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The phone rang. His mom got it. "Reese, it's for you." This was an uncommon occurance, Reese never got phone calls. Who would call him? The last time someone called for him, he was a police officer. While everyone stared at him as he held the phone in his hand against his head. It was a boy, his science partner. He was calling to ask for him to come at 11 PM (2300) tonight because of "reasons" he said. He told Reese not to tell anyone at all, and to sneak out. His room was on the left side of the house and easy to climb up to. Reese accepted this and then put the phone away. The family looked at him in silence. "What?"... "Who was that?" Malcolm asked, genuinely curious. "Some kid from school asked something for a project. We start next week." Hey, not ALL lies, only half. That's half, right?
At 11, the family was all asleep, but mot Reese. He was walking down the suburban streets, a labyrinth, to find this kid's house. His name was Sasha, that's a girl name. Weird. He found a house with the address that matched and looked to the left side of the house. It was slightly larger than their house, but way older. He saw a window open on the left side, and a flashlight shine down on him like a UFO. He stood close to that side of the house and shimmied up the wall, with its conveniently places lines. He ended up at the window of a dark room, with Sasha in it. He was still holding the flashlight. When Reese entered, Sasha sat on his bed. No science in this room other than chemistry. "Why'd you call me here?" "Well, I noticed you were lonely-" "11 PM? Why? I have friends. Many friends." "Who?"
Silence.
"See? I knew you were lonely. I also invited you because you're kinda cute-"
"Uh... is this some gay thing or are you complimenting me?"
"What if I say both?"
Reese started to sweat. He wasn't gay, right? He only wanted to be those guys in his magazines, the buff ones. The ones he stared at for hours. The ones that Malcolm teased him for. But he liked girls, right? Like that one time where he... yknow, uh, actually nothing came to mind. And Sasha was a rather attractive guy.
"I wouldn't mind."
"So you, uh, swing the same way?"
No, if he was gay, people would harass him. Bully him. Kick his ass. His brothers would tease him for centuries. How long is a century again? But Sasha was so accepting, so kind, so pretty. He can't deny himself this pleasure any longer.
"I guess."
"Sit here, next to me."
Why? What if his mom just walks in on them? What would they be doing?
The bedsheets were purple, the colour of royalty in the past. Not that Reese knows. Sasha was a smart boy, the type he would bully. He wouldn't bully this charming man.
"So, Reese, uh, do you, yknow, err, like living here?"
"Dude, I know you're making small talk or whatever. Get to the point."
Sasha played with his hands, looking down.
Reese spoke again.
"Dude, do you wanna like, kiss me or something? Because I'm up for that. I guess. But you can't tell anyone anything, and I mean that."
"Deal."
And they kissed and stuff. Yay. Not too much, the sound would wake up those parents. And those parents would murder both of them. It was cool.
"Tomorrow, same time?"
"Sure."
"Bye."
"Farewell, as the fancy people say."
and they both laughed.
Reese climbed out the window and back onto the street. He had time to think. Was he gay? Sure, maybe. But it doesn't matter. Nobody can know. If they do, then he was FUCKED, all caps. He found his house and entered through his bedroom window. Dewey was asleep, but not Malcolm.
"Where were you? Did they call the cops."
"They maybe called them in Russia."
"Wha- that doesn't make sense!"
But Reese was already in his bed, asleep. Thinking of the colour purple. Decent colour, innit? Made by blue and red. The Russian flag has those colours. Right? I think. Yeah. Maybe. I'll ask Sasha tomorrow.