by RH Tucker
“Look at her.” Veronica points. “She totally wants to ravage him. Or maybe she wants him to do that to her.”
“Would you two just shut up and tell me what you meant about a teddy.”
“Izzy.” Cindy rolls her eyes. “Monday is the first day of prom court week, and it’s Pajama Day. Everyone on the court has to come to school in some kind of pajamas.”
“Oh, right.” I act like I remember them talking about it at the pep rally, but they’re right. I didn’t hear a thing after Matt’s lips met my ear.
“We’ll come over this weekend and help you decide.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Yup, real danger.
By the time Monday comes along, I’ve decided on what pajamas I’m going to wear. True to their word, Cindy and Veronica did come over, and both tried to get to me buy a revealing nightgown at the mall. When I vetoed all their choices, they bombarded me with loads of boy shorts and camis. I’m not opposed to those per se because I actually have a few that are super comfortable. But walking around all day at school, in tiny little shorts, didn’t sound like something I wanted to do. In the end, I choose some pajamas that I actually use as pajamas—a pair of old scrub bottoms and a Justice League tank top.
I don’t get much attention from anyone for my pajama choice, other than the usual high fives I’ve been getting from people I barely know. I still want to know about the vote count.
As I’m heading to my second class, I see Sarah and Yvette walking down the hallway, both dressed in skimpy, silk, black laced negligees. I silently thank myself for not succumbing to Veronica’s teddy request.
Woodbridge High doesn’t have a dress code, other than the usual ‘nothing too revealing or provocative’ kind of rules for the girls, but both of their wardrobes certainly cross that line. I’m surprised they got past first period, but then again, they are both the popular girls in school. I’m sure they gave their teacher their best innocent looking expression when they were questioned on their attire, most likely using prom court as an excuse.
Leaving my third period class, I see Sam down the hallway. He’s wearing sweats as he smiles and nods to me. The front of his sweatshirt has a picture of a chessboard. Below the image reads ‘I Got Game’.
I don’t know if he knows he’s the joke vote or not, but Sam’s a smart guy. I’m sure if he didn’t know it at the time, he’s figured it out by now, but he seems to be enjoying himself still. I’m not sure Natalie feels the same. She’s in my second period class and kept complaining about being coupled with Sam, even though we really only had to do a few things with our couple on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during lunch. Everyone on prom court is supposed to meet after school today and go over the events in a little more detail than at the pep rally.
As I head to sociology, an arm drapes over my shoulder. My muscles freeze as I smell the same crisp scent from the pep rally.
“Those are the pajamas you picked?” Matt says.
I fully intend to keep walking, no matter how many goosebumps prickle over my skin, but as I turn to look at him, my feet freeze.
“Those are the pajamas you picked?”
“What?” He frowns, looking down at himself.
He has his backpack slung over his shoulder, but other than that he looks like he rolled directly out of bed. Which doesn’t help my already flustered brain, because now I’m picturing him in bed.
He’s wearing socks with no shoes. But they’re ankle socks, revealing his calves. If you would’ve asked me if calves were attractive yesterday, I would’ve said I don’t know, but now I know. They are. But it doesn’t stop with socks and calves because he’s wearing basketball shorts, revealing his tanned legs that practically scream at me for attention.
My eyes continued to roam over him and scan over the tight gray tank top. His fit frame seems so much more muscular than usual, with no sleeves on his shoulders, and his chest filling out the top. The only thing that seems somewhat normal is his hair, which is usually a little messy. It’s just on the cusp of being out of control, but not in a bad way. In a way that makes me want to run my fingers through it.
“I didn’t have the shirt on when I got here,” he says, lifting the hem of the tank top, revealing his abs underneath.
I involuntarily let out a stifled cough. “Oh.”
“But Mr. Garrison said shirts are required.”
“Yeah,” I answer but can’t peel my eyes away from his chest. “Yeah, definitely required.”
“Right.” He lets out a light laugh. “I figured as much, which is why I brought the tank top.”
“Okay,” I reply, and he’s still holding the shirt up, scratching his stomach.
I reach over, pushing his hand down with the shirt because if I keep staring at his stomach, I might just tear his whole shirt off. But I quickly realize that’s a mistake, because now my fingers tingle, my entire body feeling like I’m suffocating under my pajama wardrobe.
“I, uh …” I shake my head, forcing myself to look at his eyes and nothing else. “I guess you took the whole pajama day thing literal.”
He smirks. “Yes and no. I couldn’t exactly wear my actual pajamas. I mean, I could, but I probably would’ve been sent home.”
“Sent home?” The words are so soft, I barely hear them myself.
Matt arches an eyebrow. “Yeah, I usually just wear my boxer briefs.”
I don’t say anything. I literally can’t. I bite my lip so hard I think I might draw blood, as I will every ounce of energy to keep staring at his eyes and not glance down at his shorts and start imagining him in tight, little boxers.
As my eyes stay on his face, I notice he’s shaven. I have a way to get out of the pajama discussion, because anymore talking about Matt in underwear is certainly going to fry my brain, so I jump at it.
“You shaved.” I nod, not daring to touch him.
“Yeah.” He rubs his chin. He takes a step and nods to me. “We better get to class, or we’ll be late.”
“Yeah, right.” I turn and follow him, careful to keep a safe distance between us. Mostly to just keep myself in check.
Chapter 26
Matt
To say I’m laying it on a little thick would be an understatement. After school, when we meet up to review the events that are happening Tuesday through Thursday, Yvette shoots more than a couple dirty looks at me as I sit next to Izzy and shamelessly flirt with her. I can’t help it. And I don’t care if Yvette is jealous or not. I know Izzy’s given me the ultimatum to wear the Spike costume in order to go to prom with her, but I’m really trying to win her over without having to do that. I understand why she wants me to just be myself, but I can still be myself without letting everyone know I’m an uber geek.
After the meeting is over with Mr. Garrison, I walk with Izzy to the parking lot.
“So, what are we wearing tomorrow?” I ask. Tuesday is Twin Day. Prom court couples are supposed to match.
She keeps her eyes focused straight ahead. “What kind of nerd shirts do you have?”
“I got a couple, but not many. Why?”
“Why don’t we just wear jeans and matching T-shirts? You got a Star Wars shirt?”
“Okay, sure.”
Her eyebrow shoots up, as she finally looks at me. “You’d wear a Star Wars shirt? To school?”
“Yeah, it’s twin day. We have to match.”
Pursing her lips together, she lets out a sigh. “Right. Twin day.”
“Iz, why can’t you just drop it? It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Yes, it is, Matt. I don’t know how you can be so comfortable, being someone you’re not.”
“Whoa.” I hold up a hand, stopping just as she reaches her car door. “I’m comfortable with who I am.”
“Really?”
“Look at me, Izzy.” I tug at my tank top, and motion to the shorts I’m wearing. “Do you think I’d parade around in this stuff if I weren’t comfortable? You know, girls aren’t the only ones who get obje
ctified for their bodies.”
“Matt, this isn’t a sexism argument.”
“Good, because Yvette couldn’t stop undressing me with her eyes this morning.”
“Yeah, she was doing the same thing in that meeting. She definitely has a thing for you.”
“Oh.” I smirk, the annoyance over keeping my secret alleviating. “Sounds like someone’s jealous.”
“No!” she snaps at me a little too quickly, making my smirk turn into a full-blown smile. “Whatever. Anyways, back to my point. You’re fine parading around like this, living up to the expectations of everyone around you, except your own.”
“I have no expectations for myself.”
“Whatever, not expectations for yourself then. Just …” She shakes her head, letting out a frustrated growl. “Just be yourself. That’s all I want, Matt. The real you. Not the fake one.”
“Fake? You think I’m fake?”
“Fine, not fake. I don’t know,” she grumbles. “Just honest. True. Be true to yourself, Matt.”
I really don’t want to argue. I’ve made it a goal this week to try and get her to go to prom with me without that stupid condition and getting in an argument will not help that.
“What kind of Star Wars shirt?” I ask bluntly.
Shaking her head, she lets out another sigh. “I just got one. It’s black and has the Empire Strikes Back poster on the front.”
“Hot Topic?” I ask, and she nods. “Okay, I’ll swing by and pick one up.”
I want to say something to ease the tension that’s formed, but there’s nothing I can say. Because no matter what, she’s still going to bring up the fact that she thinks I’m not comfortable being who I am. Which I am. I’m comfortable being the popular, class president. I know that role, and I play it well. And I enjoy playing it. But being the other me, the nerd side of myself just doesn’t connect with all of that. So why even bother?
“Yo, Matt!” Carter calls out to me from across the parking lot.
He’s coming out of Coach Hallinan’s office, along with Lucas, Franco and Jeremy.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, okay,” she answers back but doesn’t look at me. Instead, she gets into her car and drives away.
“Hey.” I catch up with the guys.
They aren’t walking together—since Jeremy still resents Carter—but there’s only one entrance by Coach’s office, so they’re all still close.
“Okay, I gotta ask,” Jeremy speaks up, giving me a douchebag grin. “You hitting that or what, Hillard?”
“Excuse me?” My head snaps towards him, scowling.
“Dude, we all saw that tight ass top she was wearing at the pep rally, with those jeans hugging her ass. Who knew nerds could be that hot.”
Franco starts to chuckle, but I look over at him, and he stops. “McCormick, I got an idea. Why don’t you shut your mouth?”
“Whoa.” He holds up his hands, acting affronted. “Calm down. Just pointing out the obvious.”
“Yeah, well keep the obvious to yourself.”
“Oh, is someone a little sprung over a nerd?”
I drop my bag, stepping to Jeremy. Now mind you, I’m wearing shorts and a tank top, with only socks and no shoes, because I thought it’d be funny to walk around in socks all day. I match McCormick’s height, though he probably outweighs me by ten or fifteen pounds, but right now none of that matters as I stare at him.
“Come on.” Carter puts a hand on my chest. “Back off, dude. He’s not worth it.”
“Bite me, Dixon.” He pushes Carter in the shoulder, making him collide into me.
Carter spins around, swinging a right hand at Jeremy but he sidesteps it. He moves to throw a punch at Carter, but both Lucas and Franco jump in the middle of them. It’s hard to believe we were all friends at the beginning of the year and now it seems more lines are being drawn, as Lucas holds back Carter and Franco tries to calm down Jeremy.
A door swings open behind us, making us all turn around, and we see Coach Hallinan leaving his office. His eyes find and study us all. He pauses, looking at each one of us, giving us a sideways glance, before moving along.
“Let’s go,” Jeremy tells Franco and Lucas, giving both myself and Carter the stink-eye.
Lucas looks over at Jeremy, then back at us. “I’m good.”
Jeremy stops as Franco looks back at us, unsure what’s happening. “Lucas, what the hell?”
Lucas stares at me and then at Carter, taking in a deep breath, before looking at Jeremy. “You’re kind of a dick, dude.”
“Fuck you,” Jeremy spits out. “Fuck all of you.”
“Good riddance,” Carter says, giving Lucas a fist bump as we all watch Jeremy and Franco leave.
“Yeah, but he was my ride home.” Lucas scratches his neck.
“I got you, man.” Carter slaps his shoulder. “Before that drama, I was going to say I’m starving. Want to grab some In-N-Out or something.”
“Yeah, sure.” I nod. “What were you guys doing, anyways?”
“Coach wanted us to meet with some of the freshmen he thinks can make varsity next year.” Carter looks me up and down, giving me the same expression he gave me at lunch. “I still can’t believe you came to school like this.”
“You’re just jealous I have a better tan than you.”
“False.” He laughs.
Lucas laughs at the joke but looks back at Jeremy, who’s in his truck. As he pulls away, I can see Franco looking at us, while Jeremy flips us the bird. Lucas looks like he isn’t sure what he just did. He’s known Jeremy longer than either Carter or myself, but he also knows how much of a prick he is. I guess there’s only so much douchebaggery a person can take. Even so, I’m sure Lucas has to be feeling some kind of way, basically ending a friendship. He’s all but choosing us over Jeremy. He’s trusting Carter and me as friends. Maybe it’s time I trusted them.
“Hey, you guys want to go through the drive-through and head back to my place.”
“Depends,” Carter replies as we start walking. “Did your brother get the new Overwatch game?”
Isaac does have the game, but so do I. Only, whenever Carter comes over to my house we stay in the den, and I always say the games are my brothers.
“Yeah, but I got it too.”
“Oh, you got your own system?”
“I’ve always had my own system.”
“Oh.” Carter shoots me an intrigued look.
“Let’s go.”
We get to our cars and head towards the closest In-N-Out Burger, going through the drive-through, before heading back to my place. Lucas has been over a couple times, and just like Carter, they both only ever stayed in the den or living room. It has nice couches, a big screen TV to watch movies and play video games, so it was never a big deal to not be in my room. Plus, my dad is hardly ever home, so we could just hang out.
Isaac has an after-school program, so I know it’ll still be a couple hours until Debbie picks him up. I turn a corner as Carter and Lucas head straight down a hallway to my living room. I suddenly feel nervous about what I’m about to do.
“So, you guys cool with eating in my room?”
“Seriously?” Carter says, raising an eyebrow. “The elusive bedroom. Luc, this is history in the making.”
Lucas laughs, and I let out a nervous chuckle.
“Yeah, sure,” Carter says, following me up the stairs, Lucas trailing behind.
“I got a TV in here. Not as big as the big screen, but still a good size for playing.”
“That’s cool,” Lucas says.
I get to the door, and my hand freezes on the handle. It feels like I’m about to ask a girl out for the first time, and in some ways, it does have the same emotional range. I have no idea what they’re going to say, or if they’ll laugh and start making fun of me. Or maybe they’ll think I’m a freak for all the posters and collectibles I have. Or that I’m weird for having the costumes and the mannequins.
“Um, are we g
oing in or what?” Carter says.
“Y-yeah.” I open the door and walk inside.
“Whoa.” Carter breathes out. “Dude, this is your room?”
I put my food and drink on my desk, cringing a little as I look over at him. “Yeah.”
“Really?” Lucas questions.
“Really.”
“Oh, wow.” Carter looks at my statues of the Ninja Turtles, sculpted in the form of their original comic book design. “That’s awesome.”
“Obsessed much?” Lucas snickers, as he runs his finger over a line of Marvel graphic novels.
“Dude, you’re like, an uber-nerd or something,” Carted says, scanning the posters on my wall.
“Yeah,” I answer, but it almost sounds like a question.
Carter stands in front of the Iron Man suit, looking over it, then looks at the Star-Lord costume. “Did you make these?”
“Uh … yeah.”
“This is crazy. Why don’t I know about this stuff?” Carter looks at me. “You’ve been my best friend for years.”
“Because I didn’t want anyone to know.” I stare at the ground.
“Why not?” Lucas asks.
“Wait a second,” Carter starts looking around again. “Dude, you and Isabel totally have this stuff in common. There’s no way she’s not into you.”
“What?” Lucas asks. “The girl from prom court?”
“Yeah.” Carter smirks at me. “I was right, huh?”
“It’s not that simple, Carter.”
“What are you talking about? You’re two geeks who got the hots for each other. Everyone can see that. Well, not you as the geek, but just your body language at the pep rally? I know you like her. And I know she likes you.”
“You’re right. She does like me.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“This.” I wave around my room. “This is the problem.”
“I’m not following.”
“Dude, when I went to New York, I cosplayed as Iron Man at a comic book convention, and she was there. She knows about all this stuff.”
