Prologue
Reed's POV
"Mom, you need to quit crying every 5 minutes just because The Picking is tomorrow." I whined. My mom sniffled. "I'm sorry baby, but I'm just so emotional. You're gonna have a girlfriend tomorrow. Someone who's so right for you. I can't help it. You're growing up." She sobs again, hugging my shoulder.
"Ow! Mom, you're hurting me!" I said, pulling her off of me. She finally lets go, drying her tears. My face becomes more sympathetic. "Mom, just because I find someone, doesn't mean I won't still be your son. I'm not leaving." I said, my voice soft.
She smiles at me, which brightens up my mood. My mom could light up the whole neighborhood with her smile, she was beautiful. She kisses my head. "I love you Reed." She says. "I love you too mom."
After the whole spiel, I decided to go into town to pick out some jewelry for the picking. As much as people say that jewelry is for girls, I still like it. I was also pretty nervous for tomorrow and I bulk buy when I'm nervous.
I was nervous for two reasons.
One: I was scared I'll get picked with a girl. While gay picking are very rare, I just knew that it wouldn't happened for me. I only prayed it was with a guy,
Two: If it is with a guy, I don't know how mom would take it. I could only hope she'd accept it. I know she most likely would because she would always tell me, "Whoever you get picked with, will be just right for you. The Picking is never wrong." So if its with a male, she would probably say that it was fate.
I smiled. If I do get picked with a boy, I'd hoped it will be with someone who's smart, caring, and handsome. I was too busy caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice the guy in front of me.
I bumped into someone, spilling their coffee all over them. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention!" The guy who looked back at me made my heart sink. It was Henry Allens. Snobby, sarcastic, rude and selfish. And a huge brat.
"You little shit! You made me spill coffee all over my new shirt! This shit isn't cheap you know! How dare you, you imbecile!" He shouted
My face paled. "I'm s-sorry! I d-didn't mean it!" I blushed from embarrassment as I stuttered. He scowled at me. "Next time, watch it kid." He pushed past me, bumping me into the ground.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97kINWkyPX
Some people near me helped me up. "You alright kid?" Someone asked. I nodded and thanked them. And I tried to forget the encounter. But, his face wouldn't leave my mind.
After I bought like 100 dollars of jewelry because of how stressed and nervous I was, I decided to grab some lunch. I went to this new cafe that opened up and it was pretty famous among locals.
I went inside and a waiter came immediately to me. "Sir, this place is packed. Unless you would like to be seated with a stranger? I could ask." He said. I nodded, hopeful that this stranger could be a nice person.
The waiter comes back and smiles at me. "The patron was being generous and said that you could sit with him. Come right this way." I followed the waiter. The table was empty.
"Oh, he must be in the restroom. Would you like anything to drink?" The waiter, who's name was Alex, asked. "Just water." I said.
I sat down at the table and waited for the person who let me sit with them.
Then I saw him.
It was Henry. He scowled when he saw me and sat down. "Waiter!" He called. Alex came back. "I changed my mind, I don't want him here." My jaw dropped. "Excuse me? I'm sorry I bumped into you earlier, please let me sit here. I won't bother you." I said.
"Actually, a table opened up if you want." Alex said. I breathed a sigh of relief and started getting up when Henry interrupted. "Wait, I want you to stay."
And for the second time in a row, my jaw dropped. "You want me-" I pointed at myself. "-to stay?" I asked. He nodded, his eyes showing an emotion I couldn't pinpoint.
I sat down again, interested in why he wanted me to stay when just a minute ago he wanted me gone. "I'll come back with your drinks." Alex said and scurried off.
Henry put his chin on his fists. "You intrigue me." I looked at him confused. "I intrigue you? How?" I asked. He shrugged. "I know it's weird that I was mad at you and now I'm not, but something about you makes me want to smile. And I don't like it."
I stare at him like he grew two heads. "You-I-huh?" I can't even form coherent words. He continues on, chuckling at my unfortunate stuttering.
"Yes, as much as I don't like that, you; a complete stranger, makes me want to smile, I still want to be near you. And that bugs me. When you bumped into me, I was furious. In any other case, I would have punched you. But when I looked into your eyes, it made me want to care for you instead. Yes, that's weird. But it's the complete and honest truth."
After he finished, I was more confused than ever. "So?" He asked. I snapped back to reality, and only stuttered out one word.
"Okay."
Suddenly, he started laughing. I was even more confused, as impossible as that sounds.
After he stopped laughing, he spoke. "I was waiting for you to run off or be disgusted. But all you could manage was okay? This is why you intrigue me. Tell me, what's your name?" he asked.
I blushed at his observation, and why he laughed. "Um- it's Reed." I said. He smiled. "I like that name. I'm Henry." I nodded. "I know."
He cocked his head at me. "You know? How?" I blushed, realizing that I said that out loud. "Oh um, everyone at school talks about you." I said. He chuckles. "Like?" I become flustered.
"That you're um...really nice?" I lied, and did not sound like the truth at all. He laughed again, and in that moment he looked beautiful. His golden hair in the sunset light looked godly and the way his dimples moved up and down as he laughed was amazing.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej3FhAIj3B
"You're funny Reed. I was just teasing. I know I'm an asshole. I'm proud of it actually." I groaned when I realized that he was just messing with me. He laughed even more. "Jerk." I muttered.
"What was that?" He asked, eyes squinting. I looked over at our waiter who was carrying our drinks. 'Oh look, drinks!" I shouted unnecessarily loud. He laughed even harder than before.
"Here's a water for you and a lemonade for you. What would you guys like to eat?" Alex put down our drinks and asked. Henry spoke up. "Just a burger, medium rare, and some onion rings. What about you, short stuff?" I scoffed at the nickname but ignored him.
"Do you guys have grilled cheese?" I asked. Alex nodded. "Okay, I'd like a grilled cheese and some fries." I said. He nodded, writing down our orders and leaving.
"Grilled cheese? What are you, six years old?" He asked. I scoffed, again. "I'm six and a half, excuse you." He laughed and I smiled that my joke came across. "I like you short stuff, hang out with me tomorrow?" He asked.
My smile left me and I was reminded of what tomorrow was. "Tomorrow? That's The Picking though. We'll be busy the whole day." I said. His smile dropped and he scowled.
"I'm not going. Why bother? I don't want someone to be picked for me. I don't like any one in this wretched town anyway. Except for you of course. You're cool." He winked at me after that last part and I looked away, flustered.
"Thanks." I muttered. He smiled. "What about you? What are your thoughts? Please don't tell me you're one of those people who say that The Picking is necessary and is always right?" He asked. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxsEB5j5Pa
I shook my head. "No, but my mom is. I'm just...nervous. Can I be honest and you promise not to run?" I asked. I don't know why but I feel like I could tell him anything. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyAl1qDuTX
"I told you about how you made me want to care for you and I like you, which is rare enough, so yes, you can trust me." He said.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCetdJRCDxH
I nodded and took a breath. This was the first time I'm coming out. I sighed. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfWKMVNKjI
"I'm gay and I'm hoping for a male soulmate." I said, an almost physical like weight comes off my shoulders. Henry gasps and looks disgusted.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCuDkbwLTR
I look away and my breathing falters. He hates me again. Then he breaks out laughing. "Ha! You should have seen your face. I was just messing around, that's cool. I'm bisexual." 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv47ei0dhiS
I glared at him. "Not funny. Advice, want to keep a friend? Don't do that." I said, frowning. He chuckled. "Ooh Spicy, I like." I rolled my eyes. "You're a jerk." I said. He shrugged. "I know."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UWSP6yuYk
We got our food and continued talking. I learned that his favorite color is red, his favorite food is turkey bacon, and he wants to own his own business when hes older. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vwA4I1Qim
And from me he learned that, my favorite color is purple, my favorite food is grilled cheese, and I want to be a Journalist when I'm older.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdmbdxkwvA
It began to get dark and I needed to get home.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5mOjLHnlT
"Need a ride?" He asked. I nodded. "Sure. Thank you."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3R3Xxtb6F
We got out of the cafe after paying, to which he insisted he'd pay, and took off in his car. It was only about a 10 minute drive to my house. It was silent but comfortable.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo0ixuqKBF
After driving to my house, I turned to him. "Thank you Henry. You're not as bad as they say." He smirked at me. "Don't tell anyone that I was nice." I laughed and nodded. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQaEFnhkPc
I looked at my house and saw the lights were out and did something risky. I kissed his cheek and left the car, thanking his again quickly. I looked back and he looked flustered, which I've never seen before.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcZTvHP3sm
I entered my house slowly, and saw my mom sleeping on the couch. She must've been doing work all day. I smiled, kissed her head and put a blanket on her.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7xbF7WJdK
I went to my room, got dressed into my pajamas, and laid down on my bed. As I wished I could stay awake, my eyes shut and I was soon off to dream land. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ7zleqyb0
Too bad things wont be as easy as today was. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkZJtmkVfx
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