The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth - Alexandra Robbins [137]
One night, Michael came over to Blue’s house to work on unit six. Blue suggested they take a walk. They strolled to a nearby playground, where they ran into some of Blue’s skater friends. Blue felt cool in front of Michael as the skaters asked him to teach them his newest tricks on the board.
As they walked to the playground, talking about skating and cars, Blue gently bumped into Michael, his hands in his pockets, to test whether Michael would flinch. He didn’t. They lay on a bench, hands behind their heads, and stargazed. Blue tried not to shiver in the brisk night air as they talked about family and friends. Ty had been frustrating Blue lately, he told Michael, because he was “an inconsistent friend” whom Jackson easily influenced, and because he had started to drink and smoke pot.
Michael listened, then asked, “So how long have you and Ty been going out?”
Blue turned to him in surprise. “What?! No, no, Ty is just a friend! We just hang out a lot.”
“Oh,” Michael said. “So . . . are you seeing anyone right now?”
“Nope. I really wish I was,” Blue said. “It sucks to be me.”
“Why?”
“Because in heterosexual relationships you have tons of examples. Rules, even. So you know what to do. But in homosexual relationships, there are no rules. It’s confusing. That and you can never really tell who is and who isn’t, you know?”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
They were silent for several minutes. Then Michael asked, “Would you be able to tell if I was gay or not?”
This was interesting. “No, I don’t think so,” Blue replied.
“Well, that’s funny, because . . . I am.”
Blue was astounded. Wait, what?! he thought. The guys Blue liked were always straight. He never had a chance with his crushes. Blue stared at Michael, who was still gazing up at the stars. He looked proud of himself. He looked sincere.
“Really?” Blue asked.
“Mmhmm.”
Blue lay his head down again. “Huh. Really.” He just came out to me?! After a few minutes, Blue said, “Aww,” and patted Michael’s chest reassuringly.
“Thank you for that.”
“Does anyone else know?” Blue asked.
“No, not really.”
“So all of that stuff with your girlfriend. What’s that about?”
“Well, I did like her but I just like guys more, you know? I just don’t have any experience with a guy.”
“Me, neither,” Blue said.
More silence. Blue pondered his situation. He was lying next to a crush who had just admitted he was gay and seemed to be interested in Blue. Blue shivered violently, unable to control his nerves. “Fu-fucking cold,” he stammered when Michael looked at him quizzically. “Time to get up.”
While they talked, Blue realized that since Michael had come out, his voice had been cracking, as if he were holding back tears. Blue looked into his eyes and saw they were watery. “Hey,” he said, nudging Michael. “Don’t be sad! Why are you sad?”
“I don’t know, I just feel stupid now. Don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Oh. Well cheer up, man.” Now Blue was sure. I’m gonna have to save his sappy ass, he thought. He took a deep breath, summoned all of his courage, and said, “Don’t tell [the team] that I told you, but I’ve kind of had a crush on you for a while.”
Michael’s face lit up. “Really?!”
“Yeah,” Blue said.
“Can I tell you something? I’ve had a crush on you too.”
“That’s convenient.” Blue nudged Michael, and in a quiet voice that was so awkward it embarrassed him, said, “We should go out.”
“Yeah,” Michael said. They smiled at each other.
“So . . . why exactly do you have a crush on me?” Blue asked.
“You’re kind of cute? And, I don’t know, I just feel good around you. I think it’s cute how you’re really into comics and anime and games and stuff. You’re a massive geek, basically.”
“True,” Blue said. “And the part about me being attractive: also true.”
Michael laughed.