Stopped short Short stop

After the movie, the boys didn’t speak until they had completely left the mall and were nearly to Andrew’s apartment. “So, do you think it’s dead?”

“Probably not. It was found on a floating rock in space and survived. Pretty sure it’s unkillable.” Andrew flinched when he felt Brian’s hand cover his own. “Sorry.” He thought it would be better now that they were alone but he was wrong. He didn’t like how he ended up curled around Brian for safety like some...some girl. He was getting nervous about all the handholding they had been doing today. They hugged before, in a manly brohug way of course...but he was slowly realizing how intimate something so simple could feel. Something you definitely shouldn’t do with a bro...and yet he didn’t pull away when Brian laced their fingers together.

“Andrea.” Andrew looked to his friend and realized they were stopped in his driveway. “I had a great time today. I hope we can do this again sometime.”

Andrew stared at his friend, was he joking? Keeping up the act? Did he really want to...to go out again? Thinking about it, he knew any girl who had stuck through the first half of dinner would be more than happy for a second date. “I would like that.” Andrew smiled nervously, his stomach was doing more backflips than a gymnast. He had been here before, with a pretty girl in the car after a date. Would Brian try to kiss him? Would stopping him send the wrong message to his friend? Would letting him send an even worse message?!

“Then I’ll definitely call you.” Brian’s tone was soft and velvety. “Tomorrow?” His voice had lost its softness and it was clear he was asking Andrew more than Andrea. Both nodded, Andrew too nervous to speak. Slowly his friend leaned closer to Andrea who, like a deer in headlights, froze. Andrew pushed his friend away, his hand remaining pressed against his chest as he spoke. “Brian...what are you doing?”

Brian swallowed hard, “I’m sorry. I thought...I’m sorry.”

“No...it was good. I mean...with a girl sure, do that…”

“I should go.”

“Brian?” Andrew could feel his friend cloaking himself in a blanket of self-doubt and insecurity. “Brian.” Brian tapped his leg nervously until finally, left with no other option, Andrew grabbed Brian’s cheeks “Don’t forget to call me for our second date okay?” Brian’s breathing slowed to a much more normal pace as he nodded in his friend’s hands. “Good boy.” Andrea leaned in and kissed Brian softly on the lips. When they finally parted the smile had returned to Brian’s face which in turn made Andrea smile.

Getting out of the car without exposing himself was a lot more difficult than he had imagined but he managed to do it with minimal damage to his male ego. As he watched his friend drive away, the reality of his situation hit him like a ton of bricks. He was standing in his apartment complex dressed like a girl! Andrew hurried as fast as he could in heels and hated even more than ever that they didn’t have an elevator. He was near his door when his neighbor stopped him. “Hey, are you new in the building?”

“Kind of.” Andrew struggled to find his keys in his purse.

“You live here?”

“Yeah.” Andrew had had enough of guys hitting on him today and just wanted to end the conversation quickly.

“I thought the Callaghan’s had a son?”

Andrew froze again, “They do...I’m the cousin. I mean A-Andrew’s cousin. I’m just staying for a little while.” Finally, Andrew opened the door, “Anyway, I gotta go. Homework and junk. I’ll tell Mo-Aunt Deb you stopped by.” Andrew quickly closed the door behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief and quickly headed to the bathroom.

“Andrew?” His mom shouted from the kitchen only spurring Andrew on faster.

“Yeah, it’s me!” Andrew immediately began scrubbing his face clean of makeup.

“Are you okay? Your voice sounds weird sweetie you’re not coming down with something are you?”

Andrew spat in anger for forgetting his voice sounded like a girl’s. “N-no. Just strained from practice.” He gargled with mouthwash hoping to purge his throat of any of the remaining teeth whitener. He coughed and choked on the mouthwash, feeling it burn his throat. He briefly considered it might not have been such a good idea. Andrew heard his mother knocking and quickly stripped off the dress and heels.

“Andy, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Just-” he coughed, “Just getting in the shower.” Andrew quickly wrapped a towel around himself to hide the bra and panties he still wore when his mom opened the door. “Mom!” Yelling proved to be a mistake when he felt like his throat was tearing apart.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t hear you. Are you sure you’re okay? Your voice sounds even worse.”

“Just...from practice.”

“Okay.” Debra paused a moment taking a long look at her son. “Did you dye your hair?”

“....yeah.”

‘Is he wearing eyeliner?’ “It looks...nice.” It looked like something she had seen on teen girls at the mall.

“M-mom,” he coughed, “Can you make me tea with h-honey?”

“Sure thing sweetie.” She closed the door behind her but not before taking another look at her son. Andrew sighed and decided he would like to take a shower after all.

After he finished his shower, Andrew wrapped the towel around his waist and stared at the discarded clothes. He gathered them up and quickly hid them in his closet to be thrown away later after everyone had gone to bed. He jumped when he heard his mom knocking on his door and quickly pulled on his boxers. “Come in.” His mother handed him a glass of warm tea with honey. Andrew took a drink awkwardly trying to act natural.

“Feel better?” Andrew nodded and turned around to sit on his bed, still trying his hardest to act natural. “Okay, dinner’s in ten. Mac and cheese, your favorite.”

“Thanks, mom.” Andrew was starting to get nervous under the eye of his mother.

“Andy. Did something happen today?”

“No.” He lied.

“Okay. If it did, remember, you can talk to me.”

“I know, mom.” ‘But no way in hell am I telling you what happened.’

“Okay.” With that, she left his room.

As awkward as the conversation with his mom was, dinner with both of his parents was even more awkward. His dad’s comments about his hair were really grating on him. “You look like a refugee from Ronald McDonald’s basement,” Andrew mumbled something under his breath, stabbing at some green beans. “What?”

“I said, I like it. I think it’s cu-cool!”

“Jeeze, this generation thinks anything weird is automatically cool.” The two had danced this dance before when he dyed his hair black, or when he got his ears pierced. And the less said about the mohawk the better. He was so sick of the constant jokes.

“I’m going to my room.” Andrew walked away from the table.

“What about your dinner?” his mom asked him with a voice full of worry.

“I ate with Brian.”

Before he closed the door behind him he could hear his dad saying, “What?!” to his mother, She was no doubt giving him her **** stare.