perf*ct (boy × boy) ✔

twenty-six: a good host

nathan dawson's pov:

"You're going over to Clarke's again?" Nicholas frowned and sat up on his bed.

"Yeah." I didn't turn to look away from the floor mirror I had been staring at for a needlessly long time. 

"What are you guys doing?"

"I already told you, we're studying." I huffed, turning to glare at Nicholas. "You know, I don't need to be cross-examined every time I see him. He's a good guy and I really like being his friend."

"Uh-huh." Nicholas shrugged and patted my hair, which stuck out in every compass point as a punishment for not waiting for it to dry after shower before going to bed. Then Nicholas smirked and started walking out of our room. He was already at the door when he halted and glanced at me over his shoulder. "Fine, I won't butt in. Have fun."

When he was gone, I glimpsed at the time from my phone only to realize that if I was way too early last time this time I was going to be late. So I just picked up my bag from the edge of my bed and hurried out of the house before anyone could make more follow-up questions. 

I nearly ran all the way to Solar's, so I had to catch my breath before ringing the buzzer. I made a mental note to cross out time management skills from my CV and college applications. 

"You came." Solar greeted me at the door, surprised like he had already given up on seeing me. 

"S-sorry, I.. um.." Yup, I'm good at this. I think we've all already established that communication skills aren't going into my CV or college applications either.

"It's fine." Solar smiled and swiped his hand through the air as if to let me know it wasn't a big deal, when it started to seem like I wasn't going to finish my sentence. "But it just occurred to me that this is a perf*ct opportunity to ask for your number."

I gave it to him and he promised to text me later so that I'd have his number as well. Why did that feel like I had achieved another milestone in the game of courting when in reality we were just doing all the things people did when they befriended someone?

Solar disappeared in the kitchen and came back with two glasses of soda. I grabbed mine and gulped down half of it, still thirsty from all the running. At home Jeffrey had this strict no soda unless it's someone's birthday rule, which Nicholas and I rebelled against by sneaking soda in our room. If we were feeling extra rebellious, we let Jonathan have a sip or two, and he accepted it like we were giving him the elixir of life.

At first Solar and I did our own things. I was writing an essay, which I needed to return by Wednesday, while Solar finished an essay of his. He was done ten times faster than me, so he tackled the rest of his chemistry homework next. Once I was done with my essay, I helped him with one of the questions.

So, it was strictly about studying. Minus the glances I stole at him and the way I could feel him staring at me when he thought I didn't notice. Not to mention how aware I was of his proximity, when our arms brushed from time to time while we were writing, browsing pages and whatsoever. 

I was startled when I heard rustling from the front door. I had thought it was going to be just me, Solar and his grandma. When the door opened, Solar was just as surprised as I was.

"Is anybody home?" A man's voice hollaed from the hallway and I hear him hanging his jacket on the coat rack. 

"Hi, dad." Solar greeted his dad when he entered the living room.

I don't know if this makes me sound like a creep, but damn Solar's dad was hot. His black hair was tied in a bun and that with his stubble accentuated this kind of worldly bohemian vibe he gave away. He was tall and in such good shape I would have guessed he lived in a gym instead of the hospital. He was wearing a white button up shirt, buttoned only half-way. 

I couldn't help but think that if this was Solar's future, he would make a dreamy husband for me. Or, well, you know, for someone. Anyone. Most likely not for me. 

"I'm Jaxon, Solar's dad." He held out his hand and I tried to give him something better than my signature dead fish handshake. 

"I-I'm, uh, Nathan." Yup, that went well. 

"Are you boys hungry? I'm ordering in." Jaxon grinned and picked up a wine bottle from the kitchen counter. 

"I could eat." Solar placed his hand on my shoulder. I was so jumpy with nerves that I flinched and he took his hand away, making me curse my nervousness which was giving away wrong signals.

We ordered food from a Vietnamese restaurant, and it was officially my first encounter with a Vietnamese kitchen. I had a dish I can't even begin to spell, but in it was fried noodles with tofu and mushrooms. 

It was an interesting meal and I couldn't help but think if Solar had felt the same way when he partook in our family dinner. Although I must say that a big part of the interestingness came from Jaxon, who was a charming host, and his mom Sheila. If I were to give you an example, it would be that Jaxon and Sheila actually jumped up in the middle of a conversation, turned up the volume of some old song and started dancing around the kitchen.

It made Solar slide down on his chair and he gave me a mortified grimace, but I laughed and whispered that my family was just as eccentric.

"Let's go to my room." Solar decided once we had emptied our take away containers. He took my hand and practically dragged me away from the kitchen. He only let go when he had shut the door behind him and it was just the two of us inside the room.

My jaw dropped when I took in what I was seeing. I wasn't sure what I had expected Solar's room to be like, but what I was seeing was definitely something else. It simply exceeded the limits of my imagination.

The walls were covered with posters, vinyls and postcards, so much so that you couldn't see even a single spot of the wallpaper. I had heard from some of the bands: The Beatles, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Smiths, Queen, David Bowie and so on. But I had never really listened to any of them.

"Isn't that like old people's music?" I blurted out while my gaze landed on the poster of The Beatles. Solar turned to me, looking like I had just told him I eat kittens for breakfast. 

"Nathaniel Dawson, you're lucky I like you." He shook his head, devastated. "Otherwise I would be kicking you out of that door. There's nothing like The Beatles, so you better be careful what you say about them."

"Sorry." I chuckled, still taken aback by the words: you're lucky I like you.

"My next project will be to introduce you with some good music." He winked and nudged me towards the bed. "But first we'll read some good literature. You should know that they're classics for a good reason."

I sat down on his bed and Solar followed my example. I handed him the book and he opened it, but didn't start reading right away. Instead he lay down on his back, resting the book on his chest and let out a heavy sigh. 

"I didn't know dad would be home this early. I hope it wasn't too awkward." Solar was looking up at the ceiling, so I couldn't really tell how he was feeling.

"It was nice. Your dad is hot." Only when Solar sat up abruptly, I realized what I had said. My cheeks heated up. "I-I mean.. He's a.. good h-host."

"A good host?" Solar lifted an eyebrow. Then he smirked happily and bursted out laughing. "Whatever you say."

I really liked his laughter, it was warm and deep and there wasn't even a hint of mockery in it. I slumped to lay on my back, hiding my face with my hands and trying to move on from the evident embarrassment I was feeling.

***

Hi! It might take a bit longer with the updates now that I'm stuck with editing another story. But I'll try my best to post at least every fourth day or so. :)