CHAPTER 6

“When will you tell her how you feel about her?” Nick asked me as soon as I entered the store.

“What are you talking about?” I said pretending ignorance.

"Come on, man.” Nick insisted with a little push, "don't be like that, you know I'm talking about Livie.”

I only managed to frown.

“Why does everyone think I feel more than friendship for her?” I asked annoyed.

“Do you want a list?” Nick scoffed, "Well, I assure you that when it’s my friend’s birthday, the most I can do for her is to give her a record and that.” he paused, leaning over to whisper the rest, "it's because I have a fifteen percent discount on the merchandise.”

"She already has all the records she wants.” I said nervously.

"That's right.” Nick agreed, "but that's because you've given them all away without having an important date involved.”

"Of course not.” I replied, moving away from the counter to go to a shelf.

Of course, Nick would follow me like a little pig follows its mother.

"Instead,” Nick continued, ignoring my answer, "you organize a three-day trip since you won't be able to attend her birthday lunch.” he finished mockingly with a plaintive voice.

Livie was not one of those girls that wanted a birthday party, or go on a blowout until late at night or be the center of attention and the life of the parties, she was actually the opposite, since I knew her, Livie always made a family lunch in a trendy restaurant, obviously I always went and took my parents with me, there were times that the people of the establishment had to kick us out because the place had to close.

“And if that's not all, first you explain to your father-in-law your plans to take his daughter for a trip, you gain his trust by telling him that you are going to take your brothers-in-law and thus not be alone with your girlfriend, without caring what your parents could say” Nick continued, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"First.” I replied raising a finger "Mr. Martin is not my father-in-law, Jonny and Jacob are not my brothers-in-law and Livie is just my friend not my girlfriend.” I listed each point he said.

"But you wish they were all that.” Nick said maliciously.

"Okay, I accept it!” I finally exclaimed "I love Livie, she drives me crazy and at the same time exasperates me, makes me do crazy things and get me into trouble and yes, all that happens because I've been in love with her since I saw her for the first time!"

Shit, it felt good to say it out loud for a change, it was like... Dropping a huge weight I didn't know I was carrying until then.

"Okay, Mark.” Nick congratulated me "now you just have to say it to the owner of those feelings.”

“Not!” I exclaimed in horror.

“No?” I could see the confusion on Nick's face, and if it wasn’t for this kind of situation, I'd laugh.

“No, Nick.'' I repeated swallowing “I won’t do that and then put our friendship at risk, I'm afraid that, after I tell her what I feel, everything will change between us and she’d move away and even more so after what she asked me to do” I finished without being able to stop those last words.

Shit, I felt my face red again.

"And... what was what she asked you for?” Nick asked interested.

"No.” I denied hastily "Forget it, I don't think I should tell you; I mean, we are just having our first real conversation and this is something very personal.”

“Puf!” Nick said, putting both hands to his heart “That hurt, Mark. Do you take me for a gossip? I criticize that a lot. Come on, tell your new friend what Livie told you” He smiled encouragingly.

"You're being gossipy right now.” I said smiling too.

“No, man. It's not for gossip, let's say it's simple... curiosity” he said shrugging.

It only took me a few moments to decide. I mean, I needed help and more if it came from a male point of view.

"Okay.” I finally answered, "but it'll have to stay between us, okay?"

Nick put a hand to his lips and pretended he was zipping them.

"My lips are sealed.” he said.

"Well, you see...”   with a resigned sigh I began to tell him everything that had happened with Olivia, on more than one occasion I had to look away because Nick looked so amazed, it made me feel uncomfortable. If it weren't for me, I'd think Nick's gaping expression would make me laugh “so she asked me to, uh... well, she wanted me to kiss her” I barely had voice at the end.

After a few seconds, I heard Nick's trademark uproarious laugh, an action that caused the few customers in the store to turn to see us.

“Mark, that's wonderful!” Nick exclaimed smiling.

"It's nothing wonderful.” I mumbled.

“It’s not?”

"No... it's just, Hmm... I haven't done that either.” I continued whispering.

“What?!” Nick yelled in shock.

"Keep your voice down. For God's sake!” I asked, embarrassed when all the clients took an interest in us

"Forgive me friend, but this is incredible, you are two people that are what? Eighteen years old? And you haven’t had your first kiss? Don't fuck me with that.” Nick said, still impressed.

"I'm glad to be your particular freak.” I answered ironically.

"Mark, don't you see? You have the ball on your side, you can play it in your favor with this great opportunity the universe has decided to offer you.”

"Fuck off.” I said without believing him.

"You have to kiss her.” Nick continued with his passionate speech, "but kiss her with all your strength, as if your soul would leave your body if you didn’t.”  

"Nick.” I snapped my fingers in front of his face to get his attention. "What part of I haven't kissed, you don't understand?"

It was useless, a waste of time, and my patience was long overdue on the subject.

"Right.” Nick recalled, "then I'll teach you.” he replied with a shrug.

If something like this had happened to another person and I had listened to it, I’d definitely find myself on the ground laughing, but no, as always, this kind of thing could only happen to the chubby guy...

"Um... I didn't know you were playing for the other side, Nick.” I replied with something beyond discomfort.

“What?” Nick asked blankly.

"Thank you very much for the offer, but... I’d prefer my first kiss to be with a woman, no matter how clumsy it may be, and not with a man, much less you.” I stammered in response.

Nick lasted a while longer with a face of not understanding, until the realization hit him with all its force. Mad, I witnessed the strangest act of contortion of my life, Nick had laughed out loud, throwing his head back so much that I thought he could touch his shoulder blades that way.

“Did you really think that I had offered my mouth for you to practice?” He asked later, calmed down and wiping his tears “you do have a sick mind, friend.”

"It is not my fault that you have expressed yourself in a wrong way.” I said ashamed.

"Yeah, sure.” replied my new friend.

“What did you offer then?” I asked, changing the subject.

"I'll explain what you have to do, you idiot.”

I watched Nick head over to the counter to jot something down on a piece of paper and then come back to my side.

"Here.” he said, handing me the paper, "this is my number, call me to save yours.”

"Sure.” I did as he asked, watching as Nick pulled out his phone and saved my number.

“What do you think if today I take you home and we start with the lesson?” Nick asked putting his phone away.

"Great.” I replied, still uncomfortable. "And... do you have a lot of experience on the subject?"

"Well yeah, I mean, I've kissed quite a few girls and I haven't had any complaints from them.” he replied with a shrug.

"At least you'll know what I'm trying to do, that reassures me a bit.” I said reflectively.

"Just leave this to the expert.” was all Nick said with a smirk.

I was going to tell him where to get his smile when I heard my last name.

“Sanders!” Shouted the boss behind us.

"Boss.” I replied, straightening up when he was in front of me, out of the corner of my eye I noticed how Nick escaped.

Traitor...

"I didn't see when you arrived.” he said accusingly.

“Not? The thing is...”

“What was the emergency?” He cut me off impatiently.

Well sir, my best friend had an existential crisis when she found out that her favorite band was breaking up and she called me because apparently no one in her family cared about such nonsense.

Should I tell him that? Hmm...

Shit, I couldn't tell him that, it’d end fired and I needed the money.

"Hey boss, well you see, I went through this issue with... my mother.” forgive me mom "She had a certain accident at home and called me in a hurry.” I explained feeling a layer of sweat forming on my forehead.

“What kind of accident?” He asked, looking curiously interested.

"Well, she... ate some damaged shrimp.” Why couldn't I lie like normal people?

Why did I have to stutter so much? Sweat so much? Blink so much?

“Diarrhea?” Mr. Fitcher asked with... Concern?

"Ugh, yes.” I answered hastily nodding nervously "It was something tremendous, boss, I saw many things come and go that I don't want to remember, the poor thing ended up dehydrated.”

“And you didn't take her to the hospital?”

What the fuck, Mr. Fitcher?

"Uh... we called her doctor and he prescribed acetaminophen.” I answered hastily.

“Acetaminophen?” Mr. Fitcher asked, totally confused. "Isn't loperamide what they prescribe for that?"

"Yeah, that.” I answered hurriedly "you know, it’s just that well, I'm not a doctor.” I completed without being able to hide the shame I felt.

“But, is your mother better?”

"Yes, yes, much better, you have no idea how much...”

"I'm glad your mother is safe, Mr. Sanders.” said the boss, relieved.

"Thank you, boss, and also thank you for letting me go yesterday...”

"It’s nothing.” he replied, walking away to his office.

When Mr. Fitcher closed the door, I ended up leaning against a shelf and releasing the air that until then I didn’t know I was holding, I could hear a low laugh coming from Nick at my back.

"Besides a sick mind.” he began with mockery in his voice "you're a sane killer, Sanders. Making your own mother sick to cover up for your girl… How low… And do me a favor, okay? Find out a bit about what stops diarrhea before prescribing.”

Giving him the middle finger in response, I headed over to the counter to take care of some sales.

At least I still had my job.