29th June 2018, Friday

"So, I invited Dominic..."

Johnathan, Aubrey and Ryan all looked back at me. They were so distracted by the television, they didn't even hear me the first time I said it. My parents obviously weren't home and what a better way to spend the first Friday for summer than at Nate's place, eating salted crackers with peanut butter? The answer is none. There is no better way. Nate is a great host.

That is until I tell my best friends that I've invited someone to something that I think is supposed to be just for us. I couldn't tell if they were pissed off at my decision or what, but I could clearly see they weren't smile. They remained stationary for a long minute and I bit my bottom lip nervously.

"You guys hate him, don't you?"

"No one said that, Nate," Johnathan turned around completely to talk to me.

"Well then what's with the shook faces?" I asked.

"Ehh well..." Aubrey began to speak, but his boyfriend interrupted.

Ryan said, "Can't we have like one day with just us?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Okay, well, the majority of your time now goes to him and you're like always -- and I mean always -- talking about him," Johnathan said to me, "Look, we just thought it would be cool to be just us today."

"Really? Aren't you guys supposed to support me? I mean, it's my first relationship ever with a guy, plus we haven't even been dating that long. And I don't always talk about him." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My friends hate my boyfriend. Well, I don't think they hate him, I think they just prefer me single -- which sucks. I prefer me with Dominic. I hated being single.

I had to watch them with their boyfriends or whatever having the time of their lives, for the majority of mine, and I didn't ask that they stop seeing them. I actually supported them. I was practically best friends with Johnathan's first boyfriend, then when they broke up I had to hate him, which was really hard because I liked that kid. And I'm so supportive of Ryan and Aubrey. Why can't I expect the same support?

"I actually like Dominic. He seems alright," Aubrey shrugs as if he could care less about the situation at hand.

"Yeah, me too. I was just standing by my brother-in-law."

"Really?" Johnathan stared at them both in disbelief, while I stared at him in shock. So, he's the one. I nodded my head, finally understanding what's actually going on. However, as I was going to say something, I heard my ringtone from in the kitchen. I gave him one last disappointed look before I step back to run into the kitchen.

When I grabbed my phone off of the counter, I realized it was you calling me. I sighed softly before answering the phone. "Please be good news."

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Uhm yeah... I'm fine," I muttered. If only you knew how fine I really was. I want to scream! My god damn friends hate you! What, will I have to like choose or something?

"You don't sound fine, Nate."

"It's nothing," I rolled my eyes, "What's up?"

"Uh so Whiskey's sick," you said slowly, and I already knew what was going to come next. I blinked downwards as you continued. "And Adam isn't here, so I have to take him to the vet."

I bite my bottom lip. 'Isn't this just great?' I thought to myself. You had to take your silly dog to the vet. I'm trying to prove to my friends that you were the perfect person for me and then this happens. Your god damn dog is sick. Just my luck.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay," you continued, "I swear I'll make it up to you."

"Uh can I come over after?" I quickly asked, fearing the answer 'no' like the plague. My ultimate goal for the day was to just spend time with you, so I'll do anything to complete that. I just prayed that your answer would be positive.

"Ehh... uh yeah.. of course. I'll call you when I'm home."

"Okay, good," I smiled.

"And you'll tell me all about your problems, yeah?"

"I don't have any problems," I answered.

"Yeah, you do. I can hear it in your voice. But I'll speak to you later."

"Okay.... bye." I hung up the phone, feeling a bit content, but confused at the same time. I shoved my phone in my pocket then leaned back against the counter. I didn't know what to do.  I can't go back out to them because I'll definitely feel like a complete idiot. I curse softly and turn to lean my elbows on the counter. I'm definitely staying in here all day -- until they leave.

When I went to take a seat at the island, I noticed Johnathan walking into the kitchen. I sighed softly and bowed my head. I didn't even want to see him. I wanted to curl up in bed... with you. Johnathan's hand went to my back, which was actually very comforting. I couldn't even remain angry at him. I caved almost immediately as I turned my body and took him in a hug.

"I hate you," I told him softly.

"Yeah, I can understand why," Johnathan said. I looked up at him and he said, "I'm sorry. But I miss you sometimes. I felt like I haven't seen you in like a whole fucking week."

"Yeah, I know. But Dominic is like my first and I sort of really want this to work, and I really want your support."

"Listen, I don't dislike Dominic as a person -- I just hate that he's taking away my best friend," Johnathan said to me. I pulled away from our long hug to stare up at Johnathan. Of course I missed him too, but he has to at least give me like a week or so off from our friendship so I could build something with you. I completely understood how it felt to stand in the sidelines looking on at your friends' relationship, and it sucks, but I just needed time to get to know you.

"I... I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything," Johnathan tells me, "I'm the wrong one. You deserve to be happy and spend time with your new boyfriend." I smile up at him and nodded my head. I couldn't agree more. "So, are we cool?"

"Yeah, of course," I grin up at him. He leaned down and pecked my lips softly before saying, "Okay, good." Honestly, I could have stayed there in the kitchen with him forever. Even when he's the one who pissed me off in the first place, he's still the one who always makes me feel better. It's like I depended on our friendship to survive sometimes. And that's okay... right? And I'm positive I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Johnathan has done and said some stuff that just proves my latter statement. And it wasn't just things like 'I love you'. It was so much more deeper than that. It's obviously private and between Johnathan and I... I mean, not even Aubrey knows...

But we don't talk about those dark, dark times. We prefer happier topics -- which is what we stick to. 

So, we didn't stay in the kitchen all day long. We went out to join Ryan and Aubrey, who got really comfortable on my couch. It's as though they were in their own home together. It always happen, but I just seem to be so shocked every time it does. The four of us only talked and randomly watched television to criticize the commercials/movie. Believe it or not, but there are some very crappy movies on television on Fridays.

They left my place around four in the afternoon. I didn't expect them to stay over that long. Ryan and Aubrey always seemed to be in such a hurry to leave -- I don't know what happened. I wasn't shooing them or anything - I loved their company - but I was shocked that Aubrey and Ryan actually stayed that long. When they announce they're leaving, Johnathan knows it's time for him to go also, seeing as him and his brother always had to share the car.

You texted me earlier about coming over, which made me really smile, but I had to put my friends first and wait until they leave. Admittedly, when I first asked to come over, I felt as if you really didn't want that. And it bummed me out a bit. But after receiving your many text asking if I was still coming, I began to feel so much better. The guys noticed it and obviously summed up that it was you.

I got dressed quickly after their departure. I wanted to see you faster than 'immediately'. After getting myself together, I grabbed my stuff and rushed out of the door like nobody's business. Annie noticed my dashing out, and I think I heard her say something, but frankly, I could care less. Gosh, I sound so desperate for you.

I drove to your place the fastest I had ever driven. I mean, isn't this behavior acceptable? I haven't seen you in like two days. We talked on the phone during the two days, but I felt like I needed physical contact. I knew there was no way you were going to kiss me (cause I'm so very repulsive), so I mentally settled for a hug.

When I got to your apartment building, you texted me the floor and apartment -- which I found with ease. I stepped out of the elevator and looked down the hallway in both directions. I found you, leaning against the wall, again, with your fingers tapping vigorously on your phone. As I said before, I'm not exactly the really-jealous type, so you texting like this, doesn't bother me much.

"Hey," I spoke as I walked up to you. You began to smile at me before you stepped forward and engulfed me in a hug -- just like I expected. I smiled back anyway. Your hair was slightly wet, but your body seemed to be completely dry. You smelled good, though. I could have remained in that hug forever and take in your after-shower smell. Everyone smells and looks absolutely perfect after showering, but you just seemed to top all of that. I don't know how you do it.

"Hey." You finally replied after we pulled away.

I stared down at your body and nodded my head, but mentally prayed you were shirtless. "Uh how's the dog?" I asked, realizing that you realized I was staring at you.

"Whiskey's sleeping. Come in." You opened the door to the apartment and allowed me to step in. The first thing that caught my eye was a huge white dog, lying on the black couch in the apartment. My eyebrows went up and even though I knew the dog was asleep, I still took a fearful step backward. You were right behind me and your hands went to my waist to keep me from faltering.

"He's harmless," you said.

"That's what all dog owners say... that is until their god damn dog brutally murders their fricking epic and innocent boyfriend."

"Wow, I wonder who that could be?" You rhetorically asked, before stepping past me and walking to the dog on the couch. I remained where I was. I refused to go near that thing. I am absolutely and completely afraid of dogs. While you petted your dog comfortingly, my eyes scanned around the apartment. I wasn't judging anything -- I was just trying to get accustomed to the place, because I'm certain I'll be back more than once. The apartment was small, obviously. When you first enter, on the right is a small section which is a kitchen, and on the left is like a hallway with two doors opposite each other and one in the middle. The rest of the apartment is practically the living room.

"Nate, he's asleep -- he won't bite." You smiled and stood up. I didn't even budge. You rolled your eyes as you walked to me and took my hand. You pulled me closer gently and kissed my cheek. You asked rhetorically, "Do you really think I'd allow Whiskey to do anything to harm you?"

"Yeah, but-"

"But nothing. Just come sit." You rolled your eyes and led me to the couch opposite the one your dog was lying lazily on. I plopped down on the couch before letting out a soft sigh. I took off my shoes, even though you didn't really tell me to, I just figured. You came next to me and you took my hand in yours. For a minute or so all I could have done was stare at our hands together and smile like a fucking freak. But thankfully, you said nothing about it. You allowed me to be a loser who's never had these type of things.

"So what's up with you?"

"I just really wanted to spend time with you today. That's all. This morning, I was just over-reacting..." I bite my bottom lip as I lied horribly to you. As predicted, you saw right through me. You shook your head  and chuckled lightly, making me know that you didn't believe shit and I'm a horrible actor. I slouched in my seat and somehow ended up lying awkwardly, yet comfortably in your arms -- and you allowed me.

"Okay, so what really happened?" You asked me.

"Uh well, it was stupid, honestly. I mean, like really stupid," I shrugged my shoulders.

"Tell me."

"Okay, fine, my friends think we spend too much time together... and like I don't spend enough time with them. But like I told them like we're like just getting started, you know, and like we have to like get to know each other, so yeah. But it's all cool now. You're not mad right?"

"Firstly, why would I be mad? And secondly, do you always use that much 'likes'?"

"Fuck you," I groaned. I expected a really long conversation and you telling me how you never actually liked my friends, but it wasn't like that. You couldn't have cared less, which was amazing to me. I didn't want to have that conversation and obviously neither did you -- which was perfect. 

In spite of my cursing you, you still leaned down and pecked my cheek. "You stress too much."

"Yeah, that's just how I am," I honestly said. You nodded your head in understanding.

"I like you like that."

I scoff, "Sure."

"What you think I'm lying?" you asked me as I sat up and turned to you. I nodded my head.

"I'm not lying," you said simply.

"Prove it then."

You stared at me for a while. In my mind, I prayed that my little trap worked and you'd kiss me or something. However, it didn't work - I didn't get a kiss.

"Fine. Will you be my boyfriend, Nathan?"

"What?" I almost choked on the simple, soft word that left my lips almost immediately after you spoke. You chuckled softly and nodded your head. I mean, I knew it was going to happen - I have faith in our relationship - but i honestly didn't think you were going to ask me in that moment, while I was trying to be annoyed at you. I loved it though. I wouldn't have wanted you to ask in any different way.

I dumbly nodded my head and you grinned. "Yeah, of course. I mean, yes. You're fricking perfect and-" I stopped myself. What the fuck do I say sometimes? I bit my bottom lip feeling so extremely stupid for blurting absolute nonsense. So, to somehow cover up my silliness, I found it fitting to quickly pull you in and plant a kiss on your lips. It wasn't exactly how I wanted my lips to come in contact with another guys lips for the first time, but I was glad it happened.

However, I pulled away almost immediately afterward, so I could take in your face and reaction. You smiled at me and shook your head, "You're in love with me already."

"Again - fuck you."

You took me in again and kissed my lips. And I knew, all along, you secretly wanted to kiss me. You always did. I got that you just wanted to be a gentleman, but I say fuck that shit. I wanted it. You kissed me slowly, but it was still perfect. I was absolutely inexperienced, but my first time kissing wasn't actually that bad; especially considering the fact that it was with you.