He had dark raven hair, pale porcelain skin, and bright red lips without the lipstick his friends often gave him as a joke. He enjoyed sleep more than most people he knew, any animal he encountered immediately loved him, and had he an affinity for apples. The male version of Snow White. That was Jeremiah, always had been.
Braden was in love with him. He had been since he first laid eyes on him in the school cafeteria. It had taken him a while to build the courage to walk over and talk to Jeremiah but was quickly welcomed into the friend group as soon as he did. Jeremiah was never clued in about Braden’s feelings for him, though. Braden never had the courage to say anything about it. He was determined to say something now.
Braden took a deep breath, rolled back his shoulders, and strutted over to Jeremiah who was looking for something in his locker. Trying not to startle the pale boy, Braden lightly tapped his knuckles on the locker next to Jeremiah. Jeremiah looked up with raised eyebrows which lowered with a blinding grin upon seeing Braden.
“Hey, what’s up?” Jeremiah asked.
Braden’s throat seemed to close up. He coughed to clear it. Jeremiah did not appear bothered by this, waiting to hear him.
“I, uh, was-was wonder-wondering,” Braden started off, stopped, internally cursed and tried again with another cough. “I was wondering if you had any plans for this weekend.”
Jeremiah’s eyes looked up and to the side for a moment or two before turning his full attention back to Braden and shaking his head.
“What did you have in mind?” he asked, his eyes seeming more alight with excitement.
“Well, well I thought, if you wanted to,” Braden said, scrambling for an idea, “we could go to my place and play a few games. Or we could go to the arcade! Or-or the zoo. I know you like the zoo.”
Jeremiah’s grin never wavered. “Those all sound great! Which would you prefer?”
Braden shrugged, letting out a relieved breath. “You pick. I’m cool with any of them.”
Jeremiah nodded, an oddly knowing look on his face.
“How about we start off at the zoo on Saturday and then head to yours after for some games. We can stop by the ice cream shop on our way,” Jeremiah suggested.
Braden quickly agreed, his face beginning to hurt from how big his smile was. Jeremiah turned back to his locker and pulled out a small item. He kept the item hidden in his hand as he closed his locker and turned back to Braden with a smirk. He grabbed Braden’s tie with his free hand, pulling him closer and making blood flush Braden’s cheeks.
“Would you do me a favor?” Jeremiah asked sweetly.
Braden quickly nodded.
“Would you wear this for me on Saturday?” Jeremiah asked as he passed the small item into Braden’s hand. “It’ll help with the games I want to play.”
Braden merely nodded and Jeremiah released his tie with a smug look. Jeremiah then proceeded to peck Braden’s cheek and slapped his butt, making Braden jump, as Jeremiah walked away.
Braden watched him go before slowly opening his palm to stare down at the item in his hand. He gulped.