Chapter 3
It was finally the day of the Secret Santa exchange, and Nick was trying to remain calm. He wasn’t doing a good job. In the last week, he had gotten to know Reggie more, woken up with Reggie sprawled on his chest after they fell asleep watching movies, he’d listened to the bassist go through his Hanukkah prayers with their friends as he lit the menorah, and the other boy was more caring and funnier than Nick could have predicted from afar. He was in deep, and he didn’t think he would be able to pull himself out. Carrie had somehow convinced him to go for it, so he had asked Reggie to hang out after school that day, which Reggie had responded with a grin and finger guns saying “sure thing, bro.”
But right now, Nick was sitting at his desk in music class, present sitting in front of him. The teacher said she was going to call each of their names, and when she does whoever has them is to bring the gift they selected over to their desk. Nick hadn’t even pondered who might’ve had him, more focused on choosing the right thing for Reggie. When he heard his name, he almost startled. And he flushed when he saw the very bassist that had been preoccupying his thoughts walking over to him. Reggie set the gift down and high tailed it back to his own seat, the blonde not even having time to say thank you, if his brain had been working enough to say it anyway. Reggie’s name was called next, and Nick got to his feet. He knew he was probably as red as the shirt he’d picked as he set it down, whispering “Happy Hanukkah” before running back to his own chair. Nick noticed something weird though, Flynn and Carrie got each other, so did Luke and Julie, and Alex and Willie. He remembered seeing a video back when vine was still a thing, about teachers pairing up students that liked each other for projects and stuff, and he thumped his forehead against his desk. This was not the way real life was supposed to work. When she told them to open the gifts, he was a little struck by what Reggie had given him. It was a Fledgling shirt, just like he’d given the other boy, but it was in a forest green color. Without thinking, he turned to the bassist, who was staring at him just as shocked. Out of nowhere, a laugh erupted out of Nick’s throat, and he didn’t even try to fight it. Soon Reggie was laughing too, and when the others in the class turned to look, they just held the shirts up because they were laughing too hard to speak. Miss Harrelson suggested they go change and wear them together, and Nick realized they were both nodding.
“I can’t believe this happened.” Reggie said through another laugh as they walked through the hallway to change. “I thought I was being original.”
“In fairness, so did I.” Nick grinned at him, bumping their shoulders together. “Why’d you choose green?”
Reggie shrugged, but Nick saw a blush creep over his cheeks, “I like green on you. And you’re pretty down to earth, you’re grounded. So I thought it made sense. Why’d you pick red?”
Nick chuckled, “Ask literally anyone at this school, red is your color.”
The dark haired boy laughed, “Really? My ex used to tell me it was blue, cause of my eyes.”
“Well she was wrong. I’m sure blue is nice, and it might match your eyes, but red makes your look amazing.” Nick faltered for a second and cleared his throat, “Anyway, red is definitely your color.”
“He.” Reggie answered simply.
“Huh?”
“My ex was a he.”
“Oh. I didn’t mean to assume-“
“No it’s fine,” The bassist interrupted, “I just wanted to make sure you knew I liked guys, too.” Reggie winked before disappearing into the locker room.
Later, Nick and Reggie had gone to an arcade. Playing different games that they beat each other at. When they got back to the Peters’s house, Nick flushed clear down his neck, pulling a sprig of mistletoe from his hoodie pocket. He gave Reggie a shy smile as he muttered, “Only if you want to.”
“Don’t kiss me if you’re afraid of thunder.” Reggie said quietly, “My life is a storm.”
Nick almost asked what he meant, but then he heard it. The glass shattering, the raised voices, the thudding against the walls. Reggie’s parents were fighting again. “I’ve never been afraid of thunderstorms.” He said seriously, leaning in to steal the other boy’s lips.