NEON SIGNS

 (Aaron’s POV)

“What are we doing here?” I asked, looking at the building like it was a maximum security prison. The green neon sign of what we're obviously two women rubbing on themselves winked at us and I quickly looked away.

To Kyle's credit, he did look sheepish and slightly embarrassed. He should have. A strip club?

“Okay so, I was thinking—”

“Were you?” I cut in, glancing at the building. It was still there, just as it had been a few seconds ago.

“Yes,” Kyle said, rubbing his neck. “I was thinking about how repressed you've forced yourself to be even though you've been wanting to lose it since last year.”

“Kyle!” I groaned, burying my head in my hands. My face was red, I knew it, and I felt a hot sting of shame.

“What?” Kyle responded, whispering for some reason. “It's true.”

It really was your own people that knew how best to mortify you. “Well yeah, I started hesitantly, “but—”

“But nothing!” Kyle cut in, his face beginning to redden too. “Just because you're gay doesn't mean you don't deserve to get some too.”

God of mercy. 

I groaned again, my face going back to hide in my hands. How had I ended up here, discussing my lack of action with my best friend? And how could I dissolve into nothingness to escape it?

“And this is the best way! I've thought about everything.”

“Oh really?” I mumbled from behind my hands.

“Yes, really,” he said enthusiastically. “It’s very discreet, I made sure. My browser history will convince my phone to show me gay p**n for months to come but I don't care.”

“What were— you know what, never mind.”

“And I've already paid for everything,” he continued. “There was an option to use cash at their front desk and that's what I did.”

I shook my head. “My parents would kill me.”

“Your parents will never find out,” he said, pulling my hands away from my face. “And besides, I don't think they would. They fucking love you.”

I disagreed. Mom and Dad were hardcore Christians and I knew they considered homosexual a cardinal sin. It was even above getting addicted to drugs, I was sure.

“They think we're at your house. What if they call your parents?”

“My parents aren't home. So if they call we can just say we're at my house.”

I stared at him, my mouth open. “This is insane!”

Here, Kyle paused, the bright green lights reflected in his brown eyes. “Just try it,” he said quietly. “If you don't like it, I have a back up gift.”

I glanced back up at the building. This couldn't be real. Maybe today was so horrible I was actually still laying down in the infirmary, thinking I was awake when I wasn't. Maybe this was all a dream.

My mind rolled over to thoughts of Jack, and what he did to me today. I sighed, my hands shaking in both fear and anger. Was it a crime to not want to be bullied at school?

I hated him, hated him with a passion. 

He’d always been a thorn in my side, a thorn in everyone’s side who he deemed lesser.  

And they still worshiped him. No doubt because of his parents' money but also because of… him. I couldn’t deny what he was; a golden boy projected to soar higher and higher.

He was tall, blond and, objectively, gorgeous. He was a powerhouse on the field, playing his sport in an explosive, dynamic way. Watching him was an activity that demanded all your attention.

And now I had to watch my back in school even more because he was convinced I spiked his food somehow.

I sighed. This could be a good way to wind down, and besides… Kyle had been right about me wanting to have sex. I'd just had the good sense to not attempt it with anybody at school.

“Don't be nervous. I made sure to ask for their youngest man. He's just months older than eighteen and he's willing to do anything you want. I told them today was your eighteenth birthday by the way.”

“Kyle!”

“What?” he said, pushing his hair back, “I don't think they take minors. I got you someone in your age range, didn’t I!”

I let out a deep shuddering breath, thoughts flying around a mile a minute in my head. I couldn't deny that I was now curious, very curious. “I can leave if I want to, right?”

Kyle nodded. “Immediately.”

I pondered it for a moment, not factoring the steady growing peal of excitement in my chest. All things considered, it seemed like there was only one cool and exciting decision to take, one I'd giggle about for years to come.

At worst, it would be an experience that led to introspection. And, at best…

I swallowed, groaning. “Is… is he hot?”

Kyle grinned, like I was doing him a favour by agreeing to go in there and get fucked. “I actually don't know,” he said, “they wear masks. Like I said, discreet. But I know you like them rippled so I made sure of that.”

Oh God.

I shook my head, beginning to get embarrassed all over again at the thought of Kyle flipping through a catalog of men, clinically peering at their bodies to make sure it would be something I’d like. He was a good friend, though, no doubt. It was an unorthodox gift, but a thoughtful one.

“Which reminds me.”

He leaned forward and opened the glove compartment, reaching into it. He pulled out a fluffy mass of white and red and handed one to me.

It was a mask, mostly red with black lining the edges. I looked up at him, questioning, even though I was beginning to understand. 

“Put that on,” he confirmed, placing a plain white mask over his eyes. “I thought you too might like the anonymity. His name is Jay.”

I looked at him, waiting and glanced at the soft, bendy object in my hand. I could just go home, I could… I didn't need to do this.

But where was the fun in that?

I placed the mask over my eyes, my tongue darting out to wet my lip, as my heart pounded to a furious rhythm in my chest.

“Let's go in?” Kyle asked, reaching out to turn off the engine.

I nodded. “Let's go in.”