More than seven minutes - 1. Chapter 1

‘Ow!’

‘Crap, sorry, I didn’t ... Jim, is that you?’

‘Ha-ha, um, no comment.’

‘One second, let me, um, shut the door. Move along there, ugh. Nice den you got set up here, fluffy coats and stuff.’

‘Wait, someone else is outside, Simon.’

            ‘….’

‘Okay. Ah. Okay, yeah, they’re gone now. Was that Debbie Brownsmith with John Dong?’

‘Thought she was going out with Dennis from the basketball team?’

‘You know, ha-ha, I absolutely love this school drama, I’ll be sad when we start college.’

‘Speak for yourself, ha-ha.’

‘So.’

‘So?’

‘How come, at the biggest party of the year, you’re hiding in Jerry Middle’s giant wardrobe?’

‘How come you’re here too, Simon?’

‘Fair enough. I was stuck with Hannah and Benny and their crew earlier.’

‘Agh, what were they doing this time? Drunk pin the tail on the dog?’

‘Hah, way worse, spin the bottle. They were trying to hook me up with Gemma.’

‘No offense but are you sure that was what they were doing? Just saying, hah, you aren’t the brightest spark. I can’t see well in the dark, are you sticking your tongue out at me?’

‘I am a magical delight I will have you know!’

‘Sure, sure, I mean I definitely feel it when we hang out together, absolutely, and all those babes down the street taking double takes to look at you.’

‘Damn tooting.’

‘Tooting? Ha-ha, what the hell is that now?’

‘I had a beer or two, I feel like tootin’ and bootin’, ha-ha. So, what are you hiding from?’

‘I’m also hiding from all the girls Benny and Hannah are trying to set me up with too.’

‘Oh, shush your face.’

‘You saying girls won’t be going after me?’

‘I thought you liked guys, Jim?’

‘That wouldn’t stop the females coming after me.’

‘Ha-ha, the females, the scary females, ha-ha.’

‘I’m not that funny.’

‘You really are. Any progress on the dating scene by the way? I would have thought things would be easier now you’ve come out.’

‘Well, considering my last date ended with me being in hospital, no, no progress.’

‘Wait, were you on a date that actual day?’

‘Yeah, jealous ex-boyfriend of date, walking around with acid in a cup, you know, normal stuff.’

‘Jim, I know you’re sick of hearing this, but I am sorry about what happened to you.’

‘At least I can dress up as Freddie Krueger every year for Halloween, no make-up needed.’

‘It’s healing really well you know; I think you look great.’

‘We are sat in the dark.’

‘I mean I’ve seen you all the time outside here, doofus, compared to last year, your face is healing really well. They did a really good job on the skin grafting, honestly.’

‘I have kids videoing me on the phones whenever I still go outside.’

‘They sound like perverts to me.’

‘It’s, like, draining, just going to get milk from the shop some days.’

‘I can come with you? Help you get outside a bit more?’

‘Thanks, people say that all the time though, they don’t mean it.’

‘Well, I mean it.’

‘I don’t get why you are in here with me.’

‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

‘Because you’re Simon Howden, you’re one of the most genuine beloved popular guys in the whole school.’

‘That is, like, the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me. Anyway, Tom has just sent me this video, look.’

‘What the hell! Are they doing that on the roof right now?’

‘I hope this house has insurance!’

‘Oooh, that landing? That’s gonna crack a rib!’

‘Do you do skateboards, Jim?’

‘Used to, yeah, I wasn’t very good though.’

‘Mm, you’re very warm. You should come out; we could go get some fresh air and blend in.’

‘Blend in?’

‘I just, um. You are welcome here; you know that, right? People want to see you.’

‘Out of pity. I get tired at being looked at with pity all the time.’

‘Okay, I will look at you in a non-pity way.’

‘Think you’re the only person who does, Simon.’

‘Oh.’

‘Oh?

‘Um, nothing.’

‘What’s wrong with Gemma anyway, Simon? How come you don’t want to date her?’

‘There’s nothing wrong with her.’

‘But you’d rather stay in someone’s giant wardrobe at a massive party, with me?’

‘You’re not dating anyone at the moment, Jim?’

‘Ha-ha, nice try.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I’m not exactly dateable, am I?’

‘Why not?’

‘Oh, come off it, Jim.’

‘I’m serious.’

‘Me too, and you are dateable, you’re super funny and sweet and your confidence is still shining through.’

‘You say that because you’re my friend.’

            ‘…’

‘Did you just?’

‘Yeah, sorry, I usually don’t have beer breath.’

‘Is this some sort of joke?’

‘…Was it such a terrible kiss?’

‘You like girls Simon.’

‘I like you too.’

‘No. I’m getting out of here.’

‘Okay, I’ll follow you out of here then.’

‘You’re being a jerk.’

‘No, you know what, yeah, you’re right, I am the one being unreasonable, I am the horrible jerk who actually likes you, my feelings are stupid, right?’

‘I didn’t say your feelings are stupid, I just don’t understand why you kissed me, you’re not supposed to like me.’

‘So, no one is allowed to fall for you and find you attractive? I’m not allowed to ask you on a date? You go on the television news and everyone feels sorry for you because you had acid thrown in your face. You’re more than just some burns and scars, Jim.’

‘Simon.’

‘I just see you. You’ve got the most amazing smile I have ever seen in my life and you know how rare it is to have such grey blue eyes?’

‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘What’s that on your wrist?’

‘Nothing. Ow, give me my arm back.’

‘I thought you were seeing a therapist.’

‘Today, this morning, it is not a good day.’

‘Crap, it’s September. Is it the anniversary of what happened?’

‘When I had acid thrown at me? Yeah. Today is that day.’

‘Please don’t hurt yourself.’

‘Life is just hard right now, okay. I have to go.’

‘Jim, please.’