Jumbo Popcorn - Extra Butter 🍁
Should I have told my best friend how I felt about him?
This is a short start to what could be a novella or short story. Should I finish it? Leave your comments below and I might add it to my writing roster.
I looked into the backseat of my '67 Mustang and wondered if I'd done the right thing. Telling Daniel I had a thing for him had spilled from my mouth before I'd realized the confession was sitting upon my tongue, waiting for the ideal moment to expose itself.
It was half-price Tuesday; our new favorite movie lighting up the screen, us sharing a jumbo popcorn—extra butter, and rolls of laughter erupting between us. It had seemed so perfect—the moment. Until I nudged Daniel and spoke those words.
Watching Daniel's house, I could see the light in his bedroom switch on, illuminating the rooftop below his window. He moved back and forth in front of the light, creating a shadow that hindered its effort to defeat the darkness outside.
I turned up the radio, filling the cab of my car with music from some new 80s station, and crossed my arms. Daniel had said he'd only be a minute. Maybe he wasn't coming back down at all.
He'd gone quiet at first, Daniel. Stopped laughing—ignoring the movie, then looked down into his lap as if he'd find the perfect response there. If there was one, he certainly hadn't found it.
Daniel had scrubbed his face with his hand then looked straight at me, furrowed his brow, and rose out of his seat. I'd considered sulking, heartbroken, remaining behind, but had decided to chase after him instead. I'd found him leaning against my car.
The light shining through Daniel's bedroom window disappeared as its source was shut off, infusing the interior of my car with a heavy blackness. Not a single light took its place. He wasn't coming. I looked into the backseat again, then back up at Daniel's house. It shouldn't have happened that way.
He'd smirked at me, then smiled, and stuffed his hands into his pockets. It had been more than I'd been expecting if I'd been expecting anything positive at all. I hadn't meant to express my feelings for him, convinced my admission would ruin our friendship. Yet, there he'd stood, waiting for me. I’d driven him home in silence.
I reached back and brushed some popcorn off the backseat and onto the floor. I hadn't realized I'd brought the jumbo popcorn—extra butter along with me when I'd fled the movie theater. Fully popped corn, crushed pieces, and kernels littered the entire back of my vehicle. Daniel hadn't wanted to be in the front seat as we'd sat there talking once parked. I peered up at Daniel's house again—still nothing.
He'd questioned me. On things I knew—and things I didn't know, about my feelings for him. Had it come on suddenly? Or had it grown slowly, over time? Had I always been attracted to him? Or had I always thought we'd only ever be friends?
Why now? Was I gay? Why had I decided to tell him now that I had feelings for him? There was no answer to that question. I hadn't. I hadn't decided at all. I never would've decided—never. My heart had spoken before my mind had a chance to fully catch up.
I jumped, startled—distracted by my thoughts, when the passenger door opened.
"Sorry I took so long." Daniel beamed at me, his grin visible even in the dim light. "Where are we headed?" He leaned toward me and set a sweet kiss on my cheek.
Anywhere. I would've driven him anywhere—his exuberant, loving kiss infusing my skin with warmth. As he gripped my arm and set his head on my shoulder, I eased onto the street. Wherever he wanted to go … I’d drive to the ends of the earth.
Jumbo Popcorn - Extra Butter; Copyright 2019, Leigh Jarrett
Do you want more? Leave a comment.