Page 38 of Out of My Mind

It was one of the best weeks of Mac’s life.

And now he was going through withdrawal. From tonight until tomorrow sundown was Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. Gideon had to fast and abstain from technology and sit in temple for most of the day. Mac admired his dedication. He couldn’t go five minutes without checking his phone, like most normal people.

That night, Mac accompanied Delia to a birthday party for one of her friends. She and Mac had crossed paths many times before, and Mac wound up knowing a few people from class and elsewhere. That was the beauty of a college party. You were never really a stranger.

The girl’s favorite color was magenta, not pink. The apartment was a wash of the color. The cupcakes had magenta food coloring, and the punch bowl runneth over with magenta-color sangria. Mac scooped him and Delia two cups worth. Delia held two mini cupcakes for them.

“I feel like this is the first time I’ve seen you all week,” she said.

Mac blushed, which helped him blend in with the décor. “Just, busy with midterms.”

“Oof. Tell me about it.”

Her innocuous comment felt like a kick in the heart. She didn’t question him. She didn’t suspect anything.

They shared an extra-large beanbag chair in the corner of the living room. Mac held both of their drinks and cupcakes while Delia got comfortable. She then grabbed both pastries and shoved them in her mouth.

“Chocolate peanut butter cupcakes,” she said with a satisfied smile, not unlike one you see on a cat being petted. “I miss gluten and nuts.”

“You’re a trooper. You want another one?”

“Yes. And a cookie and some crackers.”

Mac took hold of the wall to push himself off the beanbag. He ventured to the other side of the living room, home of the treats, to indulge his friend’s craving. He began filling up his magenta napkin when someone tapped him on the shoulder.

“Fifth row. Fourth seat from the aisle.” The kid looked vaguely familiar. Surely someone who’d wear a shirt that had GAY BEST FRIEND written in big, block letters to a party had to stand out in his memory.

“I beg your pardon?”

He reached around Mac to pick up a magenta-frosted cookie for himself. “You’re in my geology class.”

Yes, Mac was actually in Introduction to Geology this quarter. A science distribution requirement. The irony was not lost on him.

“You always seem way too happy to be in geology class,” the kid said.

Nope, not lost on him at all.

“I’m Mac.”

“Rafe.”

They moved around their treats to shake hands. Rafe’s wild mop of curly hair seemed to lack a cowlick. It was not too far off from the unruly mess on Gideon’s head.

“Some party.” Rafe held up the cookies. “So are you actually into geology, or is it just a distribution requirement for you?”

“The latter. But it’s interesting. You?”

“I don’t know. I’m undecided.” Rafe drank his punch. Mac laughed when he saw his magenta teeth.

“Do you know your teeth are magenta?”

“So are yours.”

They both looked in the mirror mounted on the wall. There they were, two gays with Lisa Frank teeth.

“This is a good look for us,” Mac said.

“I think this needs to be memorialized with a selfie.” Rafe pulled out his phone and motioned for Mac to get close. Mac scooted into frame. Rafe snaked his hand around his waist in a classic flirty move. Subtle, yet noticeable.