Mags leans forward and gets very close to my face. She squints and looks me up and down.
“Oh, I know what this is all about! This is about a boy! Isn’t it? Ooh, Simon Bugg has found himself a little boyfriend.”
I turn scarlet and bite my nails.
“I knew it, I knew it!” she exclaims, standing up and knocking her chair over in her excitement.
Everyone is staring at us again. It’s our cue to leave.
Walking to my car, Mags slaps me on the back. “Good for you, Simon. This is a big step. You know what? I should buy you a toaster.”
Toaster? Again? Why does everyone want to buy me a toaster?
I don’t get a chance to respond before she turns the conversation back to herself.
“All right, enough about you. Let me tell you about this girl who works at the bubble tea stand at the mall. I’m falling fast, and I am falling hard. I think she may be my soulmate.”
Mags has a habit of falling for girls at the drop of a hat but never following through. She admires them from afar but never approaches.
“I really do think she could be the one. OMG, you need to meet her. She is so cute with pink and blue hair and the voice of a chipmunk. I see her watching me all the time, and I’m not totally sure, but I think she winked at me once.”
She blabbers on about the chipmunk bubble tea girl until my bored mind wanders to thoughts of PJ. Where might he be? What is he doing right now? And, more importantly, is he thinking about me?
“Simon? Hello? Are you ignoring me? Forget it; let’s change topics. Where are you applying for college next year?”
I don’t get a chance to respond.
“My first choice is Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. It’s well known that’s where all hot lesbians go. Oh no, Simon! What will I do if I go out of state for college? Will my bubble tea girl want to be in a long-distance relationship? How could this possibly work? Long-distance relationships are hard. They almost never work out. Right?”
“Why don’t you go on a date with her first before you worry about carrying on a long-distance relationship?” I say. I also remind her she said Smith has all the hot lesbians and that might be a problem as well.
“Truth. Oh, well. Tell me all about this boy. What’s his name?”
“PJ.”
“Ooh, PJ! That’s a cute name. Is he cute? I bet he’s the boy version of me. Am I right? You know, Asian and fabulous, but with a penis.”
“Well, not exactly. He is blue-eyed, blond, and hairy.”
Mags gasps. “Simon Bugg! How scandalous! What will your mother say? You’re dating a Gentile!”
14
Old School Movie Night
Ifinish my homework and get ready for bed. I text Hector to tell him I came out to Mags tonight. I should be feeling great having come out to two different people. Now, if only I didn’t have this alien, or whatever it is, waiting in my stomach. If only PJ would stop ignoring me. If only I didn’t think I am going to die at 11:22.
It felt good to talk with Mags and catch her up on all the drama. I told her everything. About meeting Hector and how he unexpectedly dragged me out of my closet. I told her about my bubble tea date with PJ and how everything was going so well until I blew it. Surprisingly, Mags didn’t have a lot to say about my boy drama. Boys, she said. I don’t understand them.
Hector is a bit more helpful.
PJ may be feeling rejected and embarrassed after you pulled your hand away suddenly. Give him some time, mijo
But what if he doesn’t come around?
Just keep showing him that you like him without coming on too strong
I reply that I will and promise to come out to Neel next. I’m not ready to tell Mom and Carole, but coming out to Neel seems like a no-brainer.
