If I play this game…will I win or lose?
5
The day ends without ceremony. I have spent the last few hours replaying my conversation with Bryson in the prop room.
“Earth to Kai? We’re going to go, then,” Donny says. We’re standing just outside the doors that open onto the student parking lot. The afternoon sunlight has me squinting against the glare. “You sure you don’t need a ride?”
Usually the three musketeers would head home together. Or, when Priya has soccer practice, it’s just Donny and me. Often I spend the afternoon at his house and Mom picks me up after work.
“Yeah, it’s best for me and Bryson to figure out now what we’re going to perform on Friday. You know how I am with these types of things.”
Priya pats me on the shoulder. “This is why I will never understand why you forced yourself to do drama.”
“I’ve never heard of a person dying from blushing before, so Kai will be fine.”
“Gee, thanks, Donny.”
“You’ve got this, buddy.” He pats me on the arm.
“See you.” Priya offers me a wave.
“Later.” I watch as they head off. Donny and Priya walk hand in hand toward the Quackmobile. Students mill about, some waiting for extracurricular activities to start, others talking to their friends. I spot Shannon and Natalie, and I can’t help but wonder if Shannon asked Bryson out. I’m too far away to hear them, though.
I scan the space and spot Bryson’s car. The snow-white Jeep is almost as popular as he is. It’s become synonymous with its owner. It was a gift from his parents for passing his driver’s license test. At the time, it was the most expensive car that a student at Fairvale owned. That is, until Donny and his fire-engine-red Mustang.
I don’t see Bryson anywhere. I pull my phone out and look at my social media. There’s nothing much to go through, so I close my eyes and try to calm my racing heartbeat.
“What are you doing?”
Startled, I trip over my own feet and Bryson reaches out to catch me.
“Are you okay?” he asks. He lets me go just as fast as he grabbed me.
“Yes.” I step to the side to create some room between us. “Sorry,” I mumble as the heat assaults my face.
Bryson studies me. He holds up his crimson-and-white school tie next to my face.
“Yup, it’s a match,” Bryson says. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who blushes as much as you. It’s fun.” I can tell that he’s teasing me…I think. He drops the tie. “Sorry I’m late. I needed to see Henning about something. Are you ready to go?”
I nod. Bryson starts to walk, and I follow him. No one stops to look at us because this is normal. We’re just two guys hanging out together. The fact that Bryson and I actually have a reason to spend time together this week would be the perfect cover for our relationship.
Should I agree to it?
The Jeep unlocks with a loud chirp and Bryson opens the back door to throw his blazer and bag onto the seat. He pauses. “Do you want to put your bag here or keep it with you?”
“Uh, I’ll keep it.”
Bryson nods and bangs the door shut. He climbs into the driver’s seat and starts the car. The sound of the engine roaring to life snaps me from my stupor. I open the passenger door and climb into the den of the lion…or rather, the Cougar. His gym bag is on the back seat. It’s open, and pieces of his crimson-and-white soccer gear lie scattered about.
I place my bag at my feet and drape my messed-up blazer across my lap.
“Seat belt, please,” Bryson says as he clicks his own into place. Just then his phone rings. That it’s not on silent or vibrate surprises me. My own phone has been that way since the day my parents bought it for my birthday—two years ago. It was a much-needed upgrade from my previous one.
“Hello, Mom.” Bryson smiles and it is dazzling. Up close, I get to see the dimple that’s usually hidden. I didn’t know about it until right now. It only lasts a second before it disappears. “Dad called you?” He sighs. “If he wanted to give me a ride to school, then he should have been on time.” I can’t hear his mother’s response. “I waited for as long as I could. I was even late today.” Bryson taps his hand against the rim of the steering wheel. “Saturday? Why’s he talking through you?” He casts me a look. “You know what, never mind. I’ll talk to you when I get home. I’ll be home for dinner. I just need to work on an assignment with a friend.” The conversation continues for two more minutes before Bryson says goodbye. He places his phone in the cup holder between our seats. “Ready?” he asks.
I nod. Bryson effortlessly pulls out of the parking lot. When he joins the main road, he switches on the radio. I instantly recognize the song: “Art of War” by the Graces.
“Oh, I love them.” There are few things in this world that can make me talk excitedly to strangers. My love for this band is one of them. The Graces is an indie rock band that has been growing more and more popular each year. Some die-hard stans have started to question whether their rising popularity has made them mainstream. I don’t care much for the politics of it, even though I’ve been their fan since the beginning.
The Graces are fronted by Ezra Grace. He’s openly gay and, more than that, he’s mixed race, just like me. To see someone who looks like me, who loves like me, living his life on his own terms has made this band special to me. They also make really great music.
“Really? Me too,” Bryson says. “Their songs are the most played on my Anytime, Anywhere playlist.” He sounds just as excited as I do. Almost as if my declaration has given him permission, he ups the volume. The vocals of the lead singer swirl all around us. Soon we are both humming and singing along to the chorus. The music makes me forget just where I am—and who I am with.
“I can’t wait to see them this Friday,” I say as the piano echoes out. “It’s about time they come back to LA.” The Graces are an East Coast band, with New York City as their base. They’ve performed here and there, and the last time they came to LA, my parents deemed me too young to attend. Finally I’m old enough, and finally I will get to see my idol in person.
Bryson smiles. “I hear they’re amazing live.” When we come to a stop at a red light, he plugs in his phone and clicks on his playlist. “Who are you going with? Donny and Priyanka?” Bryson asks as he hits play.
“No, alone,” I admit. “Donny and Priya have date night on Fridays, so I didn’t want to bother them. Plus, they don’t really like the Graces.”