Chapter 18

Like herding frogs
Very unwieldy or unmanageable; nearly impossible to organize or control. 

• o 🦋 o •

Riley and I were sitting outside at our usual spot in the grass. Riley and I had switched snacks so she was eating my apple and I was eating her jelly. Yum

“I wonder how Mica’s doing..” Riley said during our lunch break. 

I nearly choked on my drink. 

“I haven’t seen him in so long. Because of that stupid dad of his.” Riley sighed. “He hates me.” 

I sat up. I really wanted to know more about Mica’s dad. “What do you know about him exactly?” 

“Uh.. that he’s an asshat. Danny hated him. He said to shoot him if he ever turned out like his dad.” Riley chuckled. “Mica seems to sympathize with him, though. Can you believe that?!” 

“But is he, like, abusive or something?” 

“I don’t know. Neither of them really talk about him in detail but what else do you call isolating your own child?” Riley kicked a stone across the grass. 

“We haven’t hung out in forever. I miss him.” Riley sighed. 

I felt kinda bad. If I told her I’ve spent all this time with him she’d beat me up. 

“Have you heard from him?” Riley asked suddenly. 

I choked on absolutely nothing. “What?” 

“You went to his school a while ago, right? And you have his number. Has he told you anything?” 

“No, we don’t talk much!” I croaked. 

Riley growled. She began kicking the tree. “Stupid. George. Keeping. Me. From. Mica. Ugh!” 

I stared at my hands.

“We’re going to his school. Now.” Riley said resolved.

“Now?!” 

“I have to see him! He keeps texting he’s fine but something’s wrong, I can feel it in my bones!” 

“Riley, calm down. Maybe you’re just overreacting.” 

“I’m not overreacting! I need to check on Mica. And you’re coming to back me up.” Riley grabbed my arm and dragged me with her. 

We were riding fast on our bikes.

I realized that the second Riley saw me with Mica she’d figure it out. And that would be just another person I told. 

“Wait! Who says he’s even there! Maybe he has the day off!” 

“My antennae are telling me he’s there!” Riley kicked into high gear. 

“And by antennae you mean braids?!” 

“Potato patato! Hurry up!” 

No! We had to turn around or I would spill the beans! She’d instantly know!

Riley came to a screeching halt on the school campus, nearly running a poor kid over. Well.. a rich kid. 

She threw her bike aside as she headed for the door. 

“Slow down!” I jumped off my bike and followed her. 

“Riley, this is a terrible idea!” I had to stop her no matter what. 

Before I even had the chance Mica came outside. His eyes widened in surprise. 

“What- what’s going on?” He stared at me in particular. I was sure he thought I told her. 

I shook my head as discreetly as I could. 

Riley flew into Mica’s arms. 

“You’re okay!” She sighed of relief. 

“Yes. Of course I am.” Mica gave me a confused look. 

I shrugged and and signaled she was crazy. 

Mica chuckled. I smiled at him. 

Riley pulled away. 

“I just had to check.” 

“I texted you yesterday, though.” Mica smiled. 

“But I haven’t seen you in forever.” 

Mica smiled at that and glanced at me. 

“And James was super worried too!” Riley grabbed my arm. 

“Oh really?” Mica gave me a playful glance. 

“Yes!” 

“That’s sweet, guys. You really don’t have to worry about me.” 

“Did you eat lunch yet?” Riley asked. 

“I have, actually but I can join you guys anyway.” 

“Great!” Riley led us to a little field on the campus. She cheerfully walked out ahead of us and Mica smiled at me. Gosh, he looked so happy to see me. My heart was melting. He brushed his hand against mine. 

I couldn’t resist and wrapped my arm around his shoulder and kissed his temple. Mica chuckled. 

Right before Riley turned around I shoved my hand into my pocket. 

We sat in the grass far away from where most people were and Riley happily told Mica about how our team was doing and school and everything. Meanwhile all I could do was stare at Mica’s perfect being. I mean, those hands, those lips, his charming pony tail. And as he was listening to Riley’s endless rant his eyes darted my way more than a few times, a soft smile on his lip. 

I was so in love with him. 

Riley got up on her feet. “Gotta go!” She said frantically running into the school. 

Mica and I chuckled together. Then his cheerful look turned into the adoring one he’d been giving me this whole time. I felt like fireworks were going off in my heart. 

“H-how was school?” I asked. 

Mica nodded. “Good.” He smiled. 

Before I had the chance to reply Mica had pressed his lips on mine. 

Oh my God, it felt so good. I grabbed the nape of his neck and kissed him back. 

I wonder if I could sew myself to him. We could just go through life conjoined by our lips. I wouldn’t even need food anymore. His love would sustain me. 

“I missed you.” Mica said.

My heart danced in my rib cage. 

“I missed you to-” 

“GUYS!” Riley came running from the building. 

We had just enough time to adjust our position from intimate and couple-y to appropriate and friendly. 

“Help!” Riley squeaked when she reached us. 

“What’s going on?” Mica chuckled, looking up at her. 

“I just saw the most beautiful speci-man ever!” 

“What the hell is a speci-man?” I asked.

Mica smirked at me. 

“A guy! He was so cool! He was tall and handsome and his hair was the color of the northern lights!” 

“What, green?” I made a face. 

Riley nodded. 

“Did he wear black glasses?” Mica asked. 

“Yes!” Riley squealed. “Do you know him?!” She practically jumped on top of Mica. 

Mica laughed. “Yes, he’s my friend. His name is Dax.” 

“Dax!!” Riley sighed and rolled over to the ground. 

“Yes. He’s a senior, though.” 

“Dax!!” Riley screeched. 

“Riley, you’re embarrassing yourself.” I spoke quietly. 

“What does it matter?! The only thing that matters is Dax!” 

“He’s coming this way.” Mica said, looking into the distance.

I looked toward the entrance and a dude with green hair came walking towards us. Upon closer inspection I recognized him from when I came to Mica’s school before. He’d pat Mica’s head. I suddenly wished he was walking the other way and suppressed a growl.

Riley sat up in high speed. She was turning bright red and was playing with her hair. 

“Do I look-” 

“You look great.” Mica reassured her.

“Hello Mica.” Dax greeted politely. He looked delighted to see him, though. In my opinion he should keep his adoring eyes to himself. 

“Hey Dax.” 

“I thought I heard my name.” Dax frowned. 

“No, of course not.” Mica laughed. “Um, these are my friends, James and Riley.” 

I hated being introduced as his friend. I was his boyfriend and I was proud of it, dammit! I mean, couldn’t I at least be introduced as his best friend? 

“Ah, yes. I believe I’ve seen you before.” Dax said to me. 

I nodded. I’ve never felt this much animosity for a stranger. 

Still Dax shook my hand. “Nice to officially meet you, James.” 

I shivered. “You can say Jay.” 

Dax nodded. “Jay.”

Then he turned to Riley who was just staring at him wide-eyed. 

He shook Riley’s hand but she nearly threw him across the yard with how hard she was swaying. 

“You’re strong.” He chuckled when he pulled away. 

I could see Riley begin to hate herself. 

“I meant it as a compliment.” Dax insisted. 

Riley nodded and continued playing with her braid. 

“We should get going. Class is starting soon.” Dax said. 

Mica got up.

“Wait, so is ours!” I shot up from the ground. 

“Crap!” Riley said and hurriedly packed her bag. 

“I’ll see you later.” I stepped towards Mica to kiss him but then I realized I wasn’t supposed to and leaned in for an awkward hug instead. 

“See you guys.” Mica said. 

Riley jumped into Mica’s arms. 

“Bye!” She said. She glanced at Dax for a moment. 

“Riley! Come on!” I insisted. 

“Sayonara!” She said to Dax. 

Dax looked a bit confused before smiling. “Sayonara.” He nodded. 

Riley was smiling from ear to ear. She wouldn’t move! I scooped her up in my arms and ran towards our bikes. 

“If we’re late again we might get detention and my parents will give me that lecture about the importance of school and I might not-” 

“Did you hear how he said it? Sayonara…” Riley sighed dreamily.

“We’re gonna be late!” 

“I don’t care!” Riley exclaimed happily. 

I put her down on the ground.

“Hey! Look at me!” I grabbed Riley’s cheeks. “Remember what your mom said? If you get into trouble one more time she’ll make you miss practice!” 

“Shit!” She screamed. 

“Yeah!” 

Riley jumped on her bike. “Come on! Hurry up!” 

“Oh! Now you’re gonna boss me around?” 

“Wait! James!” Mica ran up to me. 

I dropped my bike to the floor. Was he going to kiss me? 

“My dad wants to invite you to dinner.” He said stepping close to me. 

“What? Did you tell him about us?”

“No- Well, kinda. He’s wondering why I’m spending so much time with you.. He knows we’re friends.” 

“Oh.” I couldn’t cover up the slight disappointment. 

“Or do you not want to-” 

“Yes- No, of course I’ll come.” As I thought it over my disappointment turned into worry. 

“Wait, is this when he’s going to decide if I’m allowed to be around you?  If I’m a ‘good influence’ like you said?!” 

“I’m sure he’s just curious.” Mica tried to sound convincing but I could see in his eyes that this was totally a test! 

“HURRY UP!” Riley screamed. 

“He’s going to hate me! Moreover, I might slip up!” I whispered.

“You’ll be fine, I promise.” 

“Mica. We really have to get going now.” Dax said. 

Annoying little-

“I’ll see you later.” Mica gave my hand a squeeze before walking off with the green-haired bozo. 

Grrr…!

“QUICK!” Riley rode her bike to the road.

“FINE! COMING!” I hopped on my bike and strugglingly followed after her.

• o 🦋 o •

After school I lay in bed worried out of my mind. Mica’s dad wanted me to come to dinner TOMORROW! Mica and I were texting.

Jay: I CANT DO THIS YOUE DAD HATES ME

Jay: YOUR*

Mica: He just doesn’t know you.

Mica: And now you can also see he really isn’t that bad.

Was it that obvious I thought the guy was a monster?

Jay: cant u just till him im sicck

Jay: *cough cough*

Mica: My dad will know you’re lying and then he’ll really not like you.

Jay: ughh

Mica: I know it’s scary and I don’t want to force you. I’m just trying to be honest.

Mica: And I would really like it if you came.

Ow! The lovebug bit me again!

Jay: Of course I’ll come! I’m sorry for being so.. cowardly

Dammit! I’m so unattractive!

Mica: You don’t have to apologize.

Mica: I think it’s cute :3

Another pang in my heart.

Jay: You’re cute.

It took Mica a lot longer to reply. If I had to guess it was because he was nervous now. I imagined him blushing and fumbling with his clothes.

Mica: I’ll see you tomorrow then.

Mica: Dress nice.

Wait NICE?! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!!!

I was about to break my phone from texting at lightning speed when Mica texted again.

Mica: Like a dress shirt and tie, dress pants and shiny shoes.

Wow. Like fancy, fancy. That was my wedding getup usually.

Jay: Roger that!