vingt et un

Days passed without any conversation about Luke's confession. Michael wasn't sure Luke even realized he told his darkest, deepest secret to Mike. He didn't want to bring it up, it's a sensitive subject and no one should poke at those spots.

Luke closed his locker door, ready to go home and sleep the entire weekend. School was becoming more and more overwhelming as suddenly time wasn't on Luke's side. There were essays he hasn't started due, homework he can't find overdue, and tests he skipped out on in his failing grade book. He should most likely begin to actually attend those classes instead of hiding in the bathroom for eight hours.

Michael caught him at the door, running a bit to catch up with him. He shifted his books to the side as the sun hit down on their faces. "Hey, you going to the shop today?"

Luke rolled up the sleeves of his black sweater, it was getting far too hot for long sleeves, but he refused to admit it. "Nah, Mom wants me home today. Apparently she isn't happy with my 2.0 GPA."

Michael laughed. He re-tucked the from seam of his light pink tee shirt. He felt happy in pink. "That sucks, we haven't hung out in forever." Mike bumped shoulders with Luke, making the blonde smile down at his feet.
"Sorry 'bout that."

"I, um, I wanted to talk to you about something." Michael scratched the back of his neck. He talked himself into this, he needed to tell Luke that he was infatuated with everything the boy is. He couldn't drag his feet pretending they were just friends. Friends sleep in different beds. Friends don't kiss each other.

"You're being weird." Luke looked up at Michael as they got to the parking lot. The two stopped, knowing Luke had to go one way, and Mike had to go the other.

Michael wiped the dirty blonde fringe out of his eyes. "It's, like, I don't know," he paused, "Luke, I think I, I think I really like you."

Luke looked up at him, hoping their eyes would catch. Michael didn't look up.

"I mean, one day I'll catch a smell of your cologne or I'll hear an old song, I'll drive past a spot we love and you won't be there. I just really think I really like you."

Luke was taking shallow breaths as he stayed silent. He readjusted the satchel on his shoulder, waiting for his friend to look up at him with a blush of the cheek. "Mike, I—I don't even know my sexuality."

"Oh," he quietly responded. Michael prepared himself for rejection, but somewhere deep inside of him, he was hoping for an 'I like you, too'.

"Look, you're really lovely and I enjoy spending every moment with you. But, I'm really lost and confused and stressed out over everything right now. I don't wanna drag you along if I only end up hurting you."

Michael nodded, still looking down at their feet. He liked the way Luke's feet pointed outwards, but Michael's feet stayed straight. It was like they were made to be together. "That's okay, seriously, totally okay." He looked up, hiding the tears welling in his eyes.

"Mike—."

"No, it's really okay! I've gotta get going though. Parents are probably expecting me." He turned around, holding his binders and books to his chest. He didn't want Luke to see his back hunch over as he silently sobbed to his car. He was a baby, but he was a hurt baby.

Luke called his name again, but he didn't turn around.