Chapter 3 – A Fleeting Moment

        Hunter and Tyler’s Story

“Oh god, I cannot deal with this, I can’t run away, I have no excuses” Tyler thought as Hunter sat down next to him, with almost a slight smile on Hunter’s face.

Tyler was right, Hunter DID have a smise on his face. Why? What was he thinking? Well, Hunter couldn’t help but smile. Tyler’s face turned bright red again as he saw Hunter walking back to the seats. It’s not that Hunter liked making Tyler anxious, quite the opposite. However, what he did like is that somebody for once, found him exciting or at least more than anything than average.

As Hunter sat next to Tyler, Tyler felt as though his heart could leap right out of his chest. He looked straight ahead, hoping that Hunter couldn’t see the blushing and nervousness that was happening right there. ‘Just breath’ Tyler thinks. However, before Tyler could sink into a slight panic attack Brendon senses something. \Brendon sitting right there and sensing the tension, Brendon decides to break the ice by talking to Hunter. Tyler might be a little delusional with this crush, but he can at least find out that Hunter is a regular person.

“Yo Hunter, we haven’t talked much lately, how are your classes?” Brendon said trying to break the ice with an innocent enough topic.

“Eh, they’ve been fine. Nothing too hard. I’ve been liking math though. It just makes sense there’s rules and if you follow them everything just works. How about you? I don’t think we’ve ever talked about our favorite classes.” Hunter replied trying to see if a calm attitude would entice Tyler to talk.

 “Man, I’ve been really enjoying weight lifting this term! Can’t you tell I’m getting swole?!” Brendon replied in a playful manner.

“Haha, can’t say that I try and notice things like that… Tyler is it? What classes are you taking this term?” asked Hunter, trying to include Tyler in a conversation he seems to be visibly nervous in.

This is true, just these few first pieces of conversation, Tyler has already assumed Hunter is a genius. MATH?! Don’t get Tyler wrong, but math?! Who likes math? Only either a genius or a weirdo. In Tyler’s mind Hunter must be a genius.

“Me? Just the standard, though, I like band and choir. I’m thinking of applying to music school for college so I’m trying to get well versed… Music just speaks to me. Allows me to express what words don’t,” Tyler says in a fairly shy tone.

“Bro, that is really deep. I love it! I can’t believe you are already thinking about college?! I know we’re juniors, but I think I’m going to just ride out this year.” Brendon said trying to play it cool but even he’s freaking out inside. He has no idea what he wants to do for a career.

“You’re not thinking about college? My parents have been hounding me to start thinking and studying for the SATs. They want me to go to Harvard or something for engineering. Not that it’s a bad idea, but it’s making me nervous for it,” Hunter said and for once he was feeling something. While it was fine his family had this career planned out for him because he cannot think of something better, he’s not particularly found of the pressure of the SATs.

“You are too?! Maybe I gotta take this thing seriously. I don’t know, I was thinking maybe a little community college and going from there. Tyler don’t you want to go to Juilliard?” Brendon said trying to pull Tyler back into the conversation.

“Yeah, but that’s a crazy dream. I probably won’t get in and even then, it’s crazy expensive. I’m not sure I would be able to afford it.” Tyler said shyly.

“Bro aren’t you fairly smart? Hunter, you gotta hear him perform. He is so talented, I love to hear him sing, it’s like he’s a different person. Watching him in marching band as well? I swear he’s such a catch. Crazy he hasn’t gotten a boyfriend yet. I mean I’d date him if I was at least bi.” Brendon said unexpectedly making both Tyler and Hunter snap their heads. Did Brendon really just say that? It felt like time slowed down. It was just so embarrassing.

Hunter was amused that Brendon said that. Only because the look on Tyler’s face. It was a mixture of shock, confusion, and embarrassment all in one. Meanwhile, Tyler couldn’t believe Brendon would say that in front of Hunter?! Tyler doesn’t think that Brendon understands how much he adores Hunter from afar, but he at least knows there’s a slight crush. They didn’t talk much between the two practices, but Brendon already warned Tyler about falling for Hunter. What’s Brendon’s game? Why was he doing this to Tyler?

“Oops, that’s not what I mean… It’s just that you’ve been without a boyfriend and you’re wicked talented… Not that there’s a match here at all… I mean not that you couldn’t get somebody… I’ll shut up now” Brendon rambled nervously. He clearly wasn’t thinking about who he was sitting by. Tyler who is clearly pinning over Hunter, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to bring up dating.

“Haha, you’re talking Brendon. Have you landed a date for the Winter dance you snapped me about the other day?” Hunter said trying to get the attention of Tyler dating even if it is for a hot second.

“I’ve triedddd. I’ve been trying to flirt with so many girls. Nobody is taking the bait. I’ve even tried to flirt was Brittany but I don’t think she was taking me serious!” Brendon stated as both Hunter and Tyler’s eyes gave a look of bewilderment?! Brittany is one of Tyler’s best friends how could she have not told Tyler this information. As for Hunter, he gets they’re not super close friends but he’s surprised by this update. Maybe Hunter needs to listen more… Or at least try and become better friends with them.

“BRENDON!? You’ve been trying to ask out Brittany and you didn’t tell me?! How dare you haha,” Tyler explained. He was certainly finding amusement between the two. He doesn’t think they’d be the worst for each other but its not a match he had though of until now.

The trio talked more about the dance. Tyler was thinking about if he’ll even go to the dance. When he goes to Homecoming or even other dances, he has never had a date. While he appreciates that his friends try and cheer him up and they do a decent job at making him feel welcomed. He feels so left out during the slow dances. He wishes that could be him, but no boy has ever taken him seriously. Tyler hasn’t even had his first kiss with a boy.

The Winter Dance was coming up and Tyler hasn’t made any plans to go. He wanted to but he wanted to go with somebody, somebody to hold, to slow dance with, and maybe even kiss. Tyler had a fleeting moment of an idea to ask out Hunter. The thought was thrilling and terrifying, though anxiety quickly smashed that idea into the ground. Why couldn’t Tyler at least be normal.

Dances at this point cause him so much anxiety. The dances last year all the boys made fun of him. Truth be told most people did all throughout his life. While Tyler understands that he does have niche interests, he doesn’t believe it gives people the right to make him feel the way they do.

Just this short interaction has taken the edge off of Tyler’s anxiety surrounding Hunter. He’s just a genuine down to Earth guy, Tyler isn’t so sure why he had anxiety about him. To be honest with himself though, Tyler’s anxiety never made sense. Social anxiety made him relatively shy, and yes while he’s trying to break out of his shell this year, it feels like he’s trying to crawl out of his skin. The thoughts of the stresses of junior year did loom over him all the time. He tries to not think about it but even during this conversation there’s always that sense that the anxiety is buzzing all around him.

Hunter is in his own mind at the same time. While he’s had dates to these kind of things, there was never any true joy in them. He couldn’t place why. The girls were nice and they were really sweet. He just felt as if something was missing. His school didn’t do too many dances compared to the neighboring town but his classmates do tend to go to Merrit’s dances via dates. That’s the appeal of Midwest America, you make friends where you can because sometimes the towns are small enough to do some.

The more Hunter thinks about it, it is a bit weird that he’s never met Tyler. The schools interact a lot yet Tyler hasn’t been to any events? Super weird. Hunter has a strange draw into wanting to know why Tyler doesn’t appear in many places. What is Tyler doing all the time? But why does Hunter care about that? It’s so weird that Tyler is in Hunter’s head, nobody else makes him feel this way.

As practice draws to a close and more conversations about life, Tyler’s anxiety about Hunter is nearly gone and to be honest… replaced by a little bit more of a lust. While Tyler wants to ask Hunter out more than ever, this is driven more by lust. Tyler fears its now a genuine connection that he wants to explore deeper. This gives Tyler a little bit of anxiety just at the thought of the amount of pining he knows he’s going to be doing over the bowling season. This will just lead to deeper heartbreak. It sucks, it’s the cycle starting all over again but he can’t help it.

With a surprise however, Hunter has a question for Tyler.
 

“Hey Tyler, can I get your snap? You seem chill, figured we could continue talking. You seem really into music and I’d love to get some of your recommendations…” Hunter asked trying to get a deeper in with Tyler. Did Tyler just notice a slight smile from Hunter? Was this an attempt at flirting?

“Su… sure! I have loads of songs I could send you.” Tyler said enthusiastically.

With that they exchanged Snaps and head out of the bowling alley going their separate ways. It wasn’t long until Tyler got the first snap when Hunter got home, showing off his amazing room… It was the size of his living room! Apparently, Tyler has a lot more to learn about Hunter and with a newfound friendship there will be opportunities abound.