How to Survive Your 19th Life [BL]

Chapter 9: The First

Henri and I hung out a few times that summer. Two weeks before school, my parents surprised me with a car. I ended up picking up some quick shifts doing pizza delivery before school to pack my pockets a bit. This was my last summer of relaxation, apparently, as in the future, my parents would push me to always have some sort of summer job.

Henri and I had a two-man group chat we named Solo Chicken. There wasn't a day where we didnt text or call. I underwent a full confidence transformation, or at least attempted to. I watched some YouTube videos on how to live life out-loud. My mom kept me busy with house and yard work for the most part. After hearing about what I'd done to Shiva, I was on full homemaker duties while she and Dad worked. I cooked all the meals, cleaned the house, and even fixed the toilet. I was glad for some sort of punishment.

I was in the Sheridan Lofts building my sophomore year, in a two-bedroom apartment with a whole new roommate named Finn Thatcher. Finn was a history major with a focus in military history. He had freckles and a buzz cut with probably the biggest arms I'd ever seen. As soon as I saw him hang a Confederate flag and posters of half-naked women wrapped around guns in his bedroom on move-in day, I knew we likely would not get along.

"I'm gay," was the first thing I said to him after we shook hands. My parents stood behind me, as nosy as ever, and his parents were in the kitchen putting away his utensils. "And my name is Solomon."

I saw him wipe his hands on his shirt and exchange knowing looks with his parents. My dad had to practically wrestle my mom in the hallway to keep her from storming to the Student Relations office and demand a new roommate. I wasn't bothered by it. After Shiva, it would be best to keep distance from whoever I lived with.

This year, I decided to join the Motion Picture Review Club. It was basically movie nights followed by group discussion on Tuesday and Friday nights. They watched everything from 12 Angry Men to The Room, and I was glad for it. 

The club president was Malai Bunnag, a senior chemistry major who inherited her title after the previous president graduated. She was probably one of the nicest people I ever met, and was one of the sole reasons why the club had so many members. 

She was also a member of their Straight and Gay Alliance club, and of course urged me to join once I called Brad Pitt sexy in Interview with the Vampire viewing, and everyone figured out I was gay.

SAGA met every other Saturday and often hosted the more fun events on campus, like mixers, adult prom, and bake sales.

Malai volunteered me for their Everest Foundation Food Drive, which worked to collect non-perishable food and donations for a homeless shelter that specialized in getting queer youth off the streets. I worked the cookie table at the Campus Center, selling pride-themed cookies. It was now November, and they had a goal to raise $5000 before Thanksgiving. My little cookie table was near the $450 mark. 

I took a selfie with the banner in the background and sent it to Henri. 

Henri: Send me what you don't sell.

Me: Since it's for a good cause... NO!

"I'll take five cookies," a familiar voice said. I jumped, almost dropping my phone.

Emiel stood in front of me, as enigmatic as ever. He was wearing eyeliner again, but metallic blue this time, and a particularly tight metallic shirt that showed off his build. 

"Yes?" I said, remembering to close my gaping mouth.

His eyes roamed up and down my body. I shivered. "Cookies, please."

"How many?" 

Emiel smiled softly at me, patiently. He held up one hand, all five fingers splayed.

"Oh, right," I said, grabbing five pre-wrapped cookies and placing them in a small paper bag. "That will be $25."

"Expensive," he murmured, handing me a credit card. I swiped it on the little machine Dave, the president of SAGA, gave me.

"Looks like you can afford it," I said with a laugh as the payment approved and a tiny receipt printed. I popped the receipt in the bag and handed it to him. "Thank you. Have a wonderful day."

I beamed a smile at him and even gave a little wave. Emiel didn't move. I put my hands in my pockets, then took them out, and then crossed them in front of me. Just being around him zapped out any brainpower I had. 

I then worked on rearranging the cookies like an idiot. My phone vibrated on the table. A text from Henri. 

"Your boyfriend?" Emiel asked, still just standing there looking at me. 

I laughed again, too loudly. Then shook my head. "Just a friend." I remembered my proposition to Henri, and the look in his eyes that followed. Looking at Emiel now, he was so different to Henri, who I once thought was the most beautiful boy on Earth. Only their sense of fashion was similar in being a bit eclectic. Maybe I had a thing for colorful people. 

"Shiva dropped out of school," Emiel said suddenly. 

The world seemed to leave my feet. I grabbed the table to stay centered. I stuttered, "W-what? Shiva?"

"I thought you were friends," he said. 

My phone chimed again. Henri. 

"Ah, you have new friends now, Mr. Photographer."