Even Without Words

Vic

I bolted to the kitchen, dragging Kellin behind me by the hand. He was still half asleep which is understandable, it is only eight fifteen in the morning. We sat at the table and I stole some of the cheesy deliciousness off the middle plate for Kellin and myself.

“Here,” I dropped one on his plate. “Try it.”

Kellin eyed it for a couple seconds before cutting a piece off and eating it. He must’ve deemed it good because he ate the whole thing and a second one. I lost count of how many cheese filled pancakes I’d eaten by the time I was too full to move. I ended up pulling myself up and going down into the basement with Mike and Kellin.

“Hey Kellin, have you ever played pool before?” Mike asked and I was a little confused at why he would think to ask that. Kellin shook his head.

“Do you know how to play?” I asked, getting a particularly good idea. He shook his head again.

“How do you not?!” Mike asked with a laugh and I pulled Kellin up.

“Come on, I’ll teach you,” I said and led him over to our pool table.

Sure enough, it was similar to that one time I taught Jaime how to golf except this was a lot less awkward. And I might’ve had a little fun with Kellin too. He kept on blushing and it was cute as hell. Mike just laughed at us and made jokes. We ended up playing into the late afternoon and Kellin wasn’t that great at it but being good also takes practice. I remember watching Tony and Mike hustle people because they practiced down here so much. Hell, I’m almost positive they still do. We played video games until dinner and my parents called us up.

Dinner was the same as every year. Mike and I were bouncing in our seats and our parents were laughing at us, this year Kellin was laughing with them. Kellin must’ve felt pretty out of everything since he had no idea what was coming.

“Kellin,” My mother spoke up first, beating me to it. “We always go to church on Christmas eve. If you like, you can stay back with Victor.” Kellin shook his head and I looked at him.

“Are you sure you want to come with?” I asked him and he nodded.

“That’s fine too,” my mother said.

“You’ll like it, don’t worry,” Mike told Kellin.

After dinner, my mother shooed us away to go get changed. Kellin followed me back to my room.

“What am I even supposed to wear?” he asked.

“It’s pretty much just a giant party,” I told him. “I just always stick with jeans and a bright shirt.”

“Seriously?” Kellin looked like he didn’t believe me. “Shouldn’t you dress up or something?”

“Nah, none of the teenagers ever do,” I answered and quickly changed my shirt before throwing one at Kellin. “You can borrow that one if you want.”

“Thanks,” He said and to my surprise changed right there. I saw a scar on his side.

“What’s that?” I asked and stopped him from pulling the shirt on so I could see it.

“It’s just from when I got my appendix out,” He explained. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh,” I said, relieved it wasn’t from something worse. “but I do worry about you Kells.”

“And I clearly worry about you too,” He laughed a little before pulling the shirt on. “Are you really going to wear that because it’s kind of horrible?”

“Could you have said anything more gay?” I joked and he laughed. “And yes, I am. Don’t try and change me.”

“I would never dream of it Vic,” He giggled and I flung an arm around his shoulders as we walked back out to see my family in the front hall. My dad and brother were wearing shirts similar to mine and my mom was wearing a bright pink blouse. We were colorful alright. Kellin was wearing a baseball tee of mine that was bright blue and black.

“Alright boys, let’s go,” My mom said and pushed us all out the door.

The car ride was pretty short. Parking is what was the problem. So many people were in the streets that it was hard to find a spot. Eventually my dad did and we all got out to join the party.

“This is church to you people?” Kellin whispered to me with a huge smile and big eyes. He was taking in everything.

“Yup, I told you didn’t I?” I asked and he nodded before we ran off with Mike to find Jaime and Tony and a couple of our other friends.

They were talking with Adam, Romeo and Jaxin when we got there. Of course Adam had his camera out and snapping pictures. I introduced them to Kellin and they all accepted him easily which was nice. I was also glad Kellin had thought to grab his notebook before we left so he could respond to everyone.

“Oh I can’t wait until you give Kellin his present later tonight,” Mike was laughing and I rolled my eyes at him.

You didn’t have to buy me anything.

“Yes I did, and I know you bought me something too because Gabe hasn’t let me in his room all month.” Kellin turned red and we all went to dance, including Kellin.