Page 81 of The Friend Scheme
This is just me being stupid.
I had no idea how much I needed a friend until I got a taste of it. To use an expression Dad uses a lot: I’ve swirled the drink. It can’t hurt me.
But if I were to see him again…
Ugh.
I wish he was an ordinary guy.
“Hello, earth to Matthew.”
I look up and see Cassidy standing in front of me. She’s holding two glasses of champagne. She looks amazing right now, in a sleek, floor-length black dress.
She offers me a glass.
“Thanks,” I say, and I take a sip, even though I don’t like drinking. It’s very crisp, and probably superexpensive. It’s still gross, though. Who even likes this stuff? “Sorry, I was just thinking.”
“No worries,” she says, leaning against the golden wall beside me. “Having a good night?”
“Clearly.”
She laughs and tilts her glass toward me. We cheers.
“Yeah, me too,” she says. “My mom drags me to these things; it’s the worst.”
“Oh, really? What would you rather be doing?”
She pauses, thinking. “Pretty much anything. You?”
“Yeah, same.”
“Figures. Why do they make us come here?”
I shrug. “I guess they want us to learn how stuff works. We’re going to be like them, one day.”
“That’s a scary thought.”
“Right?”
Silence falls over us. We both watch the crowd. It is actually a pretty great spectacle. Everyone has gone all out with their outfits. Luke has taken off his suit jacket, revealing a white shirt and suspenders. He’s slow dancing with a girl in a red gown. Her hair is straightened, and she reminds me a little of a femme fatale. He dips her, then snaps her back up, so she’s fully pressed against him. She looks breathless. So does he.
I wonder if Cassidy is jealous.
She smiles. “I know you’re gay, by the way. I know it’s not just a rumor.”
“What?”
“Oh, dude, listen. I’m not going to out you. It’s our secret. But if you want people to stop talking, you should probably be alittlemore careful. I watched you for like five minutes and saw you check out every single even remotely hunky waiter in here. Plus, I’m inthisdress, and you don’t seem nervous to talk to me. Nor have you looked at my décolletage.”
I’ve known Cassidy for ages. I’ve never considered her a threat. But I don’t trust how I feel anymore.
“I… um. Listen, I…”
“Hey, it’s okay. I just want you to know I think it’s a good thing, if it is true. Maybe it’s even a great thing. This world has enough straight dudes. I think it’s time for the queers and the women to take over.”
I nod. I feel like I can’t say anything.
She smiles. “You know, we should hang out more.”
