Iced MatCHA

The bell rang loudly over the intercom signaling school was over for the day. The halls of Beckons High were crowded with eager teenagers making their way as fast as they could, out the double doors. Sky looked down at his bookbag on the floor next to his desk. He hadn’t joined the others yet and was cautiously gathering his books, papers and pencils together. Slowly he placed each item into his bookbag while keeping his head down but listening intently. He followed the sounds of the eraser on the chalkboard as a young man continued to erase the lesson and its accompanying notes for the day. Mrs. Halstetter left as soon as the bell rang also, as the class president was bestowed the job of tidying the classroom before dismissal. The class president’s name was Nico, and he excelled in almost everything he did. Top grades, best on his soccer team, and managed to be the crush of every girl in the ninth grade. He was tall, dark-skinned, thanks to the hours of soccer practice outside, brown eyes that had hints of gold. Nico’s hair was curly and dark brown with highlights that shimmered in the light a golden color. He was just about worth his weight in gold and his body, skills and personality reflected it. Sky glanced at him putting the erasers away, his heart pounding. There might be one more crush Nico could add to his list. But Sky knew it could never happen. He was skinny with freckles on his face, short blonde hair with blue eyes and nothing special about him, or so he thought. Nico turned his head and looked at Sky. “Hey buddy, you’re still here?” Sky looked up and froze unsure of what to say to him. He looked at him and thought he must have been a demigod. Another one of Zeus’ children out of wedlock perhaps. He snapped out of his thoughts and grabbed his bookbag, started heading for the door and said, “I’m leaving now.”

“Oh, well wait up!” exclaimed Nico. “I’ll come with.” Sky stopped in tracks feeling his heart pounding louder than the bell and said in a small voice, “Oh, ok.” He fretted with himself for not leaving when everyone else did. He could have saved himself the embarrassment of walking out of school with Nico. Acting normally was going to be a challenge. Not dying from a heart attack, even a greater challenge. “Awesome! Let me get my bag!” shouted Nico as he ran to his desk to grab his things. Sky contemplated just running, running all the way home and not looking back. A push on his back brought him back to reality. Nico placed his arm around his neck, motioned to the door and said, “let’s go.” Sky breathed in and out, focusing on moving his feet not daring to look at him. They exited the school doors and made their way down the sidewalk. The air was warm, and the sun had not peaked yet. “Ok, well, have a good nig—” stopped by Nico talking over him, “Wait! There’s a café that is selling iced matcha and really want to try it. Come with?” asked Nico. “I really should be getting home,” said Sky. In the sun, Nico eyes gleamed golden like two balls of fire. His beard was starting to come in. Sky looked at him and thought that his body must be about five years behind. And that God was punishing Him. Perhaps for stealing his dad’s favorite cookies for as long as he could remember growing up. Nico leaned in closer, his breath a tangible experience that Sky could feel on his forehead—as he was taller than Sky. “Come on, twenty minutes we taste them and we’re out. Let’s go!” Nico continued to push him in the direction of the café. Not having the guts to stand up to him and secretly wanting to stay in that café all night, he carried on being led by the nudges. The two teens arrived at the café, ordered the iced matchas and sat down at the tables situated outside. Sky sipped his iced matcha and looked at the other people ordering, not daring to look Nico in the eye. Nico stared at him so compellingly that Sky gave in and looked at him. He was staring and smiling. “What? Is there something on my face?” asked Sky. Nico laughed and sipped his iced matcha. “Nope.” “Oh, ok.. why are you looking at me then?” Nico continued to smile, leaving Sky with an uneasy feeling. Not only did he must look funny, but he felt compelled to bring him to the café as some sort of class-president-pity outing. Sky became irate and wanted to leave, now feeling like a fool thinking the guy he liked might have wanted to hang out with him. He felt foolish and started to stand up. Then Nico spoke. “It’s super difficult to ever talk to you alone.” “What-t?” Sky stammered on his words. Nico continued to smile, not taking his eyes off of Sky. “Yeah, I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a long time, but you know how it is, between soccer practice, my class president duties, and everyone around me, I’ve never really had the chance to talk to you, you know, away from the crowd.” Sky fully seated again stared at him confused and yet, interested. “But why would you want to talk to me? Sky asked. “Because I find you interesting.” “You do?” questioned Sky with a surprised look on his face. “Well, yeah. I mean you always seem so focused. Kind of detached from everyone in school. Sometimes I wouldn’t mind being a little detached from the people always around me. Maybe I’m a little envious.” Nico turned his glance to the left. It was hard to tell if he was watching the customers or if he had drifted off into thought. Sky continued to stare at him, mixed with emotions but unable to read what was transpiring between them. “I guess we’re opposites. I have no friends, and I always wonder what it’s like to be you know cute and popular.” Sky stopped dead in his tracks. It was too late. He let the word “cute” slip out. Nico jerked his head around. “You think I’m cute?” Sky wanting to die, he put his head down and sipped the matcha. “I asked you a question, Sky.” Sky move his eyes to Nico and stared blankly. “Look, I didn’t mean to say that, I mean, it’s just, well, I heard Cindi from 1^st period say that and I just threw it in there..” trailing off with his words Sky sighed and said, “I’m sorry.” Nico smiled again and uncrossed his legs, relaxed his shoulders and let out a laugh. “Like why are you sorry? Don’t you get it already? I asked you here because I like you.” Sky stopped sipping and looked up in disbelief. The very guy he had a crush on liked him too. He wasn’t sure if he was dreaming and carefully pinched his arm under the table. Nope that still hurt. “You like me? Me, Sky? Sky Fiorilli?” Nico laughed again but this time did not take his eyes off of Sky. “Yes, Sky, Sky Fiorilli, I like you.” Sky smiled. Nico reached out his hand and grabbed Sky’s hand. Sky froze, unable to take in everything that was occurring and by reflex, started to pull his hand back. Nico firmly grasped it and said, “Hey, don’t be nervous. I’ve liked you since the start of the school year, but I hadn’t found a way to tell you. Do you think that maybe we could grab another iced matcha tomorrow after school?” Sky looked at Nico’s hand, cupping his own and thought for a moment how he always imagined this would happen. He looked back at Nico, smiled and said, “I’d love to.”

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