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This was awkward.
Skull was usually with Bulk; the two jerks were rarely without one another. So it was weird seeing Skull on his own. Billy decided to ignore him as he searched the aisle of the Angel Mart. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to the differences between Twinkies and Zebra cakes, but he didn’t care. The last thing he wanted to do was talk to Skull.
When Bulk wasn’t around, Skull wasn’t that much of a jerk, but that didn’t change things. Skull just went along with whatever Bulk did or said. Bullying was one thing but not having a backbone was entirely different. To Billy, that was worse. That wasn’t the kid he grew up with, either.
“Are you not going to talk to me?” Skull asked.
“Yes,” Billy grabbed an oatmeal creme pie.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously,” Billy walked past Skull. “Excuse me.”
“Billy, come on,” Skull followed him.
“Why are you going to give me a swirly?”
Skull winced at this comment, and Billy smirked. Yeah, Skull should feel bad. Billy wasn’t going to sugarcoat things. He remembered the old days when they used to play together. He missed the days of Skull and Bones. Did that make him a nostalgic fool? Probably. That didn’t mean he didn’t feel hurt.
“I’m not a bad guy, you know that,” Skull said.
“Oh, do I?” Billy turned around to face him. “You have been harassing me since you started hanging out with your new best friend. Do you not understand why I’m mad?”
“Billy, don’t get mad. I just wanted to talk,” Skull put his hands in his pockets. “I’ll buy you a burger. I got money.”
“Is it your money?” Billy asked.
“I didn’t swipe it, I promise.”
Billy stared at Skull. There he was, with spikey hair and spiker clothing. But for a split second, Billy saw Eugene. Not Skull but Eugene, the boy who had been his best friend for years. The boy who went along with his pretends adventures. The boy who came over to have some of his mom’s famous beef stroganoff. And in that moment, Billy felt himself weaken. Would he regret this? He had no idea.
“Fine.”
Billy couldn’t believe this was happening.
He was eating at the malt shop, and having a burger with his bully/childhood friend. What was strange was how Skull was acting. Normally, he acted like he didn’t care about anything. His laidback, thug attitude was famous. People normally didn’t take him seriously, and it was rare that he showed any emotion other than contempt. Now? He was acting nervous. He drummed his fingers against the table, adjusted his necklace, and tugged at his collar.
Why?
Billy was worried this was some elaborate prank. He had been shocked that Bulk hadn’t jumped him after they left the Angel Mart. Surprisingly, Bulk was nowhere to be seen. Even more surprising was how Skull seemed to be blushing. Billy was confused.
“So why did you want to talk?” Billy asked.
“I just felt like meeting up with you, ya know,” Skull scratched his neck. “Let’s catch up, and talk about the good old days.”
“But why? Skull, you’re not the type of person to reminisce.”
“There you go, using big words again,” Skull said. “Can’t you just talk normally?”
“Oh, now you’re teasing me again. See, I knew this was a mistake,” Billy placed his burger down.
“Wait!” Skull stood up. “I’m sorry, okay? Look this is---weird for me, alright?”
“And it’s not for me? We haven’t talked in years, and now, after bullying me constantly, you want to talk? Why?”
“Just hear me out, okay?” Skull said. “Please?”
Billy looked at Skull. Once again, he saw his childhood friend. Billy felt like he was going to regret this. Sighing, he motioned at Skull to sit back down. Skull did, and he sighed.
“So---I think I’m not straight,” He said.
Billy hadn’t seen that coming. Everyone was allowed to figure out their sexuality of course but it was just strange to come from Skull. Billy felt bad for judging him; there was no right way to be part of the LGBT+ community. Still, he had never imagined Skull saying such a thing, especially considering his crappy dad and crappier brother.
“How did you figure this out?” Billy asked.
“Well, how did they have that free seminar thingy at the rec center? About sexuality and junk?”
“Yeah. Did you go to it?”
“I did,” Skull said. “And the more I thought about it, the more I think I might not be as straight as I thought. I mean, I still like girls, so I guess I’m either bisexual or pansexual. Are those the right terms?”
“Yes, those are the correct terms,” Billy said. “But why are you telling me?”
“Billy, I thought you were supposed to be smart,” Skull looked at him. “I’m telling you this because I like you.”
Billy stared back at Skull for a second. Was he being pranked? Did Candid Camera come back and he was being filmed? He pinched his arm and winced. Nope, he wasn’t dreaming. He continued to stare at Skull, unable to say anything. This was a first for him; here was, with nothing clever or witty to say.
“What?” Billy asked.
“I like you,” Skull repeated.
“Since when?”
“I’m not sure but I mean it kinda makes sense. I’ve known you the longest.”
“So that is why you wanted to talk to me? You wanted to confess? Why?”
“It was eating me up inside; I couldn’t take it anymore,” Skull admitted. “It was exhausting. I felt confused.”
“Well, that makes two of us. I don’t really get it.”
“I mean I get it. We grew up together. A lot of people get crushes on childhood friends,” Skull shrugged.
“Does Bulk know about this?”
“Yeah. Believe it or not, he’s supportive.”
“What? Really?” Billy asked, shocked.
“His aunt is a lesbain and married to a woman,” Skull explained. “So he understood. He was a bit confused as to why I was interested in you but he said he’d leave you alone but only if I said something.”
“Wow,” Billy said. “I---huh. So--what do we do now?”
“Well, I was kinda hoping I could take you on a date,” Skull admitted.
“Seriously?”
“What? Is that weird?”
“Well, no,” Billy said. “It’s just---where would we go?” Billy asked.
The two of them had changed over the years. They weren’t little kids anymore, and things had changed. It wasn’t just their personalities but their lives as well. Billy hung out with a new set of friends while Skull had Bulk. What were the two of them supposed to do together? Stare at the wall?
“Well, the fair is in town. I was thinking we could go together,” Skull said.
In Billy's opinion, that was a good option; fairs were fun, and he hadn’t been to one in ages. Maybe going on a date in a familiar place would make things less awkward. This whole idea was strange to him, but he didn’t feel like he was in a position to reject Skull. Yeah, they had grown apart, but maybe this was a way for them to reconnect.
“You get one shot, Eugene and then that is it,” Billy said.
Something was comforting about fairs and festivals.
The smell of greasy, fried food, the neon lights, the cheap carnival prizes; Billy found it enjoyable. It took him back to the good old days. Despite the brightness and the loud atmosphere, Billy was enjoying himself. Skull seemed to enjoy himself too, but Billy could tell he was still nervous. It was funny; even as a kid, Skull seemed so brave. Billy was understanding. Coming out was hard. He remembered when he came to terms with his sexuality.
Billy was lucky that his parents were so accepting, and so were his friends. That didn’t mean it was easier; he still felt awkward sometimes.
Yet today, he felt comfortable. He loved fairs and carnivals; the instant they entered, he was hit with nostalgia. So he was having fun, pointing at everything, and gleefully participating in the games. He enjoyed the food but tried to make sure he paced himself. The last thing Billy wanted to throw up while going on a ride.
The funniest part to him was the petting zoo. It was childish, but who didn’t love petting cute animals? Skull seemed nervous initially, but Billy got him to hold a bunny. Skull froze, but then the bunny started licking his arm. Billy couldn’t believe it; the big, scary Skull was cuddling a rabbit he was initially afraid of. If Billy had been meaner, he would have taken a picture and shown it to everyone.
“Huh,” Skull said. “Guess these things can be nice after all.”
“Ah, you’re still afraid of rabbits because of Bubbles, right?” Billy asked.
Skull shuddered at the memory of Bubbles. Bubbles had been a gift from his grandmother, and from day one, that bunny hated everyone. You couldn’t pick him up, hold him or even give him a treat without him biting you. He almost had torn Skull’s finger off! After that, Skull had ignored Bubbles and refused to interact with the creature. Billy couldn't blame him though
“Yeah, I think Bubbles was originally a demon. Never understood why he never liked us,” Skull rubbed the rabbit’s head. “At least he is in bunny heaven now.”
“Well, this bunny doesn’t seem to be like Bubbles.”
“He’s much cuter than Bubbles was,” Skull said. “Maybe one day I’ll get another rabbit.”
“Don’t you have a snake now or something?” Billy asked.
“Oh yeah. Her name is Flower,” Skull scratched behind the bunny’s ears.
“Flower? And it’s a girl?”
“Snakes can be girls Billy,” Skull said. “She’s got light coloring, so I didn’t want to name her something dark.”
“Huh,”
“Huh what?”
“I guess you still have a heart,” Billy stood up.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, come, you call yourself Skull,” Billy motioned to his friend. “And look at how you dress. I just thought you decided to forgo emotions and be a tough guy. It’s kinda nice to know you’re still that boy I played with all those years ago.”
Billy swore Skull blushed. After the petting zoo, the two of them went to ride the Ferris wheel. It was a bit cliche, but Billy found it romantic. When they got to the top, he stared out at Angel Grove. It looked beautiful at night, with the city full of lights. He turned to see Skull staring at him. Billy felt bashful but he cleared his throat and managed to speak.
“What?” Billy asked.
“I dunno,” Skull rubbed his neck. “Is it weird that I’m happy?”
“I don’t think so,” Billy admitted. “I mean, this is nice. It’s kinda romantic.”
“So, I did good then? Like this was a good date, right?” Skull asked.
Billy stared at Skull. Was this a good date? Billy had to think about it for a second, honestly.
“Yeah, it was,” Billy admitted.
“Wait, seriously?”
Billy could hear the excitement in Skull’s voice, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Billy was surprised by himself too. He had gone on the date out of pity but ended up enjoying himself. This was one of his better dates too. Angel Grove wasn’t that big, it wasn’t a bustling metropolis so the gay scene wasn’t massive. Online dating was also out of the question, that was the last thing Billy wanted to deal with. Finding someone in his neck of the woods was tough.
“I’m surprised too,” Billy said. “But this night was fun. I had a great time.”
“So does that mean you’d possibly be interested in a second date?”
Skull sounded hopeful and in this moment, Billy thought he looked cute. For a second, Skull resembled that boy that billy had played with all those years ago. What did he have a lose?
“You know what?” Billy said with a smile. “Sure, why not?”
“YES!” Skull punched the air.
This could be the start of something beautiful.