The Good Life

*Alex*

It was Monday morning and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I walked into work today. I spent all yesterday with Jack sharing lazy kisses, cuddling, and watching fucking Gossip Girl. I didn’t mind when I saw how he really got into the show, it was so cute.

I walked into my classroom setting up the movie we were going to watch today; Lord of the Flies. As soon as I had the projector ready to go my dad walked in.

“Hey Alex, what’s got you so happy on this wonderful Monday morning?” He said chuckling, walking over to where I was.

“That’s Mr. Gaskarth to you…Mr. Gaskarth, and I’m not happy. I’m just being myself.” I joked with the same smile on my face.

“If I wanted to call you Mr. Gaskarth, I would have had your mother put it on your damn birth certificate.” He laughed. “And not once have I seen you this jolly on a Monday so what’s the cause of this?”

I sighed, “If you must know, I met someone last week and I really like them.” I spoke trying to avoid the use of him or her.

“Ohh my son found him a new lady friend, what’s her name son? What’s she like?” Every time he used the word she it felt like a slap in the face. But I didn’t want my dad to find out his son is gay. That his son was dating a guy, I wouldn’t know what his reactions would be but I know it’s not good.

“Uhh..uh..I don’t want to jinx the whole relationship by talking about it dad, I’ll share more details when we get a little more serious.” I stammered, lying through my teeth. I turned around so I wouldn’t meet my dad’s eyes. Feeling more guiltier than ever.

“Okay, Alex. Well, I have to get going, those boys aren’t going to run themselves, y’know.” He laughed as he walked out of my classroom.

Don’t get me wrong I love my dad, he’s all I have left. I was an only child with no siblings, and my mother started doing drugs when I was young so my dad left her and took me away with him. I could tell he was still in love with her, it really hurts him to see her like that, it hurt both of us. I really wanted to tell my dad about Jack, but I was still nervous and decided I probably shouldn’t bring it up until I was confident with our ‘relationship’ or whatever we are.

The bell rang, and my classroom slowly began to fill with students who didn’t want to be here anymore than I did. The second bell rang to signal the start of class.

“Alright! Good morning everyone today we’ll be watching Lord of the Flies, since we finished the book last week. Throughout the movie I want you guys to write down five differences between the book and the movie.” I heard groans come from all over in the classroom and became annoyed. “Guys I’m asking for five differences, not a five page paper.” I mentioned still hearing protest.

“Whatever.” I mumbled to myself as I started the movie.

***

I was currently with my third class of the day, watching Lord of the Flies for the third time today. I just wanted to get this class period over with so I could go to lunch and text Jack.

When the class finally ended, thank God I was on break. I went to the tiny fridge in the back of my classroom, pulled out my subway sandwich that I brought for lunch. While I ate, I typed a message to Jack.

To Jack:
I miss you and your kisses already <3

It was only 12:30 so I knew he wasn’t sleeping, and he told me he didn’t have to work today either. I heard my phone buzz,

To Alex:
Well come over lay in bed with me and have some more ;)

To Jack:
I’m at work Jay I can’t :(

To Alex:
Ugggh well quit and come cuddle with me

To Jack:
Oh and then I can come stay with you when Rian kicks my sorry ass for not being able to pay my half of the rent?

To Alex:
Exactly!

To Jack:
No, but I can come over tomorrow after work since I won’t have papers to grade!

To Alex:
Okay I’ll accept that.

I smiled to myself at how cute Jack was and then realized my lunch break was just about over. I finished my sandwich and got ready to watch Lord of the Flies for the fourth damn time today.

*****

*Jack*

I had an appointment to get my hair done with my new stylist today, my old stylist quit last month, I think she had a family business to take care of. I walked into the hair salon to sign in and wait for my name to be called. After twelve minutes of waiting and passing some time, I was finally called by the receptionist. I looked at the lady doing my hair and smiled, he name tag said Cassadee. She did a double take and smiled back at me.

“I think I know who you are?” she said with her smile growing even bigger.

“Yeah, I’m the owner of the clothing line Jagk.”

“Well, I was going to say you’re the guy that’s been putting a smile on my friend Alex’s face, but the owner of Jagk works too.” she laughed.

“Oh, you know Alex?”

“Yeah, he’s roommates with my boyfriend Rian.”

“Ohhhh! You’re that Cassadee!” I exclaimed. She laughed and I sat down so she could actually start on my hair. She was so nice and funny; we actually exchanged numbers and said we’d hang out one night.

It was 3:30 when I finally made it back home and I decided to give my sister May a call. We only talked like once a month and today just felt like the perfect day to call her.

“Hello?” she answered after three rings.

“May! I miss you.” I said sadly, only hearing her laugh.

“Well, I had a surprise for you, but I guess now is a better time than any to tell you that Adam got a job there in San Diego and we’ll be moving there in about three months.” Adam was May’s boyfriend of two years. She really loves him, but I don’t think he feels the same way.
I gasped, “Are you serious?” I missed May, she was all across the country, but in Baltimore, still.

“Yes! I’m going to be able to spend as much time as I want with you Jack.” We stayed on the phone for two more hours talking about our lives. I told her about Alex and she screamed with joy remembering how I would always come home moping about how he would never like me. We finally said our goodbyes, and hung up.

I decided I wanted to take a nice bubble bath and got everything together for it. Right when I settled in and closed my eyes my phone started ringing. It was Alex calling.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hey sexy, what are you doing?” I could hear his smile through the phone.

“I’m taking a bath.” I giggled like a girl at him calling me sexy. This all felt unreal.

“Okay, send me pictures!” he said enthusiastically, and laughed.

“What?! No! I’m not taking pictures for you!”

“But Jack! I wanna see!” he whined through the phone. He’s such a child sometimes, it’s so adorable. He really has changed since highschool.

“Well, that’s too bad! We haven’t even been on one date yet either.”

“That’s why I called so I could see if you were busy this Saturday night?” he said shyly, almost hesitantly, thinking maybe I didn’t want to come to whatever he was planning. He could be dead wrong, though.

“No, I’m not busy at all. What did you have in mind?” I said, kicking myself mentally for sounding a little bit too eager. Damn it, Jack! Keep your cool.

“I was thinking I could take you out to dinner? Where do you like to eat?” he quizzed.

“I love Olive Garden and haven’t eaten there in a while.” I lied. I had just gone with Matt last week.

“Okay, Olive Garden it is then. I’ll see you pick you up around eight.”

We said our goodbye’s and hung up the phone. I was so excited for our date this Saturday, I couldn’t stop beaming like a Cheshire cat. I never thought in a million years I would have the chance to be friends with Alex, let alone date him. I got out of the bath tub, put on my pajamas, and went to bed, still smiling at the fact that Alex, my all time crush, is asking me on a date. Oh, how times have changed.

Notes