Honesty in the kitchen

Brian opens the door without a word and stands aside as you enter. He quickly looks you up and down with a nervous smile, though in your experience he always looks a little skittish. "N- nice to see you Ellie, w- won't you come in?" You cannot restrain an eye roll and audible sigh as you gesture for him to lead the way.

You follow him to the kitchen, where the lighting is dim compared to the lighting out on the back deck. Tonight is a warm evening, and you notice a breeze coming through the open patio door. Brian goes around the counter and begins fiddling with something. "It's so nice f-for you to visit my home, Ellie," he tells you, trying and abjectly failing to sound casual. "M- my parents aren't home, you know."

"It's not a social visit," you reply frostily, your attention momentarily distracted when you think you hear something out back. You crane your neck but see nothing, and Brian offers you a drink. "Uh huh," you nod slightly, before regaining focus. "Willem says I'm going to be humiliated at the prom, and you know something about it."

Now Brian comes around the counter and hands you a glass. "I don't know about humiliated, exactly..." His voice is quiet, neutral, his facial expression concealed by shadows.

"Well I do," you snap, "I happen to have a reputation to uphold, and to have some negro put his hands on my body..." You feel your mouth going dry and take a couple of gulps of your drink. "Well, how would that make you feel? Wouldn't you want to protect a girl like me from something like that?" There's a nervous silence, so you take another sip. It tastes funny, but not terrible.

"You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, Ellie," Brian declares. "Ever since we first met, I've wanted you for myself." Too late you notice he's been closing the distance, leaning forward and now Brian kisses you, gently, respectfully, on the lips. Your eyes open wide with surprise as he smooches you tenderly.

"Brian!" you cry out as you pull away from him, your hand to your chest. "Oh, Brian, no, just no." You can't help but punctuate that sentence with a little mocking laugh. "That is sweet, but it will never, never happen between us. Under any circumstances." There's another awkward silence as you study your empty glass. "Was this alcoholic? It's different."

"Alright, well, we better get on with it then," Brian grumbled, seemingly to himself. "Come on out back." He gestured to the patio door.

"Brian, ugh, can you just not be weird for once?" you groan, impatient and tired of his company. "Like, just tell me about the black guy after me."

"Why tell you when I can show you?" Brian replied, and again you hear a noise from outside. Now Brian has hold of your arm and guides you through the rear door of the house...