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When you first got into sixth form, you expected it to be like your high school years, boring and lonely with no friends, but it was different. The campus was fairly nice and the atmosphere was of something you’d find inside of a chill café. You made friends with your classmates fairly easily and he introduced you to the others. You had a lot of friends on the campus and everything was pretty nice, until it wasn’t. Living alone isn’t cheap, and when your parents refuse to pay for you to move to the other side of the country for a school you tried so hard to get into that doesn’t go the way you want it, you’re screwed into some major debt. So, the only reasonable thing to do was to go and find a job. The on-campus shops and stores rejected your applications (not like there were many, just a Starbucks and a school-owned sandwich bar), most of the places you were interested in off campus were either not hiring or WAY too far away for a daily job.
So here you are, working at McDonald’s, the only place that actually accepted your application. Sure, you weren’t very happy, given you weren’t interested in the food industry or the hospitality industry, or really anything that has to deal with annoying customers, but it was a job nonetheless, and you needed the money. Bad.
To be fair, you could’ve made an OnlyFans though, but I guess McDonald’s is more family friendly.
Balancing school, work, and free-time out was a pain, all the time you had ot hang out with friends was being spent getting sub-27 fries or flipping burgers. This upset some of your friends, including one of your closest, who relied on you for counselling help. He was currently having an identity crisis which was why he was relying on you, which seemed to worsen as he became distraught with you working at McDonald’s. He sometimes thinks his name is “GyroJM” and thinks hes the GREATEST McDonald’s employee in the world and talks about some game called “eCDP”, but you pay no mind to this as you didn’t really understand what he was talking about.
In all honesty, you at first thought he was only upset with you working because he wanted to spend more time with you. Truth be it, he was your ex-boyfriend. You two broke up so you could focus more on your A-Levels and getting a job, which was upsetting to him because he “didn’t want you to leave him just because you needed to study”. This whole identity crisis thing had started after you left him, which you didn’t want to believe at first and even now your classmates will say things to you like “Don’t you think he’s lying? You know, about the whole identity crisis?” which you tend to shake off and ignore. Sure, it seemed a little fake, but something didn’t seem right if it were fake. You weren’t always happy with him and even argued at times with him when you were still together. But ever since you two had a split and you started helping him with it, something about him seemed more relaxing and calm. It was like he changed to be a completely different person, even potentially like your dream guy. You didn’t want to get back together again though, just incase it WAS all just a simple façade.
Now cut to your job at McDonald’s, the location was right next to campus, but not specifically on-campus. It was close enough though where many students, and even your friends, would go there from time to time.
“(Y/N)! I didn’t know you had a shift today!” One of your classmates laughed as he walked up to the counter, not mockingly, but more surprised and I guess excited? A few of your friends were also there and, since it was a slow day, your manager let you sit down with them for a few minutes.
“Did you see him today? He’s sooooo hot.” One of your friends spoke up to which your other friend sighed at her.
“You know he rejects like every girl? Apparently he’s really harsh too.”
They were speaking about some guy you hadn’t met, but apparently he was SUPER popular. Good looking, good grades, but a cold, harsh personality. A lot of the girls who ask him out don’t even know his name, so most refer to him as “*Him*” and know exactly who he is.
You brushed their remarks off as they were definitely talking about him because *they* wanted him. While you’re gay, you are definitely not out to these people. While they are your friends, they would make it a huge deal and try to get you with any other guy on campus. Sometimes it’s funny, and they definitely just care a lot, but avoiding that would be in everyone’s best interest.
Before you could speak or even finish your thoughts, your manager called for you since there was a customer. You swiftly went back to the counter and apologised to the male, who didn’t have any reaction to the apology. He was young, probably a eyar or two older than you, fairly tall, definitely handsome, brown hair, brown eyes, black ja-
Something about this description was familiar. Way too familiar. You tried to think it up while taking his order but hit a dead end.
“Big Mac, Medium Fries, Medium Coke. Take-away” A deep, smooth, yet cold voice spoke out after you asked for his order. You just replied with “That’ll be just one moment!” quickly.
You got his food and drink together and bagged it up for him to take, he broke a small smile and thanked you, but didn’t leave right away.
He turned back to you and looked at you for a moment before asking “Do I know you…?” You tilted your head a little, trying to think, but he spoke before you could even get a single idea.
“Ah, I know, we go to the same sixth form. You’re a year under me though, thanks again.” And with that, he left.
Of course, your friends watched the whole time, they knew who he was, they saw him come back and talk to you. Of course they ran up and questioned you.
“Holy shit, you know that was *him* right?” One of them shouted, which is when it struck realisation who of who he was. Why couldn’t you remember that your classmate had told you that same description about him before? Was it because you had never seen him yourself until now?
“What did he talk to you about?” Your friend asked, and you snapped out of your thoughts-
“He asked if he knew me, before realising we went to sixth form together. He’s apparently a year above us.”
“I can’t believe he talked to you! Maybe he likes you!” Another said, which made you sigh. He just spoke to you once, at a McDonald’s. Why would he like you? Plus, isn’t he straight?
“I dunno, maybe he wanted to just know if we had met before.” You spoke while refilling one of your friends drinks.
“No way did he just want to know if you had met before, he NEVER asks questions like that to anyone.” Your friend exclaimed. What a stalker, you thought, as you chuckled.
They continued asking questions and theorising on if he liked you or not, which your brain kind of just blocked out and instead focused on serving the new customers who were walking in.
After your shift, you decided to go and see your ex since he wanted to talk to you earlier. Did you want to? Not really, but you had nothing better to do, so you went to the park on campus and met with him.
“What’s up?” You asked, “Having identity issues again? I don’t think I can he-”
“It isn’t that, (Y/N)” He spoke softly, and then sighed-
“I like you a lot, I miss you so much, will you just get back with me?” He sounded desperate, yet sincere, but something in your gut said to hold out. Something deep inside did not want you to take this path.
You looked down, silent for a moment, before looking back up to reply, “I can’t.”
“But why? We don’t need to spend every second of our lives together, you can focus on work and studying as well-“
“I just don’t think I’m ready for that yet, alright? I’m not even out yet! Just give me some time to think.” He sighed at your reply, but reluctantly agreed.
“Alright, I’ll give you time to think on it.” He said before walking off.
The park was silent. Students didn’t visit it too often, but something caught your eye.
*Him*
From the corner of your eye, you could see him looking at you from the corridor. But as soon as you went to focus your gaze on him, he had already turned away to leave. Why was he there?
Was he just passing by and noticed you or…was he watching you?
You ignored it and went back to your tiny house. Your friend hadn’t texted you back yet, she was probably at a party or something of the sort, so you just laid back and took a nap.
“I’m back!” She called out form the doorway, which was enough to wake you up. She was quite loud in general.
“So, how was the party? Anything exciting?” You asked. You didn’t go to any of the campus parties ever just because you thought they were stupid.
“Well…”
“So you know that guy from the other day? The one that everyone wants to get with? He was supposed to be there and he didn’t show up!” She spoke as if it was a shock.
“Maybe he was busy? Or…” Your trail of thoughts was cut off by one thought-
*Him* watching you in the park earlier.
“I did see him earlier actually,” You finally spoke up, “I saw him in the park while I was there, no one else was around though, and when I noticed him he was leaving.”
She looked confused, as if that wasn’t normal.
“He never misses any of the parties, despite never talking to like, anyone there, except a few of the guys, so I wonder why today of all days he decided to bail out…”
You didn’t think anything of it and just rolled over in your bed to sleep some more. You didn’t have any classes tomorrow, but you did have the morning shift (which sucked), but what could you do about it, quit? Yeah, right, we’re staying family friendly here, since we already failed at our other job attempts.
Normal rush hour stuff, coffee and breakfast sandwich type situation. Until he came in.
He ordered a single black coffee, the audacity.
“Here you go!” You said as you handed him the disgusting order (no but seriously, how do people like that??)
“Thanks. One more thing, who was that guy yesterday? A boyfriend?”
Why was he so interested in knowing? I mean, if what they said about him is true, he isn’t the type to talk to people, so why would he want to know? And what made him even think that? You’re not even out to your friends, let alone a customer you met just yesterday. You found yourself just looking to the side, silent. He let out a small chuckle at that, and then asked “Have you ever had a boyfriend?”
“Well…one, but we don’t talk about him.” You mumbled and looked up. With that, he smiled a little and left.
What the hell?? You literally finished your shift ASAP, clocked out, and rushed to your house to ask your friend.
“Oh, (Y/N)! What’s the ru-“
“It’s about him, he asked if I had a boyfrie-“
“He WHAT” She basically screamed out.
Time felt like it froze for a moment. No movement, no noise.
Suddenly, she jumped up and ran over to you, “What do you mean “He asked if you had a boyfriend” ?!”
“Well… He asked if I was dating…” I paused for a moment after that, sighed, and continued.
“When I didn’t reply, he changed the question to if I had ever HAD a boyfriend.” You finished, which she started shaking you. I think the glass door to the closet was smashed with a 5 tonne hammer at this point.
“You HAVE to go to the party with me next week, it’s the largest party of the year, and he’s going to be there!!” She exclaimed, which you wore a face of disapproval.
“I don’t know… Parties aren’t really my thing, and I don’t get why I should go just because he’ll be-“
“That’s the point! If he’s there and you two, you know, talk to each other a bit, maybe he’ll give you his number or something!”
“Is he even gay? I’m pretty sure he has only dated girls, at least from what you and everyone else has said.”
“Maybe he’s bi, I don’t know, its 2024! Just come to the party!”
You denied, but she kept begging you, and begging you, before finally telling you she’d give you £100 to go, which you agreed to. Money, am I right?
So, skip to the night of the party, you’re wearing your casual clothing. Nothing fancy, this isn’t a school dance. You sigh and sit in the corner of the room while your friends keep yelling at you to talk to people and have fun.
This was NOT fun. A bunch of drunk teens dancing around and being loud. You honestly considered leaving.
*He* was surrounded by a bunch of drunk girls trying to throw themselves onto him, to which he pushed them off. One hit the floor with a loud thud at some point, but he didn’t care. He really doesn’t like the attention from the girls, huh. Maybe he isn’t so straight after all…
This night could not get any worse, but it did.
A hell of a lot worse.
Your ex was there, he got drunk, and when he saw you, that was basically when it got bad. He was begging you to get back to him and was being fairly loud about it. A lot of people noticed and were watching what was going on. Even *he* was eyeing the conversation.
“Why do you refuse to get back with me, (Y/N)?!” He shouted, you were fairly quiet with your responses, you didn’t like all the attention he was drawing to the two of you.
“I already told you I’d consider, now please, stop yelling…” You muttered out, which seemed to upset him even more at this point and he got too ahead of himself.
“Why is it that you won’t accept me! Why won’t you just-“
“ENOUGH!” Someone shouted, to which you turned your head to the voice.
*Him*
“I don’t get why you’re so obsessed with the guy, but why don’t you just leave him alone. He’s obviously disinterested.” He spoke in a raised voice, harsh and piercing.
“You stay out of this! Don’t you have other people you can go defend!” Your ex shouted back at him, to which *he* let out a tsk and started to walk over to where the two of you were.
This started even more gossip and uproar from everyone-
“Why is he suddenly defending that guy, who even is he!” “No way, I’ve never seen him talk that much before!” “Why is he defending a GUY! He’s not GAY!” “So lucky! I wish that were me right now!”
“I see now why you didn’t want to talk about your ex, seems like a rough guy to deal with.” He spoke as he walked over, which made your ex even more pissed.
How much worse could this get? A simple verbal argument? Would your ex just step down and apologise?
He tried to throw hands. He failed.
Your ex went to swing at *him*, but he countered with his own swing, It didn’t knock him down of course, but it did throw him back a little bit, which was enough to knock some sense into him and make him not attempt to attack him any further.
“Look (Y/N), please just come back.” Your ex suddenly said, but his voice and atmosphere was much different, that of when he believes he’s GyroJM.
Oh no…
“He doesn’t want to get back with you because he’s *taken*” *He* suddenly spoke, before walking over to you and doing the unthinkable.
He tilted your chin up, bent down to your level, and kissed you. He *kissed* you.
A bunch of girls started screaming, and the gossip was even louder.
“No way! He kissed him!” “Did he say he’s taken? Is he dating him?” “Since when was he gay?” “No fair! That should be me!”
You wanted to pull away, but the way he wrapped his arms around you, one arm around your waist, and one supporting the back of your head, made it fairly difficult to break it off.
Not that you were complaining though, you actually liked it. Yeah, you had a boyfriend before, but you never kissed him. This was your first kiss.
After a few seconds, he broke it off and pulled away, glaring at your ex for his reaction. He looked irritated and stormed out, while you stood there, a blushing mess, with *him* just smirking.
You refused to leave the house after that, called off your shifts for the whole next week, missed all your classes due to sickness, and stayed in bed. Your friend would keep asking what was wrong until you finally said “He kissed me. That’s what’s wrong! He even said I’m taken when I’m not!” You yelled out from under the covers, “Agh what if his fan-girls attack me? I’m screwed!”
“Come on (Y/N), it isn’t that bad, is it?” to which you screamed “It IS that bad!”
The week passed, you can’t keep staying at home. Luckily you didn’t actually have any classes for that week thanks to holiday, but you still had to work.
McDonald’s, the very place you dreaded when you started, and still dread.
The day is fairly normal, average amount of customers, nothing special.
Of course, of all days and times, he walks in.
Before he could see you, you ran to the back to see if someone else could take the order, or if you could swap out and do the drive-thru, but your attempts failed. So you sighed and tried to ignore the anxiety as you went to take his order.
“Welcome to McDonald’s, may I take-“ Filled with anxiety, trying your best to get the sentence out without blushing, stuttering, or flat out not saying anything at all, and you get cut off by him.
“I just want to talk to you, do you think you could go on break for a moment?” You sigh and walk back to where your manager is, who approves after hearing your TL;DR about the party.
“I wanted to apologise to you about-“ You cut him off this time,
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. You didn’t need to come here just to apologise” You mumbled,
“It’s not just that, about what happened…” His words trailed off, and he looked puzzled for a moment while trying to think what to say.
“Your ex, I had been in a rivalry for a long time, and when I saw you two, I knew that’d be my way to get back to him”
You seemed upset now, he had used you just to get back at your ex for some unknown reason, but before you could say anything, he continued,
“I enjoyed speaking to you, though we barely spoke much, you seemed different from the others. When I kissed you, I meant it.” He chucked a little at how stupid he sounded,
“What I’m trying to say is, you don’t have to be my boyfriend, but I’d like to go on a date with you and get to know you better, if you’d be okay with that?”
You were torn now. You liked him back and wanted the same, he was handsome, smart, and the taste of his slightly chapped lips were still on your mind, which made you very biased towards accepting his offer. But on the other hand, you couldn’t help but feel upset that he had originally used you.
But you ignored it and accepted the offer.
“Alright, I’ll go on a date with you.” You smiled
—
A few weeks had passed, and so have a few dates, which started your relationship with him as a boyfriend.
Once you got to know him better, he was much more kind and soft than the cold, harsh guy you once knew from the rumours. And who knew, guess he was bi after all!