bored," he whines. "And because, you are in my vulgar thoughts that won't stop formulating."

"Sorry, I can't help you on that."

"Why? Where are you? What are you doing?" he asks curiously.

"I'm on a date," I answer, grinning at Comfort who wags his tail. I throw a biscuit in distance so he doesn't bark and give me away.

"A date? With who?" he interrogates sounding alert.

"None of your business," I reply smoothly and hang up. I put my phone on silent, cause he starts calling me over and over again. 

I skipped hanging out with my friends, because I wanted to be alone. My head was a swarm of doubts. Ever since Julian's little stunt I'm always confused. 

At home, my dad is totally fine, not even acting like anything is different which is good. But nothing feels the same with Julian. He would still kidnap me after classes to make out with him. And I would go because I have little self control. But I keep thinking of what he did, and what would happen if I date someone so impulsive in real life.

Besides I have the big fat question over my sexuality. I wish there was an algorithm, that could decide my sexuality in percentages. "Ruff!" Comforts barks loudly, annoyed because I kept zoning out. It was nearly sundown. My phone was weirdly quiet. I was surprised Julian left me alone so easily.

"Comfort, you thief!" I hoot loudly, when the dog returns with a sausage in his mouth instead of the ball I threw. He hungrily devours it in front of me. I sit down on the bench, chuckling.

"Wow, I'm so jealous of your date."

My eyes widen in surprise at Julian's voice. He scowls at me, his arms akimbo. "Surprise?" I offer him a smile, actually scared of what he'll do.

"For the last hour, I've been rummaging through all the cafes and restaurants of this town, looking for you," he begins annoyed. 

"What made you come here?" I ask, amused. 

"I was driving through this road, to go to the next town," he admits. I laugh loudly. He sits down beside me looking tired.

"Such a stalker," I lean forward to press a kiss below his ears. Goosebumps raise on his arms, adding fuel to my ego.

"You've been here all day?" he asks, looking hopeful. "No, I participated in an orgy this afternoon," I sass. He kicks my shoe, but seemed to be relieved.

"Julian, you have to back off a bit," I tell him after a moment of quiet. "Or you'll freak me out." He frowns deeply but makes no reply. He stays there watching me lazily play with Comfort. The streetlights were blinking open.

I wish I was as energetic as Comfort. No matter how far I threw his ball, he would return with the same vigor. I was laughing at Comfort because he lost scent of his ball, when Julian hugs me from behind.

"What are you doing?" I ask, when he presses his cheek to my shoulder blade. "Just wanted to," he mumbles. I turn around to look at his face. 

"C'mere" I whisper, hugging him properly cause he looked sad. He presses his face into my neck, tightening his arms around me. "Will you ever be mine, Dylan?" he asks locking his hands behind my waist.

"I don't know, Julian," I answer honestly. "I need more time," I comb the back of his hair. 

"But you said, you like me," he argues like a child. 

I roll my eyes, "Maybe. I said, maybe I like you. I'm not sure." He makes a restless sound behind his throat.  "Fuck you," he pushes me away angrily. 

"Serves me right for hugging you," I snap annoyed. The nerve of this boy..

He first glares at me, then turns around, and storms out of the park. I feel like I should follow him and make amends, but I don't. Because he needs to learn I won't come swaging my tail everytime he gets mad at me. 

My dad had a dinner meeting with his client. I didn't feel like going to an empty house. Nor did I want to be with Julian right now. So I drive myself to the place I know I'll get help.

............................

"Luke, I need to talk."

"Okay," he frowns still holding the door. "About what?" 

I push past him. "Hey Dylan," his mom, greets me from the couch.

"Oh, hi Jane," I go over and kiss her cheek. Luke's mom is the best. The five of us have been running around in Jane's kitchen since we were toddlers. "How have you been?" I ask standing beside her.

"I've been good, sweetheart. Want to watch a movie?" she motions at the TV with the remote. "Not today. I actually came to talk to Luke," I smile at her. "C'mon then," Luke beckons me, disappearing up the stairs. I say a quick bye to Jane before following him.

"What's up?" he asks when I get inside his room.

"Umm.. Do you..." I pause nervously, and close the door. 

"Do I what?" Luke raises an eyebrow, dumping his phone on the bed. I take a deep breath, "Do you, know about me and..." I gulp, still unsure if this will blow up badly. 

"You and Julian? And that you are sucking each other behind everyone's back? Yeah," he shrugs, casually dropping into his office chair. I take a moment, before recovering. 

"Not me, only him," I mutter, sitting on the couch. Luke wheels his chair to stop in front of me.

"Are you okay?" he asks. I sigh out frustrated.

"I just, can't hide secrets now," I grit out. Luke shifts uncomfortably, because of Lia I guess, but I can't focus on that right now.

Luke clears his throat, classic move for subject change. "So do you want to rant, or do you want me to interview you?"

"Interview?"

"Yeah," he nods adjusting his glasses. "Like ask a set of questions and give you a logical conclusion," he steeples his hands like a therapist, giving me a formal look.

"Don't try to fucking intimidate me," I throw a cushion at him. He laughs and catches it.

"I think I need a rant.. And an interview... I don't fucking know man, just hear me out," I sigh. I picked Luke because he's the only one who'll seriously listen without making jokes. And also because I had solid doubts that he already knew about me and Julian.

I give him a brief version of how we got together, and what all has been happening. When I get to the part where Julian took his revenge, Luke sits up in his seat, "Julian, told your dad?!" I can't help but laugh, at Luke's shocked face. I wish I had a camera, to capture this and show it to other guys. 

"Yeah, that rascal did that," I sigh, running a hand through my hair.

Luke tilts his head, suspicious. "Hold on, you're still with Julian after this happened?"

"I'm not with Julian," I scowl. "We are just kissing buddies, or something less lame. But I'm not seeing anybody."

Luke nods, "Understood. But you're okay with him, invading or catapulting through your boundaries like that?"

"No, absolutely not. Side note; my dad was completely okay with it," I mutter. Luke shrugs as if he knew that's what would've happened.

"Anyways, I was furious at what he did. But then Julian said sorry, and started crying," I spoke frustrated. I expected Luke to scoff, or mock me, but he mumbles deep in thoughts, "Yeah. Breaks your fucking heart, when they cry." I wonder, what's happening with him and Lia.

"Back to present," I announce. "I'm still a confused lad, with no idea what's going on in his life. I can't even figure out what I am."

"Why?" Luke interrupts me. "I thought this was drama between you and Julian."

"No, it's more than that."

"What more could be there?" he asks confused.

"Lots of things. For starters, I'm only attracted to that one boy, you ass!" I growl. 

"Okay, so you don't find any other guy attractive?" Luke asks. He doesn't ponder over my rudeness, which I was grateful for.

"No, I don't think so. I mean, I don't find you attractive," I wave my hands up and down his body.

"What about Ian?" he asks carefully. I freeze.

"Why did you ask that?" my voice is sharp.

"It's just a question. Don't get angry," he lifts a finger.

"Yes, but why Ian," I snap defensively. Luke holds my stubborn stare for a moment, before sighing.

"Dylan, I know, okay," he says softly.

"There's nothing to know. It was nothing," I blush. He surveys me, amused.

"God damnit, you book sniffer!" I throw another cushion at him. "Nothing gets past you."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"Shut the fuck up, man," I laugh. He can be so fucking polite. "How did you find out?" I ask amazed.

"We all went to that summer camp," Luke answers. "And I would often catch you smiling at Ian, and following him."

"But that could've been normal friendship," I point out. He shakes his head smiling now, "You would get unusually jealous when Ian talked to someone else. And you always made it a point, you both slept next to each other. And you would become too excited like a schoolgirl, whenever he willingly sat or talked to you."

"I fucking hate you," I kick his chair, scowling. I always thought that, that cringey phase of my life will die with me. 

"Back to the topic at hand," Luke reminds me. "About you getting hots only for Julian."

"No," I say annoyed. "My problem is my sexuality, and being attracted to only one dude." Luke thinks for a moment. 

"Dylan, are you attracted to all the girls?" he asks.

"No," I frown, wondering what he's going at.

"Then why would you be attracted to all the boys?" he raises an eyebrow. "If being attracted to one girl can classify you as a heterosexual, then why can't one boy do the same?"

My lips part in realization.

"Wait, a second," Luke stops me. "This is just a random theory. I don't know shit, okay? Don't take me too seriously. You should go to a therapist or someone who knows about these things."

"I have a question," I sit straighter. "Agreed, I was not attracted to all the girls, but at least I was attracted to multiple chics. Then why don't I see other boys, if I'm part gay?"

"Ah, the one person that makes you forget everyone else," Luke chuckles. "I think that must be because you like Julian too much. He makes you forget there are other options on this planet. To the point, that it doesn't matter if they wear skirt or sweatpants. They appear the same to you."

"Skirt?" I quiz. Luke coughs, "Sorry, slip of tongue. I meant jeans and sweatpants. Julian wore sweatpants to school today."

"Right," I say suspiciously. Lia also wore sweatpants to school today. I would have teased him, or let him know everyone was okay with them, but they were trying to be so secretive that I felt they should do it on their own time.

"If you like Julian then date him, Dylan. It's not that hard. Stop overthinking it," Luke wheels around in his chair.

"Maybe I should date him. It's just that, something doesn't feel right," I shrug. Luke stopping rotating. "But thanks," I hurriedly tell him. "You helped me out a lot. I feel so much lighter."

"No worries," he mutters, taking off his glasses. We were silently pondering over what we talked about. I make plans and decisions for future, feeling much more confident.

"Umm, can I ask you something?" Luke tentatively begins, interrupting my chain of thoughts. "Hypothetically speaking, what would Max do, if he... uhem.... if I... I mean, if-"

"Kids, dinner is ready," Jane cuts him, coming into the room. Luke gives a stiff smile to his mom, "We're coming."

"What were you asking?" I ask, as we get up to go downstairs. "Nothing," he dismisses. "Not important."

......................

Hope you enjoyed the update!