Chapter Text
Dil was nervous, to say the least.
One, he hadn't had a date(? He still wasn't entirely sure) since freshman year, and that was a pity date for a shitty school dance. Two, it was Scout's brother. He had heard many a tale about Jem, and not all of them were good. Three, he had to retract his statement of Jem not being entirely unattractive. Jem was really hot. Puberty had done him well.
Now Dil, on the other hand, was not hot. He was, at most, average. Somehow he'd managed to stay pale, even with all the time he spent in the sun. And with his nearly white blonde hair, he looked like a bargain bin Draco Malfoy. He sighed, if there was one thing he had to offer, it was the fact he made a mean sugar cookie. But, you know, you can't really seduce someone by snapping your fingers and declaring your baking skills.
Dil jumped, nearly falling off the couch, as he phone rang loudly.
He answered, "Hello?"
"Dil!" Jem's voice said happily through the speakers. "I was wondering if you could meet me in about ten minutes? I'll come pick you up, if that's alright with you."
"Ah, yeah, that's mighty dandy," Dil nearly slapped himself. What the fuck was 'mighty dandy'? "I'll be ready by the time you get here!"
"Okie Dokie, see you then." The call ended with a click.
Dil looked at his phone for a moment, before remembering that he was still in the mildly sweaty t-shirt and jeans he'd been wearing earlier. He set his phone on the coffee table, then sprinted to his room, muttering to himself.
"Deodorant, deodorant... Aha!" Dil took his shirt off and applied the deodorant. He hoped Jem liked speed-stick, cause that was the best he had. Shimmying out of his jeans, he threw on a pair of skinny jeans that he hoped looked okay. After putting on an under shirt, he looked through his other clothes, settling on a pale blue button up. It kind of scratched, but it was breathable and looked nice on him.
He looked at the clock. Three minutes.
He went back out to the living room, where his phone and wallet sat on the coffee table, and put them in his back pockets along with his house key. He was ready.
Now that he wasn't in a hurry, Dil just nervously paced around his front door, waiting for Jem to show up. A minute later, Dil heard the rumbling of an engine, then a knock on the door.
He opened the door quickly to see Jem still with his hand up to knock.
"Well aren't we eager?" Jem chuckled and Dil wanted to slap himself again.
Dil shook his head and lightly hit Jem on the arm as he walked out and locked the door. When Dil turned back to follow Jem, he noticed something. He was holding a motorcycle helmet. Dil looked behind Jem. Yes, there it was. A motorcycle.
Shit.
Dil coughed. He, well, really liked motorcycles.
He felt a hand on his back, "Like what you see?" Jem was looking him up and down. "I do too."
Okay, Dil needed a moment. He stepped away from Jem, looking at the ground. He heard Jem make a confused noise, but ignored it for the time being.
Sort this out, Dil, he told himself.
One: Jem, who was already attractive, owned a motorcycle, upping his hot levels through the roof. Two: He was definitely flirting with Dil, and Dil did not know how to respond.
"You alright there Dil?"
Dil looked up Jem, who actually looked concerned. "Yeah, just, um, dang."
Jem laughed and led Dil to his bike. There was another helmet sitting on the seat, a bright neon green color. Jem picked it up and placed it on Dil's head, letting Dil finish putting it on.
"Have you ever been on a motorcycle before?" Jem asked as he put his own helmet on.
"Yeah."
"Okay then, so you know the drill."
Jem hopped on the bike, and Dil settled behind him, overly conscious of his hands as they wrapped around Jem.
"You ready?"
"Yep."