Date Me, Bryson Keller(71)

I check my phone for any messages. Bryson hasn’t texted since we spoke outside my house. It makes me sad even though I know I’m the one who asked for time. I type a quick response in the group chat and put the phone down. Just then, there’s a knock at my door and Yazz pops her head inside.

“Are you busy?”

“Why?”

“I have something for you.”

“For me?” I turn on my desk chair to face her. She holds up her sketch pad. “What is it?”

“I figured you might need it.”

I open the pad to find Yazz’s very first comic book. It’s about a gay superhero. One who looks an awful lot like me.

    “When did you start this?” I ask. There’s no way Yazz could have completed this since Saturday night.

“Last week,” Yazz says. “After I figured out what was going on with you and Bryson.”

“What? How?”

“I’ve suspected it for a while, to be honest,” Yazz says. She pushes her black-rimmed glasses back into place. “But it was confirmed when I saw a message on your phone. Kelly is Keller, right?”

“How did you know that?”

“I’m smart,” Yazz says. “Plus, I know you, Kai. The smile you had when reading those messages was a dead giveaway. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you that happy—that free.”

“So you knew even before?” I ask. “And you kept it a secret?”

“Of course.” Yazz shrugs. “I knew you’d come out when you were ready. But it made me happy that you had someone like Bryson in your corner when you did.”

I page through the comic book, admiring not only my younger sister’s talent but also her thoughtfulness. This without a doubt is the best gift I’ve ever received.

“I love you, Yazz.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Yazz says. “Let’s not get carried away.” She looks at me. “Is Bryson still your boyfriend?”

“Of course.”

“Then start acting like it.” Yazz sighs. “You know what trope I really hate is when the main character decides to give up on the person they love in the name of protecting them.” She fixes me with a stare. “That’s what you’re doing right now. You’re trying to protect Bryson, but you don’t realize you’re hurting him instead.”

    “It’s more complicated than that,” I try to argue.

“Really? Do you not like him anymore?”

“It isn’t that. Of course I like him.” I chew at my lip. “A lot.”

“Then why aren’t you seeing him?”

“Because I want to protect—” The words die on my lips. “Oh.”

“Exactly.” Yazz shakes her head in exasperation. “Sometimes I really worry about you. The advice is free this time, but next time it’ll cost you.” Yazz stands and heads for the door.

I pull my phone from my pocket and open Instagram. I click on Bryson’s profile. He’s uploaded something new. I hold my breath. It’s a picture of us, one we took on the beach last Sunday. He’s leaning his head close to mine and I’m smiling in a way I’ve never seen before. I look happy; we both do. But even more than the picture, the caption catches my eye and makes my heart race.

It was real then. And it’s real now. I’m using my wish now. I wish you were here. I miss you.

Already it has 219 likes and just as many comments, with the number growing as I watch. I study the picture once more. There’s no denying that it is a couple photo. This is Bryson Keller coming out…for me. I open the comments and scroll through them: OMG. IS THIS REAL?!

Is Bryson dating Kai?

    THEY LOOK SO CUTE!!!!!!

Is the dare really over?

I ship it!

Seriously? I can’t believe this.

I sit and stare without seeing. My sister is right. I have been an idiot. I’ve pushed Bryson away to protect him, but I haven’t asked how he feels about everything. Now I’m looking at the answer to my unasked question. This photo reminds me that it isn’t just about me. There are two people in this relationship.

I stand and grab my wallet and phone before running out of my bedroom.

My phone buzzes with a text. It’s the three musketeers group chat.

Romeo, Romeo, where art thou?

I exit the house to find Donny and Priya standing next to the Quackmobile.

“Your chariot awaits,” Priya says. She dramatically motions to the car.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“What do you mean?” Donny asks. “We obviously came to help our best friend get his man.”

I look between them…confused.

“Yazz texted us, telling us she was going to kick your ass into gear,” Priya explains. “So we came to play our part.”

I look back at the house, where my mastermind sister is. Amazing.

    “Plus, we saw Bryson’s post. It seems the King has a romantic side after all,” Donny says.

“I can’t believe Bryson just came out. This is awesome,” Priya says. “Let’s go. We’re wasting time.”

Donny nods and climbs into the driver’s seat and Priya opens the passenger side to get in. I jump in the back.