Inverted

"Um...no. Justin's really not into the whole relationship thing. I was talking to this g

I like working for Alex. It's fun and, dare I say, educational. From what I've heard, most internships turn into gofer jobs, but this one hasn't. Alex actually listens to what I have to say. I've had creative input into one ad and I've even sat in on few business lunches which gave me a chance to interact with the clients. There really hasn't been a downside to it yet. I haven't had as much time to spend with Cyn and Mikey, which I'm considering a plus at the moment, and I usually don't get home until late, another plus because I usually take the time after the internship to study for school. But my dad has been getting on my case because of that. Well, that and my new business attire. Apparently I think I'm better than him because I wear a suit. Yeah, that's the only reason I'm better than him.

I walk into the diner and head straight toward the back with my backpack. The library closes at seven, and I have a big exam tomorrow. The diner is the only place I know of that's open until late and where no one will bother me. Luckily, Deb doesn't work night shifts. I order a plate of fries from the waitress and pull out my Advanced Chemistry, and soon I'm engrossed in single and double bonds.

I'm about to flip the page when I hear a voice, a voice way closer than I want it to be. I take a steadying breath before look up with a raised eyebrow, silently asking what the fuck he's doing here.

"Hey." His smile is wide and bright and...

"Hi, Justin." And I swear that didn't come out like some lovesick high school girl.

"You look exhausted. What're you studying?" I do not look exhausted.

"Advanced Chemistry." He steals a cold fry from my plate. He pops it in his mouth and finishes chewing, with raised eyebrows.

"Wow, he's smart too."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, for someone so pretty---"

I have to stop him there.

"I am not pretty. Devastatingly handsome? Maybe. Pretty? No."

"Fine, for someone so devastatingly handsome..." He says it slowly and trails off, and I know I'm blushing. I swear I'm going to get this blushing thing under control by the time I turn 18. New mission in life. When I look up to see the wide grin on his face I know he was just fucking with me. "You know, you're very attractive when you get flushed like that, Brian." What is he playing at?

"Is that so?"

"Yes." He pauses, letting his response hang in the air before continuing. "So, I hear you're working for Alex now."

"Yeah."

"I'm guessing you came here straight from the office?"

I'm still wearing my button down and tie, although a few buttons are unbuttoned and the tie is hanging loose around my neck. My jacket is thrown over the top of the booth.

"Yeah." I guess I'm going the monosyllabic route tonight.

"You're not much of a conversationalist are you, Brian?" He almost looks nervous. Justin is nervous speaking with me. I'm making him nervous. Unbelievable. I slide my book to the side and lean a little closer, putting my arms on the table.

"I am when I want to be."

"And you don't want to be right now, with me?"

"Well Justin, conversations about Alex and work aren't exactly topics I find particularly stimulating."

"Is that right? Well," he reaches for my textbook, opens to a random page, and pulls out pen from nowhere and begins writing down a number, "here's my phone number. Give me a call and I'm sure we can come up with something we both find particularly stimulating." And with that, he closes the book on his number. Jerk.

He gets up from the booth and walks out the diner door without another word. Needless to say, I spent the next fifteen minutes trying to find the page he wrote his number on.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Oh my god, Brian! He so wants you."

"Yeah, I know." We're sitting on Cyn's bed. Her parents are out of town for the umpteenth time this year.

"You are going to call him, right?"

"Well..." I kind of trail off.

"Brian, you're killing me here."

"Well I know he wants me, but the question is do I want him?" She sits up and looks at me blankly.

"What the fuck are you talking about? Of course you want him. You had the most amazing sex of your life, the only sex of your life, with him. And you've been moping around ever since because you haven't talked to him. The only time I've seen you even remotely happy over the past few weeks is now, the day after you had a conversation with him. If a few words can make you this happy, I don't want see what his dick up your ass will do for you." She has such a potty mouth.

"Let me explain myself. Okay, so Justin wants me. But what does he want me for? Does he just want to have sex again? Maybe I was such a good lay that he just wants me in his bed again. Or---" She rolls her eyes at that and interrupts.

"Believe me, you weren't that great of a lay, Brian. You were a virgin. There's no way you were that good in bed."

I do what I always do when someone says something I don't want to hear. I roll my eyes, scoff, and tell her to, "fuck off." I need to get one of those friends that doesn't talk. Seriously, one that just sits there and listens and nods in agreement.

"I'm seriously thinking of trading you in, Cyn. The issue still remains...does he want me just for sex or does he want a relationship? Either way, I should probably be worried. I don't think I want to have sex without some kind of involvement, at least not with him. And as far as relationship goes, I'm only 17 which is way too young to have a relationship, especially with--"

"Brian, shut up. You're being stupid. The night you went home with him, these same kind of thoughts were running through your head, right? And you still went home with him. Why?"

"Because I wanted him."

"Right, and you still want him. So call him."

I pick up my cell phone and scroll through the list of names until I find Justin. I press "enter" and wait until someone picks up.

"Hey, Justin?"

"Yeah?"

"It's Brian."