Chapter Text
“Hey, baby. You’ve gotta get up.” I vaguely hear Benji’s quiet and soothing voice as he gently shakes my shoulder.
I can only manage to give out a groggy and confused, “Hmm?”
“What time is it?”
I open my eyes to see that I’m lying on Benji’s chest and I look up to the sight of my beautiful boyfriend smiling a goofy smile at me. I remember what happened. We were watching Avatar the Last Airbender together and I must have fallen asleep on Benji’s chest as we cuddled.
“It’s almost 10 pm. I’ve gotta get you home or you’re gonna get in trouble. Plus, your parents aren’t going to be happy with me.”
“It’s barely 9:30.” I say as I check the clock on my phone. “My house isn't even 15 minutes away. Let’s stay like this for another 10 minutes and then you can take me home.”
I can see in his face that he doesn’t want this to end either, so he gives me a charming smirk and says, “Okay, but don’t drift off again and we’re leaving on time, I’m still trying to make a good impression on your parents. So we’re getting you home by your curfew.”
“Deal!” I say as I readjust my body to hug him tighter and bury my head deeper in his chest. Benji resumes the episode we were on and starts running his hand through my hair.
I almost fall asleep again from the feeling of Benji running along my scalp, but I somehow managed to stay awake. It’s been the best nine months of my life.
When I came out to my family I was expecting bad reactions all around and for the most part, I got it, but my sister pleasantly surprised me. She was still mad at me for cheating on Mia, but she understood that it was something that helped me realize who I am. Since then, she has been nothing but supportive. She’s even tagged along with me and Benji a couple times to get to know him.
My parents on the other hand, were a different story. My dad was initially mad at my coming out and my mom denied it. The separation between them didn’t help either. But they’ve slowly been opening up to the idea. Benji’s even been allowed to come over and we've slowly been more affectionate at my house. I don’t want to scare them back to homophobic square one. That’s why I think it’s so sweet that he’s trying to make a good impression on them. He’s trying to show them that their son is dating a respectful young man.
I think back to our first date. I think back to when I first met his family. I think back to when we first said “I love you” to each other. Each memory puts a smile on my face. The only thing better than those memories is feeling the heat radiate from Benji’s chest, smelling the scent of his all encompassing but not overpowering cologne, and hearing his heart beat in his chest. I could swear that both our hearts were beating in sync with each other.
Unfortunately, the 10 minutes passed by too quickly. We break apart, I grab my backpack and we leave with 20 minutes to spare. We hold each other’s hand as we walk to Benji’s car, temporarily letting go to get into the car just to reconnect them back inside.
“Ready?” Benji asks.
“Yea” I respond as I kiss his hand.
There’s a relaxed silence between the two of us on the ride back to my house. When I finally arrive, I look over at him and he gives me a sad smile, which I reciprocate. We give each other a kiss goodnight and I start leaving his car.
“Text me when you get home?” I ask.
“Okay, I will. I’ll see you in class tomorrow. Love you.” He responds.
“Love you too.” I say before I close the car door.
I walk up the steps and approach the door to my building, but I wait until Benji’s car is no longer in sight. Before I get inside, another car I recognize stops at the curb; it’s Lake’s. As the car stops, Felix steps out. I decided to wait for him as he said his goodnights to Lake.
“Hey, buddy.” Felix says with an overly enthusiastic smile.
“Hey” I respond with an exhausted albeit genuine smile.
“Just getting back from Lake’s place?” I ask.
“Yea. We should have a best friend’s night. You’ve been with Benji and I’ve been with Lake so much lately that we haven’t had much time to hang out.” I realized that he’s right, between work, sports, and our respective significant others, Felix and I haven’t hung out as friends much outside of school.
“Sounds fun. Let’s think of something to do and decide tomorrow.” I yawn.
“Sounds good. Have a good night, buddy.”
“You too.”
I walk into my apartment and lock the door behind me.
“Oh, there you are, mijo. How was your night?” Says my mom on the couch.
“It was good, but I’m super tired. I fell asleep at Benji’s for a little bit.”
“Oh, okay. Before you go to bed, your father and I were talking earlier.” I make a face at this. My parents are separated, but they still communicate a lot when it came to me and my siblings. “We were thinking that he could come over for family dinner and that you could bring Benji over too.”
I pause for a minute. I’m not sure if this is really happening or if I’m just in some fugue dream state. “Really?” I say with a suspicious look.
“Yes, mijo. You’ve been bringing Benji over a lot recently, but your dad and I haven’t really had the chance to talk to him or get to know him. We know that the way we reacted to you telling us about your sexuality wasn’t great, but we’re trying to make up for that. Benji obviously makes you happy, so we want to get to know your…boyfriend.”
Coming out to my family was not easy. Pilar eventually forgave me for what I did to Mia. I sometimes forget how understanding she can be. But my parents’ reactions were a whole nother story. The weeks and months after I did put a lot of strain on our relationship. It took time, but they eventually came around to the idea. I can tell they’re still not completely comfortable with it, but I can know that they’re trying, which is what matters the most to me.
“Umm, okay. When were you thinking about it?” I answer cautiously.
“How about tomorrow night? We could all go after your basketball game, since he’s going to be there too. You can choose whatever you want.” She says a little too enthusiastically, but I can see that she really wants this to happen.
“Okay. I’ll ask Benji if he’s free Saturday night.” I say with a reassuring smile.
“Perfect!” My mom says with a loving smile. I can see her becoming physically relaxed when I agreed to ask him. The mood of the whole room changed.
“Goodnight” I say while giving her a kiss and a hug.
I proceed to change out of what I was wearing that day into something better suited for sleeping. By the time I finish brushing my teeth, I’m exhausted and just collapse on my bed. I check my phone for any notifications
Benji: Home safe and sound 😊
Victor: Good to hear
Victor: You’re still going to my game tomorrow, right?
Benji: Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Victor: Are you free after the game?
Benji: I should be. Why? Want to go on a date?
Victor: No, actually. My mom and dad invited you to have family dinner with us. They apparently want to get to know you better.
Benji: Oh my god, really?!? I'm there!
Victor: Yay! (confetti emoji)
Victor: Alright, I should probably go to sleep now. Goodnight. Love you.
Benji: Love you too.
“Knock knock! C’mon Victor! We have school.” Felix yells through my bedroom door as he pounds on it. Shit. I’m running late.
“I’ll be out in a minute, Felix! Just hang out in the living room and I’ll be out in a bit.”
“Okay!”
I throw on some clothes, brush my teeth and quickly do my hair. I bolt out of the restroom and see Felix on his phone. I grab my water bottle, backpack and a banana. I also grab my second backpack full of my basketball uniform, since I have a game later today.
Despite running late this morning, we got to school with some time to spare. I pull out my phone.
Victor: Good morning! Are you at your locker?
Benji: Yea! Wanna come say hi? Haha
Without responding, I start heading to Benji’s locker and Felix follows along. As we turn the corner to his locker, I freeze at the sight of him.
“Victor, isn’t that your…”
“Look, it’s Lake. You should go say hi” I say as I start shoving Felix towards Lake’s direction.
After he’s gone, I just lean against the wall for a couple minutes and stare at Benji with my letterman jacket. God, he’s so handsome. Someone bumped into me and broke me out of my trance. I start heading over.
“Good morning, handsome.” I say as I envelop him in a hug. He turns around and I follow the hug with a chaste, but prolonged kiss. “How’d you get my lettermen?”
“Oh, you left it at my house last night. We were so tired last night that we didn't even realize. I didn’t see it until I got back to my room last night. I was going to tell you, but you already said goodnight. I knew how tired you were and didn’t want to risk waking you with a text.”
“We’ve been forgetting a lot at each other’s place, haven’t we? Why are you wearing it? I rarely ever wear it.”
“Well, I was going to just bring it to you, but I remembered that you had a game today. I’m going to watch you play, so I thought I would wear it. Besides, I like showing off that I’m dating one of the best players on the team.”
I blush at how sweet he is.
“Aww, that’s so sweet of you.” I say right before giving another kiss.
“Do you want it back?”
“No, feel free to wear it for as long as you like. It actually looks really good on you. Maybe you should wear it every time I have a game.”
“I like that idea a lot.” Just then, the bell rings and announces the beginning of first period.
“I’ll see you at lunch.” Benji says as he gives me a kiss goodbye. We begrudgingly separate and head to class.
The first half of school goes by fairly quickly. Honestly, I was focused on getting to lunch so much that I didn’t really pay attention to anything else that was happening. I think we talked about solving systems of equations in math and discussed the Odyssey in English, but I honestly couldn’t tell you.
I have a sack lunch, so I’m the first one in the courtyard. I find a large circular table that could fit eight of us. I sit down and Mia quickly sits down next.
“Victor, was I seeing things this morning? Or was Benji wearing your letterman jacket?!?” She says in a teasing, but shushed tone.
“Uh, yea. When did you see him?” I say in a sheepish, but happy tone.
“He and I have photography together, remember?”
“Oh, yea.”
“Anyways, as I was saying, that is sooooo cute of him to wear your letterman on the day of a game. He’s being so supportive. I should wear Andrew’s letterman on game days. Thanks for the idea.”
“Hey, guys. What are we talking about?” Felix chimes in while holding Lake’s hand.
“How cute Benji is for wearing Victor’s letterman to support him today” Mia says
“Oh yea! I was gonna comment on that this morning before classes, but Victor rudely pushed me to Lake.” Felix says.
“Is that why you slammed into me this morning?” Lake asks.
“Yea, sorry.” Felix laughs.
“Hey everyone.” Benji says as he joins the table, still wearing my letterman.
“Wow, Benji. You look hot in Victor’s letterman” Says Lake.
“Hey!” Felix and I say simultaneously.
Lake gives Felix a kiss which erases the comment from his mind.
“Haha don’t worry, handsome. I’ve only got eyes for you.” Says Benji as he gives me a kiss. We all break out laughing.
“What’s with all the laughing? Something funny on Creeksecrets?” Andrew asks as he’s approaching. We all give each other knowing looks and just leave the question hanging in the air. “You look good in Salazar’s jacket, Campbell. Maybe I should give my letterman to Mia.”
“You definitely should,” says Mia.
“Thanks, Andrew” says Benji as we all give a light chuckle.
This is how the rest of lunch goes. We share stories about our day so far. Andrew and I talk about how excited we are for the game later. Everyone else is trying to match our energy about it. Lake talks about Creeksecrets and we all eat. These are the moments I love most about the last nine months. I get to be surrounded by the people I love.