Page 31 of One More Weekend

I’d spent the entire night trying to catch Sy’s eye, trying to send her a signal of some sort that I was queer, interested, and waiting for her to make a move. But given her proposal later in the night, I could only guess I’d succeeded at two of those things.

Never would I have guessed that I’d be back here so many years later. The only thing more surprising to a young me wouldbe that Sy and I never did cross the line in the eight years since we'd met.

Just as the thought was crossing my mind, the opener finished their set, taking their equipment with them. The house music came back over the speakers as the venue filled with murmurs from an excited crowd.

“Are you surprised?” Si leaned in, nearly shouting.

I looked around, my eyes widening. “I never would have guessed.” Meeting her gaze, my chest tightened. I’d looked into those green beauties nearly every day since we’d met. And I still felt that electricity between us years later.

Am I the only one who felt that?

As the music faded again and the house lights dimmed, Sy moved just inches from my ear. “Good, I guess that means I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.” Her warm breath tickling my neck sent a shiver down my spine that I tried desperately to conceal.

I twirled my drink in my hand, the cup getting cooler as the ice melted inside. After everything that had happened a couple weeks ago, I decided at that moment to take it slow. I wanted to remember the details of this last summer with my best friend.

Until Sy looked down at me and shrugged. “Do you remember that first night? I was so nervous to go to a Welcome event at a bar.”

“Of course I do, I still remember what you wore.” The words left my lips before I could stop them.

Raising her eyebrows, Sy studied me. “Oh, do you?”

My throat tightened, worried she’d catch on. So instead I played along. “Duh, you looked so good.”

The corners of Sy’s lips lifted into a smile and without missing a beat, she looked deep into my eyes. “So did you.”

My mouth fell open as I struggled to find words.

Surely she didn’t mean it likethat. Surely our time had long passed.

Unless it hasn’t.

Nudging me, Sy nodded toward the stage and I knew to turn my attention as the audience clapped and looked toward the darkened platform.

As soon as Ban Sacred stepped onto the stage, the small but mighty crowd erupted into cheers. The lead singer was still pretty unknown, but you couldn't help but be drawn in.

Sy and I were both convinced she was the next big thing – I had even tried to get Tommy to sign her before she had a management team.

The familiar, opening riff of her debut single rang out, as everyone sang along. The music vibrated through my chest and the excitement took over, my hand dropping down to Sy’s arm and gripping it excitedly.

There it is.

The same churning in my stomach, the same jolt of anticipation that I’d felt when our skin touched that night at Henrietta's. A part of me hoped it would have faded; that it was just a fluke. Then I wouldn't have to deal with the confusing, life-changing feelings that destroyed my mind every time I was within reach of her.

But it didn't seem like I would have any such luck. Not when she looked like that, her toned arms highlighted by the antique T-shirt. Not when she kept taking me on the most magical dates I'd ever been on. Not when she looked at me like I was the air in her lungs and the blood in her veins; like taking me out was the most important part of her day.

I’d have to pretend like she wasn’t the best part of mine.

Trying to focus on the show, I took another drink from the plastic cup and tried to focus on the show. The cool liquidcalmed the light burning in my throat from screaming along to the lyrics.

If I can just make it home, I can go back to hiding from it all…

21

SY

“Undeniably the bestshow I've ever seen!” Jenna giggled as we burst through the doors of Le Poisson Rouge and into the warm breeze of the early June breeze night. Pride month had just started and it felt like the streets of New York were alive with queer people heading out to party.

I smiled over to Jenna who swayed a little with each step. Halfway through the show, I encouraged her to have as much to drink as she wanted – I’d get us home safe and she should party as much as she wanted.

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