“I gotta get going,” Justin says, putting all of his things away.
“Class?”
He shakes his head. “No, we don’t have any classes today or tomorrow. Just have a couple of stores to check out before they close.” He gets up and starts gathering his things.
“Remember, six today. Don’t be late,” I say. I feel like an older brother nagging his little brother to do something. Which in a way, I guess I am, or at least everybody in our family, especially ma, seems to see us that way. It’s ok with me. I kinda like it, actually. Even though he does on occasion annoy the hell out of me.
There was some time after the me-ratting-him-out-to-Brian fiasco that we couldn’t even be in the same room together. But ma just got sick of her two kids acting like two idiots and dragged us up to my old room that was now occupied by Justin, again, and locked us in there. It took us a little while, but we sorted everything out. Thankfully.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Justin replies as he stuffs his sketchbook into his bag.
I laugh at his comment. Last Thanksgiving he was late and ma made him eat all the leftovers. And I do mean ALL of them. Coming from an Italian family I know people who can eat a LOT. And Justin’s a pretty good eater. He can eat more than most. But even he was ready to burst by the time ma finally let him go.
“Hey, forgot to tell you. Jake called today,” I say. Jake’s our editor.
He looks at me, sighing. “What does he want now?” Jake’s been way too pro-active in our storylines lately. It started with him just wanting some small changes. Now he’s even suggesting storylines.
“Uhm…” I look away, not sure it’s a good time to bring it up.
“Michael.”
“He said that it might be time to put Rage and JT back together.”
I study his face for any sign of emotion, but he just shrugs. “Ok. We can talk about it on Monday.”
Nothing. Absolutely no indication of anything even remotely resembling an emotion. Or acknowledgement that Rage and JT story was in any way based on his and Brian’s relationship. Or their break up. I don’t think Brian even realizes how good of a learner Justin really is. During the last year and a half both of them did their best at not showing any emotions when being around each other. But I could still see Brian’s cracks from time to time. With Justin…nothing. Absolutely nothing. Perfect mask. And I know it’s a mask, because I know how much Justin loved, maybe still does, Brian.
“You’re ok with that?” I ask in one last resort to get him to talk about it.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” he puts his jacket on.
I guess I should just come out and say what I’ve wanted to talk to him about instead of beating around the bush. “I think Brian’s seeing somebody.”
He stops and looks at me for a moment, and then just bursts out laughing.
“I’m serious,” I say, a little taken aback by his reaction.
“Michael, it’s Brian. He doesn’t ‘see’ people, remember? So, relax, you still have your chance with him.” He smirks at me and picks up his backpack.
“That is NOT why I’m talking about.”
“Then why are you talking about it? So, he’s seeing somebody. What’s the big deal?”
Once again I wonder if maybe Justin really is over Brian. But that can’t be. You can see how much he still cares for Brian. The only thing you have to do is look at his face when he’s drawing Rage. “How can it not bother you?” I exclaim.
“In case you forgot, Brian and I are NOT together. Haven’t been for a long time now.” Now he’s in his annoying bratty little brother mode which I hate.
And I just throw my hands up in the air, exasperated with both of them. “I just don’t get you two.”
I never understood the two of them. Well, I understood Justin. At least in the beginning. I mean, come on, we’re talking about Brian Kinney here. Who wouldn’t follow him around like a lost puppy asking for more. What I couldn’t understand was Brian’s attraction to Justin. I mean, yeah, he’s good looking and all and smart and funny and talented and caring and…Ok, I get it. He’d be a great catch for a lot of guys out there. But Brian? Fuck, no. What would Brian want with a bratty little kid who couldn’t even buy his own drink ‘cause he wasn’t legal yet. Brian didn’t want that. Didn’t need that. I knew that better than anybody. Or thought I did. Because the stupid twink sent all these theories about Brian to hell when he decided that he wasn’t going to give up. And somehow that all changed somewhere along the way. I’m still not sure how or when. When their relationship turned into, well, a relationship. And that’s another thing I could never understand. Their relationship. Still can’t, I guess. And I’m not the only one. The rest of our little family is in the same boat as me. Except maybe ma. She seems to know everything. And understand everything. But for some reason when it comes to Brian and Justin she doesn’t seem to want to share.
I see a smile spread on his lips as he walks closer to me. “You never did, Michael,” he says quietly, “Why start now?” And with that he just turns around and marches out of the store. Asshole.
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