If I Could Tell Him (Sal x Travis Fanfiction)

Cowboy Travis

Sal
As Travis closes the door to the bathroom, Neil speaks up.

"Um... was that just Travis Phelps?"

"Shit, Todd, you didn't tell him about Travis?" Larry says. "The dude's been chilling out, Neil."

"Chilling out? Travis?"

"Sal put a spell on him or something," Ashley interjects.

"I did not. I just talked to him, and we got on good terms."

"You sure he's not just messing with you?" Neil asks.

I thought about it for a second, actually. I mean, I get it, he was an asshole my entire high school year. And I'm sure Neil's protective over Todd, too.

But after everything, the ghost hunting, the small talk that doesn't end in him pushing me up against a wall... the running through the rain.

And the way he looks at me?

"No, he's not messing with me, Neil," I say. "And besides, he wouldn't come to dress up and go to a dance with us if he was, would he?"

"Pfft. Yeah," Ashley says.

"I guess you're right," Neil says hesitantly. "Just... be careful."

"Sal knows already, babe," Todd says, taking Neil's hand again. They share a loving look for a moment. Frankenstein and his monster.

Larry suddenly gasps. "Holy shit! Dude, do you think he'd like Sanity's Fall?"

"Pfft. Travis? Noo," Ashley giggles.

"He's probably never even touched that kind of music," I say. "But I don't know, he might like it, but just doesn't know it yet."

"Dude, next time he comes over we have to let him listen to Sanity's Fall. It'll be fucking hilarious to see his reaction."

"I invited him over to study next week. For a math test. Maybe I'll let him listen then."

By Larry's reaction to that, I realized I made a mistake mentioning that. His eyes and smile went wide and his thick eyebrows rose almost to his hairline.

"You invited him to a study night? But aren't you like, wickedly good at math, Sal?" Ashley asks.

"Well, it's kinda just... well... it's like, to help him with... well, his math," I say, instinctively playing with a strand of hair nervously.

"Ohh. That makes sense," Ashley says. Larry's still smirking at me. "That's really considerate of you, Sal."

"Yeah, dude. I hope it goes really well," Larry says.

Shut up, Larry.

"He's sure taking a long time in the bathroom," Todd interjects.

"Goddamnit," Larry says, his stupid smirk disappearing. He knocks hard on the bathroom door. "Hurry it up, Phelps!"

I want to scold him, but honestly, I want Travis to hurry up too. I'm really excited to see him in costume.

Travis
I can't do it.

My entire face is hot—no everything is hot and the costume is not helping.

I look up at myself in the bathroom mirror and I'm face to face yet again with Cowboy Travis. He looks terrified and sweaty, and he's got an ugly bruise on his eye and along his nose.

At least it's semi-covered up by the shadow from his cowboy hat.

He's got an overwhelming crush on a masked skeleton guy in the other room and he's realizing now that if he confesses his love tonight at the dance it will be embarrassing considering their appearance.

I look down at my hands, gripping the sides of the sink so tightly that my fingers are starting to ache.

I guess I shouldn't be too embarrassed. I mean, literally everyone outside is in full costume, so why should it matter?

Taking a deep breath, I walk over to the bathroom door and put my hand on the doorknob.

Here goes.

Sal
The door to the bathroom suddenly opens and everyone turns to look.

I feel my entire heart stop.

"Cowboy Travis!" Ashley says. It's hard to see under his cowboy hat, but Travis is hardcore blushing.

And I am too. I mean, I've only ever seen Travis in sweaters and shorts, sometimes t-shirts, but seeing him in a cowboy outfit is just so... neat.

"You look good, Travis," Todd says from the couch.

"Thanks," Travis sputters out.

"Finally, everyone's ready," Larry says, already heading to the apartment door to leave. "Come on, let's go."

I notice Travis is staring back at me and I quickly look away. He walks past me to follow Larry and the others.

"You coming... partner?"

My soul melts right then and there.

"Yeah."