A New Year to Remember

Benji’s best friend, Samantha, spotted him in the hallway. “Benji! Hey, Benji, wait up!” She ran up, almost out of breath. “Hey, idiot. I wanted to catch up with you before you got to class. What are you doing on New Year’s Eve? Got a date yet?”

 “No, Samantha, you know damn well I don’t. Who should I ask? This school is so close-minded it isn’t even funny. I don’t think this town realizes it’s almost 2024 and not still 1954!” Benji ran a hand through his short, jet-black hair and focused his dark brown eyes on his friend. “I wish I could go up to anyone here and ask them out without being afraid of getting beaten up, but you know how this place is, Sammie.”

“I know, sweetie. And I also know you wish you could ask out Zack Simpson. I think it might go better than you expect. I don’t have proof, but I think he plays for your team.”

“If there’s a God, he does. I gotta go, Sammie. I’ll see you at lunch.” He ran off down the hall.

Next up for Benji was algebra, his favorite class of the day. Not that he loved math, but Zack sat directly between Benji and the blackboard. He could spend the entire class pretending to pay attention, but all the while staring at Zack. The short blonde hair, the piercing blue eyes, the hot jock body. Yeah, Benji could stare at Zack for hours. After his conversation with Sammie, Benji decided to do something bold. He spent the entire class sketching Zack. Benji even wrote a poem and added it to the bottom of the picture. Benji wasn’t sure if he’d be brave enough to give it to Zack, but he drew it anyway.

 

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Benji slid into the seat next to Samantha at the otherwise empty lunch table. Sammie looked up. “Hey, Benji. You ask him yet?” She smirked and nodded towards Zack, sitting with the other lacrosse team members and a few cheerleaders.

“No. Of course not. He’s probably going out with one of those cheerleaders anyway.” Benji blushed. “I did doodle a sketch of him and write a poem.”

“Aww! Let me see.” Sammie reached for Benji’s backpack.

“Benji Kendrick, this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! The art and the poem are both fantastic! You have to give it to him!” Sammie nearly squealed, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

“Oh, look, the little gay boy has a girlfriend. How sweet.” Benji glanced up and recognized Danny, one of Zack’s friends on the lacrosse team.

“Screw you, Danny.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you, you sick freak?” Danny reached over and flipped Benji’s lunch tray up, the food and milk splattering all over Benji’s clothes.

Benji stood up quick and started brushing himself off. “No, Danny, I wouldn’t let you touch me even if you paid me. I’ve heard how small your dick is.”

Danny raised his fist, but someone pulled him backward, and he landed on the floor. Zack stood over Danny, looking directly at Benji. “I’m sorry my friend is a jerk, Benji. I’m sure he’s sorry. Aren’t you, Danny?”

Danny looked up at Zack. “No. And why would you defend him over me?” Danny started to stand back up.

Zack lifted one foot, put it right in the center of Danny’s chest, and pushed him back to the floor. “Stay on the floor if you can’t be nice.” A crowd was starting to form around the boys. “What he did wasn’t cool. Let me get you a new lunch.” Zack smiled the smile that made Benji fall for him in the first place.

Benji looked down and blushed, then took a deep breath and looked back up at Zack. “Why are you so nice to me. You’re a popular jock like he is. Don’t you feel the same way about me?”

“Not all jocks are bigoted jerks.”

“Hold that thought,” Benji said as he reached into his backpack. “Here. This is for you. I better give it to you now before I lose my nerve. If you decide to punch me, I understand.” Benji handed Zack the sketch.

Zack looked at the picture and read the poem, his expression blank. He glanced around the table at all his friends. Zack peered down at Danny. He reread the poem and then stared directly at Benji. “Thank Goodness! I was starting to think there weren’t any other gay guys in the entire school. Especially none that are both smoking hot and smart, too.”

Danny stared up at him incredulously. “You’re gay?”

Zack pressed down harder with his foot. “Yeah, Danny. Do you have a problem with me being on the team now?” Zack directed the question at Danny, but he glanced at each of his friends, standing around watching the drama unfold.

“No, Zack. Whatever, dude. Just get off me.”

Zack removed his foot from Danny’s chest, and the other boy got up and stormed out of the cafeteria. Zack scanned the group of his other friends, and none of them made eye contact. He focused his attention back on Benji.

“Now that that drama is out of the way, do you have any plans for New Year’s Eve? My parents always have this huge party, and I’m usually bored out of my mind. Please say you’ll go with me. I’d owe you a huge favor.”

Benji nearly melted into a puddle on the floor. He stuttered and stammered, “I… uh… I think…” He glanced helplessly at Samantha.

 “No. No. No. We definitely do not have plans.” She put an arm around Benji. “He’s my best friend in the world, and I love him to pieces, but his tongue sometimes gets in its own way. This boy is trying to say he’d love to go out with you on Sunday night.”

 “I am capable of speaking for myself, thank you very much. Yes, Zack, I’d love to go.”

Zack reached out his hand. “Phone, please.”

Benji handed over his phone. Zack put his contact info in, then sent himself a text from Benji’s phone. “Now you have my number, too. The party is formal. Do you own a tux?”

“No. I have a suit if that works?”

“I’ll have a tux sent to you. You look about the same size as me, but text me your sizes just in case. I’ll ensure the tux is delivered by four, and I’ll pick you up on Sunday at six. Ok?”

“You don’t have to go through that trouble, but yeah, it sounds great,”

“No trouble at all. As I said, you’ll be doing me a huge favor. I’ll see you on Sunday night.”

Benji turned to Samantha. “Oh my God! Did that just happen?”

“I know, right! Damn, boy, you’re not just going on a date with your crush. You’re going to the biggest party of the year!”

“I hated that Mystic River High was the only school open between Christmas and New Year’s, but I guess it was fate. If I hadn’t been at school today, Zack would have never asked me out!”

“I know! All the snow days we’ve had killed our Christmas break, but now it’s all worth it.”

“Should I text him beforehand or wait until Sunday?”

“He said Sunday. He’s got your number. If it were me, I’d wait for him to text.”

“You’re right. We better go. The bell rang two minutes ago.” They both hurried out of the cafeteria.

 

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Benji spent Friday night and the entire day Saturday driving himself and everyone around him completely insane. He was so distracted by the thought of going out with Zack on Sunday night that he could barely focus on anything else. Finally, Sunday afternoon, Samantha arrived at his house to keep him occupied until the tux came. They were watching their second movie of the afternoon, “Love, Simon.”

“I am so glad that I came out on my own terms. If I had been outed like Simon was, I don’t know how I would have handled it.”

Sammie leaned in and hugged her best friend. “I would have been right here helping you deal with it and kicking the ass of whoever outed you.”

“You’re the best, Sammie.” Benji kissed her cheek. Then the doorbell rang. Benji leaped off the couch and ran to the door. He came walking back into the living room, carrying a garment bag and smiling from ear to ear. “It’s here. This is really happening.”

“Of course, it’s happening. Now go get dressed.”

Benji stopped and pulled his phone out of his pocket. “It’s him. He asked if the tux got here and if everything was ok.” Benji quickly typed a reply text. “Alright, I’m gonna go change. Are you leaving?”

Sammie scoffed. “No. I’ll be right here to take pictures of your skinny ass in that tux. Now hurry up. You don’t want to make your boy wait.”

Benji laughed and ran off to his bedroom to change. A little while later, he walked back into the room, straightening the cummerbund and adjusting the bowtie. “Does this look right? I’ve never worn a tuxedo before.”

“Oh, Benji. You look so handsome.” She hugged him. “I don’t know how you have stayed single this long. You are going to knock his socks off. You’re gorgeous, Benji. The tuxedo is perfect, too.”

“Aww, you’re making me blush. Thank you so much. I love you, bestie.”

“I love you, too, sweetie.” The doorbell rang for the second time that evening. Benji looked at the clock. Five fifty-seven. Zack said he’d be here at six. He started to walk out of the room, but Sammie stopped him.

“Wait here. I’ll go answer the door.”

Samantha walked back into the room, followed closely by Zack. Zack stopped and stared at Benji. “Wow. You look incredible.”

“Thanks. So do you.”

“Seriously. You’re stunning. Dressing up suits you. You should do it more often.”

“Give me a reason to, handsome.” Benji tried to sound sexy, but he only pulled off shy and innocent.

“I might do that. You ready to go?”

“Yes. Let’s get this party started.” Benji grinned, and the two boys walked out the door. Sammie yelled after them, “You guys have fun tonight. Benji, text me when you get home.”

“I will, Sammie. Thanks for everything.” Benji waved to Samantha and then got into the limo.

The limousine pulled up in front of the biggest house that Benji had ever seen. “Wow. You live here?”

“Yup. Home sweet home.”

Benji’s eyes were darting everywhere, trying to take everything in at once. “Looks like there’s a lot of people here already. Has the party started?”

Zack shook his head. “No. These are all the decorators, caterers, and delivery people. The guests will start arriving around eight.”

Benji followed Zack into the house, weaving around various trucks and vans and avoiding all the workers. He glanced at all the party streamers and growing food tables as Zack led him up the stairs.

Zack pointed to a closed door as they passed, “That’s my bedroom. I can show you that later, but there’s another room I thought you might be interested in first.” Zack led him a little further down the hallway. They entered a room, and Benji’s jaw nearly fell to the floor. He felt like he was in “Beauty and the Beast.” The room was as big as four rooms in his own house. There were floor-to-ceiling bookshelves taking up most of the walls. The room had gorgeous paintings between the bookshelves and sculptures on pedestals. There was even a suit of armor standing in the far corner. Benji didn’t know what to look at first.

“This room is mind-blowing, Zack. I could spend the whole night looking at everything and be happy.”

“I’m glad you like it. I figured you would. Your poem was fantastic, and the drawing was beyond extraordinary.”

Benji walked all around the room and stopped to take a closer look at a section of books that were leather-bound gold embossed editions. “Can I pick them up?”

“Go ahead. My mom loves people to read them. These aren’t just showpieces.”

“This is my all-time favorite book, and it’s even signed by Orson Scott Card. I would kill to own this copy of “Ender’s Game,”

Zack raised both his hands up. “Please don’t kill me. I haven’t even had a chance to kiss you yet.”

Benji’s head snapped up, and he looked right at Zack. “Hm. Ok, you get to live a while longer. I’ll just kill Danny instead.”

Zack laughed. “Nah. He was a total jerk, but let’s give him until I attend practice on Wednesday. If he’s still a dick at practice, you can kill him.”

“Dammit. I guess I can wait.”

Zack’s phone beeped, and he slipped it out of his pocket to check the notification. “Text from mom. Time to head downstairs. The guests are starting to arrive. You ready for this?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be. I’m ready for a date with you, but I’m kind of nervous about the whole town being on our first date.”

“Don’t let them get to you.” Then Zack leaned in close. “And you can be sure I’ll take you on a date with only the two of us very soon.”

             “In that case, I’m ready to go downstairs.”

Zack and Benji walked down the staircase together, slowly weaving through the growing crowd. Party guests stopped Zack every few feet to talk with him. Benji recognized a face here or there, but he didn’t know most of them. His family and Benji’s traveled in different circles. While Zack made small talk, Benji looked around the room. He bet that the chandelier cost more than his parent’s entire house. The whole place felt like a fairy tale setting with servers, drink tables, and decorations, and everyone dressed up so fancy. He looked down at himself and remembered that he, too, was in a tuxedo.

Zack touched his arm. “Something wrong with the tux?”

“Not at all. I can’t believe this night is happening. The party is wonderful, Zack. It’s like a Disney movie.”

“Then I guess we should dance.”

Benji took Zack’s hand and allowed himself to be pulled in close to the other boy, and they started dancing. They drew some stares, nods of approval, and even a few winks. Then Zack’s mother stepped between them. “Zachary Simpson, what do you think you are doing?” She was flushed and looked beyond angry.

Zack looked confused. “I’m dancing. What do you mean?”

“With,” She waved absently toward Benji. “This boy? Dozens of girls are waiting for you to ask them to dance, and you dance with some boy?”

Now Zack was a little flushed. “Mom, I won’t have you talking about Benji like that. I told you over a year ago that I’m gay. Why would I dance with a girl when I can dance with him?”

Isabella Simpson had a look on her face like she had smelled the worst smell in the world. “Saying you might like boys and dancing with one at my New Year’s Eve Party is totally different. I will not have you embarrass this family in front of the entire city.”

“You are the one causing the embarrassment, Mom. Not me. Look at them.” He waved his hand toward the growing crowd of guests. “I think more of them care that you are a bigot towards your own son than care about me dancing with Benji.”

“Don’t be crude, Zachary.” His mother scoffed. “And you, boy, get out of my house.” She glared at Benji.

One of the party guests, Dr. Emily Baxter, spoke up. “Isabella, I can’t tell you what to do in your own home, but if you make this boy leave, I will leave, too.” Other guests started speaking up; over half were committed to leaving if she made Benji go.

Isabella was shocked. She waved a hand toward Benji and Zack. “Do whatever you want. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.” She stormed off into another room.

Benji looked at Zack. “It’s your decision. Do you want me to leave so you can go talk to her?”

“You’re not going anywhere except back out on that dance floor. I’ll deal with my mom tomorrow. Tonight, my focus is on you.” He swept Benji back into his arms and started dancing again.

The next few hours went by in a blur. Benji was aware of the other guests, but it felt as if the world had shrunk down to him and Zack. They danced, and they talked. Benji was happier than he had ever been. Then all the TV screens switched to the iconic scene in Times Square. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 everyone shouted Happy New Year!! Amid the yelling, streamers, and noisemakers, Benji reached out and made the first move. He took what he wanted for the first time ever. Benji pulled Zack close, cupped his face, and kissed him. Zack wrapped his arms around Benji’s waist and pulled him even closer. It was their first kiss, but they kissed like it was the last thing they would ever do. When they came up for air, they realized that most people in the room were throwing confetti in their direction. They looked around and saw much more approval than disgust. Then Zack saw his mother walking toward them, and he braced for another confrontation.

Isabella handed a bottle of champagne to her son. “For you and Benji. I know I forbade you from drinking in my house until you were of age, but I’ll make this one exception. Please take it as a peace offering. I’m still not one hundred percent on board with this, but I won’t stand in your way either.” She hugged Zack and walked back upstairs.

Zack peered over at Benji. Both boys had astonished expressions. “I’ll call that a win. Let’s go drink this champagne.”

Benji smiled the biggest smile of his life. “Maybe it will be a Happy New Year.” He pulled Zack into another kiss, and then they walked off hand in hand to enjoy the rest of the New Year’s Ball.