Matt and Jesse 4

Matt

The pen spun, resting precariously on my thumb for half a second before clattering noisily to the ground. I sighed, adjusting my forest green apron. The seconds ticked by slowly, prolonged due to my constant glance towards the round checkered clock. I worked in a 60’s styled diner, only because the owner was totally awesome and I always got free food. And trust me; the burgers here are to die for. They are so good it’s not even funny, but then, when are burgers funny? Well, they might be.

The people in the diner were always few, and today business was especially slow with the occasional customers coming in for a coffee and a quick lunch. The Beatles played faintly in the background.

Sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come.
Corporation tee-shirt, stupid bloody Tuesday.
Man, you been a naughty boy, you let your face grow long.

I whistled along, lolling my head back and forth. Sundays were slow, yet passed so fast. Tomorrow would be Monday again and ugh…I’m getting a headache just thinking about school. I glanced at the clock again, my gaze lingering as the minute hand crawled an inch to the right. 2:04. Isaac usually visits during this time. My coffee break was in 6 minutes and then Annabel takes over. Not that she does much anyways. She’d probably be doing the same thing she is now. I glanced over and smirked at her form, hunched over a magazine. Her arm was draped on the windowsill and a cig, smoke curling from the thin white stick, trapped between two of her bone rail fingers. I loved her though; always let me sneak baskets of onion rings home.

The familiar lazy smile greeted me when I heard the bells jingle and someone enter the diner. Half-lidded eyes and shaggy purple and auburn coloured hair with a constant smile upon his lips. That’s Izzy. Cradling my chin between my hands, I laughed as he kissed Annabel on her yellow stained fingers and winked roguishly at her. She swatted him away with a harmless threat.

“Guess what?” he asked, the minute he settled down on the high, purple plastic stools. His voice was always a little on the squeaky side. I guess puberty had the opposite effect on him.

“Nice to see you too,” I replied sarcastically, hoisting myself up until I was sitting atop the counter.

“My cousin’s looking for a job and I recommended that he work here…. if you don’t mind of course.”

I was actually surprised. The 4 years we’ve been friends I have never seen his family, save his mom and older brother. However, even those two I have only seen once or twice. I used to live in another town before moving here a year ago. That was where I got to know Izzy, who at the time lived with his dad. I’m not sure what happened, but Izzy suddenly decided to move in with his mom and older brother. About a few months later, my own family followed suit and Izzy and I were re-united. Although Izzy and I don’t go to the same school, we’re still best friends. God, I sound like such a loser don’t I? I’ll shut up now.

“Nah, I welcome anybody. He’s got to pass Barry’s approval though,” I said. My boss, Barry doesn’t care actually. As long as they come in and don’t scare away the customers they’re hired.

“Yeah, my cousin’s had a pretty hard time,” Izzy said wistfully. “His mom’s a bitch. He’s like the next Johnny Depp or something, you know? He’s a great actor. He’s in these really awesome plays you know, but his mom never goes to watch him. And there’s this bully, he tells me about,” Izzy paused and his tone became sly. “He’s gay too, just in case you were curious.”

I blushed, dipping my head to hide it. Izzy’s the only one I’ve come out to and the thing is I’m not even that sure I AM gay. But then, when girls don’t exactly turn me on, what other explanation is there?

Jesse

The diner was…well, what’s the word? Quaint, the diner was quaint. It was insignificant if you were just passing it, but if you took the time to study it, it looked cute and inviting. I read the messily sprawled address on the paper Izzy gave me, which confirmed that I was at the right place.

Izzy and I were more like pen pal cousins until two years ago when he moved here. I welcomed the light fragrance of freshly baked pie and the hovering whiff of onions. The familiar smell brought back nostalgic memories of my grandma, who died when I was 10. It didn’t matter though, since I wasn’t allowed to see her that much even while she was alive.

The redhead sat at the counter, visible with the bright flashes of purple streaks in his hair, his bubbly personality and high-pitched laughter. Izzy seemed to be talking to…Matt? I frowned, swiveling around to walk out the door again. It was just too embarrassing, to see someone who knew of my, well, “relationship” with James. However, I couldn’t help the stirring in my stomach, just thinking about Matt. Call me shallow, but I can’t help it. I’m a sucker for pretty things.

Taking a deep, calming breath, I walked back to where Izzy sat and wrapped my arms around him. “Hey Izzy,” I said, propping myself up onto the high stools. I stared forlornly at the small glass dome covering a blueberry pie. Mentally, I was digging into the pie right now, blueberry jam and vanilla ice cream…

“Jesse,” Izzy smiled and clasped a hand over my shoulder, “Meet Matt. Matt, meet my cousin. You think you could get him a job? Can’t you see how desperate this guy is?” Izzy’s fingers pushed the sides of my lips down, so that I was flashing an over-exaggerated pout. I growled at Izzy and threatened to bite his fingers off.

I glanced up quickly to see the quirk of Matt’s eyebrow as he looked down at me. I was blushing so much that I was sure my face resembled an overripe tomato. Black curls obscured my face as I ducked down and subconsciously chipped away my purple nail polish.

“Yeah, I’ll see what I can do for him,” his husky voice brought shivers up my spine. That and the double meaning in what he said. I just had to over-analyze that.

“Thanks,” I whispered, still too afraid to look up. I could almost feel the inquisitive glance Izzy was sending my way.

“Anyway, we’ve got to go,” Izzy flashed him a smile which Matt returned. His pearly-white, charming smile made my knees go completely soft. I felt like I was floating on cloud nine, but what would be even better would be if I were kissing….

“See you. Come in tomorrow after school and I’ll get you started,” Matt directed this at me. He either ignored or forgot about the whole café episode. Inside, I was praying that he forgot about it. With Izzy around, he seemed so much nicer and cuter…and sexy…but then, he was always sexy…

A/N: This story might be a short one. No more than 12-13 chapters maybe? Maybe less?? I’m not certain yet

But please review!!