Brian was sitting in the kitchen, at the table, when Debbie and Jennifer walked in. Brian had been waiting for Jennifer. He knew that Jennifer always helped Debbie with breakfast every Friday, since it is her day off.
When they walked in, they were both surprised to see him. "Hey, Kiddo. What'cha doing up this early?" asked Debbie.
Brian shrugged. "Actually, I need to speak to Jennifer. In private."
Jennifer and Debbie shared a confused look. "Do you mind, Debbie?" asked Jennifer.
Debbie sook her head. "Nah. Go ahead."
Jennifer and Brian walked into the living room and sat down. Jennifer on the couch and Brian in a chair, across from her. Jennifer could tell that Brian was nervous. She didn't know him well, but she thought that nervousness was out of character for him. He always seemed so self-assured.
Jennifer was the first one to break the silence. "So, Brian, what did you need to talk to me about?"
Brian took a deep breath. "Well, I am wanting to talk to you about Justin."
"What about him? Is something the matter?"
"No, no. Um, I'm wanting to ask him out on a date... for tonight. I was wanting to ask you before I did. I know how close you two are and I don't want to cause any problems."
Jennifer's eyes widened slightly. "Um... Brian... I have to admit that I'm a little uncomfortable with the age difference. Plus, I heard Lindsay saying that you two are an item."
Brian blew out an exasperated breath. "Absolutely not! We're just friends... if that. I've told her a dozen times that I'm one hundred percent gay, but she's being hard-headed.
"And, I know that I'm twelve years older than Justin, but we have a lot in common. I can hold an intelligent conversation with him."
Jennifer thought over Brian's request for a couple of minutes. She knew that Justin really liked Brian. Deciding to follow her instincts, she nodded. "Alright. Ask him out. But, Brian... do not hurt my son."
"You have my word that I will never intentionally hurt Justin. And, if I do, you have my permission to kick my ass."
Jennifer chuckled, "Oh, I will. Well, I'd better get back to the kitchen and help Debbie."
"Thanks, Jennifer."
Brian walked out to the backyard and saw Justin sitting under an Oak tree, a pencil flying over a page in his sketchbook. Brian had seen a few sketches that Justin had done, and the blonde was very talented. He knew that Justin wanted to be an artist, and Brian knew that Justin would be famous one day.
When Brian reached Justin, he sat down across from him on the ground. He could tell that Justin didn't even know that he was there. He was completely focused on his sketch. Brian decided to just wait for Justin to get done.
About twenty minutes later, Justin looked up from his sketchbook. He jumped a little when he saw Brian. "How long have you been there?"
Brian shrugged. "Twenty minutes or so. You were so focused, I decided to wait. So, what were you sketching?"
Justin smiled his 'sunshine' smile. Everytime Brian saw it, it took his breath away. Handing the sketchbook to Brian, with a slight flush, he said, "See for yourself."
Brian took the sketchbook and saw his own face staring back at him. "You sketched me?"
"Yeah. You're a great... sunbject. Maybe, next time, you could actually pose for me?"
Brian smirked. "Naked or fully clothed?"
Justin's face went even redder as he answered, "Maybe a compromise between the two."
"I think we can work something out," answered Brian as he handed Justin the sketchbook back. "Listen, I wanted to ask you something."
"Um, okay. What?"
"Well, I asked your mother and she said that it's okay. I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me... tonight."
"As in a date?" asked Justin.
Brian silently nodded. Justin smiled, his heart fluttering. "I'd like that."
"Great. Is seven okay?" Justin nodded. "Alright then. Well, Debbie needs me to run to the store. Wanna come?"
"Sure." As Justin and Brian walked to Brian's car, all Justin could think about was his date with Brian. 'Oh God, what am I going to wear?!' he wondered.