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 Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 11:43 am
Elliot blinked at the compliment, but when he registered what Chad said his smile reached his eyes. “Thank you,” he said briefly, because he didn’t want this to be about him. He wanted to keep talking about Chad.
“Maybe it’s just one of those things where it’s not always how much you practice, but there are other factors, too? Like, I can want to hit a home run every time, but there’s factors outside of my control. Who I’m playing with, the weather, my focus, all of that. If you can’t get something right yet, don’t give up, okay? I bet you can do anything you put your heart into. Will you show me some of your work some time? It’s okay if you don’t want to, I know that stuff’s personal. My dad gets all silly about his writing and all. Well.”
He paused and corrected himself, “No, it’s not that he’s silly. I understand why he’s shy about it. I never met them, but his parents weren’t really supportive, so he has a hard time opening up about things that mean a lot to him. He knows he’s hard on himself and he knows we’d support him. But he says sometimes it’s harder to hear us over their voices. Anyway, the point is, if you’re not ready to share it, you don’t have to. It won’t hurt my feelings. But also I’d like to see your art and be able to support you.”
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 4:50 pm
Chad felt his face heat up as he imagined showing Elliot his artwork. How did it go from pretending like he didn’t actually want to be in an art class to wanting desperately for Elliot to like what he was working on?
“If you’d like, I can show you! I… don’t have much with me…” He could have pulled out his notebooks and shown Elliot the doodles he did in the margins, but he couldn’t be sure he hadn’t recently written Elliot’s name a few times here and there. Talk about embarrassing!!
“I’m sorry your dad’s parents weren’t really supportive. That must have been really hard for him. I know he’s grateful for your support, even if he hears them over you.”
Which was why Chad felt his face flush even darker when Elliot wanted to support him.
How was it that Elliot was just the sweetest boy ever in existence? Chad was pretty sure he could stare, starstruck, at him for days and never get bored.
And really… he just desperately wanted someone to like his art that wasn’t his teachers.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 5:56 pm
“It’s okay! If you don’t have them now, I can wait. I mean, maybe I can come early tomorrow morning, too? We could find somewhere nice to sit down and you could show me, maybe. We’ll figure it out. But I would really like to see, I’m excited.”
Another smile, for good measure, and then he reached into his lunchbox and pulled out the yogurt. He passed it and the spoon over to Chad but kept the little packet of granola for himself. He pulled out both cupcakes and seemed like he was more than happy to share everything else he had packed.
“But we should finish eating before I ask to see anything, I don’t want to have food around your art. I don’t want any accidents. But–yeah, dad doesn’t talk about it so much. He doesn’t like to ‘bring the mood down.’ But I’m going to keep telling him how much I like it and what a good job he’s doing. He likes that, anyway. Teachers don’t hear that stuff enough, they just get yelled at a lot. Eventually my voice is going to be louder than the others, though.” He shrugged. “I hope. That’s my goal, at least. Maybe that’s why I talk so much.”
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 6:20 pm
Chad finished up the celery and looked down at the yogurt that was passed to him. He stared at it curiously and picked up the spoon that he was given so he could gently poke at it. From the tiniest bit on his spoon, he lifted it to his tongue to taste.
“Oh,” he gasped and looked up at Elliot again. “I wasn’t sure what--” Oh, maybe it was weird that he’d never had yogurt before. His face grew hotter again, even though it had cooled a little as Elliot spoke. He took a bigger spoonful this time and scooped it into his mouth, although he made a face like he ate something sour. “It’s good, just weird. I mean. Not weird. It’s not weird. I’m just… um…”
Maybe he could shove more into his mouth to make it less obvious that he had no idea what he was talking about or tasting. He was used to things from boxes and cans. Yogurt and other things that spoiled easily wasn’t something he got to see often, if at all.
“Thank you, Elliot. And… yeah, if you’d like, I can bring my art tomorrow.” Oh, that meant he had to collect everything he’d hidden so he could bring it to school with him. That was fine. It was probably safer at school, anyway.
“I bet your dad is really proud of you. I can definitely see you reaching your goal… but you don’t talk too much. I promise.”
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 6:36 pm
“I told you! The texture is weird, right? Here, this makes it a little better.” He opened the packet of granola and sprinkled some in. “Stir it up some and try it now. I want to bring more things for you to try. Maybe I’ll help dad with his cupcakes so we can have a new flavor soon. I don’t really like baking, but I think I’d like to bake if it meant I got to see how you liked it.”
He smiled again, because he hadn’t ever been excited about eating lunch with anyone like this before.
And Chad always said such sweet things! Always.
“I’ll look forward to tomorrow, I’m really excited to see our art. Oh, but if it’s going to rain, you don’t have to. That water can soak you in a minute, I don’t want it to get your papers wet. I’m glad you don’t think I talk too much. I like talking with you. But I want you to be able to talk, too. You say such nice things, I think my parents would like you a lot.”
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 7:03 pm
He did as he was told, of course, and stirred up the granola into the yogurt before trying it again. He still made a little bit of a face, but nodded appreciatively.
“The crunchiness is nice. Thank you, that was a good suggestion. Are you sure you don’t want this? It’s really good,” he said, a bit worried that he was taking all of Elliot’s food, but couldn’t help the smile that pulled at his lips when Elliot said how he liked talking to him and was looking forward to tomorrow.
He would just have to make sure he brought all his art for Elliot to see! He would pack his backpack full of everything that he’d been hiding in his room. That way, if they did get thrown away, he would at least have a chance to show someone what he could do.
“I like listening to you,” he admitted with a shy smile. “I… um… I’ve seen… some of your debates. You’re very good at speaking. You have such a calming voice, even when you’re enthusiastic about things. Oh um… do you think they would? I think your parents sound really nice. And your dad sounds like he can do anything.”
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 7:13 pm
“I’m definitely sure they would. I’m sure you’ll meet them some time, if you want. If you’ve come to my games, you’ve probably seen them?” He shrugged, because was absolutely not ashamed of his parents in the slightest, and he loved them very much and there was nothing anyone could say that would change his mind. They used to tease him in elementary school but it hadn’t meant anything to him then and he’d have always rather had his parents’ attention than his classmates. So, as soon as they learned that you couldn’t tease him about his parents, they lost all power to make him feel bad about it.
“Maybe next game we’ll get hot dogs together. You ever get them from a game? They’re the best. And I will debate that until my last breath. Do you like debate, too? Or do you just like to try a little bit of everything?”
Because, he could understand all of that. He’d sat in on things he wasn’t really interested in just to see what it was all about. He liked trying new things–especially because you didn’t know if you liked something until you gave it a go. Everything was juts more exciting in a competitive setting.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 7:27 pm
Elliot was definitely sure that his parents would like him. Chad smiled bashfully as he wiggled where he sat. He wasn’t used to people talking to him, much less people saying that their parents would like him. His heart felt like it had turned into a hummingbird with how it fluttered.
“Oh, yes, they’re really good,” he agreed, although he probably wisely decided not to tell Elliot how he got his hands on any hot dogs. He felt a little silly that he’d never noticed Elliot’s parents at the games. Maybe he was paying too much attention to Elliot. Or maybe because he was usually hiding in the back, or even under the bleachers. He knew he was strange, but he had to do what he could to survive.
“Debate? Oh, no, I like it when I listen to you,” he admitted, still feeling a bit flustered that he was admitting to watching Elliot’s debates. “I would be horrible in a debate. I usually get really nervous when it comes to talking and end up embarrassing myself. But you’re really good at it! I always expect you to win.”
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 7:58 pm
“I always expect to win, too,” he admitted. “But you can’t go into a debate thinking you’re going to lose or you’re setting yourself up for it.”
He seemed to navigate easily between conversation and eating, and he almost didn’t even seem interested in his meal. He hoped that would encourage Chad to eat more, but this seemed like the sort of thing he just had to play by ear.
“Thank you for coming to listen to me, most people aren’t really interested in that sort of thing. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it, maybe I’ll run for student council or something. Or city council when I’m older. I don’t know. I hope I don’t make you nervous. You don’t have to be embarrassed around me. I’m not going to judge you. I’m just happy to get to know you.”
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 8:04 pm
Chad nodded in agreement. It was smart to go into something expecting to win. It was probably good for confidence. And, well, he also thought that Elliot was really smart, and funny, and kind, and everything good in the world all wrapped up into one boy with bright eyes and fluffy hair.
“I would vote for you,” Chad said, although it was probably pretty obvious that he liked Elliot. Oh, hopefully not like that. Just. He was a friend!
He had finished the yogurt before he even realized it, but he remembered that Elliot brought an extra cupcake for him, so he didn’t feel too weird about reaching out for it and peeled off the wrapper so he could take a bite.
That Elliot was happy to get to know him?? Chad blushed and squirmed in his seat again. “I’m happy to get to know you too. Thank you, Elliot… You don’t make me nervous. I make myself nervous.” Or something like that. It was easier to be careful.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 8:18 pm
Chad took the cupcake without Elliot having to remind him or encourage him that it was his. Elliot smiled again, because it made him feel like Chad must have been getting a little more comfortable around him. Or he was hungry and had good taste!
“Well, you don’t make me nervous. You’re fun. So whatever you’re thinking that’s making you nervous, I hope you know you can relax around me. I’m not going to give you a hard time. We’re friends. So if there’s anything I can do, you have to let me know. Especially if you’re coming to my debates and my games! I suppose art doesn’t have any competitive events. Quick draw? Galleries aren’t competitive, are they? I’ve never been to one. But if your art was in a gallery I’d vote for it.”
The rain had picked up a bit but the overhang ensured they stayed dry, and no one had come by in a while. This was nice, and for as much as he wanted the weather to clear up so he could play, he sort of didn’t want it to clear up just so they could do this again tomorrow.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 8:25 pm
Chad laughed. A soft trill of giggles when Elliot said he was fun. His face was warm even if the weather chilled the air, and he had that same fluttery sensation in his stomach from whenever Elliot said something nice, or looked at him, or smiled, or anything really.
He didn’t think he was very fun, but if Elliot said it, then he must think it was true. And it made him a bit giddy knowing that Elliot didn’t mind hanging out with him and talking to him. That he didn’t make Elliot nervous.
“There are some contests, yes,” he shared as he hid his smile behind the generous amount of frosting on his cupcake. “Usually they’ll have a theme. People can be awarded prizes for the art that gets the most votes.”
It was nice to know that Elliot would vote for his art.
Chad shivered a little and carefully pulled the sweater tighter around him, not wanting to get frosting on it. He couldn’t remember a time he was this happy. And they were just sitting and talking! Oh, and Elliot shared his lunch, but that wasn’t as important.
“Thank you, Elliot. I’ve liked this a lot.”
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 8:32 pm
Elliot wasn’t sure he’d ever heard a laugh like Chad’s; he lifted his head a bit and the smile on his face grew. He knew his heart was beating quickly, even if he didn’t really understand why.
“I’ve liked this a lot, too. If you ever enter into any contests, you should tell me. I bet you’d do a really good job. I suppose I shouldn’t show up to cheer you on, I get the impression that an art contest might not be the same as a baseball game. I’m learning a lot already. I hope we can do this again tomorrow. And maybe that the temperature is a little warmer. But I’ll bring soup, just in case. Warm soup. Or stew. I don’t know, something good. And two cups, so we can share.”
He was already planning for tomorrow; he wanted another good lunch. And a good breakfast! Chad was so easy to please, nobody else liked celery that much! And he was so sweet. That smile–wow.
He couldn’t help but smile, himself.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 8:41 pm
He couldn’t help but laugh again, his eyes seeming to shine with it. The thought of Elliot showing up at an art exhibit to cheer for him was so incredibly endearing and sweet, that, well, Chad felt like crying. A good cry! No one had openly cheered for him before. Not that he could recall. Not in recent years at least. Maybe when he was little.
“I’ll let you know, I promise,” he smiled brightly, already looking forward to tomorrow’s lunch. He would have to figure out a way to make it up to him. Maybe he could let Elliot take his pick of art for him to keep! If he wanted it, of course.
Lunch was almost over, but that was okay. Chad’s heart was full and he knew he would be daydreaming about the next time they got to see each other. Maybe he would wait to run into Elliot after school. He just hoped it wasn’t raining harder then.
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