Inverted

As soon as he steps in front of me, I'm engulfed in a hug.

"What the fuck, Ben?" I push him off.

"We were so worried, where were you? Where did you go?" It takes me a second to realize what he's talking about.

"Fuck, I'm sorry, Ben. I left with a friend." I'm hoping he'll just drop it because I really don't want to discuss it.

"Who?" Yeah, I didn't think I'd be that lucky.

"Someone I met around Liberty. I'd rather not talk about it."

"Okay, whatever. I'm just glad you're okay. Here's your backpack. Cynthia gave it to me." He hands it to me and we walk into the school just as the bell rings, signifying we only have five minutes to get to first period.

First period goes okay, although that probably has something to do with none of my friends being in it. I'm almost dreading second period with Cynthia. It's a study hall too, so all we're going to end up doing is talk.

XXXXXXXXXX

We have a large study hall so it's held in the commons. As soon as I walk in, Cynthia pounces.

"So how did it go? Are you still a virgin? Was it good?" She's practically jumping up and down.

"Calm the fuck down." I walk past her to sit down at a table and she follows, sitting down across from me.

"So, tell me all the details." I roll my eyes and shrug my shoulders.

"There wasn't much to it really. I went, hung out with a few friends, went home with Justin, we had sex, and he dropped me off here."

"That's not it and you know it! I want details! Who exactly are these friends you speak of? How was the sex? When are you going to see him again?"

I feel my face drop, but I pull myself together and answer her questions with a slightly bored expression. "Well, Tom and I went to Babylon where I met up with Emmett and Alex, two guys I met at the diner yesterday. They're Justin's friends. Justin showed up. We danced a little and he took me back to his place." I take a bite of my sandwich and chew slowly.

"Fuck you, Brian, just tell me."

"Shut up, I'm trying to make this suspenseful." I give her a mock glare and continue. "Well, we went back to his place and I was so fucking nervous. We made out for awhile. He took me to his bedroom and started with a hand job, and then a blow job," I know I'm blushing as I recall the next part, "and he um...gave me a rim job," I look to her and she nods in understanding, which I'll have to ask her about some other time. "His bedroom had a glass ceiling. I could see the stars. And when he came, he told me he loved me. Fuck, Cyn, it was so amazing. I can still feel him inside of me."

"Wow, that sounds so romantic. When are you seeing him again?"

And I come crashing back to reality.

"Um...I don't know. I'll probably see him around though. Apparently he goes to the diner a lot and knows Debbie, so I'll probably run into him sometime."

"Wait. What? You guys didn't talk about when you'd see each other again?"

"Um...no. Justin's really not into the whole relationship thing. I was talking to this guy at Babylon and I found out that Justin doesn't date. He fucks a different guy every night and tosses them out in the morning."

"Brian! That doesn't mean anything--" I'm quick to interrupt her.

"Yeah, well, he was pretty eager to get rid of me this morning."

"Well, so what Brian? You said you really like him, go after him."

"No one's worth chasing after, Cyn. I'm not doing that."

"But..."

"No buts. It's not like I really want to be with someone anyway." The way she rolled her eyes told me she didn't believe my shit.

"Everyone wants someone."

"Well, not me."

XXXXXXXXXX

I go alone to the diner for lunch because Mikey decided to wait around for Ben, and I try to tell myself it's not because I want to see a certain blond. I see Deb taking an order at a table. Justin, Emmett, and Alex are at a booth but they all stand up as if they're leaving. Justin sees me and smiles.

"Hey."

"Hey." I turn around to take a seat at the counter and hear the diner door open and close, signaling Justin's departure. I put my head down on the table and mentally berate myself for sounding so stupid just a second ago.

"Hey kiddo." I look up to see Deb standing behind the counter.

"Hey Deb."

"You've got it bad, huh?" I immediately freeze at the implication of those words.

There is no fucking way that she knows.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Deb."

"Don't bullshit me, kid. I know you have a little crush on Justin. I just want to tell you to be careful, Justin's…"

"Frankly, Deb, I've heard it all. No need to worry about my little feelings."

"Shut up, you little asshole. I was talking. Now what was I saying?"

"Something about me being careful."

"Oh yeah, I was just saying that you're still young. You've got a lot of time to figure everything out, don't rush things."

"Great. Now can I get some food?" That earns me a smack to the head.

XXXXXXXXXX

I'm actually looking forward to last period. There's a guest speaker coming to the school. He works at some up and coming ad agency in Pittsburgh . I got permission from my advisor to miss my last class and see him talk since I'm pretty sure I want to go into advertising.

I sit in the second row from the front. I'm hoping this will be somewhat interesting. One of the advisors gives some kind of introduction and I look up, waiting for the speaker to walk on stage.

And imagine my surprise when Alex, Justin's Alex, walks to the podium.