Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 20:10:03 -0800 (PST) From: M P Subject: on the flip side part 2 Chapter 2 All through school that week, Brian and I spent a lot more time than we used to together. I mean, it's not as if we never spent time together, we definitely did. But we just couldn't be seperated this week. The only time I didn't see him was in Baking. This trimester we had Baking with Chef Crandola. Everyone just called her Tracey, though. She was pretty cool for an old woman. The way it worked at our school, the grades were integrated because of the crazy schedule so I was in a class with freshman, juniors and seniors too. There was one kid in my class that was especially eye-catching. His name was Matt. He was Filipino (again with the Filipino guys) with short brown hair, brown eyes, and the greatest smile in the world. He was about 5'11" and kind of on the skinny side but he was perfectly formed it seemed. We didn't talk that much but what happened Friday shocked me. Both of us were mixing some buttercream for an upcoming test where the teachers grade what we make and the best dish gets to compete in a national competition. For some reason I thought he kept stealing glances at me. From the corner of my eye I saw him watching me, intensely. Was he? I looked over. "Hey." I said "Hey, Howie." He responded. "You look pretty good there, man." I laughed "Not really. I'd say if mine were any grain...ier than a person would choke to death." He laughed when I said that. "Who said I was talkin bout the buttercream." He asked, with a mischeivous grin. I laughed and shrugged it off as "one of those guy things". My friends and I used to joke around like that so I didn't think that much of it. "You'll win, Matt, you always do. Don't sweat it." I said "Thanks, man." He set a hand on my shoulder. My body melted right there. I looked up at him and we both smiled. I became a babbling idiot right there; in that 1.6 seconds. "Hey, Matt, you gonna let this tart burn or you takin it out?" Tracey called over. Dammit, woman, I'll burn YOU! "Coming. Later, Howie." He walked away and pat me on the back. I just stood there for a long time staring into space. Then my hand slipped and the mixer went from 3 to 10 and I got buttercream all over me. Oh well. Seeing Lex in the hallways was really weird that week. Even though everyone thought that I hated him he had been really nice to me. He came up and talked to me almost everytime I saw him walking somewhere. My friends teased me talking about my "new boyfriend". I must have gotten so red that day. Of course, I blushed really easily so no one thought anything about it. When all my friends were makin those comments, all I could think is 'If you only knew, guys.' Saturday came and I was really nervous. I wore a pair of baggy Aeropastle jeans, an open button down dragon shirt over a plain tight white t-shirt that showed my developing pecs pretty well. I put on my skecher sneakers and ran out of the house, bumping into Brian. I backed up and looked at him. In all the excitment, I had forgotten I was supposed to meet Brian at my house. He was dressed as casual as I was, if not more so I wasn't as nervous. He wore a pair of khakis, one of those shirts that had the tuxedo painted on it and his Timbs. I laughed. "Seems...somewhat appropriate, doesn't it?" He asked. "Uh... I dunno, Bri. What're you gonna tell Kate when she asks WHY you wore that." I laughed again. We walked to the theatre cold as hell. I was so stupid to not have worn a jacket but I was too excited to not forget one. When we got there, Lex was waiting outside for us. We walked up. "Hey, guys. About time." He smiled as he walked up to us. Brian went to go buy his ticket and I followed him. I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Wait, Jake, I got your ticket right here." He took it out of his jacket pocket and placed it in my hand. I smiled. "Thanks." I was confused, but I figured Kate made him get me one and not Brian because we weren't sure if Brian was coming. "Where's Kate?" I asked. Brian walked over just in time. "She couldn't come. I figured that I shouldn't waste a perfectly good movie trip, though." He looked over to Brian. "Oh so you're here. Wasn't sure. Sorry I didn't get you a ticket." Brian looked at me, then him, then grinned. "Oh crap! I forgot about our project for American Biographies! I gotta go, Jake, have fun guys." My eyes must have gotten 20 times bigger. I didn't want to be alone with Lex! That would be too weird. I gave Bri all these faces but he left anyway. "Well I guess it's just us then." Lex said as he gave me a grin. "Yeah... heh." ~~~ TBC I know its short. Forgive me, guys. Any comments send to jjjyyhotbod99@yahoo.com