Mr. Popular and Me

Chapter 9

Evan's POV 

I found the shovel in the backyard beside the small shed that my dad had for the few tools he had and the lawn mower. I glanced around the yard, looking for a good spot for my resting place. Until my dad noticed me from the back door and came outside.

"Whatcha doin', kiddo?" He asked, glancing between the shovel and me with a questioning look on his face.

"Burying myself in the backyard," I replied dryly.

"Um... Why would you do that?"

"I kissed Waeland. And the moment I did that, I signed my death warrant. So, here I am." I said and gestured to the shovel. Oh. I just realized I told my dad I kissed another boy. Well, as far as I know, my dad's not a homophobe so I don't think he'll flip or anything. I hope.

That's when I heard a small snicker and someone trying to hold back laughter. I looked in their direction to see my dad, holding a hand over his mouth and his eyes look like they were about to pop from containing his laughter. After a moment he just let it go and laughed like there was no tomorrow.

I tilted my head in confusion. Why does everyone find what I'm doing funny? I frowned at my dad, I don't understand people. 

"S-sorry, K-kiddo... Was the kiss that bad?" He asked through his fits of laughter, trying to gain control of himself again.

"No, it was good. Really good. That's the problem." I saw my dad's smile falter, then turn into a smirk of amusement.

"What's the problem with that?" He asked.

"Well, for one, I don't want to get attached to anyone. Two, if any girl at school found out I kissed Mr. Popular, I'd be killed on the spot. So I'm doing them a favor," I shrugged and my dad just laughed again. Someone else’s laughter joined in not long after and I sapped my head towards Waeland who was now laughing beside my dad. I’m glad he at least took my advice and put on some pants.

"Oh, good morning Waeland!" My dad said to him and they both calmed down, smiling at each other still. 

Waeland smirked a bit, "Good morning, Paul."

What?

Since when are my dad and Waeland on a first name basis? What happened while I was sleeping last night?!

“Should I make breakfast for you two?” My dad asked and I stood there, confused. 

Has the world turned upside down? My dad has never, ever offered to cook before. Well, not since my mom left anyways.

"Sure! That'd be great. In the meantime, I'll help Evan bury himself." Waeland said with hint humor in his voice. No. I don't want my death to be invaded by a devil. I plan on going to heaven.

My dad chuckled, "Alright, you kids have fun." I watched my dad's back as he went inside, leaving me alone with Waeland. 

Great. Thank you so much, Dad. I just told him why I wanted to bury myself, and he left me with the very thing I wanted to get away from.

"So, where exactly do you want your grave?" The red-head said, looking very amused. I rolled my eyes.

"Somewhere you won't find it," I said and glared at him, irritated that he finds this so funny. 

"Aww, you're so mean Evan. Usually, when I kiss people they want to date me. Not hate me." Waeland whined.

Yeah, telling me about your past dates is so going to make me want to date you. Nope, you’re wrong. That just makes me want him less. I don't want to be one of his things that he just uses until he gets bored.

"I never said I hated you," I said, even though I'm sure a small part of me did hate him.

"Then go on a date with me." He said and I blinked for several moments before my brain processed what he just said. No. He did not just say that.

"No," I said without hesitation.

"C'mon, just one date? I promise if you don't have fun, I'll leave you alone forever. I won't even talk to you again if you don't want me to."

Hmm... That's a good deal, considering I know I won't even like it, let alone have fun. I thought about it for a moment, but if it meant him leaving me alone forever, why not?

"Fine, but just one." I agreed. 

"Please, Evan, I-" he stopped midsentence, looking at me. "Wait. Really?” He asked and his eyes widened, staring at me in disbelief. 

"Yes, really," I said.

"No conditions other than the ones I said?" He asked, looking a little suspicious. Probably because I agreed right away and he probably wasn't expecting that.

I nodded and put the shovel down. I guess I don't need to bury myself anymore. Waeland will be out of my life soon.

"Yes!" I watched as Waeland pumped his fist in the air and did a little happy dance.

This guy is so weird.

"Breakfast is done!" My dad yelled from the kitchen.

"Coming!" Waeland and I said in unison. We glanced at each other and I frowned while he smiled.

After a very long breakfast of listening to my dad and Waeland chat away, I got up, ready to leave. Wow, they're like long lost brothers or something. I swear, it's kind of creepy how Waeland and my dad clicked so fast. And now that I've seen them talking, he really reminds me of a more good-looking version of my dad. Which is even creepier.

"Going to get ready for the day, Evan?" Dad asked me, halting their conversation about sports or something. I wasn't paying all that close attention anymore, I lost interest.

"Yeah, I need to change out of these clothes." I realized that I was still wearing the clothes I wore to the party and I felt gross.

"I'm going to head home then," Waeland said. Yes! He's finally leaving! "Be ready for our date in an hour. I'll pick you up here." All my happiness shattered whenever the words fell out of his mouth.

That's today? I thought it was going to be another day. I am not prepared for this, I thought I had more time.

"Date? So you do like my son." My dad said with a light chuckle.

"Yeah, sorry… I thought you might of had something against gays and I didn't want to ruin anything, so I didn't tell you last night." Waeland told him, but Dad just waved it off.

"It's alright, I know where you're coming from. I wouldn't want to ruin a relationship with a girl's parents either."

"I'm not a girl though...." I mumble, annoyed that I was compared to a girl. I am most certainly not a chick.

Waeland chuckled and exchanged goodbyes with my dad, then me. I said a soft goodbye as he picked up his keys and left the house.

"My son actually got a date! With a guy, but he seems great so I don't mind at all as long as he doesn't hurt you." My dad told me excitedly. Ugh, he sounds like a mom more than a dad.

"Whatever... You won't see him again after today..." I mumble. 

"Why? He's a good kid, I'd love to see him come over more."

"The deal of our date is that if I don't like it, then he’ll leave me alone forever," I said, crossing my arms.

Dad smirked at me a bit, "I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Kiddo. Just remember to be safe always, okay?" He said, then left, leaving me to my own confused thoughts. Safe? What's that supposed to mean? I know Waeland is unpredictable and annoying, but he's not dangerous. I think. He is stronger than me, but he wouldn't hurt me. Would he?

For the next hour, I couldn't stop thinking of Waeland and this supposed date. I never worried about my appearance. Well, not until now. I must have changed at least six times and I couldn’t stop looking in the mirror to see in my hair looked alright. Not that I should really care. 

Jeez, Waeland is turning me into a different person. Why am I doing this again? Oh, right, to get him away from me forever.

But do I really want that?

Yes.

No.

Maybe? I don't know.

I stopped thinking the moment I heard someone knock on the door. Shoot, Waeland's here. I ran downstairs, fixing my hair a bit while going down. I stopped when I realized what I was really doing. Why do I care what I look like so much?

I opened the door to see a sinfully, hot angel in front of me. I meant devil. He is no angel.

My eyes wandered all over him. His hair is styled in a way that I hadn't seen before and his eyes, somehow, they looked brighter and more captivating somehow. I really do love his eyes. I then looked at his white shirt that clung to his body, exposing his drool-worthy muscles. Sadly, his arms were covered up by a leather jacket. Not that I was really complaining, it made him look very hot. He also wore skinny jeans that made his ass look great.

Damn. This guy makes me have very bad thoughts that I should never think about. But I can’t help it. 

"You look great, Evan." The drool-worthy man in front of me said with a smirk in his voice. I was too busy looking at his muscles to look at his face to see the smirk, but I definitely heard it.

"U-Um... So do you." I managed to stutter and force myself out of that weird trance I was in.

Waeland chuckled, "That's the second time I've heard you stutter. It's quite cute."

Calling me cute really got me out of my weird trance and I frowned at him. I think he realized what he did because the look on his face looks like he slightly regretted his words. That quickly faded though.

"Ready to go?" He asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I responded and followed him over to his car. I got into the passenger seat as he got into the driver's seat. "Where are we going?" I asked, looking at him.

"It's a surprise," Waeland said with a smile.

I hate surprises. I like to know what I'm getting myself into so I can plan ahead or prepare myself at least. 

I may have muttered that aloud because Waeland answered me. "Surprises are fun because you don't know what's going to happen." He started the car and backed out of the driveway. I looked up at my house as we drove away and saw my dad watching through the window with a smug expression on his face.

Are Waeland and my dad planning on murdering me or something? I hope not.

A half an hour of silence later, Waeland seemed to no be able to take the silence. "I forgot to ask. Do you like roller coasters?"

"Never been on one before. Why?" I looked over at him.

His eyes were focused on the road, but he glanced at me for a second. "Really? Never?"

"Never."

"Why? They're so exciting and thrilling." Waeland said.

I shrugged, "I never wanted to go on one, so I never have. Simple."

"Okay, well, I'm sure you're going to love this." He said, smiling proudly to himself. I raised a brow at him. I have a feeling I know where we're going now. 

Somewhere I've never wanted to go. Somewhere with tons of screaming people and noisy rides. An amusement park.

Yup, I'm definitely not going to enjoy this. I sighed, Waeland doesn't know me very well, does he? I hate people and loud places, hence why I hate going to school, but I've already explained that. 

I watched out the window and saw an amusement park coming into view. Ha, yup, I was right.

Waeland pulled his car into the almost empty parking lot. Empty? Shouldn't amusement parking lots be full of cars and people? It's the middle of spring, so it can't be closed because of the season and I'm pretty sure most are open on Sundays. And if not, then why would he bring me here if it is? He confuses me so much.

"It's not closed if that's what you're wondering," Waeland said, smirking at me. He sure does like to smirk a lot. I wonder if his face will freeze like that. "It's reserved."

"Reserved? What for?"

"For us of course." He said, rolling his eyes as if I was supposed to already know that. What? I didn't know you could reserve an entire park for someone. And if you did, you must be a very wealthy person.

"Huh? You can do that?" I asked, slightly dumbfounded.

"Yeah, if you own the place." He said, getting out of the car and I followed his actions.

"You own an amusement park?" No way. I don't believe this.

"Well, my family does. I wanted to take you somewhere fun, but I know how much you hate people, so I talked to my dad and he agreed to reserve it for us today. Only the workers are here so they can run the rides and get us food and stuff still." Waeland said, smiling at me this time.

I'm shocked. Not only because he owns this place, but because he did this just for me. Maybe he does know me a bit better than I thought.

A small smile played on my lips and I looked at him. "Thank you." I said, but it wasn’t forced, I meant it.

"Don't thank me yet, we haven't even done anything. C'mon, let's go ride something." Waeland grabbed my hand and led me towards the gate of the place. His hand feels warm in mine... I kind of like it.

I smiled a bit to myself. Maybe today won't be as bad as I thought. And maybe. Just maybe, I might enjoy it.