Nearly a week has passed since the day I 'hung out' with Rey. Apparently, it didn' mean a friendship would happen like I thought it did because he still hasn't acknowledged me in the hallways. Sometimes I pray he does it behind my back. Ugh, desperate.

Grandma Tawny finally went home, so I didn't have to sleep on Sheppard's floor anymore or listen to her griping. When she found my makeup, I got an earful of the way to act like a man and not a lady. So let's just say I wore my most feminine outfits I could with her in the house.

I lean my head back against the headrest of Reagan and Riley's car. Braden and Riley are talking about something they have to do in choir and how the teachers a bitch. Every-time they say something bad I scream 'me!' because, come on, me.

"That hoe sounds like she needs to get laid," Reagan pulls us into a taco bell.

I sit straight up, my mind alive and pound on the passenger seat in front of me, "Oh. My. God. Meeeeeeeeee! Huh, that's such a mood."

Reagan rolls her eyes as we all climb out, "You're right. Because you're such a little whore."

I scuff and slide my sunglasses on top of my head, "I'm a slut, sweetheart. I have standards."

Riley and Braden (the two innocent babies of the group) giggle and Reagan slaps my arm for saying slut so loud in a taco bell. But I give her a dirty look and make her order first. But that wasn't the end of that discussion.

We slide into our seats and Riley talks first, "You are not a slut. When did you lose your virginity? You know, to like, a guy."

I laugh and unwrap my burrito, "I've only lost my 'gay' virginity. Some gay guys lose their straight virginity, but I was never about that. I knew better. I was fifteen, we lived in Huston and it was right after a homecoming dance. Obviously, it wasn't good because, hello, we were both virgins. First times are never good, but after that was funnnn."

"You were fifteen?" Reagan takes a sip of her soda and lifts and eyebrows," I didn't do it till like three days after our sixteenth birthday."

"Oh," Riley wiggles a finger at Reagan, "I remember that. It was with that guy you dated for like a week. You guys like planned it. Then you came crying to me when it wasn't all that and a bag of marbles."

I hoot with laughter, Braden smiles shyly next to me, but Reagan is fuming, "Yeah, well you didn't lose it till like, four months ago. You basically had to beg that guy to fuck you."

It was getting spicy, but we definitely didn't need a cat fight in taco bell, "It's whatever, Riley. Reagan. All first times are different, huh Braden?"

He looks red, his head low and a sheepish grin on his face. He just shrugs and I jump in my seat.

"No way! Braden! You're a virgin?" I almost feel bad for him, the poor boy has his head bowed in embarrassment, "It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Are you like waiting for the right person or marriage or something?"

He clears his throat and shakes his head, "Barkley, you're like the only other openly gay person in town. I've never had a whole lot of options."

He was right. This town is super closeminded, no one would risk getting outed to do the hanky panky. I slump in my seat a little.

"Well," I'm not sure any of us have any ideas of how to help him out.

"Uh," Reagan taps a finger on her chin, "What about like a club?"

"Yeah!" Riley perks up in her seat, "There's a big town only like 45 minutes away. It's where everyone does there shopping. Not the point, anyway, they have this club you could go to. I'm not sure it's a gay club, but come on. That town is like triple the size of this one and much more...wild. I'm sure there's some gay boy that would snatch you right up."

I smack the table in excitement, but have to apologize to everyone else in the building for being so quiet, "Braden, oh my fucking god, we're going to get you smashed. It's Thursday, but we could go tomorrow or Saturday. That would be so much fun."

I look around at the group in excitement, but Reagan and Riley frown.

"Riley and I are going to stay with my aunt for my cousins baby shower. We'll be gone the entire weekend after school Friday," Reagan pouts.

"Oh," I pout with her, and glance at Braden, "Well, I like to think I'm good company. Just you and I could go. We'll have fun, hopefully, you smash and perhaps I'll get lucky too."

I was on a mission.

~~~

Parents think I'm staying at Kendra's house with one of the triplets. Brother knows I'm going out. And Braden knows I won't stop till he wants me to. We're gonna get my boy some dick.

I told Braden everyone likes someone with a car, just so he'd drive us. I even figure out how to get him a fake I.D. so we were all set up. 

"Ooh, Braden, I'm so happy I get to somewhat experience this with you!" Braden laughs and shakes his head as we park in a parking garage, "I'm so honored, truly. And pumped. You'll be pumped. I need to stop, we need to go."

Braden again laughs as we climb out, the city still noisy at night. The street lights light our way to the line in front of the club. I basically jump in place the entire time, but the closer we get to getting in Braden looks more and more nervous.

"Brady, baby, you'll do fine. Don't take drinks from anyone, and make sure they wear a condom and use lube. You'll be dead if you don't do any of those three."

I smile and show the bouncer my I.D. It's a year old when I had longer hair and a little bit more of a baby face. I was freshly 22 when the I.D. was made. Having a baby face when you're 22 is so hard.

The bouncer glances at the I.D. then me, then nods and hands it back. I peak around the door frame to make sure Braden gets in. And luckily he does, but not without nearly losing a bucket of sweat.

When we get all the way inside, music blaring bodies sway, I shoot Braden an evil grin and pull his hand towards the dance floor. 

"Dance first, so you're hot and sweaty for anyone at the bar," I talk loud so he can hear me over the well-chosen music, "Also, text me if anything is wrong or we get separated. Or if you leave with a handsome man,"I wiggle my filled in eyebrows at him. 

I figure, hell, why not go full glam. I missed it, full makeup, and had spent nearly two hours doing my makeup. But that meant sneaking out so no one said anything about it. Braden wasn't expecting it, I guess, so he was a little shocked when I got in the car but smiled.

He rolls his eyes and takes much longer to start actually dancing. I rarely care about what people think of my dance moves, so I swing my hips and drop it to the music. Damn, this D.J. was good.

"Dance! They need to see you swing those hips!" Braden smiles nervously and slowly follows my moves. 

"I'm going to get a drink! Mingle!" I gesture to the people around us and Braden hesitantly nods.

I push my way to the bar and get the attention of the bartender to order a drink. I know I shouldn't get wasted, but the idea sounds amazing. It feels like I finally get a break. An intermission full of alcohol to relax for the first time since I got here. Forget my parents, forget the bullies, forget Rey. Just me.

I get another drink, desperate to feel the buzz and make my way back to Braden. I smile when I see him talking -or practically yelling- to boy who looks like he definitely used a fake I.D. too.

I pull out my phone and send a single hand text to Braden:

Me: Ask him if he'd like to go to the bar where it's quieter

I watch Braden excuse himself for a moment so he can pull out his phone and read the text. His eyebrows knit together as he scans the crowd for me. I wave when his eyes get close, and a look of realization replaces confusion on his face.

He turns back to the boy, says something, and gestures over to the bar. The other boy smiles and nods, and they make their way past me to the bar. I grin evily and Braden rolls his eyes.

I take another drink and cheer along with the rest of the crowd when the music pauses and someone takes the mic.

"Yo Yo Yo! Welcome again to Friday night Freestyle!" I cheer with everyone else again, "Where some of you come up, take the mic from my hand and drop some beats. With a little help from our favorite D.J. here at Slump, D.J. R.E!"

People must like this guy, the cheering is louder than before. A classic record scratch plays and people go wild. I throw back the rest of my drink and scream with them. 

People start going up to freestyle and I make my way back to the bar to refill my drink. My mind is a little fuzzy, but I doubt I'm more than tipsy. 

While my drink is being refilled, I notice Braden and the other guy really hitting it off. He's smiling and laughing, and very close to him. I'm proud of him, he's definelty getting out of his comfort zone. 

I'll sadly admit that I'm a little jealous of him. And the guy he's talking about. What? He's cute. And I love the innocent way he is. No, what? This is the alcohol talking. 

Oh, and Rey. Oh Rey, I definitely like him. Fuck him, why do I always like the straight boys? It just fucks myself over in the end, but I can't stop. 

I drink a whole other glass when my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Braden: It's midnight, so i'm going to head out with Freddie to find food at a 24-hour place. Wanna come?

I glance at Braden who has his phone in his hand but is laughing with the boy, Freddie.

Me: What?! No!! you go get that boy! I'll catch an uber or something

Braden: Are you sure???

Me: Make sure to get him to fall in love with you will you're out!!!!! I believe in you!!!!!

Braden smiles at the guy and they get up to leave. It's like watching a baby go off to college. They grow up so fast I guess.

 I order another drink.

***Hey. Idk I just wanted to write an author note even if no one reads it tbh k bye***