Adam tried really hard to avoid, avoiding Chase. It wasn't like the kiss was entirely his fault, Adam had his own part in it - and he hadn't pulled away so there was also that. He really didn't like the idea of avoiding his best friend, but he was also weary about the consequences of said kiss. Things were scarily uncertain in his life at that moment, between juggling school and his parents never waning obsession with ruining his entire life. At that moment he really didn't know what to do.
Sleep had never came easy for him, which was why he was sleepily pacing the length of his bedroom. Government cell phone pressed against his ear; his parents refused to buy him a phone so he made do with what he could afford himself. Grace is on the other end of the line ranting about college life, her boyfriend Drew, and whatever useless detail she can fill him in on. Its nice, but definitely not why he called her in the first place. But in usual Grace fashion she's taken his calling her as a chance to chatter away. She's the only person he knows with a bigger talking problem than him.
"Grace," He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. An oncoming headache from a sleepless night already brewing in his head. "Grace, seriously need you to listen to me." Something in his tone must sound desperate, since she decides to shut up and listen to him for once. "Thank you," he sighs in relief. Lowering his voice just in case there are nosy ears. "Hypothetically," He starts, listening to her groan on the other end of the line. "I hate that word," she informs and Adam has to agree, but for the sake of not telling her the full story he continues on. "I know, but, hypothetically if someone were to....no, wait let me start again."
"So I've got a friend," He continues on, trying his best to word his fears. "And this friend has a...I dunno, fuck, he has a crush I guess. But this crush is someone of the same gender, and this friend also has the worlds most obsessively religious parents in the world." Okay, well, he didn't exactly word that to sound like hes actually talking about someone other than himself. Oh well, she can deal. Or maybe she can't, because the line goes eerily quiet. Like shes dropped the call but he can hear her TV in the background so she hasn't. "You're friend is screwed," Grace says after a long time.
"Seriously, couldn't your friend have waited to have this particular crisis until after high school? When your friend could move away from his insane parents. Like your friends far superior older sister did." Adam laughs, but its far from amused. "My friend has no choice, and it isn't a crisis...its just, hes really, really confused Grace." His sister sighs, like shes been gearing up for a talk like this for a long time; which no, she couldn't have known since she isn't psychic. "Adam, your sexuality is nothing to be ashamed of." Wow, there's at least one weight lifted from his chest. Yet he doesn't feel any better than before. Also, its fairly annoying that Grace has dropped the hypothetical story. "Look, just take some time to figure it out, don't say anything to mom or dad. I love you little brother, but this isn't something I can decide for you."
"Thanks, I love you too Gracie...I've gotta go, or I'll be late for school." And I'm probably keeping Chase waiting, he thinks, but doesn't say. The line goes dead seconds later and he rushes to get dressed, throwing on the first things he sees and attempting to tame the wild mane of hair atop his head. Finally giving up he just throws on a beanie and proceeds to go about the rest of his morning routine. Looking in the mirror he notices that he looks like hell. Mostly because hes paler than normal, dark circles under his eyes making everything worse. It looks like he hasn't slept in days - which he hasn't. He turns away from the mirror a bit angrily, then leaves the bathroom altogether.
He thunders down the stairs, anxiously chewing the inside of his lip. His parents are already gone for the day, one less thing to worry about. Hes glad they both work in the mornings, he would never get any peace otherwise. He just grabs a pack of poptarts and heads out the door. He spots Chase instantly, they always make their way to the school together.
It shouldn't be any different. Adam firmly decides to push aside his worries, and smiles at his best friend. Opting to not let whatever had just come between them change the fact that they have been, and will hopefully always be friends. "Hows it hanging man?"