8 – Date Night (3)

After the events of the protest, Sebastian found himself dating Ellie. She was a pretty girl his age who believed he had been cured. What more could he ask for? His father had finally stopped nagging him about needing a girlfriend.

One afternoon, he took her to the froyo place he went to with Axel. They sat at one of the outside tables to eat theirs. Sebastian noticed Maple sitting at the table next to them. One of the cops from the protest sat across from her. He was probably her latest potential suitor. Poor girl.

“Wasn’t that the girl who was in our group but joined the protesters?” Ellie asked, voice lowered.

Sebastian watched Maple and the cop leave. Maple had her head down, while the cop wrapped his arm around her waist. “Yeah. But she has a huge crush on the guy who started that protest. I think she only went to see him.”

“Relatable.” Ellie gazed at Sebastian with a smile on her face. It reminded Sebastian that he was on a date with her. She probably expected boyfriend behavior from him.

Sebastian took her hand in his, and returned her smile. “I can see myself doing the same nonsense to see you.”

“Aww.” Ellie let out a giggle, and kissed his hand, which still held hers. “I’m glad we met.”

“Me too.” The words felt hollow and empty. But that was probably because Sebastian wasn’t used to this kind of talk. If he said such things to Ellie more often, maybe he’d start meaning it.

They silently ate their froyo. Sebastian looked through the large glass windows of the froyo shop. There were less people eating inside than outside. Two men approaching the glass doors caught his attention. Sebastian’s heart nearly stopped when he realized they were Axel and Jake.

Axel held the door open for Jake like a proper gentleman. Both only had eyes for each other. Axel said something. Jake laughed.

A burning sensation filled Sebastian’s chest. His fist tightened around his spoon, wishing it was Jake’s pretty neck.

“Are you okay?” Ellie asked.

“I’m fine.” He loosened his grip and took a bite. Hopefully the two wouldn’t notice him.

“Sebastian!”

Of course Axel noticed him. He and Jake stood next to his table. Neither held any food items. They must have already eaten inside.

“We were gonna go see a movie,” Jake said. “Wanna come?”

Like Sebastian wanted to go anywhere with Jake.

“Weren’t you the guy who started that protest?” Ellie asked Jake.

“Yeah.” Jake beamed. “It was great. A shame how it ended.”

“I was surprised at how many people showed up.” Axel clasped his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. The action made him feel a bit woozy. “What do you say, Sebbie? Wanna watch a shitty AI movie with us?”

Sebbie? Axel had a nickname for him now? And how was he supposed to answer that question? As much as he enjoyed spending time with Axel, he was in the middle of a date. And even if he wasn't, he needed to stay away from Axel for his own sanity.

Ellie folded her arms, frowning at Sebastian. “You’re friends with these people?”

“I hate Jake.” At least that part was true.

“I understand,” Jake said. “But Axel really misses you. Can’t you at least tell him why you’re mad at him?”

“I’m not mad at him.”

“You’re friends with him then?” Ellie asked. There was a hint of judgment in her voice. As though his answer could make or break their relationship.

Sebastian avoided looking at Axel. He was supposed to be cured. How could he be friends with people who attended gay rights protests, if he was truly cured? Ellie might not believe him anymore. He’d have to say no.

But saying no would break Axel’s heart.

It would also make Axel leave him alone for good. Sebastian needed that more than anything. “No, I’m not,” he said to Ellie.

“You asshole!” Jake shouted.

Sebastian could feel Axel’s eyes on him, but he refused to look at him.

“That’s how it’s gonna be, is it?” Axel released his hold on Sebastian. “I hope you’re happy with your new girlfriend.”

Jake and Axel walked away. Sebastian kept his eyes on his empty froyo cup.

“I bet 50 bucks they’re dating.” Ellie said with a smirk.

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” Sebastian forced himself to smile back. “Want to ditch this place and go to my house?”

~~~~~

Maple finally snuck away from Neil. After leaving the froyo shop, Neil took her through the shopping center, towards a coffee shop. He wanted to get a coffee to go. As he placed his order, Maple slipped out of the store, and searched for a place to hide. She knew it was pointless. That he’d find her anyway. But she needed a break from those wandering hands.

She stumbled behind a grocery store, onto a scene she was not expecting. Jake standing against the wall with another man. His arm was draped across the man’s shoulders, as though he were comforting him. And then, Jake kissed him. Right on the lips.

Maple’s heart sunk and jaw dropped. “Jake?”

The man and Jake looked over it her. The man had a terrified expression on his face. Jake ran his fingers through his hair. “Hey Mapes. What brings you here?”

“You have a boyfriend?”

“Something wrong with that?” Jake asked. “I told you I was pan. I thought you were cool with that.”

Maple was at the time. That was before she knew he was actually dating a man. “I thought you were single!” Her eyes teared up. Was she seriously going to cry over this? She took a deep breath. “You said you would wait until I turn 18.”

It was stupid. Maple knew she’d never be able to marry Jake. But it was still one last shred of hope. Now she was doomed to spend the rest of her life with Neil.

“What is she talking about?” The man asked Jake. Clearly Jake hadn’t told him anything of their plans.

“I’ll explain later.” Jake turned back to Maple. “I guess I should introduce you. This is Axel. Axel, this is-”

“Found you!” Neil strolled in, eyes on Maple. “Running away from me like that. Naughty girl. I’m going to have to punish you.” His tone was playful, but something about it made Maple's stomach twist, filling her with fear. Her instincts screamed at her to run. Before she could, Neil grabbed her arm. He pulled her to his chest as she struggled to break free.

“Let her go!” Jake shouted.

Neil noticed Jake and Axel. “What are you two doing, loitering behind a grocery store?”

“We saw Maple and wanted to know why she was here,” Jake said.

“And now we know why.” Axel grabbed Jake’s arm, pulling him away. “We’ll leave you-”

“No!” Jake yanked his arm away. “Let her go, now! She doesn’t want you.”

“Too bad.” Neil went in for a kiss, but Maple turned her head so his lips only grazed her cheek.

Jake rushed over to help Maple. Just as fast, Neil pointed a gun at him. Jake froze. Axel bit his knuckles.

Neil still had one arm wrapped tight around Maple. “You sure you wanna die over her?”

Maple’s heart pounded. She didn’t want Jake to die. Not over her. How could she live with herself if he did?

“You can’t shoot me.” Jake’s voice shook. “You wouldn’t.”

Neil looked to the left, and to the right. “Nobody here. I could kill you and your little boyfriend. Make it look like someone else did it. Hell, I could easily frame Maple. She caught her crush making out with a man. Got so upset she killed both of you.”

“Help!” Maple shouted. Neil switched the gun to his other hand to cover her mouth. She squirmed and tried shouting through his hand, but Neil tightened his grip. Hard enough to constrict her breathing. Why did she have to be so weak?

“She’ll deny killing you. No doubt about that,” Neil continued, his gun still pointed at the men. “But she’s a lovesick girl, and I’m a respected police officer. Who do you think people will believe?”

Maple licked the palm of Neil’s hand. He drew his hand away, loosening his grip as he did so. Maple slipped out and ran.

“Get back here!”

Neil would catch up with her no problem. Hopefully Jake and Axel were smart enough to get away before Neil could act on his sick plan.

Maple ran to the front of the grocery store, and darted inside. She ducked behind a large stack of Hendi 12 packs on display. Neil ran right past her, his attention on the many aisles ahead.

She ran back outside and away from the store. Maybe if she found Jake, he’d take her somewhere far away from Neil. She could only hope.