Page 14 of Ginjuh

“All right.” I buckled myself in and started up the car.

The drive to Austin’ house was mostly uncomfortable, seeing as he wasn’t one for small talk and the only questions I got him to answer were the ones about how to get to his house. When we finally pulled up at the curb outside of the McMansion he lived in, he was quick to unbuckle his seatbelt, though it took him a moment to figure out how to get out of the car while causing himself the least amount of agony. I reached into the backseat and grabbed his jeans and notebook, handing them to him as he got out. Before he could close the door and disappear, I spoke up.

“Do you want me to pick you up in the morning?” I asked. “So you don’t have to wake your dad up?”

Austin turned to me sharply, and I knew he was thinking about telling me to go fuck myself, but he stopped himself.

“Yes.” He nodded sharply. “Please.”

“I’ll be here at six sharp,” I said.

Austin blinked at me a few times, obviously not wanting to believe that he would have to be up and ready at such an ungodly hour.

“Sunrise is at six-forty-three.”

“How do you know that?”

“Weather Channel app.” I tapped my phone, which was sat on the console between the two front seats. “We’ll want to get started early. Trust me.”

Austin stared at me for a very uncomfortable five seconds before giving a nod.

“Thank you for the ride home.”

“You’re welcome,” I said.

Then he shut the door and began the arduous, stiff-legged walk up the front walk towards his house. I found myself watching him walk away, noticing the way his body was perfectly outlined in the porch light of his house, the curve of his neck, the way his shoulders filled out the t-shirt, his thin waist, his small but cute butt…

Get ahold of yourself, Zach.

I drove away before I could look again.