Date Me, Bryson Keller(23)

“I think…so?” I finish weakly.

Bryson laughs. “Well, in that case, we should get together and watch the movie so we can pick a scene. Maybe one between the supporting cast? Just because it’s Romeo and Juliet doesn’t actually mean we have to be Romeo and Juliet.”

“Okay.” I smile, relieved. “I like the way you think.”

“Well, I have soccer practice today, but if you’re cool waiting, we can get together after and watch the movie at my house?”

“Sure, let me just text my parents quick. I have my shift in the library this afternoon and they usually pick me up,” I offer by way of explanation. I pull open the family group chat: Sheridan Shenanigans, aptly named by Mom. I type a message explaining our plans.

“You work in the library?” he asks, genuinely surprised.

“Yeah.” I take a sip of my water. “You would know that if you ever went there.”

    “Hey, it’s not that I don’t read. I just prefer comics over books.”

“Really? You and my sister will get along.”

Bryson takes a final sip of his drink. “Are you done?”

I nod.

“We should leave now so we’re not late.”

“Sure.” We walk over to the counter to pay. “I’ve got it.” Before he can protest, I open my wallet and hand over the amount due.

“Fine,” Bryson says. He studies me for a moment. Eventually he smiles. “Tomorrow it’s on me, though.”

And just like that, getting breakfast together becomes a thing that we will do.

If the me of last week could see the me of right now, he would never believe that any of this is actually happening.

Hell, even the me of right now can’t really believe it.

We leave Glenda’s and head for school—together.





9


Bryson pulls into the school parking lot with five minutes to spare until the first bell rings.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say.

“No problem.”

We climb from the car and find Shannon waiting. She’s scrolling through her phone but stops and casually smooths her jet-black hair when she sees us. She’s a head shorter than me, but her large blue eyes are piercing and oddly intimidating.

“So, who is it?” Shannon asks. “Who are you dating this week?”

“It’s a secret,” Bryson says.

He manages to not look at me, and I’m relieved. It seems that he’s taking very seriously his promise of keeping us a secret. I know that in a perfect world it wouldn’t need to be a secret, but the one that we live in is far from perfect.

Shannon keeps pestering him, but Bryson doesn’t budge. Eventually she storms off as I walk to class.

    “Kai, wait up!”

I stop and turn to find Bryson holding out his blazer.

“Here. Take it.” He doesn’t give me much choice, because it’s already being forced into my arms. So I do.

“What about you?”

“I have a game tomorrow night, so the worst I’ll get is a lunchtime detention.” Bryson shakes his head and sighs.

“True,” I say as Bryson takes my books and bag. I slide into his blazer. It’s a few sizes too big and smells like him—pine. It’s probably some name-brand cologne, but as I inhale, I know that it is worth every penny.

“Let’s go,” Bryson says. He studies me one final time before handing over my belongings.

“Go?”

“To drama,” Bryson says, chuckling. Then he leaves me standing there.

All I can do is watch as he walks away. Not that I’m complaining about the sight or anything. The bell rings and I race to catch up to him. I’m not in the mood to serve another of Mrs. Henning’s detentions.

We walk to drama together, and by the time we arrive, everyone is seated. Bryson high-fives Isaac and sits down next to him. He twists to look at me expectantly and taps the empty spot beside him. I sit cross-legged and pull my copy of Romeo and Juliet from my bag.

Mrs. Henning enters the auditorium just as the start-of-period bell rings. Today she is wearing a faux-fur jacket, leather pants, and bedazzled heels. To top it all off, she’s wearing a wig straight out of the French Revolution. All she needs to say now is Let them eat cake.

    She comes to a stop at center stage and holds out a sheet of paper. “Good morrow, my thespians. Before we begin, please pass around this sign-up sheet. I’m allowing you all to book hour slots to rehearse for the performances this Friday. Also, I would like to inform all of you that I have decided to extend the deadline for the school play submissions. It, too, will be on Friday. Many factors led to this decision, so please use this extra time wisely. I want to be wowed,” Mrs. Henning says. “Now, Mr. Keller, could you please fetch me a chair?”

Bryson nods and stands. He disappears backstage to find a chair for Mrs. Henning. I catch the drama teacher’s gaze; she offers me a slight nod and there’s a smile at her lips. Did she extend the deadline for me? Whatever the reason, I gasp in disbelief. There’s a chance for me yet. I smile as I pull a pen from my bag and accept the sign-up sheet from Jessica Cho. A lot of the slots have already been filled, and given Bryson’s busy schedule, I need his help to decide the best time for us to practice.