Why? // Nischa

Chapter 6

Taco Bell - A Three-Part Mini-Opera
- Part One

If there's one thing I hate in life, it would probably have to be the public transportation system.

I don't have a car. Which, I'm fine with, it's kind of a hassle to take care of anyway. When I go to work after school, I usually take the bus to the mall. Except people always ask questions or are in my goddamn space. I usually am fine with kids, except sometimes they're assholes. One time a kid thought it would be a nice gesture to yell to the entire bus that I was wearing eyeliner. Gotta love being a gay man in a conservative town, am I right?

I really wish I could quit working at a goddamn Taco Bell, but I'm trying to save up money. The second I graduate, I'm getting the hell out of this town.

I was so damn glad school was over when I realized I have to go to fucking work in an hour.

I started walking towards the bus stop because there was no way in hell I'm walking 20 miles to the mall. I started down the sidewalk, my eyes down and my hands picking at my nails.

I noticed a car driving next to me, yet it slowly started to slow down to the pace I was walking at. Ooh, how stalker-core.

I turn to my left to see the car has fully stopped, just sitting there. I continued walking until the horn blared in my ears.

"FUCK!" I screamed, whipping around to the driver, about to say something when I realized it was just Mischa.

"Holy shit, you scared me." I said breathlessly.

He laughed, unlocking the car doors. "Get in."

"...huh?"

"You heard me, dumbass, I said get in. I'm driving you to Taco Bell."

"...You're driving me?"

"No fucking shit!" He gestured his thumb towards the passenger door. "Now get in before I make your ass walk."

I rolled my eyes, sitting down in the car and shutting the door behind myself. Mischa started the car and drove off. His car kinda smelled like cigarette smoke and there were empty water bottles and coins stuffed into the cupholders, but I didn't really say anything because at least I'm getting a ride to work.

Mischa drove in silence through neighborhoods for about 5 minutes before he turned to me.

"I feel like I don't even know you," He said, his face creased with curiosity. "We're friends, we're supposed to know stuff about each other."

My eyes widened slightly at the thought. "Friends?" I repeated. The only person I liked to consider my friend was Penny, so this is a new experience.

"Yeah, dude, we're totally friends," Mischa said with a small smile. "Now I'm gonna start with some basic things. When's your birthday?"

That's kind of a stupid question. "March 5th."

"That's cool," He replied, returning his eyes to the road. "And the next one... uh... how tall are you?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Like... 5'8..?"

Mischa burst out laughing. "I'M TALLER THAN YOU FUCKING SHORT ASS-"

I scoffed, "Yeah, well... you're a... tall ass... or something-"

Mischa slowly stopped laughing. "Anyway, what turns you on?"

"WHAT THE HELL KINDA QUESTION IS THAT!-"

"IT WAS A JOKE!" He yelled, almost swerving off the road.

"Okay, now..." Mischa trailed off, turning into the mall parking lot. "You ask me a question."

I thought for a second.

The girl he texts. Find out about her.

"Do youuu... have anyone you talk to? Other than me, of course..."

"Yeah, there's this... like girl... and stuff, from Ukraine."

HOLY FUCK. KEEP GOING.

"...What's her name?"

"Talia."

Oh fuck, that's a pretty name.

I went to ask another question yet Mischa unlocked the car doors.

"We're here."

I stepped out of the car, and for some reason, Mischa followed.

"What're you-"

"I'm staying until your shifts over, I'm gonna drive you home."

"Won't your parents be mad?"

He paused, before quickly brushing it off. "I-It's fine, they won't care..."

He walked me into the mall, where I spent four awful hours dealing with horrible burritos, tacos, and whatever the fuck a chalupa is.

After spending forever at Taco Bell, I walked out to where Mischa was sitting.

"Do you have a curfew?" He asked.

I thought for a moment. My mom never has really said anything, so I just gave a logical answer.

"Midnight."

"Alright, wanna walk around the mall a bit?" He stood up, pulling out his wallet. "I have some extra money if you wanna buy something-"

"No, its alright-"

"Too bad, we're having some fun after you worked your ass off slinging tacos." He grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the food court.

The first store he dragged me to, for some reason, was Claire's. What the hell is this man's obsession with a store for kids? We walked out with Mischa having pierced ears complete with bright purple earrings.

We walked over to Hot Topic, where I then took a picture of him posing while wearing a hot pink cowboy hat. He fucking bought it. After a few more stores, we went back to his car and started driving again.

"You aren't so bad, you know," Mischa said, smiling. "I always thought you were some intimidating gay kid who had the ability to somehow kill solely with your eyes."

I laughed. I then remembered how he said he liked my eyes. What has he been doing? Staring at my eyes or some shit?

"Yeah, thanks.."

We continued driving home.

"We should do this more often, you know? This whole hangout thing. It's nice."

I smiled, picking at my nails with my head down. "Yeah... nice."

He eventually drove up to my house, unlocking the doors. "Well, see you tomorrow, I guess."

I got out of the car, a large smile still plastered across my face. "See you tomorrow."