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Mikey sits next to the guy with the hair and says, “Hey.”

The guy looks up like he's surprised someone is talking to him. “Um. Hi.”

Mikey stares at his food and says, “This doesn't look too appetizing.”

“It's good if you're hungry,” the guy says slowly. “Um. I'm Ray.”

“Mikey. I don't know how hungry I really am,” Mikey says, and sniffs the sloppy joe.

Ray smiles at him. He has a nice smile, when his head isn't ducked down to hide his face with his hair.

Mikey takes a bite of his food and makes a face, but keeps chewing.

“So what's the verdict?” Ray asks.

“Edible,” Mikey says. “Just barely.”

“You're a freshman, right?” Ray asks.

“Yeah,” Mikey says. “What about you?”

“Junior.”

Mikey wants to ask why Ray isn't sitting with anyone else, but he doesn't want to call attention to it. Ray doesn't seem like the type to have a lot of friends. He's … oddly shy. Mikey likes that, actually. It makes him want to bring him out of his shell.

“Can you tell me where to find the drama room?” Mikey asks. “I have that class next, but the room number isn't on the schedule and I can't find it on the map.”

Ray smiles and takes Mikey's map, pointing out a room right next to the auditorium. “Right here. I took it last year. It's an easy A.”

“Oh, good,” Mikey says. “I was hoping it would be.”

Mikey can't stop staring at Ray's smile. It's nice and straight, and it lights up Ray's whole face. He's not a good looking guy, not in a traditional way, but Mikey likes what he sees. He really likes his hair, and Ray has full lips that Mikey has to pry his eyes away from.

Really, Mikey's hormones are out of control. He quietly adds Ray's mouth to the list of things he fantasizes about.

“Do you always wear eyeliner?” Ray asks quietly.

“Nah. Only when I want to shake people up,” he says. “Or when I go out.”

“Where do you go?” Ray asks.

“Sin,” Mikey says, naming the all-ages club he frequents on the weekends.

Ray smiles wider. “My band is playing our first gig there on Friday night,” he says.

Mikey's interest piques. “You have a band? That's awesome. What do you play?”

“Guitar,” Ray says. He sounds slightly more at ease now, as if talking about music makes him comfortable.

“I'll be there Friday night,” Mikey says. “I can't wait to see you play.”

Ray's grin is warm and happy. “Cool. I mean, it's our first gig and we could use the support. So thanks for that.”

“No problem,” Mikey says. “I like to support the local bands even when I don't have lunch with their guitarists.”

Ray laughs, which is what Mikey was hoping for. It's a good laugh. It makes Mikey feel warm inside.

They eat in silence for a little while, but it's a comfortable silence. Mikey's surprised because it usually takes him awhile to have that kind of experience with people. Uncomfortable silences are more the norm until he gets to know someone.

The bell rings and Mikey grabs his bag. “Thanks again for telling me where Drama is,” he says.

“It's not a problem,” Ray says, smiling. “Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?”

“Sure,” Mikey says. “Same bat time, same bat channel.”

That makes Ray smile wider, and makes Mikey happy.


page 23 Friday night