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Wylan removed his hands from the soundboard and watched happily as the red, velvety curtains closed and the show came to an end. The ringing of applause was still in his ears and he smiled, taking a quick glance around the control booth. Ketterdam High School's production of the musical Cinderella had gone off without a hitch.
Jesper, his best friend who he had been crushing on for over a year, had been Prince Charming. Unfortunately, this gave Wylan a hard time prying his eyes off the boy so he could do his job.
Wylan couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous of the girl who had gotten the lead as Cinderella. He wished Jesper would kiss him like he had kissed her, even if it was only an act. That was stupid, though. It was clear Jesper only saw him as a friend, and he was lucky enough for that, in his opinion. Still, a boy could dream.
Shaking himself from fantasies of perfectly shaped lips and dark eyelashes, he slowly got out of his chair and shut off the soundboard. A lot of the audience had already filed out into the halls and many were going to see the actors and actresses.
Wylan had been amazed by how well Jesper could act. Sure, he’d seen Jes act before, but it seemed like every year he got more impressive.
The red-haired boy sighed to himself. He didn’t want to go home yet. His father would be there as always, ready to tell him how useless, how much of a disappointment he was. Good thing he knew his way around a soundboard, he thought to himself. Because he’d never be able to read the damn manual!
Enough, Wylan fought back in his mind. Jesper wouldn’t want him to be fueling his low self-esteem. To be honest, it seemed like Jesper was the only thing keeping him from slipping into complete self-hatred nowadays. But that couldn’t be helped.
•••
Jesper looked around the crowded hallways, searching for a sign of a certain red, curly-haired boy. Quickly, his eye caught a flash of red. It was… some ginger chick; he realized.
Sighing, Jesper turned to speak to another student there to congratulate him. He wished that Wylan were here. He wanted to praise him for a job well done on the sound. Only Jesper seemed to know how much the boy needed it.
Thanking the boy he was talking to, he went to go look for the lovable redhead. Jes would ask his other friends if they had seen him, but unfortunately, they had greeted Wylan before the show and already left after giving him their congratulations.
Thankful for his height advantage, Jesper peered over the heads of giggling high schoolers, gray-haired grandmothers, and proud fathers. No sign of Wylan anywhere.
If I was an adorable, ginger sound tech, where would I hide? He thought to himself, laughing a bit. Then Jesper quickly decided that Wylan was probably still at the control booth. He never liked crowds. It was best to look for him there.
Jes took off swiftly, trying to avoid running into anyone while still moving fast.
•••
Wylan looked around inside his simple brown backpack. Then he spotted them. The flowers.
The boy had bought them earlier today at a little flower shop in town. When the woman at the counter asked who the lucky lady was, Wylan made some lame excuse about a gift for his mother. He didn’t really feel like explaining that he was gay to an old woman at a flower shop who was probably a devout Catholic or something.
The bouquet was a simple one, roses and baby’s breath. Wylan thought Jesper would like it, though, and the roses seemed appropriate for the theatre. Also, he couldn’t think of a flower that better represented how he felt about his best friend.
The blooms were tied with a golden ribbon and wrapped in pale brown paper. Wylan had been especially careful not to damage them. There was no way he was going to give Jesper a smashed bouquet.
The lights had dimmed now and everyone had left the stage area. He wondered if he should go find Jesper now. Then again, it hadn’t been that long. He might wait a bit more. Jesper probably had lots of friends to talk to at the moment anyway.
Leaving the bouquet in his bag and fiddling with his phone, Wylan plugged in his earbuds and played some music. Drifting off into a delightfully relaxed state, he closed his eyes.
•••
After finding the right staircase, Jesper took the steps two by two. There he found the control room and in it was Wylan, smiling to himself in his sleep. He looks adorable like that, Jesper thought to himself. He hoped that Wylan could always feel that safe and happy.
“Wylan!” he called, opening the door. The boy didn’t stir.
Oh, Jesper realized, noticing the earbuds that were placed in the boy’s ears. Duh.
Wylan had always liked music, ever since Jesper had known him. It was one of the many things he loved about the boy. That and his sensitivity, his hair, his eyes, his passions, his freckles… The list went on and on.
Jesper crept quietly towards the boy, snoring in his chair. His snores are adorable, like a little kitten’s, he mused. Smiling, Jesper shook Wylan gently to wake him.
The boy jumped up, looking like he was in fight-or-flight mode, before he noticed it was just Jesper and calmed down.
“Whoa Wy, it’s just me,” Jesper exclaimed.
“Oh, Hi Jesper,” Wylan said, smiling and standing up.
“Hey! I wanted to tell you, you did an amazing job with the soundboard,” Jesper said happily, truthfully.
“Oh, thank you. It really isn't very hard,” Wylan responded, a bit bashfully.
“I seriously doubt that,” Jesper gently argued. He really hoped Wylan would believe him. He deserved some praise from someone for once.
“You did great, Jes. Really, really great,” Wylan said, happily turning the subject to Jesper.
“Thanks, Wy. That means a lot to me,” Jesper voiced happily.
Suddenly, Wylan looked at Jesper a little nervously.
“I have a little something for you,” the redhead explained.
“For me? How sweet of you!” Jesper purred with a little flirtatious wink.
Wylan flushed a bit as he went to open his bag. His brain was pretty much used to Jesper's teasing by now. Unluckily for him, his pale skin hadn't adjusted yet.
Silently, he pulled the rose bouquet out of his backpack and handed them to Jesper.
“For you.”
“Aw, Wy, they're beautiful. You know you don't need an excuse to buy me flowers though,” the taller boy said, grinning.
Wylan rolled his eyes a bit, but still turned the lightest shade of pink.
“I feel bad, though,” Jesper said guiltily. “I don't have anything for you. You can keep them if you want.”
“No way,” Wylan disagreed. “I got them for you. Besides, I don’t need anything. I didn’t have an important role.”
“Never something for nothing,” Jesper said simply as he looked down at the flowers Wylan had so generously gotten him. Then he had an idea. A wonderful idea. A scheme, if you will.
“I’ve got it! Close your eyes,” he told Wylan with a large grin.
“Why?” Wylan asked.
“I know what to give you, but it’s a surprise so close your eyes.”
“I already told you I don’t n—”
“Shh,” Jesper said, putting a finger to his lips.
Wylan quieted down.
“Are you gonna close your eyes?”
“Fine,” Wylan answered, giving in and shutting his eyes.
“No peeking, Wy,” Jesper commanded, laughing a little as Wylan cracked open one of his eyes.
“Alright, alright!” Wylan said grouchily. “Get on with it, then.”
Jesper thought about making some retort, but decided against it. They’d never get anywhere if they just kept countering each other all evening.
Jes looked down at the boy who was standing in front of him with his eyes closed and admired him for a moment. Then he leaned down and pressed his sweet lips to the redhead’s soft ones.
Wylan’s eyes flew open in shock. This was clearly not what he had expected. But after a second, he shut his eyes tightly and leaned into Jesper.
After a few seconds, they pulled apart.
“You- you…” Wylan trailed off.
“I kissed you Wy. Is that okay?” Jesper asked.
“Uh… Yeah, definitely. It was really nice,” Wylan answered, trying to tell if he was somehow still asleep, dreaming.
“I thought so too,” Jesper said with a little smile.
They were silent for a while, awkwardly looking at each other. Wylan glanced from Jesper’s eyes to anywhere else in the room.
“Can- can I take you out sometime, Wylan? Maybe Friday night?” Jes asked. Wylan was surprised to hear the great, flirtatious Jesper stutter.
“Yeah, I'd like that,” Wylan answered, fiddling with his fingers.
“Cool,” Jesper said. “I should probably go now. My Da might be looking for me.”
“Okay,” Wylan replied.
When Jesper began walking toward the door, Wylan made up his mind about something.
“Wait,” he said.
Jesper didn't question him, just stopped.
Then Wylan walked toward him and stood on his tip-toes, pressing his lips to one of the taller boy's cheeks.
“Thanks, Jes,” Wylan said, not quite ready to say an “I love you” yet.
“Course, darling,” Jesper said, beaming as he saw Wylan blush a bit.
Then he strolled out the door with a little wink and a wave.
His bit more than a best friend was full of surprises
Wylan pinched himself. It had been real.