Chapter 7 – Going All The Way

I'll be Waiting – Adele

Present Day

I was gay.

Or at least gay enough to feel something in that kiss. Spencer hadn't spoken since then and avoided my eyes like the plague.

That brought back those same feelings of rejection that Halloween night when we kissed. He wouldn't look at me in the eyes for that entire week.

"You know," I murmured, trying to break the awkward tension, "You deserved an Oscar for that performance Last Halloween."

Spencer smirked and finally met my eyes, "It wasn't that hard tricking you into believing that we were legitimately in any danger."

I smiled and nudged him lightly, "I still don't understand how you guys did it."

"Well, Josh wanted to prank you and after your April Fool's joke with the lobster I was all for it. We got Jake to follow us in the car out to Old Pine, Russo locked the door after we went in and I faked the pot thing and the screaming woman. Karla provided the vocals and Abby was the figure in the door." He chuckled, "The hole in the ground thing didn't go as planned though. You were supposed to fall in onto the bed below but I didn't expect me to fall through as well. Then Josh would burst into the room and make you shit your pants."

I snorted, "Instead he and the others broke in and saw us getting our grove on."

Spencer rolled his eyes, "Maybe he wouldn't have if you would've just let go."

"As if you wanted me to." I smirked and wiggled my eyebrows.

He scoffed, "What did I tell you about flattering yourself?"

"It's not ego if it's true, bro."

Spencer was resisting the urge to smile but his lips betrayed him. He placed his face into his hands as if he was rubbing it but I knew it was to hide a smile. Maybe even some blush but unlikely.

"So, where are we now?"

Spencer removed his hands from his face and shook his head, "I really don't know."

I didn't know either but God knows I didn't want to stay confused, "Why don't we...try." Hell, I was all for it and this may just be the impulsive side of me speaking but, I thought it might even be little fun.

"What do you mean by 'try'?"

I shrugged, "Let's date."

He scoffed but it sounded more like a light chuckle. His eyes were filled with amusement, as if he wasn't taking this seriously. He started laughing lightly, "You can't be serious, Ethan."

My eye searched the room a little before landing back on him, "I am."

Spencer sighed and readjusted himself in front of me, "E, you're being stupid and impulsive again."

"What are you so damn afraid of?" I whispered. I always tolerated Spencer's pessimistic attitude because I loved the kid but it was starting to get on my nerves now. "Let's just date for a week and see where it leads."

"This isn't normal Ethan."

I rolled my eyes, "Spencer, we kiss, we hug, we hold hands. We're way passed being normal."

He inhaled deeply and ran his hand through his hair, "This could ruin our friendship and destroy our reputations."

I thought. It possibly could. No girl and I that I've dated have ever remained friends after we broke up. It just became too awkward but there was a difference. Those girls weren't anything like Spencer.

"It can." I answered honestly, "but," I added in a whisper and grabbed a hold of one of his hands, "What if it doesn't? This could be my chance to find myself and your chance at a first love and as far as our reputations go, let's face it. We'd just be confirming rumors that we're knocking each other's boots."

Spencer bowed his head into his lap and seemed to go into deep thought. He came back up and looked at me, still rather confused. "I'll think about it and give you an answer."

"Too long." Whined. Then I got an idea, "How about tomorrow night, we can go on a date."

He huffed and looked like he was about to dispute it but I gave him the best puppy dog eyes I could. He huffed again and rolled his eyes, "Fine, but just for one night."

I snickered. "Got it."

His eyes scanned my clock, "I better get back home before mom tells dad that I'm at a fake practice. He's not as gullible as she is."

I nodded and placed quick kiss on his cheek. "See you tomorrow."

Once Spence left, I turned back on the tv and resumed playing Resident Evil until nearly five in the morning when I must have dozed off.

--

After a game of Basketball, the boys and I headed back to my place. They helped me get ready and invited Karla and Abby over.

"You're wearing that?"

Karla was leaning against my door's frame with her hands folded tightly over her chest. Her eyebrows were sky high and her face was swimming with amusement.

Her words cited me to look in the mirror. The sleeveless Vans T-shirt and black, baggy jeans seemed appropriate to me. We were going to the carnival, not church. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

She gave me a condescending look before snorting, "It's too casual for a first date."

"I'm a casual guy."

She scoffed, "Maybe that's what's wrong with you."

"Maybe you should mind your own business."

"Spencer is my business."

"Not tonight."

We eyed each other down. Karla and I never saw eye to eye on anything. It's not that we hated each other, but she was a bit pushy at times and I wasn't known for backing down either.

"Okay, guys." Abby intervened, "let's put away our fisticuffs and continue getting ready."

I huffed and dumped myself onto the cliff of my bed. Russo and Jake sat on either side of me and Karla stepped forward with her arms still folded.

Abby sighed and came over to stand next to Karla, "We love you Ethan."

I snorted, "Sorry if I fail to feel the love."

She smiled slightly, "We really do; it's just that Spencer is like glass."

I gave her a confused look when she didn't explain what she meant.

Karla rolled her eyes, "It means, dunderhead, that he's sharp and can take a few knocks but after a few times he cracks. Then he shatters." I still wasn't sure what that meant but I nodded anyways.

Abby imitated, "We don't want him to get hurt. Him or you, for that matter."

I exhaled deeply. Abby's light voice always made things sound far more sensitive than they actually was. Add that to Karla's strong, endearing vocals that made everything seem far more serious and you've got a full on guilty conscience.

I almost wanted to throw them out and lock myself in this room but I really wanted to just talk to Spencer alone again in a more romantic setting where we could see if dating was the answer to this dilemma.

"Why are you guys treating Spence like he's some chick?" Jake spoke up. Everybody turned to him. "He's a man and can handle himself. He doesn't need you guys making it seem like he is too in touch with his emotions like some junior high female."

Karla scoffed, "We know what gender he is Jake. Don't be a hypocrite" She retorted, rolling her eyes. "When was the last time you spent more than ten minutes with Spencer alone?" she turned to Russo, "Or you Russ? When's the last time you guys talked about boy-ish things with him or played a video game or even invited him to play football or something."

Abby placed a sensitive hand on Karla's shoulder and I did the same for Jake who was tensing after every word.

"Face it," she murmured, "Spencer isn't as guy's guy. His feelings are much more evident than the three of you."

"That's not true," Russo murmured, meeting Karla's eyes, "We invite him to a lot of things. He's the one that usually declines."

"That's because he's afraid of being called names. You guys can be a little mean sometimes."

"That's because we're guys." Jake chuckled but it came out a little bitter, "We're supposed to be a little mean and condescending and harsh."

Did everyone just forget about me? Or that this wasn't about them? Karla was about to retort when I stomped my foot.

"Hey!" I shouted. Everyone immediately stopped arguing and looked to the center where I sat, "We're supposed to be getting me ready for my date. I don't need any negative energy. Spencer is good at picking up other's emotions."

"I agree." Abby muttered, smiling towards me. She came closer and knelt down in front of me. Her eyes glanced down at my shoes and she started tying my white sneakers.

Karla sighed and looked over to Jake with a remorseful glint swimming in her eyes, "I'm sorry, Jake. I just don't want Spencer to get hurt." Her eyes landed on me next, "Or you Ethan."

Jake nodded slightly, "Yeah," he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck, "I just don't want this to change anything. No one has to change just because E and Spence start dating."

"And nothing will." Abby announced, coming up from my shoes, dusting her hands off on her yellow and black polka dot dress and sitting down in my computer chair.

The door opened and in stepped Spencer. He came in, a little bewildered that all of our friends were here but smiled none-the-less. He took off his blue cap and rested in on the dresser near the door, "What are all of you doing here?"

"Trying to make sure Ethan, here, doesn't fuck shit up for once."

I shot Russo a look. He lifted his hands in defense and smiled sheepishly. Spencer stepped in fully and closed the door behind him. He placed the bag he brought in with him on the floor next to the door.

Karla groaned when she saw what he had on. It was near identical to mines. It was sleeveless shirt with a pair of blue jeans, slightly tighter than mines but nothing overboard.

"Do guys even know what's appropriate date wear anymore?"

Spencer gave her a confused look before chuckling, "We're going to the carnival Karly, not midnight mass."

I gasped. "Those were my thoughts exactly! Literally!"

Spence rolled his eyes, "Look, whatever, can we go? I'm on a curfew."

I nodded and stood up. The boys stood up with me, dusting off any dirt that was on me. The girls rushed over and started fidgeting with my hair and straightening my shirt. Is this how movie stars feel? Because it's hella annoying.

I used my arms and pushed everyone back. "Guys, I love you but back off." I chuckled before walking over and grabbing Spencer by the hand. I turned back and looked all of them individually, "Don't wait up." I cooed with a wink.

I could hear Spencer sigh in annoyance but I chose to ignore it.

My door reopened and Jake stuck his head out, "Do things I would do bro!" he cheered before darting back in and closing it. I could hear everyone snickering on the other side and even faint singing of the 'Sitting in the Tree..." song again.

I grumbled underneath my breath as I pulled Spencer down the stairs; we were basically out the door when I heard mom.

"Ethan!"

Both me and Spencer turned around but were blinded by this pure, white flashing light.

My hands launched up to cover my hand my squinting eyes. "Mom, what the hell!"

"I'm sorry honey." She giggled. There was a camera in her hands.

"Mom, why did you take a picture of us just now?"

"Because this is your first date!" she squealed.

Spencer gasped and shoved his elbow harshly into my side; I hissed and backed away from him a little "You told her?"

I held the part of my side where his elbow had struck and responded, "No." I barely got out. "Thanks for the possible rib injury."

"Your brother told me." she answered, jumping a little. "Can I get one more please?"

"No." I shot back quickly and opened the door.

Dad was standing there with his key in his hand. He looked down slightly and chuckled, "Right on time Ethan." He looked over to "Hello, Spencer. How are you?"

"Hey Mr. Littman, I'm fine."

Dad nodded and stepped inside when his eye caught mom. "Margaret, what's with the camera? Am I missing something?"

Mom giggled. "Ethan and Spencer are going on a date."

Dad's eyes shot in our direction. They widened and darted between us. A small smile started forming, "Well, it's about damn time."

"What?" both Spencer and I shot back in the same tone with the same shocked facial expression.

"I've been holding off the sex talk because I wasn't sure which team you were batting for. I needed to know if you liked the bat or the ball."

"Ew, Dad, gross. We're gone."

"Be back at eleven."

Dad cleared his throat, "I say midnight. Boys gatta be Boys."

Mom gasped and came up to him, "They have school tomorrow, Alec."

Dad rolled his eyes, "Fine, eleven." He huffed. I nodded stiffly. If I wasn't use to this, I would be heavily embarrassed right now.

I grabbed my coat off the rack and headed out the door with Spencer right behind me. "So, whose car are we taking?"

I shrugged, "Mines has a booming bass system."

He shrugged, "Yeah, but mine has leather seats."

We seemed to have had a dilemma and we had to settle it in the most mature way possible. "Rock, Paper, Scissors?"

Spencer gaped for a moment. "Can you get any more pre-school right now?"

I placed my hands in the starting position and raised my eyes to meet Spencer's. He rolled his and caved.

"Fine."

"Okay," I mumbled, "One, Two Three."

"Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot." The both of us sung. I rolled out a rock and Spencer did paper. I growled once I noticed I lost. Spencer placed an arrogant hand on my shoulder and added a pompous laugh.

"Next time, babe." He cooed, mockingly before jogging over to his car. I grumbled but followed anyways, stuffing my hands into my pockets and stomping all the way to passenger side. Me and Spencer's playfully lit eyes met across the hood of his car.

"Can I at least drive?"

"Not on this planet." He shot. His eyes smiled as he opened the door and sank into its leather seat. I took a moment to sulk before I opened my side and entered.

I fastened my seat belt and sunk into the seat. "Oh, come on, stop being a Scrooge, It's not even Christmas yet."

"Hmmph." I mumbled and stared out window.

Spencer mumbled something about me being an idiot but I chose to ignore it. Mostly because I was an idiot. That wasn't the point though.

I planned to give him the silent treatment all the way to the carnival. And it would be a while before we got there; at least an hour. I was petty like that. He started the car and we started down the street.

Everything was quiet until Spencer plugged his IPod into the dock and turned it on. I could tell through the window that he was smirking lightly once he turned it on. The melody was familiar. Very familiar. In fact, he and I had blasted this on our way to school countless mornings, especially when we had exams that day.

It was infectious and when the intro came in my feet started tapping. Fuck. That's what he wanted. I stopped it but my hands started tapping my knee. I stopped it but my knee started shaking to the beat lightly. I was screwed.

Spencer started banging his head and waited for the first verse to kick in, 'Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike, he's down on his lucky stars. So tough'

I narrowed my eye and looked over, "It's not 'lucky stars'."

He took his eyes off of the road for a split second to meet my eyes, "Yes it is."

"No. It's not. It's he's down on his luck, it's tough." I sung.

He nodded, "Okay then its 'Gina works the diner all day, working for her man, she bring home the pay for love...for love.' He sang.

I nodded with a snicker, "Good and now it's 'She says we got hold on to what we've got, it's doesn't make a difference we make it or not."

'We've got each other and that's a lot for love. We've give it a shot!'

Once the chorus came in, I lost all control. I belted it out as loud and a proud as I could. Some people driving passed us gave us strange looks, others fist pumped and some starting singing too.

Spencer was in full rock mode the entire way there. He went from Bon Jovi to Queen to The Beatles to his old favorites; Pink Floyd. We sung and sung until we finally arrived at the carnival's gates, not too far out of Pleasant Acre's main town exit.

By the hundreds of cars parked in its super sized lot, you could tell it was rather popular around the eight o'clock hour.

I grabbed Spencer's hand and ran towards the entrance. He didn't protest; most likely because he was just as excited to be here. Pleasant Acres wasn't big enough to hold parks this big. Hell, this was probably bigger than the town itself.

We got to the front entrance, paid our way in and stared in wonderment. It was -

"Amazing." Spencer whispered in awe on the side of me, ripping the thought right out of my head. "What should we do first?"

I looked around and spotted one of those games where you have to knock down bottles. I grinned and grabbed his hands and briskly walked in that direction.

There was a couple – a boy and a girl in front of us. Their hands were linked together and she was leaning against him slightly. She was a blonde and his hair was unseen thanks to a baseball cap.

He picked up the ball and aimed it at one of the bottles, arched his arm and threw it. He knocked down the stack of bottles easily. The girl squealed and jumped a little, wrapping her arms around him. One of the workers, a brunette female, smile and handed him a stuffed pig.

I growled. I could totally beat that. Once they moved I slid up with Spencer next to me. I waved my hands across the available stuffed animals and chuckled, "Choose which one you want, babe."

Spence rolled his eyes and pointed to the stuffed duck. I smirked and called over one of the workers in red. This time a boy, brace faced and looking way bored came over.

"Good night sir, how many ba-"

"Enough small talk my good man, give me three." I turned and blew a kiss in Spencer's direction. He huffed and hid his face. I chuckled, grabbing the balls out of the guy's hand and aimed.

I threw the first one and missed, striking a soda can in the back where the girl stood. "Sorry." I squealed.

"Big man." Spencer mocked. I threw him a look before concentrating back on the stacked pins.

I threw another ball, this time it struck the dude right in the nuts. He yelped in pain and doubled over onto he ground. Spencer covered his mouth with his hands and leaned over to check the guy out.

"Dude," I called out. He was moaning and groaning on the floor and I didn't know if to say sorry or just laugh. "I'm so sorry." I tried to suppress the laugh but a bit slipped out right at the end.

The girl took the duck off of the wall and handed it to me. "Here, just take if before you take an eye out." She ripped the other ball from my hand and knelt down where her partner was still groaning in pain.

I turned to Spence and with a sheepish look, I handed him the duck. "For you, my darling."

He was trying to suppress a smile but it fought its way out, "Oddly, this is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me."

I snickered and grabbed his hand. "What do we do next? How about the bumper cars or maybe the roller coaster," I gasped, "or maybe the haunted house. That'll bring back memories."