Work Text:
In a quaint suburb in Austin, Texas, the house of Claremont-Diaz is bustling with activity at 6 AM. Alex, the younger son, comes back from his regular morning jog and as he steps inside, a towel suddenly flies at him, and he manages to catch it just in time.
“June, when will you stop doing this? Like every fuckin’ day….,” Alex says, as he sits down in one the chairs of the dining table, clutching the towel.
“Well, just a few weeks, little bit . And you know I love to annoy you,” June adds with a giggle as she takes a bite from the apple she’s eating.
“Alex Gabriel Claremont-Diaz, pick up that ass and get in the shower now. Breakfast is ready and I'm running late. I'll drop you to school and scoot for a seminar,” adds Ellen, sternly, barely amused by the siblings’ banter.
Ellen Claremont is campaigning for state governor this year after serving nearly two years as the mayor of Austin. Recently, she has separated from her husband of twenty years, Oscar Diaz, and is adjusting to life as a single parent while managing her responsibilities in the Mayor's office. Her eldest child, June, 19, is preparing to leave for Columbia University to study journalism, while her youngest, Alex, 17, remains uncertain about his future, which is a significant source of concern for her.
Once Ellen drops him to school, Alex’s face brightens as he sees Nora waiting for him near the school entrance. Nora is comparatively new to Austin but she has been his best friend for the last two years. They briefly tried to date, exactly for a week, after which both of them realized they are better off, as best friends. Nora lives with her grandparents just a few blocks from Alex’s house and she is a regular visitor to their house for group studies, pajama parties and obviously, all the holidays.
“ Alejandro… . you're looking dapper, as always! Excited to start the third year of high school?” Nora asks, wrapping him in a warm, friendly hug.
“You bet, Nora. But, Mom's just extra pissed with me. It has been almost six months since Dad permanently shifted to San Francisco. And June’s leaving for New York in a few weeks.”
“Hey, I'll be around and keep you company. And you know it’s just this year and the next and we'll be out of Texas as well. I'm definitely eyeing the scholarship at MIT.”
“Good for you, Nora. I hope this year helps me get some clarity on what to do next. Else, Mom’s gonna have my head!”
Nora laughs lightly as she links her arm with Alex's, stepping onto the school grounds. As they make their way to the academic block for their first class, they observe students either whispering or chatting enthusiastically all around them. The hallways are typically bustling with noise after each period, serving as a social hub for students before their next lesson starts. However, the usual commotion feels even more intense today. Alex spots Liam, the newly appointed vice captain of the lacrosse team, engrossed in conversation with a group. He chooses to join them for a quick chat.
“Hey, Liam! I hope you enjoyed your break,” Alex says, raising his hand for a high-five.
Liam slaps it and replies, “I did! But I didn’t see you around. You missed practice during the break.”
“Yeah, I mostly stayed in and spent time with June. She’s heading off to college in New York. I let the coach know, and he said I could ease back into things when the new school year starts. So, what’s all this whispering about?”
“Well, the principal's son is going to be one of our seniors. He was at some fancy school in the UK, but there was a scandal, so he had to switch schools,” Liam explains.
“Oh, I see. But I still don’t get the hype,” Alex says, as Nora joins them, leaning on Alex’s shoulder.
“Yeah, what’s the deal, Liam?” Nora chimes in.
Liam takes a moment to scroll through a social media site, then turns his phone to show them a profile. He says, “That’s Henry Fox. You’ve got to be kidding if you think a guy like him walking the halls wouldn’t stir up some excitement.”
Alex takes a peek at the profile, and something hits him as he sees Henry's pretty face. But he shakes it off while Nora takes the phone to look deeper into the phone, “He's yummy, so I get the buzz. Alex, look at him!”
“Don’t exaggerate, Nora. Let’s get to class, otherwise we'll be late.”
Just as Alex wraps up his sentence and starts heading to class with Nora's hand in his, he's struck by a bright, almost blinding vision. There’s this guy strutting towards him like he just stepped out of a superhero movie. He’s tall, maybe just a smidge shorter than Alex, but who’s counting? With his fair skin and a glorious mane of neatly cut, straight blonde hair, he’s turning heads! This guy’s got an athletic build and shoulders so broad they could probably take on the lacrosse team captain in a friendly wrestling match. He’s rocking a cozy polo neck and a sweater, with blue jeans that fit just right. What a sight!
Nora giggles and gives Alex a playful poke. “Alex, your jaw is practically on the floor! Close it before we both turn into walking embarrassments!”
Alex suddenly realizes his mouth is wide open, totally mesmerized by the stunning presence of his new senior. He quickly shuts his mouth and whispers back, “Oh, come on, Nora!”
Just as they’re about to head to class, someone taps Alex gently on the shoulder. He turns around, his gaze meeting the bluest eyes he’s ever seen; it's the senior , Henry!
“Hey, you dropped this,” Henry says, handing over a notepad that slipped from Alex’s grip when he was gasping in awe, definitely not because of Henry.
“Uh, thanks,” Alex stammers, taking the notepad and struggling to find his words. But, nothing comes out.
Nora jumps in, “I’m Nora, by the way. I’m a junior, just like Alex here. Welcome to Austin Waldorf!” She extends her hand for a handshake.
Henry takes her hand with a smile, “Nice to meet you, Nora! I’m Henry. And, Alex!”
Finally, Alex manages to say, “Yeah, same here. Come on, Nora, we’re super late. Mr. Andrews will lock us out if we don’t hurry!”
****
In the next few days, Alex keeps bumping into Henry at school. Henry always greets him with a big smile in the hallways, sometimes even waving, even when he’s chatting with his friends. He’s like a polite lighthouse in a stormy sea of noisy seniors. And let’s not forget, he’s a soccer superstar, and wow, those shorts are just perfect! They fit him like a glove, hugging those thighs and that perfectly round ass, um, Alex is definitely not thinking about that! Nope, not even a little! Alex makes sure to sneak a peek every time he strolls by the soccer field, where the team is practicing. There’s just something super captivating about watching him kick the ball around, with sweat glistening on his face while his teammates playfully wrestle him for it.
Alex knows that he is blessed with good looks and being the top student in his class, makes him even more alluring. He’s aware his popularity outweighs even his seniors. The girls from junior high really admire him, and he has heard that a few middle school girls have started fan clubs for him. But, he doesn't let these get to his head. Yet, when someone tells him, the whole school is now going gaga over Henry; something in him stirs, which seems akin to envy. It seems new fan clubs in his name have cropped up and there are also debates pitting Henry against Alex as the school’s latest heartthrob. He doesn’t know why but he feels a certain unease around Henry, despite Henry being always nice to him. Also, he doesn’t see the point of this craze… this obsession!
When Alex shares with Nora that Henry always gives him a nod whenever they bump into each other at school, Nora can't help but tease, suggesting that maybe Henry has a little crush on him. Alex just rolls his eyes, thinking that’s a silly idea. Why would a senior guy be interested in him? Even if he was, it wouldn’t matter because Alex is all about the girls! Although, to be honest, his dating record isn’t exactly impressive; the only girls he’s been with are his middle school sweetheart, Aubrey, and his current best buddy, Nora.
One fine day, during the lunch break, he heads to the cafeteria. He observes Nora in a deep conversation with Henry. He decides to join, though he's not sure of himself how he would behave around Henry.
“ Alejandro , join us, babe…,” Nora says, as Alex joins them.
“Nora, I was searching for you, after class. You missed Algebra.”
“Yeah, Alex, but it’s fine. I’m already good at it. I got caught up talking to Henry and lost track of time.”
Henry chuckles and adds, “Don’t blame me, Nora. I did ask you if you have any class and you said you don't.”
Alex takes a seat near Nora, quietly, thinking about the situation with Nora and Henry. Nora is skipping classes to spend time with Henry, who seems quite amused with her. Why is he smiling and waving at Alex, then, making him feel like he’s being seen? Why does his glances make him feel he is observing him? And why does that bother Alex so much?
"So, what's your deal, Henry?" Alex throws the question out there, eyebrow raised.
Henry looks slightly taken aback by the line questioning but he asks, "What are you talking about, Alex?"
"The whole school is totally swayed by you. Honestly, I don't get it. But, what I do get, is that I can't stand you messing with Nora and turning her into an irresponsible girl. Lately, she has been missing classes which she never did before. So, do us both a favor and back off."
“Alex, there was no such intention from my side,” Henry begins to say.
Alex just glares at him after which Henry realizes that there's no point in explaining. He takes that as cue for him to leave.
Nora asks, irritation evident in her tone, “Alex, what was that? You went ballistic on him.”
“I just don't trust him. He’s way too sugary sweet, and honestly, it’s a bit much.”
“Alex, did you get jealous? Because he was talking to me & not you?”
“Are you out of your mind, Nora? Jealous? Me? I’m the last person who would ever feel that way.”
“Alright, if you say so. But, I feel you're just seeing bad things in everything. I know you're under a lot of pressure; your mom running for governor, us approaching the end of high school yet you're not sure what you're going to do.” She looks at Alex, who seems to be lost in thoughts. She takes his hand in hers, and says, “I'm aware you're still hurting from your father's leaving. You never talked about it but you know I'll listen when you feel you're ready to talk.”
“It's not about that; it’s all about what we know… or don’t know… about Henry.”
“Okay, but if we keep dodging him, how are we ever going to figure him out, Alex? Plus, he’s really nice, unlike most of our seniors. I’m not buying into all the gossip swirling around him, good or bad.”
“What I'm trying to say is that we don’t know him well enough, so you shouldn’t be wasting your time on him, Nora. I just want to keep you safe because I have a feeling his intentions aren’t exactly pure. He’s not the guy for you.”
Nora laughs, “Oh, Alex, I think Henry just wants to make friends. But I appreciate your protective vibe; it’s honestly cute. Maybe that’s why I love teaming up with June to drive you crazy.”
“And I hate that, because you're my best friend, not hers!”
From that day forward, every time Henry passes Alex in the hallways, Alex notices that Henry avoids eye contact. He watches as Henry talks to Nora, despite being told to stop, but when Henry sees Alex approaching, he hurriedly ends the chat and looks for an escape. Alex secretly enjoys that he finally got to a senior who deserved it, although he feels a small amount of regret that he chooses to ignore.
****
Alex takes on an additional foreign language for extra credits, which might help him to win a scholarship to one of the Ivy league colleges. His mother is a proud Brown alumnus and obviously in line with that she hopes that Alex emulates her path. Conversely, his father, who graduated from UT Austin, wishes for Alex to follow in his footsteps and stay in Texas. In fact, this disagreement was a frequent source of conflict between his parents, when they were together and it still persists. And, it won't resolve till Alex makes a decision, which seems doomed because Alex genuinely doesn't know what he wants to do.
As he walks into the class, he sees the familiar face of a few of his seniors as well as some classmates who have opted for French for the same reason as he has. He takes a seat beside one of the students, who seems to be lost in his bag, kept on the floor, clearly searching for something.
“For fuck's sake, where did I leave the book?” the student mutters in frustration.
Alex grins and offers, “Hey, you can use mine.”
Then he realizes the student is Henry.
Henry, sounding slightly irritated as he looks up to meet Alex’s gaze, asks, “Are you really okay with sharing, now that you’ve seen my face?”
Alex ignores Henry's question and scans the room for any available seats, eager to avoid any interaction with him. Unfortunately, there are none. He still hasn't figured out why Henry gets under his skin so much, driving him crazy. He wants to avoid any drama this year. The fight he had last year on the lacrosse field after losing the junior match was a significant enough incident. It cost him the captaincy and a shot at vice captaincy for the senior league, and Ellen was definitely not pleased about it. As Alex observes the teacher enter their classroom, he just nods in Henry’s direction and opens the book for them to share. As the class begins, he sneaks a look at Henry, only to catch Henry looking back at him. Henry pauses, then shifts his gaze to his book and notepad, twirling his pen. Alex also focuses on his notepad. When class is over, Alex observes Henry putting his supplies into his bag, anticipating a not-so-kind remark. After all, Alex hasn't been very articulate with him lately.
But, Henry smiles brightly and says, "Thanks, Alex, for sharing your book. It's my first day of class, and it could have been chaotic without your help.” Alex just nods, in acknowledgement. As he is still recovering from the smile that hit him, in all the right places, just like before!
During their school's outing to Blanton Museum of Arts, Henry volunteers to be one of the seniors to help the rest of students navigate the museum while sharing with them important facts. He specially keeps himself close to Nora, who seems to be completely in awe of Henry’s knowledge of arts. Alex closely follows behind them, completely disinterested in what Henry’s saying because he is too busy observing how the words roll out really smooth off Henry’s tongue. Music to his ears! There is a weird enthusiasm akin to a fire that radiates from Henry, as he talks about each and every art piece there, and Alex feels himself drawn to fire, almost ready to burn himself in it.
However, Nora suddenly grabs Henry’s hand to express her excitement. From that moment on, Henry holds onto her hand tightly. They stroll together, hand in hand, discussing the art and the inspiration behind them. After a few minutes, Nora releases Henry’s hand when one of their teachers calls for her. This leaves Alex walking next to Henry.
“Never thought you to be the quiet one,” Henry says.
Alex doesn’t want to say that being around Henry steals every fucking word from his mouth. Instead he says, “It isn’t like that. I was just observing the art. I'm really surprised to see you know so much about them.”
“Well, I love history. And I like to dig into things to get to know them better, deeper.”
“Hmm, interesting. I thought you’re just great at soccer. But you also know art and history. I see the allure, now, why girls go gaga for you. I mean the sheer duality of it.”
Henry nods his head and chuckles, “Nothing like that, Alex. I feel one should follow one's interest. Playing rugby at Eton made me learn the importance of camaraderie and it's the same with football here. But, you know, I'm basically a nerd, who would love to spend time reading books endlessly.”
Alex laughs, almost amazed at Henry. He thinks how wrong he was in judging Henry out of the blue and he was truly blatant in his expression. But, Henry never retaliated, which he could have.
Alex says, “Henry, I'm… I'm really sorry for being rude to you that day and saying things that I perhaps didn't mean.”
“It's okay, Alex. You were just protecting Nora, I guess. It shows what an awesome friend you are. I wish I had a friend like that here.”
“Well, everyone wants to be in your closest circle. You wouldn't have a dearth of friends here, Henry.”
“Yeah, you're right. But those friends have their own twisted agenda in hanging out with me. And I know that already. I had Percy back at Eton who always had my back. But people are just different here.”
“That sucks, Henry. I can’t imagine going through high school without Nora. She has been my steadfast support for the past two years.”
“Yes that's why I said, lucky you.”
Nora's arrival makes them change their conversation to include her. They begin to joke and have fun with each other. As they are about to leave the museum, Alex sees Henry standing in front of a stunning painting. He chooses to go over and speak with him.
“Henry… it's time… we should be going…”
“See the lines in this painting, Alex. So subtle yet it gives a window to the mind of the artist when he was painting. Every stroke holds evidence to his mood.”
“Okay, nerd! Let's go, else we'll miss the bus. Ideally you should be the one helping the teachers so that all of us can be on that bus and ride back to school.”
“Yeah, right. I went overboard, apologies.”
“Never mind. We can come again, some other day.”
“We? You would like to tag along?”
“Yes, I would. I have no issue listening to you rant about paintings and stuff. I find it rather intriguing.”
Henry smiles as he replies, “That's great to know, Alex.”
****
In just a few weeks, Alex has started spending more time with Henry, especially after school. It all began when Henry invited Alex to get ice cream while they were leaving school together. Since that day, their after-school meetups have become a regular thing, riding in their bikes side by side. Yes, Alex now rides his bike to school, something he hadn’t done since his dad moved to San Francisco. During the school hours, they share just one class, AP French, and usually just pass each other in the hallways, sharing knowing looks and smiles. But, after school, they hang together, ride their bikes to unknown or less frequented spots or old cinemas, just to catch a good old movie. Or just find a spot somewhere, where Henry reads a book aloud, with Alex interrupting him after every paragraph asking if there's a hidden message there, from the author.
Alex, now, knows more about Henry, and he finds him intriguing enough that he often thinks about him when they are not hanging together. He’s aware that Henry was sent to Eton as part of a family tradition from his mother's side, even though his father, Arthur, was against it. Alex learns that Henry is the youngest of three siblings, with his brother and sister still studying in the UK. He also discovers that Henry has a musical talent and plays the piano well. Henry confides in Alex about his dream of becoming a writer, sharing his wish to concentrate on creative writing, after he graduates from high school.
However, Henry seems to be more focused on Nora, often walking next to her, holding her hand. Alex has definitely noticed this! Even though he knows Henry better now, it still bothers him a lot. He really wants to ask Henry about his intentions with Nora but he's afraid. What if Henry says he likes Nora and would like to date her? The idea of Henry asking Nora out and the probability of him and Nora becoming a high school couple actually makes him feel sick to the stomach. And he’s still not sure why he feels that way. He only knows whatever it is, it doesn’t change his feelings towards Nora. Maybe he’s still looking out for his best friend. But, is he?
After school, one day, as Alex meets Henry outside school, Henry says, “Hey, you know what? I discovered this beautiful spot after I joined Waldorf, on my way home.”
“Did you, now? Well, Austin, in general, is quite the beauty.”
“I’ll have to agree to that. You know, my parents shifted here only because my Dad preferred a lowkey and simple lifestyle. And I kinda dig that.”
“So, are you going to show me this spot or not? I bet I have already seen it.”
“I bet you haven’t. Follow me on your wheels.”
As Alex rides his bike behind Henry, he understands why he may have overlooked this place before. Although it's close to their school, it's concealed by large bushes and shrubs. Once you push through them, a narrow path appears, stretching a few meters to the spot. It's stunning; a broad river flows through, surrounded by green fields on both sides, with a single bridge that can be crossed in just ten to fifteen steps. On the far side of the river, he notices a few cows grazing in the distance. Alex is truly captivated by the beauty before him.
“Hmmm, by the look on your face, I’m assuming you never found this spot, Alex.”
“No I didn’t. And it's simply breathtaking.”
“It is. So, can you swim, Alex?” Henry asks, as he strips down to his boxers. Then, without a warning, he runs and jumps into the wide stream.
Watching that and being thoroughly amused with Henry’s enthusiasm, Alex too strips down and joins Henry in the stream.
“Hey, what if someone sees us? I mean, are we even allowed to swim here? I see no sign boards around,” Alex asks.
“Chill, Alex! The stream isn’t deep enough to drown us. And no one comes here. It’s just the cows,” Henry says, chuckling as he points towards the cows.
Alex rolls his eyes at Henry while he splashes him with the water from the stream. They swim in the stream for a long time, chasing each other and pushing each other off a floating log. They swim to the other side of the river stream and chase behind the cows in their boxers. Eventually, they swim back to their side, where their clothes are kept, and sit beside the river stream talking to each other, drying themselves off.
“You know, Alex. With you, I feel so free. Your crazy matches mine, to be honest.”
Alex furrows his brows and asks, “What do you mean by that?”
“What I mean is that, I don’t know anyone who would chase behind cows like you just did. Just as I did. It was hilarious that one of them made its way to you, trying to chase you back. I’m never going to forget that.”
“I think it was a bull that chased me back, not a cow. I get that; he was just protecting his territory,” Alex quips which makes Henry laugh again.
“God, Alex! Never a dull moment with you.”
Henry then leans back and lies on the grass as he looks up at the sky, seeing the birds returning back to their homes. Alex joins him, and even though there’s a sudden quiet between them, he still feels the strong connection between him and Henry.
Alex says, “You know, when I hang with you, I forget how tough last year was for me. Dad left, without even telling me. I lost my captaincy. But around you, I don't know… I kinda feel hopeful that it will get better.”
Henry says, “I'm glad to know that, Alex.”
Henry then turns his head towards Alex, his index finger tracing Alex’s freckles, his gaze following the lone finger that glides through Alex’s skin. And, Alex will never accept it, out loud, that it is sending shivers down his spine. And he allows the touch, without any objection!
“I love this, Alex. How the rays of the setting sun hits your skin, making your freckles appear as tiny stars. It looks so much like the sky after the sun sets.”
Breathe, Alex. This might be the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to you!
Henry turns now fully, facing Alex, prompting Alex to do the same. Alex has zero idea why his heart’s beating this fast. Like his own eardrums might burst because of the sound. He hopes Henry cannot hear it, though, because he fears that might chase him away!
Henry leans in closer, his finger, now, softly gliding along the delicate curve of Alex’s lower lip, and the anticipation is almost too much for Alex to bear. He shuts his eyes, hoping his heart won’t leap out of his chest from the thrill of it all, when he feels the lightest touch of the softest lips against his own. Opening his eyes, he finds himself lost in Henry’s deep cerulean gaze, filled with longing, but just as quickly, Henry starts to pull away. In a flash, however, Alex draws him back, kissing him with a passion that surprises Henry and obviously, him, too.
Henry eventually breaks the kiss, sitting up with a smile and shaking his head, as if he can't believe what just happened. Alex is still coming down from the high of the moment when he realizes the significance of that moment. But it shatters as he sees Henry smiling whilst nodding his head. He wonders if he's being mocked, and that’s definitely not cool!
In a surge of anger, he sits up, nearly shouting, “Are you making fun of me, Henry? Is that why you’re smiling?”
“Alex! No, that’s not it at all.”
“I think it is.”
“No, Alex….”
But, Alex doesn’t let Henry complete. He interjects, saying, “Just stop! I knew there was something off about you. I had my doubts from the beginning, and now I see I was right. You made a move on me and I was a fool to give in.”
“Alex, don’t say that. I could tell you wanted it too. I felt it.”
“Enough, Henry! It was, anyways, just a fleeting moment.”
“I don't agree to that, Alex.”
“Do you even care? Not that it matters. I’m not someone who's into guys, anyways. So just leave me alone.”
Alex quickly puts on his sweatshirt and jeans, grabs his bike, and speeds away, leaving Henry looking utterly bewildered.
****
It is just a few weeks away from senior prom and the air inside the school campus is charged up with frequent prom-posals a.k.a seniors asking juniors to be their prom dates. And Alex cannot be more irritated by the same. He is still carrying that confusing and insulting moment between him and Henry. He avoids Henry; every time he sees him walking in his direction, he changes his course. He arrives early to his AP French class and has befriended another senior, Gus, just so that he doesn't have to sit with Henry. When he leaves school, he ensures he and Henry aren't taking the same exit.
All Alex wants to just forget about that evening and that awful kiss! But, the kiss was not awful. Not in its slightest bit. He’s not sure whether it was Henry or the kiss that made the moment special. But he is now aware that he might not be as straight as he thought he was! The way his hands pulled Henry in, by his waist, during the kiss, still fires up his every nerve ending. It felt beyond anything he ever experienced before. Though he walked out on Henry saying he wasn’t into boys but maybe he is, so long as the boy is Henry!
As he takes a bite out of his sandwich, packed by his mom dearest, he looks around and sees another senior boy asking a tenth grader out to the senior prom. Alex rolls his eyes thinking that he might puke whatever he ate if he sees another of that prom-posal. Nora soon joins him at the table.
“Alex, who gave you that pouty face? You look like you’re having a full-on internal drama!”
“Nora, this whole prom-posal thing is just ridiculous. Who has time for all this? We’re already drowning in homework, sports, and a million extra classes.”
“Alex, you haven’t even played a sport this year, not even lacrosse. You’re just lounging around with your nose in a book or sulking like a pro,” Nora teases, grinning from ear to ear.
“Ugh, Nora, I do not sulk!”
“Oh, honey, you totally do. Now spill the tea, has anyone asked you to prom yet?”
“The senior girls are practically booked solid, in case you didn’t notice, Nora. So I guess I’ll just wait until next year when I’m a senior.”
“What about the senior boys?”
“Nora, why on earth would they ask me?”
“Who knows? Liam just got asked by Steven!”
“Wait, are you talking about Steven, the school magazine editor? The one gunning for valedictorian? Is he gay? And what about Liam? Is he gay too?”
“Did you really not know, Alex? Steven came out last year, and Liam? Well, he’s never been shy about it, just hasn’t made a big announcement.”
“Whoa! I must’ve missed that memo, Nora. But I’m super happy for Liam and Steven.”
“You should be! And for me too. Henry asked me to be his date for the senior prom.”
“Wait, what? He asked you?”
“Jealous? I was assuming he would ask you but he asked me.”
“Nora, stop! I’m far away from jealous. I’m worried. Hope you didn’t say yes.”
“Well, you know how I love to get dolled up. And it’s the senior prom, the most awaited night of the year. So, yeah, I had to say yes!”
“So, you like him? Is this a date or what?”
“No, Alex. We’re just friends who are close. But you’re my best friend.”
“Nora, he might have a crush on you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You might want to do something about that.”
“I really don’t think he’s in love with me, Alex. And by the way, I’ve noticed how he looks at you too. You two are practically besties now! But don’t worry, I’m not about to break his heart.”
“Yeah, we’ve been getting chummy lately. But I’m still worried about you.”
“Don’t sweat it, Alex! I’ve got this!”
Alex is rubbing his forehead like he’s trying to massage away a headache, but really, he’s just a big ball of confusion trying to untangle this whole mess. Nora is chatting away like she’s speaking in secret codes, and Alex is just standing there like, amused yet perplexed. So, he whips out a mental notepad as he spirals into his thoughts.
- Henry asked Nora to be his date for senior prom, and Nora said yes, though Nora says she has no romantic feelings towards Henry.
- Henry kissed him and he kissed him back, which means he might have romantic feelings for Henry.
- Henry and him have grown so close that the kiss, perhaps, felt like the logical next step. And the feeling of that entire moment still takes precedence over every thought that swirls in his mind.
- Henry kissed him, so, is Henry secretly gay? No he can’t be. He seems completely enchanted by Nora. That’s the obvious reason why he asked her to be his prom date.
- Is he gay for wanting Henry like the way he does? Maybe he is? Or not?
- If Henry asked Alex to be his prom date, would Alex have agreed? Would he have felt happy about it?
“Alex, are you even listening?” Nora asks, as she pulls his shoulder back and forth.
“Yeah, no. I kinda zoned out.”
“I’m saying we can make it a trio date for the prom. If you would like to tag along.”
“No, thank you. You and Henry can continue. I’ll be staying at home, finishing my AP French assignments.”
On the evening of the prom, however, Alex finds himself restless, constantly checking for updates on Nora’s profile on Instagram. He should ideally be focusing on his assignments, but how can he when he knows Henry’s out with his best friend, them looking dapper and in each other arms. Okay, Alex wishes he had a gun to shoot that thought out of his mind. But, he also knows that it's not just a thought. In a few moments from now, it will be realized. No, he cannot take this! Alex, finally, decides he might need to show up at the prom, for different reasons altogether.
Once he reaches their school on his bike, clad in his denims with a matching jacket, he sees the school all decked up in grandeur for the prom. As he runs inside the main hall, where the party is ongoing, he is hardly able to place Henry or Nora. Disappointed, he reaches the school garden to get the biggest shock of his school year, perhaps.
There, seated on a bench, in a cute black tuxedo, is Henry. He looks beyond ethereal, straight blonde hair beautifully combed while his fingers play at the phone’s screen. His eyes look the crazy blue which Alex absolutely adores and even in the faint light from the screen, he can make see them shimmer. Suddenly, his phone vibrates, and as Alex takes it out from his jeans pocket, he sees it’s a text message from Henry. As he opens the screen, he sees a trail of messages getting delivered to him. He remembers that he had blocked Henry’s number since that fateful evening, yet Henry kept on sending him messages hoping he would reply. His phone keeps on buzzing and as he looks up, he sees Henry staring at him.
“Hey,” Alex says, confused as to what to say or how to begin the conversation. He moves closer to Henry and takes a seat beside him on the bench.
“Hello, Alex. Prom in denims? Great choice!"
“Shut up, Henry! No one asked me. And yet, I’m here.”
Henry turns to check his phone and says, “So, I just checked that my texts got delivered to you, just now.”
“Hmmm, I just unblocked you, like a few minutes ago.”
“That makes sense. Did you read any of them?”
“I was about to, but I ran into you. Which is exactly the reason why I'm here!"
Right now, they both look like two idiots sitting on a bench. One has a date for his senior prom yet he is sitting outside, despite the crowd and overall enthusiasm of the prom inside the school building. The other one, absolutely hopeless and oblivious, is not even a senior and ideally should not be here. The quiet between them seems to have a scream of its own, urging either of them to speak up and shatter the stillness.
Alex finally breaks the silence, “So, where’s Nora? You left her alone, inside?”
“She’s exactly where she needs to be. On a date.”
“With who?”
“I can’t share that. We made a promise to keep things private.”
“Okay, fine, keep your secrets. But you have no idea how strange it feels to think about my best friend being with you. Dancing with you at prom? I should have been the one here with you, holding you close and dancing,” Alex says.
Henry looks taken aback. He replies slowly, “What do you mean, Alex? You wanted to go to prom with me?”
“No I didn’t. Because I didn’t think you would go. Or ask anyone to go with you. Because it's silly, remember. We talked about it. Yet you’re here with Nora, not me.”
“But, you ran away, Alex. I thought you hated me. I did not have the courage to come up to you and talk and that’s why the texts. But when they didn’t deliver, I realized, perhaps, they'll never would.”
“Okay, fair enough. I was stupid in running away and assuming the worst of you. I blocked you, clearly wanting to avoid any discussion of what happened between us. I’m sorry for that, Henry. But, why would you ask Nora out, before making things right with me? I thought we had something special.”
“We did have something special, Alex. In fact, we still do. I never considered being with anyone else. Since I met you, I always hoped that if I were with someone, it would be you. I didn’t even know if you liked boys, girls, or both. But when we kissed, I realized it didn’t matter to me. That kiss felt like you really liked me. Then you ran away, and it changed everything for me.”
“I was confused, Hen. I still am. I assumed I preferred girls but that’s not true anymore. I don’t know if I like boys either. But, there’s just one singular thing, I'm sure about. That I like you. I really do.”
“You do? Then, why would you block me and not let me explain?”
“I just told you I'm sorry. I’ve been stupid and that’s why I’m here. I want to let you know that I’ve been happier these past months in a way I never thought. And it began with you. I ran away that day because I felt inadequate. I felt like I wasn’t matching up to the experiences you have already had, before me. I got angry and it messed up with my thoughts and eventually my words. I didn’t mean any of it. And then, your inclination towards Nora, further added to it. I mean, she's hot and a girl..."
“Alex! For fuck’s sake, did you not get it? I’m as gay as a maypole. I have never been with a woman. Just once perhaps which is when I realized I shouldn’t be with women. And since I walked into Waldorf, I had my eyes only for you, love. I like you, and only you. And if you are okay with it, I would really like to date you.”
“Oh, Hen! I would like to date you, too,” Alex says, as he leans in and captures Henry’s lips in a bruising kiss.
Once they break from the kiss, Alex asks, “Okay, I have so many questions.”
Henry chuckles, as he says, “Okay, go on!”
“I often noticed the way you looked at Nora with such warmth. Was I the only one who thought you had a crush on her?”
“Did that make you jealous, love? Well, I found Nora’s energy mirror my older sister, Beatrice’s energy. That’s the reason I felt drawn to her. And she’s so kind, generous and funny. We hit it off instantly. She even offered to set us up on a date but I said no. As I was not sure if you would be up for it.”
“You mean, she knew that something was brewing between us?”
“Yeah, she said she could see it in my eyes when I looked at you. Funny, you never saw it.”
Alex punches Henry’s arm and says, “Babe, stop! I did see it. I just preferred to not look too deep into it. By the way, will you tell me where she is? And who is she dating?”
At that instant, Henry’s phone rings, a FaceTime call. He picks it up and points the screen to himself and Alex.
Nora screams, “OMG, you guys are together, finally! I’m so fucking happy for you, Henry. And, Alex, you oblivious fool, I’m happy for you, too.”
Henry replies, “Thanks Nora! I owe you one.” He picks up Alex's hand, which is wrapped up in his hand and shows it to Nora on the screen, while Alex blushes and smiles.
And then, as Alex looks at the phone screen, he notices the person, Nora's alleged date, sitting beside Nora. It is his sister, June.
“June? What the fuck?”
“ Little bit , I wanted to tell you this… but, Nora and I… are kinda… together.”
“What?! When did this happen, and why am I being told this right now? Oh shit! Am I truly this oblivious?”
Henry chuckles as he holds Alex’s hand in his, pressing it softly, as an anchoring gesture. He finally says over the screen, “I know we all have a lot of things to tell each other. But, can we do this later? Thanks again, Nora. I hope you have fun with your date for the rest of the evening. I’ll do the same with mine.”
Alex remains perplexed as he observes Henry end the call, dropping a small kiss on Alex’s knuckles. Alex is, however, still questioning whether Henry is being completely honest with him, and he knows he needs to extract all the information before the rest of the evening unfolds.
“Why did you thank Nora?” Alex inquires, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
“Because she agreed to be my prom date. She knew it would catch you off guard and bring you running back to me. I wasn’t really expecting much, but I think she had hope for both of us,” Henry replies, a soft smile playing on his lips.
“She really knows me well, doesn’t she?” Alex chuckles, his expression shifting to something more serious. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t even know myself. Before you came into my life, I thought I was just a straight, confused 17-year-old. Now, I’m not even sure if I’m gay, bi, pan!"
Henry grips Alex’s hands tighter, his voice soothing. “Alex, take a deep breath, love. I know this can feel overwhelming. But there’s no need to rush. I’ve been through my own struggles. I had to leave Eton because of a secret affair that got out. In fact, the senior with whom I was involved, outed me. My family name was dragged through the mud, and my grandpa suggested I move back to America to escape the gossip. I felt like I had disappointed my family until my parents helped me see that I hadn’t. They love me for who I am. And then I met you, which felt like a dream I never thought I’d have. I almost lost hope to be with you, but now I realize I don’t have to.”
Alex gazes up and says, “So, is that the reason you transferred to Waldorf? I'm really sorry, babe, you had to go through that.” Alex leans in, pulling him into a warm hug and as they release each other, Alex leans in to plant another soft kiss on Henry’s lip. And Henry reciprocates eagerly.
Henry then continues, “It’s up to you, Alex. You can take time to figure things out and then decide. I’m never going to tell you to come out or stay in the closet.”
“Are you saying you’d be okay if I chose to stay in the closet? That you’d still want to be with me?”
“Absolutely. I know how painful it can be when someone reveals your truth without your permission. It’s such a personal journey. If you decide to never come out, I’ll cherish every moment we have together, even if it’s in secret. For the world, I can be your best friend, your colleague, whatever you need. And if you choose to come out, I promise to stand by you, loudly and proudly, holding your hand through it all.”
And, Alex just gazes at Henry, pure adoration in his eyes and his heart feeling fuller than ever. In the next moment, he clicks a photo of their hands together, holding on to each other and posts it on social media with the caption, Him & me - it's just the beginning….
He tags Henry on the post after unblocking him and in mere seconds, ‘likes’ start pouring, reaching into a staggering amount, which blows their mind collectively.
“Does this seem loud enough for you, babe?”
“It does! But, Alex, your Mom… you haven’t told her yet,” Henry says, a sense of worry evident in his tone.
“Mom has been scandalized by me, lately. Last year, I had a fight after my Lacrosse finals and this year, I’m announcing my relationship. The contrast is striking; last year, I was engulfed in sadness after that fight, but this time around, I’m overflowing with happiness, so much so that I can hardly remember what sadness even feels like.”
“I absolutely adore you,” Henry says as he pulls Alex closer.
“I adore you, too. And, don’t worry about my mother. I’m sure she will eventually come through, for me.”
“I'm sure she will.”
“And, if she throws me out, I know I have a supportive boyfriend who'll let me stay with him,” Alex quips.
“Menace! But, perhaps, I will,” Henry says, giggling as his eyes sparkle with joy.
“I’m just riding this wave of joy right now. It’s all sunshine and smiles, with no room for confusion or worry.”
Henry leans in and kisses him, and Alex feels like he’s exactly where he belongs, wrapped in Henry’s embrace, surrounded by love and the sweet possibility of a future they can build together.