Golden Boy

Chapter 14

(Authors Note: Lance is admitting that he does in fact have a crush on a certain mulleted boy.

Song: Realize                By: Colbie Caillat).

"You excited for school?"

"If you say one more thing about school I'll force you to ride the bus."

Veronica freezes before slouching.

"I can just call Hunk."

"He's busy this morning."

"Dang it."

She grumbles.

"You know, it's not bad that you like him."

"I know."

"He's probably a good guy."

"He is."

"Does he get scared easily?"

I turn and give her a questioning look.

"Why?"

"Because."

She shrugs.

"We've been through a lot. If he gets scared and runs-"

"He won't. He already knows."

"How?"

"Because I lost it for a little bit at school in the nurse's office."

"He was there?"

"Yeah. He told me that he used to have panic attacks too. He helped."

"Wow. Why do you think?"

"It's not our business Veronica. If he wants to tell me more about himself he can. I won't push him."

She nods.

"I already like him."

"Hunk, my man."

"What's up?"

"Did you get your homework done?"

"Yes."

"Did you talk to Shay?"

"Yes."

He turns to me.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing."

"Lance-"

"My mom and Veronica know about Keith."

"Okay, is that bad?"

"No. They want to meet him though."

"Why? If he's just a friend then-"

"Not."

"He's not a friend?"

"They know him as the boy I have a crush on."

Hunk stares at me with wide eyes.

"Do you- like him?"

I look down.

"Kind of."

"That's great! No wonder they were so excited."

"Hunk, I don't even know that much about him."

"Then find out more. Not like- creepily though. Hang out with him and maybe he'll talk to you."

I groan and rest my forehead against the table.

"What am I supposed to say? I can't ask him out on a date."

"No, but you can ask him to go shopping with you or something."

I move my head to the side to look up at Hunk unimpressed.

"You want me to ask my crush to go shopping with me to make it so it doesn't seem like a date."

"I guess? Just don't invite him to the movies or anything unless you bring other friends."

"You realize we're talking about how to put myself in situations with a guy I like but making sure it's not a date. We're doing the total opposite of what normal people do."

"Well, we're not normal and if you want to get to know him as friends, do it. Nobody's stopping you from becoming friends first."

"Okay."

I sit up and offer him a grateful smile.

"Thanks dude."

"No problem; but you should get to class or else you're screwed."