"So tell me why we're here again?"
"Just to spend some time together. It's a chance for us to learn about each other, right? Seeing as you're new here, it would be good to have a friend."
"I guess, but you make it seem like we're on a date. Couldn't you at least stop leaning forward with your chin on your hands?"
"Ahah, I'm sorry, force of habit."

I was with Ken in a café by the bus station. True, I just moved here about a week ago, school has been in session for 3 months already, and I did want to have a friend. I wouldn't mind him so much if he wasn't acting the way he was. I mean...two guys sitting at a table for two just screams...well, you know. I think he was just joking around exploiting the seating arrangement to test out my sense of humor.

Yeah, that must be it.

"So, all the way from Seattle, Washington, huh? That's a long way. You flew here, right?"
"Yeah, the airport was giving me hell. Or rather the people in front of me didn't know standard procedure at the metal detector."
"How frightening, haha. You must have had a long journey."
"Agonizingly long. But what about you? Have you been here since day one, or did you move here?"
"Oh, I moved here too. Just around five years ago, so I've come to like this place during that time."

"Here you guys are!"
The waitress who took our drink orders came over and placed two glasses on the small circular table. I ordered a simple apple tea. Ken ordered a café au laít, whatever the hell that was.
The waitress asked if we'd be needing anything else. Ken responded with a "No thank you" and smiled. Gotta admit this guy looks good, especially when he...

Wait, what the hell am I saying?

"It wasn't a tough move or anything. I was used to moving, having family in the military, but now that my father retired, we've decided to stay here."
"I see. It is a comfy little town, I gotta say. I'm pretty relaxed."
"Compared to the bustling city life, yes, it would seem like a calm little town. Neighboring towns are literally minutes away by car. It's a good place to settle down."
"So when were you planning on proposing to me"
"I wasn't planning to do it for another couple months, but we'll see how it goes."

We both looked at each other seriously before bursting into laughter.
So he was that kind of guy. Haha, this could be interesting.

As I took a sip of my delicious apple tea, two young ladies, about my age, walked in and seated themselves nearby a window in another "built-for-two" table. They were pretty good looking, too.

Ken noticed me checking out the innocent girls, turned his head a little to see for himself, then turned back to me with a smile so devilish it would make Satan file for sexual harassment.

Ken spoke in a whispered tone "Hey, wanna have some fun?"

We may share the same sense of humor, but I don't want to know what you're thinking of doing to those pretty girls.

But I was curious.

"What is it?" I sighed.
"Just play along with me, it'll be great."

Ken proceeded to look at me, but changing his expression to fit the role of a high school girl gazing at her beloved pop celebrity crush.

I'm confused, what the hell is going on?

"Oh really? That sounds like fun" Ken said in a voice just loud enough for the girls at the table over to eavesdrop. They must have heard, because they turned to look over.

"D...don't say things like that when we're-"
I turned away, feeling aggravated. I could feel my cheeks warming up.

We seemed to be the attention of the girls, now. What the hell was Ken thinking?

He moved a little closer to me, and extended his hand to mine, which was still holding my drink.

Don't touch me.

"Aww don't get mad at me"

I risked a glance at the girls nearby. They was no subtlety in their actions, their eyes were glued to us, and on the edge of their seats. I've never seen such determined faces in a café before.

Ken drew closer.

I reacted naturally. I jerked my face backwards, and my back ran into the back of the chair. It caused me to lean the entire chair back, and I fell over. I still had my apple tea in hand, so I ended up spilling some of it on my face.

Ken rushed to help me up. I looked up at him as I accepted his hand and lifted me off the ground.

"Are you okay? I didn't upset you, did I? I'm sorry"

He sounded like he was talking to his lover.

I looked over at the girls and their grins were as big as mount Everest. I'm sure I heard one of them squeal.

I could tell I was blushing. The waitress glanced over at us and had a "I-knew-it" smirk on her face.

God damn it, Ken.
I see where you're going with this. Might as well finish strong.

I gazed back into Ken's eyes, and said in a soft spoken voice "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

What the hell am I doing?

Ken couldn't hold it in any longer. He stepped away and started laughing. His guffaw confused the customers inside, but I laughed too. I think they thought we were insane.

We paid for our drinks and left. Ken was still giggling somewhat.

"Did you see those girls? They were about to pop out of their pants! Ahaha!"
"Next time, give me a heads up, will ya? I wasn't ready for it!"
"Oh? Was that blush natural? You couldn't be falling for me, could you?"
"You're such an asshole."
"And you're fun to mess with. I'm sorry, but this town lacks interesting people like you. I do love this place, but it gets a little boring sometimes."

And your idea of fun is to come on to me in the middle of a café just to momentarily please a couple of high school girls with your homosexual fantasies? I dunno, it just seems weird when people you don't know are watching, and think it's genuine.

"Ken, you're not afraid of anything, are you?"
"I wouldn't say that. We're humans, we all fear something, right?"
"Then what do you fear?"

Ken stopped walking for a moment. I turned to face him; his smile faded a little bit. He looked like he was deep in thought. After a moment, he looked up at me, smiled and said "Maybe another time?"

I don't push a subject if no one wants to talk about it. But after seeing how this guy acts and knowing he's afraid of something...it made me all too curious.

I guess I'm going to have to wait for the right time to ask him.